Ariel

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This article is about the original version of Ariel from the 1989 animated film. For the live-action remake counterpart played by Halle Bailey, click here.

Ariel

Background Information

Feature films

The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Mickey's House of Villains

Television programs

The Little Mermaid
Little Mermaid's Island
101 Dalmatians: The Series
House of Mouse
A Poem Is...
Once Upon a Time
Sofia the First

Video games

The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid: Fireball Frenzy
Disney Princess series
Kingdom Hearts series
Kinect Disneyland Adventures
Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion

Voice

Jodi Benson

Inspiration

The Little Mermaid from Han's Christian Anderson's fairy tale classic, The Little Mermaid

Character Information

Other names

Princess Ariel
Queen Ariel

Personality

Free-spirited, funny, confident, curious, very beautiful, attractive, vivacious, kind, strong-willed, adventurous, explorer, bright, artistic, idealistic, loving, benevolent, intrigued, headstrong, bold, effervescent, stubborn (at times), friendly, jolly, compassionate, enthusiastic, giddy, playful, smart, mischievous, mildly tomboyish, charismatic, witty, bubbly, mild-mannered, gentle, responsible, romantic, feminine, spontaneous, serious, careful, very intelligent, intuitive, perceptive, sensitive, selfless, dreamy, pacifist, feisty, strict, protective, warm, sophisticated, fiery, loyal, humorous, cheerful, fun-loving, innocent, dramatic, lovable and cute (as a child), understanding, wise, motherly, considerate, supportive, mature, graceful, polite, perky, determined, peaceful, faithful, fair-minded, moral, rational, lively, tender-hearted, soft-hearted, heroic, energetic, active, brave, resourceful, honest, vibrant, ladylike, refined, well-mannered, poised, polite, courteous, outspoken (at times), independent, persuasive, passionate, empathetic, optimistic, comforting, patient, bold, emotional, good-hearted, good-natured stern, firm, sympathetic, forgiving, sweet, hopeful, imaginative, big-hearted, spunky, plucky, defiant, carefree, powerful, delicate, inspirational, animal-loving, fashionable, charitable, cunning, generous, nice, open-minded, peaceful, open, tenacious, daring, warm-hearted, outgoing, sisterly, talented, visionary, creative, vivacious, fair, just, sensible, reasonable, nurturing, outdoorsy, self-defense, upbeat, helpful, clever, social, sociable, extroverted, courageous, resilient, pretty, unflappable, inquisitive, fierce, lovable, thoughtful, likeable, self-discovery, peppy, defending, obedient, musically, positive, unconventional
Formerly: Naive, unconfident, rebellious, sarcastic, hasty, gullible, impulsive, reckless, wild, selfish, sassy, irritable, shy, awkward, childlike, impatient, doubtful, short-tempered, pessimistic, suspicious, reluctant, hesitant, dishonest, fraudulent, untrustworthy, overprotective, careless, obsessive, irresponsible, stubborn, willful, insubordinate

Appearance

Slender, curvy, beautiful, voluptuous, fair skin, red lips, long red hair, aqua blue eyes, lavender seashell bra, sea green fish-like tail

Occupation

Mermaid

Alignment

Good
Neutral (formerly)

Goal

To become human (succeeded)

Home

Atlantica

Friends

Prince Eric, King Triton, Flounder, Sebastian, Melody, Scuttle, Sailor Mercury, Karamatsu Matsuno, Choromatsu Matsuno, Ichimatsu Matsuno, Jyushimatsu Matsuno, Todomatsu Matsuno, Kinko Inuyama, Nyaa Hashimoto, Sailor Venus, Diana Cavendish

Enemies

Ursula, Flotsam and Jetsam, Morgana, Marina Del Rey, Glut, Undertow, Cloak and Dagger, Evil Manta, Totoko Yowai, Iyami, Lady Tremaine, Drizella Tremaine, Mercury Black, Maleficent, Cinder Fall, Daryl Cavendish and her daughters

Likes

Freedom, adventures, exploring, being outdoors, seeing the world, humans, human objects, strawberries, sailing, fairness, justice, learning about humans, being a human, her friends and family, Eric, singing, dancing, music, the color emerald, Seaweed cookies, having fun, horseback riding, animals, equality, romance, chasing her dreams, spending time with Melody, her daughter Melody, playing with Melody, peace

Dislikes

Misanthropy, restriction, rules, chores, pirates, shark attacks, prejudice, violence, Sebastian's nagging, the name "Mildred", Melody's disobedience, her friends, Eric and family in danger, her grotto getting destroyed, shark attack, her father's stubbornness, hatred of humans and overprotectiveness, lies, being treated as a child, the war between humans and mermaids, being a mermaid (formerly), Flounder's cowardice, stereotypical princess lifestyles, Ursula, Morgana and their manipulatives, villians, Marina Del Ray, threats to the kingdom, the war between humans and mermaids, Melody going to the sea (formerly), seeing Melody upset, her mother's death, being without music or fun, Vanessa, arguments, being controlled, isolation, boredom, being told what to do, Eric being with Vanessa

Powers

Superhuman strength
Thunder magic
Aquatic respiration
Supernatural speed swimming

Weapons

Eric's sword

Fate

Becomes a human and has a daughter named Melody

Quote

"Oh Flounder."

