Recurring familial themes in non Japan animated films
By non Japan I’m excluding Japan made anime (by japan for japan 1st), but not excluding things like a Chinese/Japanese or other Japanese/other country co-productions.
Inspired by the Lego Cinematic Universe’s thematic focus on Father/Son relationships.
Brothers Brother Bear, Big Hero 6
Dad/Daughter Despicable Me, Hotel Transylvania
Dad/son LCU, Chicken Little, kung fu panda 3
Mixed siblings
Mom/daughter Brave, Tangled
Mom/son HTTYD2
Parents/Children
Sisters Lilo/Stitch, Frozen
Got any other categories, familial relationships, or films to add?
Student Profile: Famous Parent, Closest Cohort, Favorite Things, Secret and Known wishes, what they never leave home without.
Carlos’s wish is surprising; run a rescue shelter for abused/abandoned animals and kids. He likes good friends. Why would he say the Isle rules? He never leaves home without an escape route. His future career could be dog walker or app designer. His favorite class is History of Woodsmen and Pirates as they have few mentions of parents or dogs. Likely to go to a pound and free the animals. He likes to see the D’Artagnan exhibit at the museum and looks up to him.
Evie’s future career could be fashion designer or scientist. Why not both? Doesn’t like komodo dragons. She likes chemistry as everyone deserves a chance to shine.
Jay likes pizza. Never leaves home without charm. Dislikes guys who are mean to girls, most likely to take 2 girls to prom.
Mal most likely to take candy from a baby and then give it back. She dislikes fake people and perky princesses.
When did the core 4 have a study session?
Ben is supposed to be close to everyone in his kingdom. Wishes for people to be treated the same regardless of who their parents are. His possible future career is running a non-profit organization that helps the kids of the formerly evil. Cool stuff in his room Drum kit, exercise machine, trophies, and framed concert posters.
Chad likes to take selfies, wants to be liked by everyone even the VK’s, and wants to have constantly perfect hair. Future career-racecar driver, trophy husband, likely to install mirrors in all the rooms of his house. Favorite class is heroism as he believes it is his destiny to be one. Big flirt.
Audrey likes sparkling dresses, possible future career CEO of a Royal 55 company. Big gossiper.
Jane likes to hang with Mal, dislikes being ignored.
Doug is likely to build a robot one day.
Lonnie likes satin clothes, wants to be fashion forward and everyone to be as happy as she is. Future career talk show host on culture and food.
Jane of all people says stay good? Audrey thanked Mal?
The World; Camelot, Belle’s Harbor, Skull Island, Cinderellsburg Rokcy Point Court, Grimmisville, Belle’s Harbor/Ursula Strait. Some of these places are nice for vacation.
Museum: Galleries of enchanted armor, dwarves/gnomes/goblins. Hall of Swords/Undersea Kingdoms.
Slight world building there’s a great goblin kingdom? Who are Brendan, Miguel, Tyrone, Akio, William? They’re all on the tourney team.
Disney Descendants Secrets of Auradon Prep: Insider's Handbook Review/Some Reveals
Well this book follows a similar format to Mal’s spellbook official text with hand written commentary from the characters.
Table of Contents
Welcome Who’s Who Facts/Figures, History of Auradon and Auradon Prep, Principal, Map, Artifacts, Museum/Map, philosophy, Royal Roll Call, Slogan, campus, dorm facility, tourney cheer/band, annual event calender, classes, The Wall Audrey/Evie style Hane Chad Lonnie, Campus Cupid, Coronation Detail, Pictures, Family Day, Coronation Program, Red Carpet, Police Blotter, Fairy Tale Celebration, End of Year Review
Auradon Prep Statistics 2056 good deeds, 15 royals, 22 buildings not including the dungeon, teacher:student:fairy ratio 9:2:1. # of years since a dragon attack 62. campus 18 acres including moat, tower 183 ft. Tourney 315-318 yrs.
Guest speaker Aladdin,How to make (your) wish come true. Peter Pan How to grow up but not lose your inner child, Ariel how to stand on one’s own 2 feet.
Things of note Avenue of Heroes, King Beast’s statue, Archimedes Library; which has the books Besting Vile Fairies, On Being A Proper Princess, Magic Swords (guide to), Love with no Potions, something of that nature. There’s a science lab.
