Monica (Mônica in the original) is, by far, Mauricio de Sousa's best-known character and a great symbol of national Brazilian comics around the world. She serves as the protagonist of Monica's Gang. She was created by Mauricio de Sousa in 1963, and first appeared in a comic strip alongside Jimmy Five. Monica is voiced by Marli Bortoletto in the Brazilian animated version of the comic book series.
Monica is feisty, headstrong, quick-tempered and bossy, but still a really good friend.
The boys from the street love to bully her because of her looks, and that's why she's always chasing them up and down and hitting them with her bunny plush, Samson (that's called "bunny bash", or "coelhada" in the original), which they try to catch to tie his ears together to anger Monica.
Her best friend is Maggy, but she gets along with pretty much everyone - hence why it's called Monica's Gang (and also because she is the "Ruler of the Street", a title the boys want to take from her so the street can be theirs). She sometimes gets a few crushes in boys who also live in Lemon Tree Street, like Luca. However, the one she truly likes is Jimmy Five.
Known for her lively, strong and very sensitive personality, along with her natural leader pose with her clumsy, comical and passionate way for her age, Monica is the face of the comic series, and an inspiration in children's eyes, but who still enchants with her fun and optimistic aspect of seeing things. This little girl is the ambassador of her friends.
Appearance[]
Monica is always wearing her iconic red dress and wears no shoes. Her wardrobe only has several red dresses, one just like the other.
She carries her plush bunny Samson with her everywhere. She cares for him and treats him like a real person. She is also buckteethed, just like Bucky. Her hairdo is kind of "banana-like", and the boys like to tease her about it.
In her Teen version, Monica retains her old hairstyle and buck teeth. She has no default outfit though, but sometimes still wears red as she always used to.
Monica's first appearance, in a comic strip from March 3rd, 1963.
Her full name is Monica de Sousa in the original version.
Monica was based on one of Mauricio de Sousa's daughters, also named Monica. She was the first female character he ever created.
She slightly resembles Lulu Moppet from the Little Lulu series created by Marjorie Henderson Buell.
Monica's birthday is March 21, 2006. Therefore, she is the oldest protagonist.
Due to her stuffed bunny, she even appears to have a fondness for bunnies in general.
Despite being a protagonist, Monica may have some antagonistic traits, due to her lack of patience whenever she is teased.
Monica is the most loved Brazilian character and a worldwide phenomenon. It's a fact that the Monica's Gang comics are what most kids use to learn how to read in Brazil.
There are thousands of books, comic books, dolls, notebooks and countless other products with the character's image.
In Monica and Friends, she's voiced by Gabriela Jansen Piccoli, who's known for the voice of Suzu from Go Astro Boy Go.
After the events of one episode, Monica seems to want to grow out of her favorite toy, Samson. In a few stories, Monica initially declines bringing Samson along with her. Though she does cave in both situations, showing that she still prizes Samson as her favorite toy as much as she would like to keep him on the down-low. She's also shown embarrassment upon accidentally showing Samson to other people in many stories and episodes.
