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The polar opposite of this list:

Now it's time to talk about the characters (inside and outside Disney) that have won my wholehearted seal of approval, and why.

Because They're Interesting: Sebastian is more than just pure comic relief. Not that there's anything wrong with pure comic relief, but he not only rolls the story along; you wouldn't even have a story without him or Ariel.

Despite the focus being on Ariel (for obvious reasons), I admire how Sebastian's loyalty is put to the test and how far he'll go for those he cares about. To an extent, Ariel is his daughter too, and just like Triton, the little guy constantly seesaws between being aggravated with her antics and doing whatever he can to help her. Plus, he's got a cool design, a rather charming accent (I love the way he talks) and his singing is amazing.

Frankly, I can't think of anything not to like about this cute little crab.

Because They're Cool: A big blue genie with a heart of solid gold and the voice of Robin Williams. How is that not cool enough in itself?

I'll be nice and give Will Smith credit for trying, but I'm still partial to the hand-drawn Williams version.

Because Their Character Makes Sense: With the environment he grew up in, it's a bit of a miracle Quasimodo turned out as well as he did.

Sure, he's understandably shy, socially awkward, and a bit clingy to the first person outside the bell tower to show him authentic kindness. But he's also got incredible acrobatic skills, a marvelous voice, the strength to rival a bear, and not even solid stone and metal will hold him back.

Because They Have Flaws: A lot of people bash Merida for what she does, but I say what she does makes her more relatable, we may not have acted so differently if that were our situation, and the important thing is she learns her lesson in the end and changes for the better.

To be fair, her mother needed a few eye-openers, too. Like Ariel and Triton, both sides are at fault; you equally empathize and criticize.

Because of Their Actions: It may not be right, but it makes sense that Meg would sort of jump at the chance to hurt another man after she's been badly burned herself. However, she quickly learns Hercules is not like other men, and she loves him enough to sacrifice her life (again).

Luckily, Hercules loves her enough to repay the favor. It kind of makes you wonder why she didn't become a goddess herself in the end. Oh, well, at least she's alive and she's with a man she truly deserves, so two out of three ain't bad.

Because of Their Beliefs: I find it rather touching that Anna believes in the power of love. Sometimes it's the silly stuff that actually works.

In spite of the odds, she never gives up on her sister, and she not only gets her sister back but finds a worthy man as well. As always, I'm not slamming Elsa but I still say Anna is the real heroine here.

Because of Subtext: Thank heaven the Phoebus from the Disney movie is a far cry from the Phoebus in Victor Hugo's book.

Besides his wonderful sarcasm, I like him because he shows how a woman should be treated (hence why Esmeralda falls for him instead of Quasimodo or Frollo) and he proves that sometimes your own conscience supersedes the law. You can follow orders or you can do what's right.

Esmeralda gave him a rather underrated compliment when she said, "You're not at all like the other soldiers."

Because They're Smart: If you've seen Wallace and Gromit, it should be clear as crystal from the start how intelligent Gromit is, how much Wallace (and quite a few other people) owes his dog.

"Man's best friend" doesn't do this non-speaking knitting canine justice at all.

Because They're Misunderstood: If you've seen Wreck-It Ralph, you'll know precisely what I'm talking about.

If there's one thing I like, it's a character who may look a bit rough around the edges, but who's all heart.

Because They're a Well-Done Archetype: I like how they made Hogarth Hughes feel like a genuine kid while keeping him likable and avoiding unnecessary stereotypes.

He's smart, but lonely. He's lonely, but quick to help someone else in need. He wants to have fun, but knows right away when there's danger. He's got an extraordinary perception of death, he doesn't give his mom too much trouble (though that's not to say he doesn't give her trouble at all), he's fiercely loyal, and he can be surprisingly mouthy when the situation calls for it. And he provides a nice chunk of the humor, especially when he gets his hands on a tiny bit of espresso!

Because They're Amiable: I dislike The Emperor's New Groove but like Pacha because he's a nice guy...perhaps a little too nice.

Because They Subvert a Despised Cliche: You would expect Charlotte La Bouff to be your typical spoiled rich Daddy's girl, and while she does exhibit a couple of these traits, she proves to be a rather refreshing change of scenery.

She's generous with her money (even if she pulls the wads of cash from her daddy's pockets), she immediately helps Tiana get cleaned up when there's an unpleasant accident, and she learns what true love is all about and is genuinely happy for her friend. She even promises to wait until the prince's younger brother is a little older...a good twelve years at the least.

