What was the name of the rat in the cartoon “Buratino”? - briefly
The rat in the cartoon «Buratino» is named «Mikhail».
What was the name of the rat in the cartoon “Buratino”? - in detail
The rat that appears in the Soviet animated film «Buratino» is called «Misha». He is depicted as a short, brown‑furred rodent with a constantly twitching nose. Acting as a minor antagonist, he works for the puppet master Karabas Barabas, helping to guard the secret of the golden key and attempting to thwart Buratino’s escape. His speech is characterized by a sly, hurried tone, emphasizing his opportunistic nature.
The character was voiced by actor Anatoli Papanov, who gave the rat a distinctive nasal timbre that contrasts with the deeper voices of the main villains. In the narrative, «Misha» appears in two key scenes: first, during the raid on the theater where he tries to alert Karabas Barabas to Buratino’s intrusion; second, in the final chase sequence, where he scurries after the protagonist but is repeatedly outmaneuvered.
Although his screen time is limited, «Misha» contributes to the atmosphere of deceit surrounding Karabas Barabas’s operations, reinforcing the theme of cunning versus innocence that runs through the story. His design follows the classic Soviet animation style, with exaggerated facial expressions that convey both nervousness and sly confidence.