Favorite Disney Protagonists

[Yuki-Anne]

The Disney villains thread made me want to listen to Disney music, which reminded me of how much I loved and looked up to Belle as a child. So here goes: your favorite Disney Protagonists.

1. Mulan. She and Belle both avoid the irritating bratty traits that other Disney heroines fall victim to. I love Mulan for a variety of reasons. I love her spunk, her determination, and her sefless love and concern for her family. The driving storyline is her finding her identity, like most of the others, but her main motivation that leads to finding her identity is not doing whatever she wants, but rather saving her father from certain death. I love that about her.

2. Belle (Beauty and the Beast). She'd be #1 if it weren't for the whole Stockholm Syndrome thing. In all seriousness, though, I love Belle. I love her intelligence, concern for the little guy, and the balance she strikes between patience and not taking crap she doesn't have to.

3. Kuzco (The Emperor's New Groove). I can't help it. I love this movie. Kuzco is a jerk, but he's a groovy, witty jerk. He is, after all, the hippest cat in creation. And he learns not to be a jerk, so... *shrugs* No, but really, I love Kuzco.

4. Tiana (Princess and the Frog). She is so strong willed, and I love how hard she works for her dream. If there's anything she isn't, it's lazy.

5. Basil (The Great Mouse Detective). Is it weird that one of the earliest cartoon crushes I can recall was on a mouse?

6. Robin Hood. What's not to love about Robin Hood? He's been reincarnated in so many forms, but the fox is one of my favorites. He's charming, dashing, and heroic.

7. Bolt. I think this movie was fairly underrated. It was charming and fun, and I really enjoyed it, and the titular character.

[Scarecrow]

Well when I was little I really liked Aladdin. Don't think I would put them up there with my favorites today though.

Really not to big on Protagonists where I care that much to actually have a favorite list but I'll try..

1) Jack Sparrow
2) Mulan
3) Aurora (just cause I had a crush on her when I was like 3 )
4) Yeah I think there are more side characters I like more than most protagonists. Disney protagonists are generally kind of boring.

Side characters I really like:
1) Mufasa (James Earl Jones... nuff said)
2) Clopan (I don't know if that's how you spell it but the Jester guy from Notre Dame. Why? Cause he's so eccentric and theatrical. Always liked him as a kid)
3) Lumiere
4) Grumpy
5) The Caterpillar (Alice in Wonderland)
6) Genie
7) Flora and Merryweather (always loved that part where they fight over the color of the dress)

[ShiroiHikari]

I like Belle, and the Beast too. Kuzco was good for a laugh but I didn't find him very likable. Ariel at least had some spirit and personality even though she was a dumb teenager.

Generally, I find Disney protags to be kinda boring. I agree with Scarecrow on this one; a lot of the side/secondary characters are much more interesting.

[Atria35]

1) Jack Sparrow - No more needs to be said, mates!
2) Mulan - true blue spirited heroine!
3) Belle - My favorite when I was a kid. I still like how she kicks out Garcon.
4) Tiana - She has DREAMS, and works hard to carry them out! Can't say that about many of them!

[TopazRaven]

I don't know why everyone rags on Disney heroes. They aren't really that bad, in least not in my opinion. These aren't in any particular order.

Simba (The Lion King) - This was my favorite movie as a child and I just always loved Simba. For the record I loved Mufasa to though, the first time I saw the movie I think I cried when he died.

Kovu (The Lion II: Simba's Pride) - I was in love with him when I was kid. Ok, so maybe that's taking it a bit far, but he was my favorite Disney character when I was younger. I know the plot for TLK2 is very predicable and full of plot holes, but it mesmerized me as a child and gave a good lesson about accepting others who are different from you and learning to forgive.

Mulan (Mulan) - I still to this day think she is one of the most awesome Disney girls ever. Her motive for her quest was only to save her father and she ended up doing so much more. She was brave and intelligent at the same time.

