Ariel | |
---|---|
Ariel in The Little Mermaid
|
|
First appearance | The Little Mermaid (1989) |
Created by |
John Musker Ron Clements |
Portrayed by |
Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid originated role for Broadway) JoAnna Garcia (Once Upon a Time) |
Voiced by | Jodi Benson |
Age | 16 (first film) Over 28 (second film) |
Information | |
Species |
Mermaid (originally) Human (after magical transformation) |
Gender | Female |
Title | Princess |
Family |
King Triton (father) Queen Athena (mother, deceased) Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella and Alana (older sisters) Poseidon (paternal grandfather) Crustacea (paternal great-aunt) |
Spouse(s) | Prince Eric |
Children | Princess Melody (daughter) |
Nationality | Kingdom of Atlantica |
Ariel | |
---|---|
Once Upon a Time character | |
Joanna Garcia played Ariel on Once Upon a Time
|
|
First appearance | "Ariel" (3.06) |
Last appearance | "Poor Unfortunate Soul" (4.16) |
Created by | Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz |
Portrayed by | Joanna García Swisher |
Information | |
Aliases | Little Mermaid |
Species | Mermaid |
Gender | Female |
Significant other(s) | Prince Eric |
Centric episodes | |
|
Ariel is a fictional character and the title character of Walt Disney Pictures' 28th animated film The Little Mermaid (1989). She subsequently appears in the film's prequel television series (1992—1994), direct-to-video sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000) (where her daughter, Melody, takes over as the lead character, while Ariel is a secondary character instead) and direct-to-video prequel The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008). Ariel is voiced by Jodi Benson in all official animated appearances and merchandise. She is fourth in the Disney Princess lineup, the first nonhuman princess, and the only princess to become a mother to her own child.
Ariel has a distinctive appearance, with her long, flowing, bright red hair, blue eyes, green mermaid tail and purple seashell bikini top. In the films and television series, she is the seventh-born daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena of an underwater kingdom of Merfolk. She is often rebellious, and in the first film, she longs to be a part of the human world. She marries Prince Eric, whom she rescued from a shipwreck, and together they have a daughter, Melody.
The character is based on the title character of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" story but was developed into a different personality for the 1989 animated film adaptation. Ariel has received a mixed reception from critics; some publications such as Time criticize her for being too devoted to her man whereas others, such as Empire, praise the character for her rebellious personality, a departure from previous Disney Princesses.