Because of Their Dedication: Just like Anna in Frozen, I admire Samwise Gamgee for his dedication to Frodo and consider him the true hero.

Everybody could use a friend like him.

Because I Can Relate: Belle's a dreamy bookworm who's a bit of a social outcast. That's me to a tee, and I often wear my hair in a ponytail (when it's long enough).

Because They Have Redeemable Qualities: What first endeared Tumnus to me (and everyone else, no doubt) is the fact that he had a glowing opportunity to do something very wrong, but instead did the right thing at tremendous personal risk.

Even the director of the movie described him as "someone who has to kidnap a little girl and still be likable," and James McAvoy described him as "someone who's got to do a bad thing, and why can't he do it?"

And if you know anything about me, you know I utterly adore characters who go through a dramatic change for the better.

Because They Make Me Laugh: Mr. Smee never fails to crack me up. He's the perfect source of comic relief despite being "the evil sidekick."

For that matter, "evil" is an operative word because even Captain Hook comes off as quite likable, if not downright sympathetic.

Because They're Polite: Hercules is the perfect gentleman. His looks may be nice enough, but the first thing Meg says about him is, "He's honest, and he's sweet!"

When their noble traits are the first to spring to mind, you know you've got a keeper!

Because They're Honest: Professor Kirke sums up Lucy Pevensie nicely: "Well, if she's not lying and she's not mad, then logically, we must assume she's telling the truth."

Because They Put Others First: Balto has every reason in the world not to bother with the town that shuns him like the plague. Nevertheless, when the town's children are knocking at death's door, his only thought is what he can do to help.

On the flip side, Steele will do absolutely anything to get all the credit...even if it means every last child dies in the process.

It's not hard to guess which of these two canines is "positively disposable."

Because They're Attractive: Maybe not the conventional kind of attractive, but I find Bobble (or Phineas T. Kettletree, Esquire) cute as the devil all the same. I seriously gotta draw him again!

Because They're Responsible: Sulley is remarkable when it comes to the welfare of his friends, his job, his whole neighborhood, and even the little human girl who manages to win his heart.

So, it's no wonder when he (spoiler alert) becomes the new CEO of Monsters, Inc. There's no one more deserving of such a high position.

Because They're a Leader: Mufasa, King of Pride Rock. 'Nuff said.

Because They're Crazy in a Good Way: One of the things that convinced me to give Hotel Transylvania a try was the depiction of Dracula: an authentically good guy, albeit an authentically weird one. I can handle weirdness, provided it's the harmless kind.

Because They're a Good Companion: Flounder may not accomplish as much as Sebastian, but he's still a worthy friend...a better friend than Ariel deserves, really.

Because They're a Good Relative: Miriam is everything a good sibling should be, and then some. Moses is truly blessed to call someone like her "sister."

Because They Feel Human: As I said several times, I prefer the DreamWorks version of Moses because he feels the most genuine.

He's a man of flesh and blood, with emotions on clear display without overdoing it. He's not perfect but he makes significant progress, steadily rising higher and higher throughout the movie. He's what character development is all about.

Because They Learn from Mistakes: Kenai may not be as epic as Moses but I still admire his character growth, how he learns what bears are really like, what makes the bond between brothers so special, and what defines "a monster."

They say you don't know a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. In Kenai's case, you don't know a creature until you've literally seen the world through their eyes.

Because I Strongly Pity Them: Pharaoh Ramses is about as tragic a villain as they come.

There's not a modicum of doubt that he's "the bad guy," especially as the movie progresses. All the same, he got a raw deal indeed and it shows.

Because They're Creative: I wasn't sure about Rapunzel at the first, and seeing her artistic streak made the first major crack in my wall.

Before Rapunzel, no other Disney princess has been such a "kindred spirit" to me since Belle.

Because They're Rebellious: Kovu is the good kind of rebel, and thank goodness for that!

I still think they could have done more with him (one of the major disadvantages of a direct-to-video sequel) but he's still one of the things I'll say in the movie's favor.

Because They Have Great Potential: Who would have thought that a cute little bunny had all the makings of a bad-A cop? If Judy Hopps can make it, anybody can.

Because of Their Role in the Group: I love Buzz Lightyear because, even after learning he's "just a toy," he's still a natural leader and the absolute best friend anybody could ask for. You really don't get much better than him.

Because They Appeal to a Demographic: Mulan is a glowing example of how a girl can kick butt while still being gentle, sweet, and slightly silly. We need more role models like her nowadays, and badly, too.

