It could be that the character is distracted by a sound or movement coming from that direction. Or perhaps it's just a way for the artist to add some visual variety and express the character's curiosity.
Maybe it's looking for something interesting or someone to catch its attention.
The reason could be that the cartoonist wanted to convey a sense of anticipation or uncertainty. Maybe the character is looking to the side to avoid something or is about to discover something new.
Maybe he's looking for something or someone. That's a common reason for such behavior in cartoons.
The cartoon girl might be looking to the side because she's avoiding eye contact with someone or something in front of her. Maybe she's also waiting for someone to come from that direction.
Maybe they saw something interesting off to the side that caught their attention.
Maybe it's trying to catch something interesting out of its normal view.
It's hard to say exactly. She might be looking at a funny animal or a strange object that piqued her curiosity from the side.
The reason might be that there's a sound or movement on the opposite side that piqued the bear's interest. Maybe it's a natural instinct for the bear to explore and look in that direction.
The expression of the cartoon puppy looking to the side might convey a mix of inquisitiveness and a hint of wariness. Maybe its mouth is slightly open as if about to bark or make a sound due to whatever it's noticed.
It might suggest a positive or optimistic outlook. The cartoon character seeing the sunny side could indicate a hopeful or cheerful attitude.
Often, such a drawing might focus on the shape of the head, the hairstyle from the side view, and maybe some details like the position of the eyes and the line of the nose. It can also convey a sense of mystery or curiosity depending on the overall composition.
It could be to show curiosity or to catch something out of the corner of their eye. Maybe they heard a strange noise or saw something interesting off to the side.