Tourney plays: Excalbur, Carpet Ride, Shield, Infinity and Beyond. Seems a bit similar to American football but the sport seems to take inspiration from historical events, a reenactment of Unification Day then, with reapers (cannons) shooting people from a killzone.
Classes; Chemistry, Grammar, History (Maleficent’s takeover/Rebellion), Enchanted Forestry (Learn Tree name, power, language, root hand shakes, toadstool magic, grow own Groot), Math, Wooden Men and Pirates, (history?), Dragon Anatomy (# of people it takes to brake a wishbone), Heroism, Remedial Goodness for the VK’s.(Hug’s not for backstabbing, bouquets aren’t to put people to sleep, thing is you’re not convincing them to want to be good, or attempting to change their mindset) Bad Fairies (understand, have an encounter show respect, or learn to protect yourself) Rules on Internet Safety.
Events School Play, Spirit Day, Hero Festival. Hip Hop Dance Competition. Fairy Convention, Science Fiar, Singing competition, Unification Day (Day Isle of the Lost was used), King Beast Honorary Holiday, Archery FInals, Family Day, Knight’s Ball, Tourney Final, Coronation. (Ben gets crowned at 16, (Does Adam abdicate? but Elsa’s 21?)
The Principal is Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother who is in a barbershop quartet. The guidance Counselor is Judy. Coach Jenkins. Margaret I presume is the philosophy teacher. There’s a Moral/Ethics Committee.
The Cathedral where the Coronation takes place has an Apse, Altar, Pulpit, Lectern, Transept, and another area which starts with S.
World Mystery/wonder. Magic is rare yet powerful. Tales retold for generations where nobleness and nobility triumph, The modern era is one of peace/prosperity (for whom?), Auradon Prep is to train the next generation of heroes, Principles’ hard work, study more powerful, correct injustice, pursuit of one’s academic growth, have lessons in wisdom, where dedication to small thing is significant, less magic means greater effort, instill kindness/compassion.
Map the continent was built by magic. Camelot Heights-the financial capital. Winter’s Keep, Triton’s Bay, Cinderellasberg, Strait of Ursula, Shallows Keep, Arcadia (also the name of a city/academy) Bay, Belle’s Harbor, Auroria, Dragon’s Point, Skull Is, Ariel Sea, Neverland, Bayou de Orleans, Mount Olympus which is near Heliotia,Rapunzel’s Tower, Hook’s Bay, King Beast’s Castle, a wood, Bald Mountain, Charmington, Eden, Sherwood, Lone Keep, Forbidden Point or Mountain, Obsidian Tower, Titania grave, Grumy fen, notre dame, Magic Isle, Heights, Georgetown, Westerly, desolation point, Myrrden/Mim something named after the 2 of them, Summerland, South and East Riding, Tangleton, Morgan’s turf, Benevolence.among other places. There’s also Faraway/Borderlands/Schwartzvald marked off by the Great Wall.
The Cultural Museum has the Halls of Swords, Scrolls, Flags. Galleries of fairies, wands,villains, king/queen, crowns. Special exhibitions are the naval, enchanted armor galleries, and the area of Magic Relics and Crowns.
I like some of the references to other Disney owned properties; Groot, Toy Story.
Besides being Mal’s spellbook it’s similar to Mal’s diary, in that it lets you know the thoughts of the 4 isle of the Lost residents during the movie’s events. Both this book and Mal’s Diary were written by the same person Tina Mcleef not sure if that’s how her surname is spelt though, adapted from the screenplay by Josann McGibbon/Sara Parriot. No spoilers
Being Evil 21 Lair 33 Look of Evil 39 People to Respect 40 Vile Do gooders 42 How to raise evil spawn Do tell them they’re not good enough, stress being evil, pressure them to succeed. Turn your back on them when they try to hug you, humiliate them in front of their friends, tell them how powerful you are. Don’t tuck them in, tell them you love them, kiss their boo-boos. 43 Hero’s Dilemma 46 Fairy Taies Sea Witch, Giant, 3 bears, Witch from Hansel/Gretel, the big bad wolf. 51 Villain’s Future52 Glossery of Terms
Disney Descendants character list Isle of the Lost Spoilers
Since the names of the main 4 are known there’s no need to list them here. However I will list some unknown facts about them and names of their classmates.
The Gaston twins are big eaters, both are named after their father.
