The Characters From The Little Mermaid

Let’s be honest, the first time we watched The Little Mermaid, we didn’t just watch it—we lived it. As kids, we all had that one VHS tape we wore out from rewinding, and this was it. Looking back, the characters aren’t just cartoon figures; they’re basically the people we deal with at work, in our families, and at parties.

Ariel: The Girl with a Pinterest Board a Mile Long

Ariel is that friend who gets a new obsession every three weeks and dives in headfirst. She doesn’t just collect spoons; she hoards them like a tech bro hoards crypto, convinced each one holds the secret to happiness. We’ve all had a moment like her “I want more” song—standing in our closet, staring at clothes we have no occasion for, just feeling restless.

Her biggest flaw? She’s a terrible negotiator. She gives up her voice, the thing that makes her uniquely her, for a pair of legs. That’s like trading your car for a Netflix password—terrible ROI. But we root for her because she’s the eternal optimist, the one who thinks crashing a royal ball with zero vocal cords is a solid plan.

Eric: The Guy Who Falls for a Voice Note

Prince Eric is the human equivalent of a golden retriever—handsome, loyal, but easily distracted by shiny objects. Seriously, the man falls in love with a song he heard once. That’s the 18th-century version of swiping right on a bad profile photo because the bio was catchy. He spends the whole movie trying to find a woman with “the voice,” completely ignoring that his actual true love is right in front of him, mute and awkward on the beach.

And let’s talk about his dog, Max. That mutt has better intuition than Eric has in his whole royal brain. Max knows Ariel is a good person the second he licks her face, while Eric is still asking questions. We’ve all had that friend who dates someone their dog hates. Trust the dog, Eric.

Ursula: The Viral Marketing Guru We Love to Hate

Ursula is every shady business coach or influencer who promises you overnight success for a small fee and your firstborn. She’s the queen of fine print. When she sings “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” she’s basically running a TED Talk on manipulation. “Don’t underestimate the importance of body language, ha!”—classic gaslighting.

little mermaid characters by hugohugo on DeviantArt

Her lair is the ultimate “sunk cost trap.” You walk in for a sea cucumber and walk out signing over your vocal cords. But we have to admit: her makeup game is flawless. No one looks that good being that evil. She’s like your strict aunt who gives backhanded compliments: “Oh, you cut your hair? It’s… different.”

Sebastian: The Underpaid Manager at Every Job

Sebastian the crab is the middle manager who just wants everyone to chill out and do their job. He’s the guy at the office who plans the team-building event no one asked for. “Under the Sea” is his desperate attempt to keep morale up while the CEO (Triton) is screaming about sales targets. We’ve all been Sebastian—trying to host a nice dinner party while someone sets the kitchen on fire.

His best line? “They’re playing my song.” It’s that moment of delusional pride when you finally get a tiny win. And his stress level when Ariel goes missing? That’s me on a Monday morning looking for my keys. He’s overworked, underpaid, and the only one who seems to know what’s going on.

The Little Mermaid All Characters

King Triton: The Overprotective Dad with a Bad Temper

King Triton is every dad who overreacts when you bring home a questionable boyfriend. He doesn’t just say “I don’t like him”; he obliterates your entire collection of human artifacts with a lightning bolt. That’s the ultimate “grounded for life” move. He’s the parent who lectures you about safety while driving five miles under the speed limit, making everyone else road rage.

But his redemption arc is real. When he finally learns to let go, it hits hard. He realizes that love isn’t about controlling your kid; it’s about trusting them to make their own mess. Plus, his beard and trident combo gives him the energy of a retired rock star who still wants the mic.

Flounder and Scuttle: The Ride-or-Die Besties

Flounder is the anxious friend who supports you but is constantly saying, “Are you sure? That’s a bad idea.” He’s the one holding your hair back at the club and whispering, “I told you not to eat that fish taco.” And Scuttle is the overconfident friend who gives terrible advice. He thinks a fork is a dinglehopper for combing hair. That’s the friend who tells you to quit your job and “follow your passion” without checking your bank account.

Together, they are the chaotic duo every squad needs. Flounder keeps you from dying, Scuttle makes you laugh until you pee a little. You need both to survive adulthood. So, next time you binge this movie, remember: you’re probably one of these characters. Be the Eric who learns to listen, or the Sebastian who brings the music. Just don’t be Ursula. No contracts on the first date.