My Top 5 Disney Female Characters

So, Apparently, Bob Iger stepped down as CEO. Personally, all I have for that news (aside from wondering if he's gonna pull another "Capek") is a Passive Agressive "Good Riddance". I would say worse things about his catastrophic regime as Disney's CEO, but I don't really want to give him much more recognition in this article. Hopefully, Damaro is at least somewhat better and keeps Walden at bay. As for Disney Itself, I dont really think there's any recovery in sight. I seriously doubt Disney will ever go "Out of Business", but I can garuntee you that Disney will probably NEVER have another Renaissance like it did in the 1990s

With That out of the way I want to get into the heart of today's article

Disney has a very strong impact on the way I draw as an artist and tell stories as an author. I grew up on watching Disney movies on VHS and DVD, and it makes up the majority of my childhood media. Perhaps my favorite aspect though are the Human female characters of Disney

In this Article, I want to list my Top five.

First, The Honorable Mentions...

Disney Television Animation

Disney has a generous amount of female human character for Television animation. And, Honestly, These Character designs are [fittingly] the best Character designs of any cartoon female human characters of the 1980s and 1990s. They translate Disney's Cinematic style to TV while not loosing too much quality. However, I wanted to focus more on Feature Animation (which I grew up on more) in this article so I wont be getting too much into detail.

Some of my favorite Designs include:

• From Bonkers (1993-95): Marilyn Piquel, Miranda Wright, Dylandra "Dyl" Piquel

• From Fluppy Dogs (1986): Claire, Mrs Bingham (Jamie's Mom)

• From Gummi Bears (1985-91): Princess Calla

• Various secondary & Backround Characters from Fluppy Dogs, Chip And Dale Rescue Rangers (original; 1989-92), Bonkers, and even Darkwing Duck.

Disney Feature Animation

Disney feature film Heroines from the 1980s and 1990s (and the 2D films of the 2000s) are usually my favorites. I will also admit that if I had a 6 & 7 on this list; I'd put Belle (Beauty And The Beast; 1991) and Eilonwy (The Black Cauldron; 1985). Also, I'd have Nani as a possible 8; but for mainly the same reasons as I will mention with Lilo in a minute

Lilo Pelekai (Lilo & Stitch; 2002 [+ Spinoff Media])

Lilo was the first (and, to date, only) traditionally animated Disney girl to be of native Hawaiian (i.e. Polynesian) descent. As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, I can tell you that Lilo has a special place im my heart (and most Hawaii locals) as a Disney animated character. Also, unlike Moana, It is made known that Lilo is from Hawaii (and therefore Hawaiian) instead of ambiguously "Pacific Islander" (which, Honestly, almost no one in Hawaii actually uses that term). 

Also, One last thing I have to say, I firmly believe that Lilo is the most important element to the Lilo and Stitch franchise. Ever since after Leroy and Stitch, There seems to be an emphasis more on Stitch in the franchise than on Lilo. This is especially true for Japan’s "Stitch" anime and China's "Stitch and Ai" cartoon. Personally I feel neither really work as media. The issue with excluding Lilo is that, in the original 2002 movie, Lilo is the catalyst for Stitch's transformation from tiny instrument of destruction to the lovable mischievous alien dog that everyone loves now. Likewise, the original 2002 movie follows more the story arch of Lilo and Nani trying to keep their family [i.e. Ohana] together in the midst of the struggle (and coming out better when they succeed)

This is also an element that the live action remake [ironically] downplayed; which ended up being a major criticism of the film (myself Included).... that is, aside from being a soulless live action cash grab to pay for a certain executives new yacht to water ski behind. 

With that out of the way, on to Lilo herself 

As I mentioned before, Lilo is of native Hawaiian descent. She is pretty short in stature and is usually seen wearing either a Hawaiian dress, shirt and shorts, or her striped swimsuit. I feel that the animators behind Lilo did a pretty good job at designing her. Her design incorporates many physical features that you would associate with people of Polynesian descent without looking offensive or stereotypical. 

Added to that, Lilo has an oddball personality that, to me, comes across as someone with Asperger’s or high Functioning autism (this is coming from someone who has Asperger’s/high Functioning autism himself so...). As I get older, this resonates with me even more. However, even as a kid I felt I related to Lilo's struggles as someone who felt like they "didn't fit in" 

Another interesting tidbit before I move on... Lilo (and her sister Nani) are the only Female characters in Disney animation to have been depicted in swimsuits (i.e. Nani's Bikini and Lilo's One Piece Bathing Suit). Granted, Its appropriate since Lilo & Stitch is set in 2000s Hawaii, so going to the beach and swimming is inevitable. Nevertheless, Beach episodes seem to be lost opportunities for the majority of Disney Animations.