Claudie Frollo, Harriet Hook and crew, although there’s also a, Yzla, Le Fou Deux, Ginny Gothel, Sammy Smee, Rick Ratcliffe, Clay Clayton.
Anthony Tremaine-Lady Tremaine’s grandson, there are also many unnamed step granddaughters, some of which seem to have taken a liking to Jay.
Madam Mim also has grandchildren but they’re unnamed.
Harry/Jace sons of Horace and Jack respectively.
Reza- a child of an Agrabah astronomer who helped Jafar-Carlos’s academic rival in the sciences.
Cousins; Diego- Carlos has a band called the Bad Apples. Jade-Jay I’m slightly suprised Shere Khan is on the island.
Homes Jay-Jafar’s Junk Shop Mal-Bargain Castle Evie-Castle Across the Way Carlos-Hell Hall
Since the book said Jay has no mother, I’m assuming Jafar somehow made him.
The school faculty consist of at least Headmaster Dr. Facilier Teachers Gothel-Selfishness, Lady Tremaine-Evil Schemes Yen Sid Weird Science. There are also Vanities, WIckedness, Enrichment, World History of Evil, and Adv Penchant for Evil classes.
At the school Dragon Hall there is an Anti-Social Club who probably plan the Foul Ball, if not it’s the Student Council. The junior orchestra plays at the Fall Concert.
The geography of the isle contains separate islands that are connected to the mainland via bridges for Lady Tremaine and family, henchpeople, Trolls.
The geography of the USA-United States of Aurandon state that Beast’s kingdom is at the center, fitting since he’s the one who convinced everyone to let him lead. E is Agrabah not far from where Shang/Mulan are, N is Charming Castle which is close to Aurora/Phillip, whose castle is the Honeymoon Cottage, S is Corona near Ariel/Eric. Adam also banned the use of magic which is controlled by the Fairy Godmother. Clover from Sofia the First would probably say that Sidekicks United make a good point.
She was trapped decades ago, so even if Elena's restored is she stuck at the age she was trapped in the amulet, or will she age up? Was her kingdom stuck in time with her? Do we have a Cpt. American situation here? Which princess gets to keep the amulet? Was she vital to it's function of calling on princesses? Will we get an origin story for the kingdom and amulet? Wonder what she can learn/teach as opposed to Sofia.
The last news I heard was that Ladybug was planned to air in France, Belgium, Japan, and America. But that was MONTHS ago, so I have no idea now. Honestly though? I hope it just up and goes streaming instead. Much faster access, much more widespread release, all around I think just a better option.
But we’ll see what happens! Either way I’M SUPER EXCITED TO SEE THE SHOW PLEASE NOW YES THANK
Ladybug might air on the US via Disney, but since I didn't see it on the new year promo I think it's up in the air whether Disney would air it, and if it didn't what other broadcaster would be a good fit. All of the Big 3 networks have had a history for screwing over shows, maybe it would survive on Discovery Family?
Most people heard of Zagtoon when Ladybug was announced, but I wonder about it's slate of projects.
Of the 8 current projects 5 have been there since 2012 Kobushi Rosie Ladybug Sammy 7C's now renamed Zak Storm. There was also Transylmaniak, T&Q, Sweet Power, Job Academy, Kosmic Dancer. But those all fell by the wayside. Knight 5 was announced on 6/6/12 but I wonder why we never saw anything about it?
Ghostforce & Superstar were relatively recent additions that managed to stay. Popples was announced 10/21/14. I think there was another idol show being made along the Superstar one, as well as a Books of Legend series. Wonder what happened to those. I guess 5 projects of a possible 10 staying in 2 years is okay news?
It's interesting to see the design process of a show, but sometimes there's something about the prototypes you like. Take for example still in the pipeline Zak Storm that was renamed from 7C's, Zak Storm used to be named Will Gamble and had a different design, going from blue hair to red, and the protagonist's sister Cece is nowhere to be found. I was really looking forward to a depiction of this relationship.
But the notion of going through 7 seas accessed through the Bermuda Triangle, and the protagonist having a magic sword still stands.