Belle (Beauty and the Beast ) - Like many others here said, I really like that she was a more kind and tolerant character, but she'd only put up with so much before making it known she felt she was being treated unfairly. I also enjoy the scene where she more or less rejects Gaston's lovely marriage proposal.

Marlin (Finding Nemo) - I think he was another cool one, because like Mulan the motive for his quest was pretty selfless. He wanted to find and save his son. Perhaps it was for him in some ways, he needed Nemo, but that doesn't change the fact he would have been willing to die to see his son was safe.

Tiana (The Princess and the Frog) - She was just plain awesome. I liked how hard she worked to try and make her dreams come true.

Aladdin (Aladdin) - I found him kind of amusing and this movie was another favorite as a kid. I always seem to like thief characters despite my great hatred of stealing. I'm such a contradiction.

I'll probably think up some more later.

[the_wolfs_howl]

I'd have to say Aladdin and Belle. Aladdin is one of the few supposed heroes of fairy tale-ish stories who actually seems like a hero to me. He's awkward at times, and makes some pretty big mistakes along the way, but his heart is in the right place and he tries to do what's right. Also, he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people he loves, and I admire that. Besides, the reason he wins in the end (in both the original Aladdin and The King of Thieves) is because he uses his wit, rather than simply his strength. Truly a "diamond in the rough."

Belle is a bookworm, looks fairly normal rather than stunningly beautiful, has big dreams, and is able to look past appearances and see the way people really are. What's not to like?

EDIT: OH YEAH JACK SPARROW IS IN A DISNEY MOVIE!

[rocklobster]

In no particular order:
1. Lilo and Stitch: I was going to put them in separately, but then I remembered Ohana means no one is left behind. Or forgotten. Besides they're both adorable!
2. Pinocchio: Disney gets extra points for actually making their version more endearing and less bratty than the original.
3. Goofy: because he never gives up.
4. Mickey Mouse: how can you not like Disney's most iconic figure?
5. Uncle Scrooge: he said it himself: He's smarter than the smarties, and tougher than the toughies.
6. Aladdin: A true diamond in the rough
7. Jasmine: The first princess in Disney to be totally awesome
8. Mulan: Oh yeah!
9. Roger Rabbit: He's Touchstone, which is owned by Disney. He counts.
10. Buzz Lightyear: To Infinity and Beyond!
11. Simba: His character arc throughout the movie is great.
12. Giselle: How can you not love this woman?
13. Brooklyn: My favorite gargoyle, although Goliath is a close second.
and finally
14. Kit Cloudkicker: The whole reason I watched Talespin. Because Kit was awesome.

[the_wolfs_howl]

Having seen Tangled at last, I can now add Flynn to my list. (He counts, right? I mean, the movie's about Rapunzel, but this type of movie is just as much about the "prince" as the princess.) He's just really fun. Funny, witty, conflicted (though I think the shift in his "dream" could have been a bit smoother), actually good-looking *cough*human!Beast*cough*, and for once he doesn't experience "love at first sight" with the princess. And...come on...Eugene.

[Yuki-Anne]

Having seen Tangled at last, I can now add Flynn to my list. (He counts, right? I mean, the movie's about Rapunzel, but this type of movie is just as much about the "prince" as the princess.) He's just really fun. Funny, witty, conflicted (though I think the shift in his "dream" could have been a bit smoother), actually good-looking *cough*human!Beast*cough*, and for once he doesn't experience "love at first sight" with the princess. And...come on...Eugene.

And don't forget... voiced by Zachary Levi... <3

[Nate]

Definitely Gaston. He is all that is man.

[Yuki-Anne]

And every last inch of him's covered with hair.

[Fish and Chips]

Pacha.



Okay, more a deuteragonist than a protagonist, I suppose. Still. Saved Kuzco's kingdom, but, more importantly, he saved Kuzco's soul. Can't think of any other Disney hero who can claim that.

Also, total family man. We need more of those guys.