Because They're a Satire/Spoof: Another thing I'll say in favor of The Emperor's New Groove is the way Kronk satirizes the evil sidekick. While he has ample potential to be "bad," you can't really take him all that seriously throughout the movie, as you shouldn't.

He's loads better off in the kitchen, and he has an indisputable way with kids.

Because They're Charming: I had no desire whatsoever to see or really acknowledge Coco, until Héctor Rivera and his palpable charm got me singing a different tune! Te lo agradezco mucho, Héctor.

Because of Those Who Hate Them: Not that you can blame people for freaking out at first sight of the Iron Giant. But the fact that people immediately assume the worst of him, especially the U.S. government, only serves to further endear him to you.

Because Not Enough People Like Them: I always felt poor Wendy needed a break. Seems the only people who treat her well are her mother and her brothers; even Captain Hook has the decency to be a little chivalrous.

At least her father proves to love her after all (when he's not quite so uptight) and Peter Pan himself learns a thing or two about respect.

Because They Have Nostalgic Value: The mere mention of Winnie the Pooh is enough to make anybody wistful, myself included.

Because Gold Comes Out of Their Mouth: Shaggy has always had the best lines, in pretty much every Scooby-Doo show. None of those shows would be half as entertaining without him.

Though I never liked the live-action 2002 movie, Matthew Lillard does Shaggy a fair bit of justice, which is nice.

Because They Changed for the Better: As sad as Lady Amalthea's story is, it's worth mentioning how she expresses sincere gratitude for the opportunity to know love, however brief.

She may no longer be like the other unicorns...but said difference isn't an entirely bad thing.

Because They Influenced Me: Spirit had a real influence on me over the years, in both anatomical accuracy and facial expressions.

I may be no expert but now I know how a horse's leg must bend, and the faces of my characters have become much more fluid and expressive. You may notice I draw hair in a similar fashion, too: big bits and little bits, with long, lush bangs.

BECAUSE I CAN: Really, what's not to like about Clopin Trouillefou? Why wouldn't he be so popular?

Well, that was fun, as was to be expected.

And seeing as how I've got work in the morning, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I better call it a night now. Goodnight, everybody.

Template courtesy of Sukoshi13 : XL 'I Like This Character' Meme Template

All images property of their respective owners.

Description

The polar opposite of this list:

Now it's time to talk about the characters (inside and outside Disney) that have won my wholehearted seal of approval, and why.

Because They're Interesting: Sebastian is more than just pure comic relief. Not that there's anything wrong with pure comic relief, but he not only rolls the story along; you wouldn't even have a story without him or Ariel.

Despite the focus being on Ariel (for obvious reasons), I admire how Sebastian's loyalty is put to the test and how far he'll go for those he cares about. To an extent, Ariel is his daughter too, and just like Triton, the little guy constantly seesaws between being aggravated with her antics and doing whatever he can to help her. Plus, he's got a cool design, a rather charming accent (I love the way he talks) and his singing is amazing.

Frankly, I can't think of anything not to like about this cute little crab.

Because They're Cool: A big blue genie with a heart of solid gold and the voice of Robin Williams. How is that not cool enough in itself?

I'll be nice and give Will Smith credit for trying, but I'm still partial to the hand-drawn Williams version.

Because Their Character Makes Sense: With the environment he grew up in, it's a bit of a miracle Quasimodo turned out as well as he did.

Sure, he's understandably shy, socially awkward, and a bit clingy to the first person outside the bell tower to show him authentic kindness. But he's also got incredible acrobatic skills, a marvelous voice, the strength to rival a bear, and not even solid stone and metal will hold him back.

Because They Have Flaws: A lot of people bash Merida for what she does, but I say what she does makes her more relatable, we may not have acted so differently if that were our situation, and the important thing is she learns her lesson in the end and changes for the better.

To be fair, her mother needed a few eye-openers, too. Like Ariel and Triton, both sides are at fault; you equally empathize and criticize.

Because of Their Actions: It may not be right, but it makes sense that Meg would sort of jump at the chance to hurt another man after she's been badly burned herself. However, she quickly learns Hercules is not like other men, and she loves him enough to sacrifice her life (again).

Luckily, Hercules loves her enough to repay the favor. It kind of makes you wonder why she didn't become a goddess herself in the end. Oh, well, at least she's alive and she's with a man she truly deserves, so two out of three ain't bad.

Because of Their Beliefs: I find it rather touching that Anna believes in the power of love. Sometimes it's the silly stuff that actually works.