Just compare the 2 synopsis:
Young dreamer Will Gamble inadvertently awakens Calabrass, an ancient enchanted sword, and follows its cryptic riddles to unearth the S.S.Chaos, a magnificent tall ship buried just beneath his treehouse! On the run from the ruthless tycoon, Casper Crowne, Will and his sister Cece board the Chaos and are chased across cursed waters into the bizarre archipelago of the Bermuda Triangle – only to discover there is no way out…except to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! from samG
"Zak Storm" tells of the adventures of Zak Storm – a headstrong and adventurous kid swept into the Bermuda Triangle while trying to win a surfing competition. (I saw the surfing competition part of the synopsis when the show was still 7C's, guess I caught it while it was changing) Once inside, Zak partners up with a magical sword that allows him to transform into a swashbuckling, renegade hero to face the numerous perils of the unique and diverse Seven Seas of the Triangle.
Young Zak sails the Triangle's seven mysterious seas with an extraordinarily otherworldly ship and crew comprised of an enchanted talking sword, an Atlantean headstrong female first mate, a thick-headed heavy-fisted Viking, a neurotic space traveler, and a poltergeist prankster kid!
128 Korra training with metal in day by kicking it
141 Zaheer using an air glider to get away from something that left smoke behind
142 the brothers are in pj’s bracing against an explosion
145 the 4 Ming Hua in front fighting while Gazhan has someone on his shoulder
150 4 P’Li at front with Gazhan and Zaheer behind her
presumed Desert Village
11-3 Korra sitting away from a village surrounded by sand but with some green areas closer to her looking at it from a distance during daytime
105-7 Asami shown carrying unconscious Korra on Naga riding away from a village
52 lava being bent at Mako/Bolin in village at night
115-7 Bolin being bombarded with lava while swimming underwater presumably at night , thing is if that clip is in the village because I didn't see any bodies of water one could swim in.
127 Ming Hua laughs at Mako while maybe pinning him against a wall
135-8 Mako fighting Ming Hua
125 someone presumably Korra sandbeing a vehicle with at least one other person for the ride being chased by something during the day I'm only assuming it takes place near that village due to the sand. When this happens I can't pinpoint.
N Air Temple 22-4 air bison herd during day
25-8 Meelo + 7 new airbenders presumably at N. Temple durng dusk/early morning
-32 presumed same airbenders meditating w/Tenzin at around the time mentioned above
144 Meelo jumps? Up over a seemingly earthbent rock looking aggressive Is someone attacking him?
58 Kai in airbending robes kicking the driver of an armored truck making it swerve What reason would he have to do that? Is someone in the truck?
129 Kai? Falling off mt with smoke trailing behind him What exploded behind him?
Misc 120 Korra metal bends wall inward showing the Krew are they trying to escape the room they're in? 149 Mako firebends at camera who/what caused him to do that
Only things I can't link are
51 Ghazan lava bending a brick road somewhere during the day
53 a red dragon maybe Zuko's
132 Korra seemingly alone in an area with red leaved trees yellow sky and maybe a spirit around her
Any one have any ideas?
Anyone notice at the trailer's start where the symbols's colors shifted from something like Raava blue/white to something more reminiscent of Vaatu blue/red?
I went to see the movie on opening day thinking I knew what was going to happen and not be surprised by anything. But then there are the Live action sequences with Will Ferrell and Jadon Sand. This part of the movie made me cry, and there was a meta-textual commentary throughout it all.The whole animated adventure could be seen as a representation of Finn's relationship with his Dad, and each one's relationship to their Lego's. This allegory is going to be one of the main reasons this movie is memorable. That and the movie is a general celebration of creativity, the spark of humanity some might say.
Finn (Jadon Sand) is Will Ferrel's live action character's son. Will Ferrel's live character (The Man Upstairs) like his counterpart Lord/President Business likes to have control, not allowing Finn to play with his Lego sets, gluing everything in place. There was also something about Mr. Ferrel’s dad character saying that because he used the Lego’s that made them adult/mature, "keeping his sets orderly is the "adult" way to use them. His son protests, pointing out that they're still toys and the instruction boxes say they're for ages 5-14+. Ultimately his attempts to try to seem mature just further display his immaturity, But then he comes around, playing around with them/not following instructions is a valid way to use lego. Although maybe he just wanted the sets ordered as he was using them to model a real estate project? I liked how they Finn and Dad reconciled in the end, and quickbuilding vision."
This would also explain the rather abrupt turn around by Lord/President Business, it's just Finn working out issues with his Dad, and makes the script more clever instead of staid. Also the live world was foreshadowed by the relics and ghost Virtuvius. Any issues with the plot could be chalked up to it being Finn's idea.
