Rugrats: one of many 90s-era Nickelodeon television shows that I loved upon getting Foxtel (cable TV) in Australia almost three decades ago. The misadventures of a group of babies and toddlers captivated audiences across nine seasons (a further five, if you include All Grown Up!) and three movies.
If you happened to miss the news, you may be thrilled to discover that Nickelodeon has ordered 26 new Rugrats episodes, and a live-action movie (with CGI characters) has been slated for release late in 2020.
We’re well beyond Nickelodeon’s target demographic, but that hasn’t stopped people expressing their dismay for the Rugrats reboot, in particular the movie. The show’s original creators are connected to the project, so there is hope that they’ll stay somewhat true to old school Rugrats while introducing some new characters and story lines to a new audience of children born in the 2010s.
While the kids are engrossed in the Rugrats reboot, people will be reliving their childhoods and celebrating the ’90s with some sweet Rugrats tattoos. This list is an interesting mix of pieces as, like with horror movies, tattoo collectors also seem to favour the ‘villains’ from the Rugrats: Angelica and her mother, Charlotte; Reptar the dinosaur and Cynthia the doll are also prevalent online in comparison to the likes of Tommy, Chuckie, and Phil and Lil.
Which Rugrats character is your favourite? Have you watched the reboot – how does it compare to the original episodes?
Colourful Reptar abstract tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Angelica and Cynthia tattoo by @sanae_kawaii
Angelica and Tommy love heart tattoo by @carly.kawaii
Punk Cynthia tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Chuckie and Tommy tattoo by @bloodofwolves
Cynthia (Rugrats) love heart tattoo by @alexstrangler
Chuckie x Sucky Panther tattoo by @kawaii_tattoo
Work Bitch. Charlotte (Angelica’s mum) tattoo by @lucybluetattoo
Spoilt brat. Angelica love hearts tattoo by @georgiietattoos
Blackwork Chuckie tattoo by @cxllxm_tattoo
Brat. Angelica and Fluffy tattoo by @alexrowntreetattoo
Angelica tattoo by @littlerachtattoo
Chuckie and Tommy tattoo by @brandon_tattoos
’90s style Cynthia tattoo by @erinodea
Angelica and Cynthia decorative love hearts tattoo by @bloodofwolves
Reptar and Chuckie tattoo by @adamkinskymilton
Rugrats x Shaun of the Dead tattoo by @ryanlucastattoos
Angelica and Chuckie tattoo by @honestlydear
Reptar tattoo by @bloodofwolves
Rugrats tattoo by @courtmello
Angelica and Cynthia love heart tattoo by @vanessaharpertattoo
Be a Queen. Angelica (Rugrats) tattoo by @fizzink
Chuckie tattoo by @tattoos.by.steve
Angelica love heart tattoo by @alexstrangler
Chuckie tattoo by @alexstrangler
Cynthia (Rugrats) decorative love heart tattoo by @hannahmaitattoo
Cynthia x Sucky Panther tattoo by @matt_nemeth
Reptar tattoo by @kawaii_tattoo
Angelica and Fluffy love heart tattoo by @shell_valentine_tattoo
Reptar tattoo by @tallsarahtattoos
Phil eating worms tattoo by @courtelisetattoo
Reptar eating pizza tattoo by @bloodofwolves
Tommy Pickles tattoo by @katietattoos
Lil tattoo by @courtelisetattoo
Angelica and Cynthia love hearts tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
“I woke up like this.” Cynthia tattoo by @shell_valentine_tattoo
Chuckie and Reptar tattoo by @littlerachtattoo
Tommy in a Reptar costume tattoo by @courtelisetattoo
Girl Power! Angelica and Cynthia abstract tattoo by @littlerachtattoo
Reptar tattoo by @tattoosbyjaclyn
Reptar head tattoo by @honestlydear
Angelica love heart tattoo by @bloodofwolves
New school Reptar (Rugrats) and Rocko’s Modern Life tattoo by @joshhermantattoo
Reptar tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Angelica, Fluffy and Cynthia love heart tattoo by @allytattoo_gvt
Reptar tattoo by @tattoos.by.steve
Reptar head tattoo by @jessicavtattoos
“Get in loser” Cynthia (Rugrats) x Mean Girls tattoo by @kellyborderstattoo
Angelica at Disney tattoo by @alexstrangler
Reptar tattoo by @bloodofwolves
Cynthia head tattoo by @honestlydear
Chuckie and Angelica sparkly love hearts tattoo by @avalonrosetattoo
Colourful ’90s themed Cynthia (Rugrats) tattoo by @goldlagrimas
Angelica eating ice cream tattoo by @alexstrangler
Chuckie (Rugrats) tattoo by @happykane_
Angelica love heart tattoo by @bloodofwolves
Ratchet. Cynthia decorative love heart tattoo by @nikkinuckles
Cynthia tattoo by @zachbeckett
Stylised Reptar tattoo by @audie_tattoos
Angelica and Cynthia love heart tattoo by @tattoo_tom
Boss Lady. Angelica love heart tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Chuckie x Chucky tattoo by @tattoo_tom
Angelica tattoo by @janadeoliveira_
Angelica and cookie jar tattoo by @nelandroide
Girl Boss. Angelica love heart tattoo by @lucybluetattoo
Chuckie tattoo by @bulman_tattoons
Chuckie skateboarding tattoo by @nicole_draeger
Cynthia tattoo by @missmaelaroux
Cynthia head ’90s tattoo by @alexstrangler
It was disheartening to see so many people – both clients and tattoo artists – show little regard or respect to someone in the tattoo industry. Several artists have tattooed Alex Strangler’s original Angelica illustration, giving her no credit nor asking for permission to use her work.
Angelica (from Rugrats) tattoo flash by @alexstrangler
TTA would just like to remind you not to copy any of the tattoos featured on this website. TTA’s intention is to share the very best tattoos by talented tattoo artists, all while saving you from trawling through the garbage tattoos on Instagram.
You can send a few tattoos (as reference) along with your concept to your tattoo artist, but they should be creating a unique tattoo for you.
This tattoo list was originally published on my former website in 2019.
The Tattooed Archivist 