"Fearful that her ailing father will be drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan takes his spot -- though, as a girl living under a patriarchal regime, she is technically unqualified to serve. She cleverly impersonates a man and goes off to train with fellow recruits. Accompanied by her dragon, Mushu, she uses her smarts to help ward off a Hun invasion."

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Photos!: 40 avatars

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
Mulan was a film that came out right when I needed it most. As a girl who favored athletics and dressing "boyish", I was often ridiculed and relentlessly bullied by my female classmates. Some would even spread rumors about me to try and turn my guy friends against me. One "friend" even went so far as to take pictures of my room (which had American Girl dolls and Barbies and the likes) to show to the guys to "exploit" me for being a "fraud". It was hard, being told by girls I considered friends that I was doing the whole being a girl thing "wrong" and I began to feel like I did not fit in. Watching Mulan helped change that perception and to feel more comfortable in my own skin. More comfortable with the "type of girl" that I was and not fitting neatly into some socially constructed mold was not only okay...but beautiful. Even today, Mulan reminds me to fight like a girl and refuse to be silent.

I also had the BIGGEST crush on Shang and still do.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can’t even begin to tell you guys how happy it makes me that you guys have a portfolio thread!! Two very, very talented princesses working together!!!!! Talk about magical

And those Mulan icons are so BEAUTIFUL holy crap! *__*

And that proclamation...... *squishes so much* Sorry that the other kids were so mean about this. I hope it’s not something you still have to go through <3

Keep up the amazing work, you guys!

and Shang is very hot

"A Hawaiian girl adopts an unusual pet who is actually a notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive."

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Photos!: 43 avatars

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
So. Lilo and Stitch. Arguably one of the weirdest, zaniest, most extra Disney movies I can think of (don't @ me), and one of the most relatable heroines in the canon, for me at least. Lilo and Stitch both speak to me personally, because they have this big desire to be part of things and to do right, and they can't seem to stop getting in their own way. I'm constantly guilty of desiring community and friendship... and then picture Stitch terrorizing tiny San Francisco. That's me. Add to that a crazy Elvis obsession, the spoon voodoo dolls, and truly beautiful artwork, and this movie is always so much fun to watch. And maybe I cry a little too.

Aww, I love the theme of this portfolio! Disney never goes out of style. In fact, the last three movies I saw in theaters were all Disney movies.

Pixie, I stole one of your Mulan icons, because this scene c r a c k s me up.

"...adventure follows disfigured Quasimodo, the bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, who bides his time locked away in a tower. With only gargoyles to keep him company, Quasimodo longs to be with other people, leading to his chance encounter with the enchanting Gypsy Esmeralda. When the beautiful young woman catches the attention of Quasimodo's guardian, the sinister Frollo, Quasimodo must help to keep her out of his clutches"

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Photos!: 42 avatars

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
My relationship with The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a bit of a shaky one. I remember going to see this in theaters and not disliking it...but I also didn't really like it either. I thought it was pretty and the music wonderful, but there was something about it that really unsettled my then 11-year-old self and it would not be until I revisited the film later that I really GOT the movie and its themes. Needless to say, and maybe..just maaaaaaaaybe you can guess by her abundance in the actual grab bag, the character Esmeralda is my favorite part about this film (and Clopin because WOW those vocals are just sdlfkjdsfjsll). She is so strong, a humanist, a freedom fighter, and owns everything about herself. Esmeralda is a good portrait of what it means to strike a balance between changing one’s world and taking time to find your own place in it. There is also a beautiful duality portrayed in the film that we get right from the opening number: “what makes a monster and what makes a man” and we see that accumulate in what is arguably THE best villain song in Disney history: Heaven's Light/Hellfire. Frollo is, for me, the most terrifying villain that Disney has made to date and watching his demise is so so so sooooooooo satisfying.

DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY DISNEY ;_________;

Can I just say that I so so so admire the pretties you both have made so far? As a child (at heart and body lmfao) it makes me so happy to see and be part of the classic Disney appreciation. I'll definitely keep coming back to watch and admire your works!

Also, I'm gonna grab one of the Mulan avvies, mama~ *wiggles fingers*

Heheheh YAY!

I'm already wearing one

getting one for myself, thank you!

These grab bags are sooooo ridiculously pretty holy crap *__*

I'm not crying at the #OHANA one don't look at me

I also LOVE that Esmeralda is the main focus of the Hunchback of Notre Dame grab bag yeeeeeeeeees!!

Keep up the amazing work, lovelies <3

KIIIIIIIIIIIITA you are so sweet <333

I think expectations are something that everyone still deals with on some level today, so I still find Mulan a very relatable character to draw from for inspiration.
With that in you have a true sense of diiiiiignity

it's a great scene. Sometimes I wish we could have had another glimpse of her after Mulan saved China...catch this woman with her tail between her legs
KIMMY YOU CUTIE POOTIE *squishes* thank you <3
ugh, isn't Ern's work so lovely? I love how she utilizes space
eeeep!
AND YOU AGAIN thank you, Kita

I only just stumbled across this beautiful portfolio! Lovely, lovely work

"... in a single day and night of misfortune, the island of Atlantis disappeared into the depths of the sea." - Plato, 360 B.C.

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Photos!: Atlantis

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
Who doesn't love a story with an absolute nerd as the hero? Milo is awkward, bookish, terrible with people, stumbling and clumsy in trying to express himself, and definitely doesn't have that super hero 'Dorito body' that we so often see in the romantic lead. But he's also clever and resourceful, brave when it matters, loyal, loving, and so kind. He's frankly great, and I've always appreciated that Disney didn't feel like they needed to give us a jacked up Indiana Jones to tell the (fascinating to me) story of Atlantis. And then there's Kida, who doesn't really need anyone to save her... a definite departure in early 2000's Disney. I don't think I have to pitch this movie to you, but I want to... it was diverse before that was a buzzword, it doesn't suppose that this ancient culture needs the 'modern man' (ick, colonization vibes) to save them, the artwork is stunning, and I JUST REALLY LOVE MILO. And I love Michael J. Fox as Milo. And I love Milo.