Anita Radcliffe (101 Dalmatians; 1961 [+ Spinoff Media])

Interesting enough; 101 Dalmatians was the first Disney Animated movie to take place in the present day in the human world. It was a bold and innovative decision that payed off in Disney’s highest grossing animated box office since Snow White. Unfortunately, after the success of Mary Poppins shortly before Walt Disney's Death, the company would focus less on learning from 101 Dalmatians's success and more on replicating Mary Poppins success... resulting in the Company's worst stagnation period until Bob Iger's existential nightmare. 

As for Anita Radcliffe Herself; she is, in my opinion, the OG modern Disney female character.... at least as far as design is concerned. Her final design was done by master Animator Milt Kahl, who took over the design from Les Clark in order to give her a more modern look. The result is a very beautiful young woman who looks like she really is straight from 1960s London. 

What I especially love about Anita is her very much average depiction. Anita is definitely not a princess; She lives a modest lifestyle in a London terraced house with her songwriter husband, dogs, and a maid. Her husband Roger is a bit of a goofball. Also, unlike her aristocratic [former] friend Cruella De Vil, she doesn't really have a lot of luxuries (which De Vil makes fun of her for). Yet at the same time she seems to have a happy life with her husband (whom the two still have a happily exiting relationship), and is obviously more attractive and beautiful than Cruella. 

Her appearance consists of short ginger and a simple blouse with a long skirt. She also sometimes wears reading glasses and/or an overcoat. Very simple but strikingly modern. 

Penny (The Rescuers; 1977)

The Rescuers was arguably one of the best [if not the best] things to come out of Disney from the "first dark age" period (1968 to 1985). The movie had a refreshingly dark and thrilling plot and tone that contrasted with Disney's standard lukewarm flair of the 1970s. It dealt with serious topics that animation in the US kept avoiding; such as Child abduction, the values of self worth, the dangers of greed, and the nature of international diplomacy. Added to that; like 101 Dalmatians before and Lilo and Stitch later , it was set in the present day human world (this time the United States) and was one of the most successful Disney films at the time. 

Penny is the adorable little orphan girl of the film and, arguably, has the most compelling narrative arc of the film. When We are introduced to her in Rufus's flashback, she is an Orphan girl suffering from self confident issues. She was declined being adopted and feels disheartened, feeling that she wasn't "Pretty enough". Rufus does cheer her up initally, telling Penny that she is someone special and encouraging her to "keep the faith". Unfortunately, this is cut short when Medusa kidnaps Penny [off screen]; exploiting her as a way to fish out a diamond from a cave while being subject to emotional abuse at the hands of Medusa.

But as the film progresses, we do see her character arc grow. Although she is being emotional abused by Medusa, she takes no crap from Mr. Snoops and puts him in his place (even after her latest escape attempt is thwarted by Medusa's Alligators). Then, after successfully retreiving the diamond, There is a Scene where Penny finally stands up to Medusa

After Being coerced into getting the diamond by having her teddy bear taken from her by Medusa, Penny demands Medusa give him back to her even as Medusa holds Penny at gunpoint. And, because Penny's Teddy bear matters more to her than the diamond, She grab him and runs off when Medusa is breifly knocked down, eventually escaping from Medusa in the movie's climax. Its A cathartic moment where Penny finally stands up to and, wins against, against her abuser.

Finally, the movie ends with Penny being adopted... bringing a heartwarming conclusion to her story arc

As for Penny's Character design; Penny has a strikingly modest design. She is very cute but you can tell she comes from a less than glamorous background. She has light brown hair she wears in pigtails an a simple wardrobe. It gives her a sort of underdog feel that I feel works perfectly for her as a character and makes us root for her more.

Another Interesting, often overlooked aspect, to penny's Character is the christian undertones associated with her

Part of this is shown when she is seen praying in the middle of the film before bed, for both the kids in the orphanage and for her rescue, which gets answered pretty quickly as she meets Bernard and Bianca shortly after. Also, there is the "keeping the faith" theme that I mentioned earlier

Intrestingly enough; Penny was designed by Ollie Johnston (who also created Wendy and Alice), and was worked on by John Pomeroy (who later worked on another oprhan Girl named Anne Marie from All Dogs Go to Heaven) and Glen Keane who worked on the next two characters on this list.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid; 1989 [+ Spinoff Media])

Ariel from Disney's [Original] The Little Mermaid is perhaps the only "Popular"/"Mainstream" character on this list. With that said, Although I am not a fan of the movie per se (mostly because the Ursula scenes are just too damn much), I do believe that Ariel is the embodiment of all of Disney Animation's greatest strengths when it comes to character design.