In spite of the odds, she never gives up on her sister, and she not only gets her sister back but finds a worthy man as well. As always, I'm not slamming Elsa but I still say Anna is the real heroine here.

Because of Subtext: Thank heaven the Phoebus from the Disney movie is a far cry from the Phoebus in Victor Hugo's book.

Besides his wonderful sarcasm, I like him because he shows how a woman should be treated (hence why Esmeralda falls for him instead of Quasimodo or Frollo) and he proves that sometimes your own conscience supersedes the law. You can follow orders or you can do what's right.

Esmeralda gave him a rather underrated compliment when she said, "You're not at all like the other soldiers."

Because They're Smart: If you've seen Wallace and Gromit, it should be clear as crystal from the start how intelligent Gromit is, how much Wallace (and quite a few other people) owes his dog.

"Man's best friend" doesn't do this non-speaking knitting canine justice at all.

Because They're Misunderstood: If you've seen Wreck-It Ralph, you'll know precisely what I'm talking about.

If there's one thing I like, it's a character who may look a bit rough around the edges, but who's all heart.

Because They're a Well-Done Archetype: I like how they made Hogarth Hughes feel like a genuine kid while keeping him likable and avoiding unnecessary stereotypes.

He's smart, but lonely. He's lonely, but quick to help someone else in need. He wants to have fun, but knows right away when there's danger. He's got an extraordinary perception of death, he doesn't give his mom too much trouble (though that's not to say he doesn't give her trouble at all), he's fiercely loyal, and he can be surprisingly mouthy when the situation calls for it. And he provides a nice chunk of the humor, especially when he gets his hands on a tiny bit of espresso!

Because They're Amiable: I dislike The Emperor's New Groove but like Pacha because he's a nice guy...perhaps a little too nice.

Because They Subvert a Despised Cliche: You would expect Charlotte La Bouff to be your typical spoiled rich Daddy's girl, and while she does exhibit a couple of these traits, she proves to be a rather refreshing change of scenery.

She's generous with her money (even if she pulls the wads of cash from her daddy's pockets), she immediately helps Tiana get cleaned up when there's an unpleasant accident, and she learns what true love is all about and is genuinely happy for her friend. She even promises to wait until the prince's younger brother is a little older...a good twelve years at the least.

Because of Their Dedication: Just like Anna in Frozen, I admire Samwise Gamgee for his dedication to Frodo and consider him the true hero.

Everybody could use a friend like him.

Because I Can Relate: Belle's a dreamy bookworm who's a bit of a social outcast. That's me to a tee, and I often wear my hair in a ponytail (when it's long enough).

Because They Have Redeemable Qualities: What first endeared Tumnus to me (and everyone else, no doubt) is the fact that he had a glowing opportunity to do something very wrong, but instead did the right thing at tremendous personal risk.

Even the director of the movie described him as "someone who has to kidnap a little girl and still be likable," and James McAvoy described him as "someone who's got to do a bad thing, and why can't he do it?"

And if you know anything about me, you know I utterly adore characters who go through a dramatic change for the better.

Because They Make Me Laugh: Mr. Smee never fails to crack me up. He's the perfect source of comic relief despite being "the evil sidekick."

For that matter, "evil" is an operative word because even Captain Hook comes off as quite likable, if not downright sympathetic.

Because They're Polite: Hercules is the perfect gentleman. His looks may be nice enough, but the first thing Meg says about him is, "He's honest, and he's sweet!"

When their noble traits are the first to spring to mind, you know you've got a keeper!

Because They're Honest: Professor Kirke sums up Lucy Pevensie nicely: "Well, if she's not lying and she's not mad, then logically, we must assume she's telling the truth."

Because They Put Others First: Balto has every reason in the world not to bother with the town that shuns him like the plague. Nevertheless, when the town's children are knocking at death's door, his only thought is what he can do to help.

On the flip side, Steele will do absolutely anything to get all the credit...even if it means every last child dies in the process.

It's not hard to guess which of these two canines is "positively disposable."

Because They're Attractive: Maybe not the conventional kind of attractive, but I find Bobble (or Phineas T. Kettletree, Esquire) cute as the devil all the same. I seriously gotta draw him again!

Because They're Responsible: Sulley is remarkable when it comes to the welfare of his friends, his job, his whole neighborhood, and even the little human girl who manages to win his heart.

So, it's no wonder when he (spoiler alert) becomes the new CEO of Monsters, Inc. There's no one more deserving of such a high position.

Because They're a Leader: Mufasa, King of Pride Rock. 'Nuff said.