Princess (later) Queen Ariel is a mermaid and the main heroine of The Little Mermaid, its cartoons, and is the deuteragonist of the sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea before reprising her role as heroine of the midquel, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. She is voiced by Jodi Benson in all the films, who also voiced Jane Doe, Patsy Smiles and Almondine in Camp Lazlo. Ariel is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale of the same name, but received a different personality. Ariel's appearance consists of long red hair, blue eyes, a green fish tail, and a purple seashell bikini top. Ariel has won the award for most beautiful Disney Heroine.

Design[]

Ariel is a very beautiful teenage mermaid. She is very slender, and has fair skin. Her chest is covered by a purple seashell bikini top. As a child, she wears a strapless bikini top. Her lips are bright red and her teeth is bure white. As a mermaid, her only clothing is her bra, with bare shoulders, arms, and stomach. She has bright blue eyes. One of her most striking characteristics is her long, bright red hair. Her fin is long and green.

When she turns into a human, her tail is replaced by two thin legs, and her feet are small. After her transformation, she is briefly naked except for her bra. After meeting Eric, she wears several different dresses and gowns.

Appearances[]

The Little Mermaid[]

Ariel is the youngest of King Triton's daughters at age sixteen and despite her beauty was also the most adventurous and disobedient, which caused a problem for Triton occasionally. Ariel, while searching through a sunken ship, misses a musical presentation where she was to be the star. After a shark attack, she takes a fork to her seagull friend Scuttle. When Ariel returns, she is scolded by Triton for missing the presentation and going to the surface again. Triton forbids Ariel from going to the surface so that she doesn't get spotted by a human, which Triton has a strong hatred of. Upset by this, Ariel and her friend Flounder swims away to a secret grotto, filled with human objects that Ariel has collected, including jewels, golds, and treasures. While there, Ariel explains to Flounder of how she longs to go to the surface again but is banned by her father.

During the night, Ariel disobeys her father once more and goes up to the surface again, where she watches humans on a ship celebrate. Ariel falls in love with the prince, Eric, when the ship suddenly sinks. Eric nearly drowns but Ariel drags him to the surface and sings to him, and leaves when Eric regains consciousness. Ariel doesn't tell her sisters or father about Eric, so they assume that she is in love with a merman. Unfortunately for Ariel, Sebastian, Triton's assistant, tells Triton about Eric. Angered, Triton follows Ariel to the grotto, where a statue of Eric has been added to Ariel's collection. Triton berates Ariel for saving Eric, and an argument ensues between Ariel and her father, culminating in Triton destroying the grotto and the statue. As Ariel weeps, Triton leaves, remorseful. As Flounder and Sebastian leave the grotto, Ariel is confronted by two eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, who tell her to take advice from Ursula the sea witch. Ariel refuses at first, but ultimately agrees and follows the eels to Ursula's lair.

Ursula makes a deal with Ariel. She will turn Ariel into a human for three days, and if she manages to get Eric to fall in love with her in that time and kiss her, she will remain a human forever, but if she doesn't, then Ariel will transform back into a mermaid and will belong to Ursula. Ursula also asks Ariel for her voice, rendering Ariel incapable of speech. Flounder and Sebastian try to warn her of Ursula's true nature, but Flotsam and Jetsman silence them. Ariel accepts the deal and signs Ursula's contract, and Ursula takes away Ariel's voice and transforms her into a human. Still underwater, Ariel nearly drowns, but is taken to the surface by Flounder and Sebastian. They meet with Scuttle, who is at first unaware of Ariel's transformation until Sebastian tells him. As Ariel is naked from the waist down, Scuttle gives Ariel a dress to put on. Eric, who had been searching for the girl who saved him, finds her, but she is unable to tell him who she is. Nonetheless, he takes Ariel to his palace.

Ariel, not being familiar with human customs, makes a fool out of herself on several occasions. However, Eric soon falls in love with her anyways and the two nearly share a kiss with each other in a lagoon. However, Flotsam and Jetsam tip the boat they were sitting in over, interrupting them. In an act of desperation, Ursula transforms herself into a beautiful human and bewitches Eric into marrying him, leaving Ariel heartbroken. However, Scuttle reveals Ursula's deception to Ariel and she is pulled towards the ship by Sebastian and Flounder. Ursula's necklace holding Ariel's voice is smashed, returning her voice and lifting the spell Ursula has on Eric. Unfortunately, before Eric and Ariel can kiss, the sun sets and Ariel transforms into a mermaid, allowing Ursula to take her away back underwater.