What’s visually interesting is the separation btw the 2 worlds. One is like ours live action, the other is the Lego/minifig world come to life. This is not like Toy Story where the toys and humans live on the same playing field so to speak. While the minifig world is viewable from above in live action, the minifigs perception of the state of the worlds is such that they can’t perceive the live action world as is, they see hands as micromanagers for instance, maybe a minifig perceiving a live human is like one of us trying to perceive an Eldritch Abomination. And the new toys bought in by Finn's sister (Duplo) perceived as hostile alien invaders.
Then there's the fact that Emmett managed to move while in our world, while not in direct contact with Finn or the creature as Emmett calls it. Which raises the question of whether this is all happening in Finn's imagination, or similar to his Dad likened to a God-Figure = Man Upstairs, does Finn have Haruhi ish godlike powers, everything happens on some level because he wants it to.
Does it even matter if in universe the events of the movie sort of happened in Finn's head, making them doubly ficitonal? Then again Emmett was shown to be able to think and move outside his enviroment.
Any reason for the 8 yr timeskip? Perhaps it was his dad building the walls.
As of the premiere of The Floating Palace Sofia has managed to bridge ties with two species; trolls and merman. For the trolls she helped clear up a misunderstanding and for the merman she and her new friend Oona managed to get the merpeople of Merroway Cove to open up to humans again. Anyone wonder what the royal parents were discussing? Also what happened to Oona's and Cora's father/s? This capacity to form friendships that also help smooth over interspecies relations makes me wonder if she could be a diplomat/ambassador to other species, especially given her amulet's possible ability to help her understand others humans can't.
Sofia might be a diplomat, James is the likely crown prince, and Amber would likely be the lady of the house, being able to manage palace affairs, if she wasn't married off to cement political ties/peace. Though that seems unlikely given the current state of affairs.
Do the other royals/kingdoms also have good inter-species relations?
Korra and Hiccup share something among themselves and that is that they are both the leaders of a movement in their society to integrate creatures thought different, dangerous and potentially dangerous with humans, who have either lived apart from them or lived in fear of them. Another parallel could be drawn between Korra and Ray Okamoto from Kaijudo, as they both question their predecessors teachings/tactics in regards to a peace kept between spirits/kaiju and humans through segregation/separation, and both of their actions lead to a change in their respective worlds on how to deal with the creatures.
Spoilers for Frozen below
Lastly there's Anna and Rapunzel both of whom are also isolated from the outside world until their 18th birthdays, and exhibit some odd mannerisms developed from that experience. Honestly I will criticize the previous generation of Arendelle royalty for not letting Anna go our or tell her about the powers. A stupid plan born from fear.
Dr. Maximilian Fortisque Robinson Zooper MD PhD LOL OMD QED Golly Gee, his last two names should be familiar to any who have read/seen Meet the Robinsons and the animated series George Shrinks. The man himself seems to be a good inventor, as he invented robots and presumably mobile books, and a good zoologist in his study of the namesake species whose book he appears in. He should look familiar to some. Also the book The Mischievians accomplishes artistic recursion.
Uniqueness: You're the only one of your kind some spoilers
Most of the Guardians of Childhood (consisting of Ombric Shalazar Nicholas St North, Katherine, E.Aster Bunnymund, Toothiana and Sanderson Mansnoozie ) appear to be the last of their kind. Ombric Shalazar while not the only wizard left in the world is the last Atlantian. E.Aster Bunnymund is the last Pooka of the Pookan brotherhood. Toothiana is the last racial remnant of the SIsters of Flight as they all turned into trees when one of them died. Mim at least has the company of Pitch/Mother Nature although transformed as people (not human as I don't know if they are) from the Golden Age. Katherine and Nicholas appear to be very gifted humans. That at least offsets the aliens in the bunch.
Sanderson Mansnoozie was not said outright to be the last Star Captain/Master though, but he is transformed into something new, so he could be said to be the only being that has his abilities. Nightlight is said to be the only one of his kind. Not the last of his kind the only one of his kind. We get more of his backstory in this book, but it does not tell us how he came to be. Also he too is transformed abandoning his Peter Pan like existence of being an eternally youthful unsleeping bodyguard to young royals. Anyone have guesses to where that will lead?