Because They're Crazy in a Good Way: One of the things that convinced me to give Hotel Transylvania a try was the depiction of Dracula: an authentically good guy, albeit an authentically weird one. I can handle weirdness, provided it's the harmless kind.

Because They're a Good Companion: Flounder may not accomplish as much as Sebastian, but he's still a worthy friend...a better friend than Ariel deserves, really.

Because They're a Good Relative: Miriam is everything a good sibling should be, and then some. Moses is truly blessed to call someone like her "sister."

Because They Feel Human: As I said several times, I prefer the DreamWorks version of Moses because he feels the most genuine.

He's a man of flesh and blood, with emotions on clear display without overdoing it. He's not perfect but he makes significant progress, steadily rising higher and higher throughout the movie. He's what character development is all about.

Because They Learn from Mistakes: Kenai may not be as epic as Moses but I still admire his character growth, how he learns what bears are really like, what makes the bond between brothers so special, and what defines "a monster."

They say you don't know a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. In Kenai's case, you don't know a creature until you've literally seen the world through their eyes.

Because I Strongly Pity Them: Pharaoh Ramses is about as tragic a villain as they come.

There's not a modicum of doubt that he's "the bad guy," especially as the movie progresses. All the same, he got a raw deal indeed and it shows.

Because They're Creative: I wasn't sure about Rapunzel at the first, and seeing her artistic streak made the first major crack in my wall.

Before Rapunzel, no other Disney princess has been such a "kindred spirit" to me since Belle.

Because They're Rebellious: Kovu is the good kind of rebel, and thank goodness for that!

I still think they could have done more with him (one of the major disadvantages of a direct-to-video sequel) but he's still one of the things I'll say in the movie's favor.

Because They Have Great Potential: Who would have thought that a cute little bunny had all the makings of a bad-A cop? If Judy Hopps can make it, anybody can.

Because of Their Role in the Group: I love Buzz Lightyear because, even after learning he's "just a toy," he's still a natural leader and the absolute best friend anybody could ask for. You really don't get much better than him.

Because They Appeal to a Demographic: Mulan is a glowing example of how a girl can kick butt while still being gentle, sweet, and slightly silly. We need more role models like her nowadays, and badly, too.

Because They're a Satire/Spoof: Another thing I'll say in favor of The Emperor's New Groove is the way Kronk satirizes the evil sidekick. While he has ample potential to be "bad," you can't really take him all that seriously throughout the movie, as you shouldn't.

He's loads better off in the kitchen, and he has an indisputable way with kids.

Because They're Charming: I had no desire whatsoever to see or really acknowledge Coco, until Héctor Rivera and his palpable charm got me singing a different tune! Te lo agradezco mucho, Héctor.

Because of Those Who Hate Them: Not that you can blame people for freaking out at first sight of the Iron Giant. But the fact that people immediately assume the worst of him, especially the U.S. government, only serves to further endear him to you.

Because Not Enough People Like Them: I always felt poor Wendy needed a break. Seems the only people who treat her well are her mother and her brothers; even Captain Hook has the decency to be a little chivalrous.

At least her father proves to love her after all (when he's not quite so uptight) and Peter Pan himself learns a thing or two about respect.

Because They Have Nostalgic Value: The mere mention of Winnie the Pooh is enough to make anybody wistful, myself included.

Because Gold Comes Out of Their Mouth: Shaggy has always had the best lines, in pretty much every Scooby-Doo show. None of those shows would be half as entertaining without him.

Though I never liked the live-action 2002 movie, Matthew Lillard does Shaggy a fair bit of justice, which is nice.

Because They Changed for the Better: As sad as Lady Amalthea's story is, it's worth mentioning how she expresses sincere gratitude for the opportunity to know love, however brief.

She may no longer be like the other unicorns...but said difference isn't an entirely bad thing.

Because They Influenced Me: Spirit had a real influence on me over the years, in both anatomical accuracy and facial expressions.

I may be no expert but now I know how a horse's leg must bend, and the faces of my characters have become much more fluid and expressive. You may notice I draw hair in a similar fashion, too: big bits and little bits, with long, lush bangs.

BECAUSE I CAN: Really, what's not to like about Clopin Trouillefou? Why wouldn't he be so popular?

Well, that was fun, as was to be expected.

And seeing as how I've got work in the morning, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I better call it a night now. Goodnight, everybody.

Template courtesy of Sukoshi13 : XL 'I Like This Character' Meme Template

All images property of their respective owners.