The Problem with Disney's New Animal Sidekicks

A trend that I've noticed lately that I wanted to talk about.

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[YINSED]

A few things I should clarify since I've been noticing a couple of recurring topics coming up in the comments:

1) As I stated in the video, whether or not you find a character funny/entertaining is entirely subjective. I know that people think Mushu, Scuttle, Flounder, Phil, Maximus, Pascal, etc. are annoying. The main point I'm trying to make is the variety that's present with all those characters and their styles of humor feels lacking in Disney's more recent projects, as well as the connections they have with the characters being more authentic.

2) I am aware that Splat probably took a very long time to render and while conceptually I think they're very lazy, that isn't meant to be a dig at the animators whatsoever.

3) If you like any of the characters I criticized like Sox, Tuk Tuk, or Splat, that's 100% fine and I'd be more than willing to hear why you personally enjoy these characters. I'm always open to different points of view as long as they're respectful.

Always try to keep good vibes minnows. Thanks for always being the best. 🦈

[memiiboi]

Great video, but Stitch is not a good example. He is a main character equal to Lilo, not a sidekick.

[philreesrees]

Stitch is not just animal sidekick, he is also the second protagonist.

[vividence]

Splat is the laziest concept for a character since Rocco from Sesame Street.

[mrao]

I think that Perrito in PIB:The Last Wish is proof that animal sidekicks can be done extremely well if they're actually written into the story properly. Perrito was one of the best parts of a movie filled to the brim w amazing characters.

[kingagrabowska]

Most of the original sidekicks were comedic reliefs but they also brought a lot to the story by moving the plot forward.
- Genie had his own wish about being free and helping Aladdin learn his true worth and not lying. Abu gets the story in motion by stealing the gem and then the lamp, and fighting Iago. Flying Carpet is the MVP, saving and flying Aladdin everywhere, showing where the lamp is, and without him there would be no ''Whole New World'' or the kiss on the balcony.
- Mushu was the reason why Mulan's legion go to fight in the first place, had a character arc mirroring Mulan's selflessness about not being selfish, and helped Mulan defeat the villain.
- Timon and Pumbaa raised Simba and helped fight the hyenas. Rafiki thought Simba the message of the movie and fought hyenas too.
- Flounder spills the beans about getting to the surface, gets Ariel Eric's statue (somehow), and helps her get to the ship. Sebastian provides 2 important to the plot songs, goes to Triton for help at the end, and learns to like Ariel. Scuttle teaches Ariel about human stuff (wrongly but that's the point) and delivered the information about Ursula trying to marry Eric.
- The Pug and Racoon in Pocahontas represent two side fighting. And the hummingbird being hostile toward John at the beginning but mellowing down after he took the bullet to save Pocahontas' father is something.
- Even the gargoyles have some powerful and smart lines that help Quasimodo do the right things.
- Pegasus got over his jealousy towards Meg because she tried to help Hercules and started to love him for real.
- Tantor and Terk district Kerchak, so the meeting between people and gorillas can happen which kickstarts the third act.

It also helps that for the most part they are actually funny.

What does Tuk Tuk add to the story besides being Raya's ride?

[frogosplayer]

I know this isn't Disney but one of the best animal sidekicks imo is Appa from Avatar. He was Aang's friend from before the time skip in the ice and once they were out, Appa became one of the only links to Aang's past life giving their friendship even deeper emotional weight. Which is why the episodes where he got kidnapped hit so hard and you really felt and understood Aang's turmoil and rash behaviour.

[RoxyReviews]

They really just took the Nickelodeon logo, made him character, and called it a day.

[Tzarina]

Even Morph from Treasure Planet served to 'Henderson' the plot in a moment that was both natural for the character and the energy in that moment.

[blankadams]

Now compare and contrast Splat with Morph from Treasure Planet... they're basically the same concept but Morph is done so much better.

[termitesc.aardwolf]

Disney needs to make a movie with a cast of cute animal characters but with a human comic relief sidekick.

[mardamaranwe]

Slpat reminds me a little bit of Morph from Treasure Planet.
But unlike this blue goo, Morph had personality. He was playful and helpful and expressive and sympathetic, and he helped to move the plot forward. You have to have at least one of those points, if not all of them, to have a good side animal character/companion.

The problem with animal side characters is the same as the general problem of side characters. How do those characters reflect those main questions: Are they interesting, do they help the main hero and do they move the plot somehow? The less interaction and impact the animal character has on the hero/plot the harder it is to engage into him/her .

[ashessakura]

A way my friend described it: Old sidekickes were like vases, they drew more attention to the flowers (aka the main characters) and didn’t draw attention away from, they really just held them up to be better than they would be without them

[Styxintheriver]

I don't really consider Phil an animal sidekick. That's what Pegasus is for, Phil is a character equal to Hercules, hades, or meg. Pegasus, however, doesn't provide a ton to the plot (as much as I adore him) and could technically be removed without drastically changing the plot, wheras Phil is not that way. You'd have to change the story a lot to get rid of the wise mentor character, even if he is a comic relief

[wxy]

Your analysis of the Little Mermaid's side characters is a perfect reminder of why it was so iconic.

[super_carson]

Danny Devito gives off big animal sidekick vibes tbh

[madderandmadder]

While Sox was very marketable, I personally feel like he was a great sidekick with a personality of his own. He's darling and helps move the plot forward.

[criticalplatnum]

I'm convinced Splat is literally an eight-year-old's scribble.

[CarrieTooTired]

If Heihei has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Heihei has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Heihei has only one fan then that is me. If Heihei has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Heihei, then I am against the world. I love that stupid chicken so much 💖

[CursioNeptune]

I feel like the big problem currently with Disney is not just bad writing with their cute animal sidekicks, but bad writing in general. Where did all the good character makers and story developers go?