Janet Barch

This is a list of characters featured in MTV's animated series Daria (1997–2002).

Daria Morgendorffer (first appearance: Episode #1, "Esteemsters"). Daria is voiced by Tracy Grandstaff. As the title character, Daria is present in every episode and central to almost every plot. Cynical, pessimistic and sardonic to a terminal degree, Daria's intellect and academic insight is often counterbalanced by her pronounced lack of motivation. Although Daria has been involved in school activities and social events, it usually takes bribery from her parents, threats upon her grades by Principal Li, or cajoling by either Jodie Landon (at school) or Jane Lane (in social situations) to enlist her participation. Her trademark characteristic is that she rarely changes her facial expression or the tone of her voice, except for a small satisfied smile akin to the Mona Lisa's when she is pleased, and sometimes a high-pitched "Eep!" sound when something is suggested or hinted that involves Jane's brother Trent. In the later episodes, she was more frequently drawn as sad when under emotional stress. Bemused by the world around her, Daria usually reacts to the stupidity of her classmates, faculty and family with a caustic remark, and only lets her emotions show in times of deep frustration. In Season 3 Episode #8, "Lane Miserables," Jane discloses to Jake Morgendorffer that Daria is seventeen and 5'2". In her spare time, Daria likes to write, but she is generally reluctant to make her work public.

Jane Lane (first appearance: Episode #1, "Esteemsters"). Jane is voiced by Wendy Hoopes. Daria's artistic best friend and fellow outcast, as well as the youngest of the five Lane siblings. While sharing some of Daria's misanthropic views and attitudes, Jane is much more lively and well adjusted than her best friend. In the episode "The F Word", Jane's response to an assignment to try something at which she thought she'd fail was to try to become a popular cheerleader. She did so effortlessly, but quickly became disgusted with the "in crowd" and returned to her old self. Jane also flirts with mainstream acceptance when she joins the track team, but quits after her teammates insult Daria ("See Jane Run"). Living with her older brother Trent (see below), she manages to stay completely functional and content with life despite a complete absence of parental guidance or even presence. Aside from her friendship with Daria, her major defining characteristic is her artistic talent, for which she strives desperately to maintain her integrity, even going so far as to vandalize her art when a caption is changed for a school contest ("Arts N Crass") and to quit making replicas for money after realizing the negative impact upon her creativity ("Art Burn"). Jane likes to make postmodern art, and Jane and Daria's favorite TV show is "Sick, Sad World." Anita Gates of The New York Times says that Jane "knows all of Daria's peculiarities and still loves her" and that "the absolute proof that Jane is a good friend is that she knows how Daria feels about Trent and will never, ever tell."

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