Ariel was designed by master animator Glen Keane, who was inspired to take on the role of animating her after hearing a demo of Jodi Benson singing Part of Your World. The result was a masterclass and game changer in character design for western animation.

Perhaps the best part about Ariel's design is her youthfulness. Ariel has much rounder eyes than most Disney "Princesses", which does make her look less like a young woman and more like a teenage girl. This teen girl appearance is reflected with Ariel's spunky but somewhat naive personality; common with Teenage Girl-next-door archetypes.

And Then, of course, there is the fact that Ariel is a redhead. Ariel's Red hair works because it is not only attractive; but it also makes her stand out from the Disney "Princess" lineup (especially prior to Jasmine) while also underscoring her Girl-next-door aesthetic.

But perhaps one of my favorite aspects about this character (that often gets overlooked) is her arc from teen girl to mother

While the quality of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is debatable (both Melody's personality and the plot of the film), I absolutely love the parent dynamic it went for. In the Film, Ariel now has a child with Eric and (after a run in with Ursula's vindicative sister Morgana... who thankfully doesnt collect "Poor Unfortunate Souls" this time) finds herself in the same awkward position as her father was in the first movie (albeit Ariel is not as overbearing). That Said, Ariel still turns back into a mermaid and tries to rescue her daughter, only to be captured by Morgana and be rescued by her daughter instead. And While the movie could've been better; I did always love the fact that Disney made one of their princesses into an actual Mom... fittingly with a daughter.

And Yes, I do believe Race swapping Ariel in the Live Action remake was a bad Idea. Its Always Redheads that get targeted (same thing happeded to Anita in 101 Dalmatians), and Its especially inappropriate for a character as Iconic as Ariel. Also, I would say the same thing if they swapped Tiana or Jasmine for a white girl; Either way its inappropriate and doesn't work

Jenny Foxworth (Oliver and Company)

On the one hand, Jenny Foxworth from Disney's Oliver and Company isn't as remarkable and doesn't have as much nuance as the other four character I mentioned. However, Being my favorite character from my favorite Disney Movie, there is something to be said about her as my favorite Disney Character.

Jenny is the Adorable rich-but-lonely little Girl from Oliver and Company. She Adopt Oliver, the cute kitten protagonist (and my personal favorite Disney Cat) fom the movie and quickly becomes emotionally attached to him. She has a cheerful and kindhearted personality and, despite her wealthy background, is very accepting of others. This is best shown when Jenny celebrates her birthday with the homeless Fagin and his dog after they rescued her.

Interestingly enough, Jenny shares a lot in common with Ariel in design. Both are Caucasian redheads with bubbly personalities that come from affluent backgrounds that they aren't quite fond of (Ariel is a Princess with an overbearing father, Jenny is a rich girl with absent parents). Both were also animated by Glen Keane and Mark Henn, Who also worked on Ariel (and, in the case of Henn, Almost every Disney Heroine until the 2020s). In a strange way, Jenny feels like a prototype for Ariel.

On the flip-side, The Context of Jenny in Oliver and Company also reflects that of the other three heroines I mentioned (as well as Fluppy Dogs and, to an extent, Bonkers & [the original] Rescue Rangers); namely being set in the Present Day Human world at the time. Anita hails from 1960s Britain, Penny from 1970s US Mainland (New York and the Deep South), and Lilo from Hawaii in the Early 2000s. Jenny hails from 1980s New York City, which the movie Oliver & Company seems to have written all over it. There is something to be said about the few times that Disney sets a cartoon in the human world of the present day; that [Personally, I feel] these are their best animated works. And yes, this Is a huge reason I bring up Fluppy Dogs all the time to my friends, as it is the most 1980s thing produced by Disney animation (and Thank God For that).

Personal Impact on my art

As I mentioned before; Disney (especially the aforementioned Characters) Have a Huge impact on my work as an artist. As a Matter of fact; My first OC Jenny McCloud was named after Jenny Foxworth and I Modeled (at least her facial features) after Ariel.

Last Thing I'll say is that I wrote this article as a way to unpack some of my influences and hopefully inspire others to do likewise. In the future, I may touch up on Non-Disney and Anime Female Characters