Thirsty Thursday: Let's talk about cartoon crushes

📸 via Square Enix

I'm gonna be real here, quarantine's got me feeling some type of way in the thirst department, and I know you're feeling the same. (I saw y'all acting up on Syd's post about photos that make you want to risk it all!) Lately, I can't stop thinking about all the cartoon characters I had crushes on as a kid—most of all Cloud Strife from the video game Final Fantasy. This spike-y haired hottie was truly the fire of my loins circa 2001, and his recent glow-up for the Final Fantasy VII Remake (out April 10) has straight-up reignited the flame.

Piercing blue eyes? Check. Moody, broody attitude? Check. Toned arms from carrying around that giant sword all day? Um, yeah, check. And you know what they say: the bigger the sword...

📸 via Disney

Don't you dare start side-eyeing me! I know for a fact that hundreds of thousands of you took Lauren's "Would You Rather: Hot Cartoon Dudes Edition" poll. To the 75 percent of our readers into zaddy Simba, I salute you. And the 38 percent of you who wanna slide into Hot Squidward's DMs... no judgment here.

We're all just trying to stay sane in these trying times, and something about revisiting my cartoon crushes of yesteryear is oddly comforting. A more innocent time! I'd love to hear what animated characters (human or otherwise) sparked your sexual awakening. I'll just be over here playing the new Final Fantasy, not not daydreaming about being quarantined with Cloud.

As always, send in your recommendations for thirst traps by replying to this email!

Yours in thirst,

Kristina (@kristinabornholtz)