Atlantis! Gotta love this movie, yes.

*grabs a few AVs from this set too*

How am I supposed to choose from all these beautiful avatars though????????? I thought I'd keep bb Lilo for life BUT, Hunchback??? ATLANTIS???? Yall, you're amazing

"Cody, a boy from Mugwomp Flats responds to a distress call about a trapped giant Golden Eagle called Marahute. Freeing her, he gains a close friendship with the bird. However, Cody is soon abducted by the murderous poacher, Percival McLeach, who is after that bird which is of a highly endangered species and therefore an extremely profitable quarry. In a panic, a mouse Cody freed from one of McLeach’s traps sends a desperate call for help to the Rescue Aid Society in New York City who assigns their top agents, Miss Bianca and Bernard to the task. With transportation provided by the goofy Albatross, Wilbur, the agents arrive in Austrailia and link up with the RAS’ local field operative, Jake The Kangaroo Rat. Together, the trio must race against time to find Cody, stop McLeach and save Marahute."

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Photos!: 24 avatars

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
The Rescuers Down Under was a movie that really made an impression on me when I first saw it when I was 5 and for the longest time I really did believe there were giant golden eagles in Australia and I just HAD to go there and help save the species. It was a movie that introduced me, and explained, the concept of endangered species and the role humanity has in it - this alongside Fern Gully when it came to humanity's impact on the environment in general. It is one of Disney's films that got lost in the mix - doomed to be forgotten with the lack of ad space and its release coming between The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast - and is actually one of the more groundbreaking animated features of the 'Disney renaissance' period. It's the first sequel, the first action adventure (zomg no singing at all), first digitally animated movie. I just always found, still do, something so incredibly charming and pure about Bernard and Bianca. I love Miss Bianca so much ("just need a pair of khaki pants and some hiking boots!").

And...yes, 5-year-old me did have a crush on a kangaroo rat.

I LOVED these movies as a kid. I swore I had a little golden eagle action figure that one of my brother's friends stole.

GOOD AVVIES, MAY STEAL

Though really, I need one of that lady with the giant eyelashes in The Rescuers (1977)...

you're wearing my favorite from that grab bag of Ern's doesn't she just have an amazing command of the use of negative space?!

*pats your shoulder* we're only just getting started glad you're enjoying!
They have their own unique charm and just slfjslkj I really wish they had turned them into a TV show like they did with Rescue Rangers and Tail Spin and all those. What a perfect premise or maybe too close to what they did with Rescue Rangers but I love Bianca so gimme gimme gimme

STOLE?! NOOOOOOO but I had a figure too

STEAL AWAY AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND WE WILL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT GIVING YOU SOME BUNZ MADAME MEDUSA

Whaaaa. I love this idea, I love all the work! The tones.

*grabs some Lilo & Stitch*

"A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love."

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Photos!: 43 avatars

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
When I was pint sized and The Little Mermaid was fresh in the world, I would sit chin deep in a bubble bath and sing my lungs out. The first tape cassette I ever owned was this soundtrack, the first princess I idolized was Ariel. I think I still know every word to every song, that's how engrained it was. As I got older, I fell for other princesses and soundtracks and I started to believe (rightfully so) that Ariel was my least favorite Disney princess. She's a BABY who runs away from home and trades away SO MUCH because she saw some pretty boy on a boat. My inner feminist shivers. My inner helicopter mother cringes.

But I read an article recently that reminded me about why TLM is so so charming and good and groundbreaking. It was the birth of the Disney Renaissance (see Kath's last proclamation) - it moved into a new generation of Disney musicals that led to all the movies YOU BABIES grew up with and it saved an empire (basically, Disney was about to go broke). TLM changed everything. Maybe it's not some feminist masterpiece, but it is STILL a masterpiece and you can see the big footprints (tailprints?) it left that led to all subsequent Disney animated musicals.

This makes me SO happy! I absolutely love Disney. And all the avis are so beautiful! Well done!

Aw, thank you! Do you have a favorite you're hoping to see us do?

All of these avys are so gorgeous, you two! I still haven't watched The Rescuers Down Under (or the first one either tbh *hides*) but I love the other movies you have done so far

I've saved a bunch of them and look forward to which ones you decide to do next

"In Victorian London, England, a little mouse girl’s toymaker father is abducted by a peglegged bat. She enlists the aid of Basil of Baker Street, the rodent world’s answer to Sherlock Holmes. The case expands as Basil uncovers the crime’s link to a plot against the Crown itself."

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Photos!: 21 avatars

PROCLAMATION FROM THE PRINCESS
Much like many Disney films, these animated classics become portals into something greater. For me, this was my obvious induction into the thrill and mystery that is Sherlock Holmes. The Great Mouse Detective is a sophisticated homage that hits Holmes (eh eh eh, geddit?). It is darker in tone and visuals than what one usually associates with Disney films, but it is still one that stands out when I think back on my childhood. I have a very vivid memory of watching this with my dad and HIM getting all excited that I was excited and then he took me to the "library" that was his literature collection and pulled from the shelves his leather bound copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles and read it to me. One of the lesser known Disney films, it is nonetheless a stable of my childhood. It was a movie that, upon its release, I remember going to the theater more than once to see and that was a first for me.

I have ALWAYS loved that movie, Pixie. I'd have to watch it like every year. It was one of my lesser-known faves, right up there with The Sword in the Stone.