Ursula is confronted by King Triton, and she makes a deal with him that he take Ariel's place. Triton accepts and is transformed into a polyp, much to Ariel's horror. In anger, Ariel attacks Ursula, who threatens her with the trident. However, Eric attacks her and in the ensuing confrontation, Flotsam and Jetsam are destroyed. Furious, Ursula transforms into a giant version of herself and nearly kills Ariel with the trident and traps her in a whirlpool. However, before she can strike, Eric impales her with a previously sunken ship that had been pulled out of the sea bed by Ursula's magic. Ursula dies of her injuries, freeing Triton and the other merpeople of their deals with her. However, Ariel is saddened that she cannot be with Eric. Fortunately, Triton transforms her into a human again and she and Eric marry.

Trivia[]

Ariel is the current icon of the Protagonists Wiki.
Ariel has the same voice as Miss Abigail the Nightclub Singer from The Judy Show (1999) on Hanna Barbera.
Ariel is the only Disney Princess who was born as a mythical creature.
Ariel is one of the most popular Disney Princesses (if not the most popular Disney Princess) probably because she was the only one not being born a human or because of her adventurous, rebellious and bubbly personality.
Many fans consider Ariel to be Disney's most “hottest” princess, due to her colorful and exotic features.
In Hebrew, Ariel translates to English as "lion of God".
Ariel is the first Disney Princess to become a parent, in this case, mother to her first child, her daughter, Melody. Unless otherwise stated in other Disney media, she is the only one so far.
Ariel is the first Disney Princess to have red hair. The second being Merida.
Ariel is the first Disney Princess to bare her midriff. The second being Jasmine, and the third being Kida Nedakh (though she isn't an official Disney Princess since her film failed in the box office).
She is the first Disney Princess to physically fight the villain of her film.
Ariel is the first Disney Princess to have magical powers. The second being Pocahontas, the third being Rapunzel, and the fourth being Queen Elsa.
- She is also arguably the physically strongest of all of the Disney Princesses, with Rapunzel being a very close challenge for her.
Ariel is the first Disney Princess to have biological siblings. The second being Merida, and the third and fourth being Anna and Elsa.
Ariel is the only one out of her sisters, as a mermaid, without hair accessories, save for the occasional sea flower.
Ariel is the fourth youngest Disney Princess, with Jasmine being the third youngest, Aurora being the second youngest, and Snow White being the youngest.
Ariel has the most songs sung by any Disney movie character. However, she only has one song in her original film (not counting the reprise).
Ariel is the first Disney Princess to save her prince.
Ariel is the only Disney Princess to know sign language.
Ariel is the first rebellious Disney Princess.
Ariel is the first tomboyish Disney Princess. The second being Jasmine, the third being Pocahontas, the fourth being Fa Mulan, the fifth being Rapunzel, the sixth being Merida, and the seventh being Anna. However, all of them have girly traits as well, some more than others.
Out of all of the Disney Princesses in the line-up, Ariel is mostly seen with Jasmine, Belle, and Rapunzel.
1941 concept art of the original idea of The Little Mermaid (before shelved) shows Ariel with long black hair and a bluish or greenish tail. It was also much closer to the original story. This artwork was done by Kay Nielsen.
In some foreign-language versions of the film, her name is in the title.
A theory among Disney fans is that Ariel (alongside her sister and her father King Triton) are related to Hercules. Ariel's grandfather is confirmed to be Poseidon, whose brother is Zeus , whose son is Hercules. However, it is not confirmed whether or not the Disney incarnation of Poseidon from Hercules is in fact related to Ariel or her father, let alone the fact that The Little Mermaid is set roughly 3,000 years after Hercules. This can be countered by the fact that King Triton is also an immortal god.
She is the first Disney princess to have only her father alive and her mother deceased. The second being Belle, the third being Jasmine, and the fourth being Pocahontas.
Chelsea Van Der Zee was inspired for one of the characters in one of the Dreamworks films, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.
Ariel is the first princess character to get grounded as punishment, followed by Fairy Princess Willow from Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King, Princess Skystar from My Little Pony: The Movie, Glimmer from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and Shuri from the Marvel Universe (specifically, Into the Heartlands).
Ariel was modeled after Alyssa Milano, who was famous for her role on the 1980s show "Who's the Boss?".
She is the first Disney Princess to communicate with someone with a disability.
Ariel is also the first Disney Princess to be bound and gagged, followed by Princess Jasmine, Megara, and Rapunzel.

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Books
The Little Mermaid: The Little Mermaid
Part of Your World: Princess Ariel | Prince Eric
Prince of Song & Sea Prince Eric | Princess Ariel
The Secret Exchange: Ariel | Eric

Video Games
Kingdom Hearts II: Sora | Donald Duck | Goofy

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