Lilo and Stitch is a great movie for discussing gender dynamics. Though I’ve tried to limit my analysis to human characters, this film does well to show that gender is constructed through it’s alien characters. I will be doing this with strictly the movie in mind, not including the tv show that followed after.
Lilo: Lilo is a plucky young girl whose hobbies vary from photographing tourists to a bit of voodoo.
Socially an outcast among her peers, Lilo yearns for a friend and to belong. She struggles with her older sister Nani on almost every issue, but cares for what her sister thinks. A bit of an oddball herself, Lilo doesn’t hesitate when adopting a blue speaking “dog”, who later reveals to be an alien on the run. Family is important to Lilo due to the deaths of her parents when she was younger. Lilo often masks her sadness over her situation with crazy antics and excitement. With a love for Elvis, Lilo incorporates his music into her life often, drawing on his charm when trying to rehabilitate Stitch to society. Enrolled in Hula classes and an excellent swimmer, Lilo is always keeping herself busy.
Nani: Lilo’s older sister and legal guardian, Nani spends her time worried what Lilo’s done now along with searching for a job to bring in money for the household. Nani takes on a parents role with Lilo, but recognizes that they are still sisters first.
Worried over Lilo’s ostracism, Nani agrees to them adopting a dog, bringing about Stitch.
Nani is skeptical about Stitch, especially with violent behavior. She is highly protective of Lilo, since each other are the only ones left of their family. When Lilo’s life is in danger, Nani demands help from the aliens to get her sister back.
Cobra: A social worker who is looking in on Lilo’s case, Cobra seems the dangerous type to cross.
With his large body frame and way with little words, Cobra establishes his authority and seriousness with Nani, informing her that if things do not change, he will take Lilo away.
David: A former coworker and mutual love interest of Nani, David is always there to help where he may, be it some relaxing surfing or finding Nani a new job. David cares for the two sisters, wanting their lives to be better.
Stitch: Created by Jumba as experiment 626, Stitch starts out as a dangerous threat to the universe, created with the intention for destruction.
Sentenced to seclusion, Stitch escapes and crashes on Earth, becoming the pet of Lilo in order to hide from Jumba. Through Lilo, Stitch learns what it means to be part of a family as well as to be a friend. Stitch’s destructive instincts are altered by Lilo’s good nature, giving Stitch a change in heart and question in purpose.
When Lilo is taken captive, Stitch sets off to save her because they are family.
Jumba: The mad scientist who created Stitch, Jumba is set out to capture Stitch in exchange for freedom on Jumba’s part.
When no longer being offered the deal, Jumba decides to take actions more suited to the situation, but eventually joins up with Stitch to save Lilo. Jumba becomes family to Lilo and Stitch in the end.
Pleakley: As a member of the Galatic Federation, Pleakley joins Jumba to Earth in order to capture Stitch. Pleakley is considered an Earth expert having knowledge about the endangered mosquito population on the planet.
While on Earth, Pleakley uses female earth clothing and wigs to blend in, though Jumba says Pleakley makes an “ugly woman”.
Bit of a worrywart, Pleakley is often anxious over most situations. Drawn along with everyone, Pleakley helps rescue Lilo and becomes a member of the family later.
Lilo and Stitch is interesting in how it goes about gender dynamics, especially when it comes to the aliens. Nani is the head of the household and the one to bring in money- when she has a job that is. He friend/love interest David is supportive o her, encouraging and helping where he can. Lilo wears dresses, hulas, as well as gets in fights and speaks her mind. Cobra gives the impression of being dangerous, but proves to be an ally and compassionate. Stitch, though begins as aggressive, becomes compassionate and emotional over belonging and family. Pleakley dresses in female designated clothing and makeup, being concerned with appearance. Jumba in one scene wishes to put on Pleakley’s wig, upset over not being able to. While with the human characters it is obvious of their gender and sex, the alien characters never specify what they are, or if they even have genders or sex. The audience is left to assume do to voice, appearance, and personality, leading many to assume that Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley are male in sex and gender. Interesting is Pleakley, who may be male in sex, but possibly female in gender. This is never fully discussed in the film, possibly later in the television show, but I am unaware if it is.