[Nami]

Wow, ok... I love this thread <3

The problem for me is, I love ALL Disney movies, seriously! Even though Snow White makes me want to bleed my ear-drums, I still like that movie. Also, despite the uselessness of her PRINCE! D: I really wanted to kick that stupid prince. XD

TOP FAVE: Pocahontas - Not only is she a historical figure, but I really love Pocahontas. As a child, she was my hero! Not just because I have some Native American blood, but, also because she wasn't afraid to do what was right and to follow the road she knew she had to walk. I absolutely love, love, love her. She accepts John Smith and learns to be friends with him, he also learns from her. And John Rolfe learns how to be humble when around such an imposing woman who knows what she's going to do, and no man is going to stop her. And she wasn't afraid to do what was right.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid) - She and Jasmine are, very close in character type. I really, really loved Ariel as a kid and I still love her. She may act childish at times, but I can relate closely to her. She feels closed in. Locked in this world where she can't really move without getting lectured. She feels the need to break-free. And is brave enough to dare the open waters, she's unafraid of whats out there and you know what? She fought for her guy, despite making a wrong decision. ^_^ I'm proud to say, she is one of my favorites.

Rapunzel - Well, this is clearly a given. Its really shocking, my favorite fairytale when I was a kid, was Rapunzel, coming in second was the Princess and the Frog. What I really love about Rapunzel is, despite her situation she finds hope in the every day, mundane. And makes her life as interesting as possible. Honestly, how could someone not love her for her inspiring hope and courage?

Aladdin!!! <3 We're talking serious love for this street-rat and his cool attitude. One of the only Princes in Disney besides Eric to actually chase his girl and fight for her. AHAH!

Tiana - She's bringing the gurl-powah to the table. And she's really inspiring.

Simba - I love the way they portrayed Simba, he's just so cool! Sure he makes mistakes, but the point is, he realizes those mistakes and goes to fix what he's done wrong. Conquering his old fears and fighting for his family!!

Mulan!!

Side character:
The Mad Hatter - Seriously! I love this guy, he's hilarious!!

OK! You know what? Its safe to say I love them all. Top favorite though? Pocahontas. ^_^

[Yamamaya]

Pacha.



Okay, more a deuteragonist than a protagonist, I suppose. Still. Saved Kuzco's kingdom, but, more importantly, he saved Kuzco's soul. Can't think of any other Disney hero who can claim that.

Also, total family man. We need more of those guys.

Definitely. The Emperor's New Groove was a fantastic movie. Pacha was a truly great character.

Definitely Gaston. He is all that is man.

And every last inch of him's covered with hair.

When he was a lad he ate four dozen eggs every morning to help him get large. And now that he's grown he eats five dozen eggs and he's roughly the size of a BARGEEEEEEEEEE

No one mentioned Esmeralda from Hunchback. I am dissappoint. She was sexy and spunky. What's not to love?

Mulan was also pretty epic as everyone mentioned as well as the military man who sang the song about being a manly man.

Alladin is another one of my favs. He wasn't a prince. He was just an ordinary rogue.

[UniqueAngelStar]

Here are my favorite Disney Characters:

Simba: He is headstrong and courageous.

Mufasa: He was a good father to Simbaa. I felt sad when he died

Nala: She is very sweet

Timon & Pumbaa: They are the funniest characters in the movie

Tiana:She is very hardworking and achieved her dream because of that. She isn't a typical princess who is just plain glam and glittery.

Mulan: She is a brave warrior with the heart of beauty and Grace

Belle: Her intelligence.

Jasmine: Awesome princess

Woody and Buzz: They make a great team

Mickey mouse: The main Disney character. I mean, who doesn't love him?

[Yamamaya]

I have never liked Mickey Mouse. I never understood the appeal of him. He was just a dumb mouse who goes around acting all cheerful.

I like Donald Duck and Goofy better.

[Atria35]

I have never liked Mickey Mouse. I never understood the appeal of him. He was just a dumb mouse who goes around acting all cheerful.

I like Donald Duck and Goofy better.

I'm seconding this. Mickey bored me to tears.