In Sonic Boom, episode 75: "Nominatus Rising" (2017), even Knuckles from Sonic Boom, the Knuckles who was comedically dumbed down to a degree where he could no longer read and would eat napkins, understands that putting a little red bow on a cartoon character means they're a woman.
This is a commentary on Miss Pac-Man, who was the feminine design of Pac-Man by just simply adding a red bow. See Amy Rose looking at him angrily as she her original design was a pallet-swapped sonic with a skirt and red-bow, as this design choice was common at the time.
Even older when it comes to cartoons, see Minnie Mouse, who, while originally having a hat with a flower, was given the large hairbow when all the characters went through design changes in the late 1930s, for Mickey's Surprise Party (1939). In the 90's it was then changed to Red in some instances, then to pink in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but her mascot appearances alongside Mickey usually have her in red and polka-dots.
We'll also mention Daisy Duck, who first appears in Mr. Duck Steps Out (1940), who, previous to being voice acted by Macneille, was also voiced by Clarence Nash as the joke was she was just the female version of Donald. Her bow also changes color to this day, but in the original shorts her bow was pink.
It's almost like a little (usually red) bow has been shorthand for "girl" with cartoon characters since at least the 40s and especially the 80s and 90s and thinking otherwise means you are quite literally more obtuse than Sonic Boom Knuckles
anyway how have ya'll been
