The Problem with Disney's New Animal Sidekicks

A trend that I've noticed lately that I wanted to talk about.
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[@YINSED5192]

A few things I should clarify since I've been noticing a couple of recurring topics coming up in the comments: 1) As I stated in the video, whether or not you find a character funny/entertaining is entirely subjective. I know that people think Mushu, Scuttle, Flounder, Phil, Maximus, Pascal, etc. are annoying. The main point I'm trying to make is the variety that's present with all those characters and their styles of humor feels lacking in Disney's more recent projects, as well as the connections they have with the characters being more authentic. 2) I am aware that Splat probably took a very long time to render and while conceptually I think they're very lazy, that isn't meant to be a dig at the animators whatsoever. 3) If you like any of the characters I criticized like Sox, Tuk Tuk, or Splat, that's 100% fine and I'd be more than willing to hear why you personally enjoy these characters. I'm always open to different points of view as long as they're respectful. Always try to keep good vibes minnows. Thanks for always being the best. 🦈

[@aeoligarlic4024]

There are people who think mushu and maximus annoying?! They're the most reliable animals in disney!

[@chloenieuwsma4846]

Splats turn around was a bit quick but I love how he's kinda the tour guide that leads us through this bizarre world. Plus I like how expressive/playfull he can be for a blue blob that's tricky to pull off considering since he can't really talk. It's a unique take on a sidekick. Plus I find it believable he bonds with Ethan so quickly

[@kootunesscrewy]

I'll agree with you. As much as I love their recent non-human sidekick characters (like Pascal, Olaf, Sox, Tuk Tuk, Splat and Heihei), I feel like Disney is doing the same technique as what Hanna Barbera used to treat their animal characters. Just using them for comedy instead of anything else. Sure, the old animal sidekicks, like Jiminy Cricket, Stitch, Sebastian and Meeko, did the same stuff too, but at least they had moments without the use of cartoon gags. Not to mention that the new ones feel like they belong in Illumination's films.

[@memiiboi]

Great video, but Stitch is not a good example. He is a main character equal to Lilo, not a sidekick.

[@Duothimir]

It's almost like his name is literally in the title of the movie or something.

[@amberwingtundrawing776]

It's basically his franchise if you asked Disney, he has like 50 spinoffs

[@captainshadowfox]

@@I-Will-Destroy-U damn how come?

[@captainshadowfox]

@@I-Will-Destroy-U what exact part of it was meh tbh? Can’t say everything with no backup tbh

[@kyleinthejar6829]

Stitch is also much more intelligent and human like than he gets credit for as well. In the short “The Origin of Stitch”, it’s shown that Stitch essentially has a tiny bit of all of Jumba’s past experiments put into him, so I’d argue that makes him Jumba’s most intelligent experiment. Stitch is also one of the only experiments that was capable of learning to be good on his own and behave outside of what he was originally created to do, which implies a fair bit of agency on his part. It’s also mentioned in one of the films that Stitch speaks multiple human languages, plus a language only spoken by aliens in the Lilo and Stitch universe called Tantalog. So yea, Stitch is much more on par with his human friends than most realize. He’s less of an “animal sidekick” to me and more of the yin to Lilo’s yang in the story.

[@vividence2936]

Splat is the laziest concept for a character since Rocco from Sesame Street.

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

That would imply Rocco was uncreative. There’s at least humor in and thought put into the idea of Elmo being enraged by Zoe’s insistence that Rocco has its own wants and desires. Splat is just a Nickelodeon Slime-filled wall-walker toy with no personality.

[@Robohead-z6z]

He doesn’t have a face so how can we relate to him and see his emotions?

[@alexisdogbo7958]

@@Robohead-z6zI kind of f disagree. I don’t think that something has to have a face to be relatable or show emotion. It’s difficult, but it can be done.

[@-CloClo-]

That’s just an insult to Rocco

[@Pinkkittie5006]

​@-CloClo- well Rocco knows how it feels but jokes aside Rocco had more personality he dont even talk

[@mrao9068]

I think that Perrito in PIB:The Last Wish is proof that animal sidekicks can be done extremely well if they're actually written into the story properly. Perrito was one of the best parts of a movie filled to the brim w amazing characters.

[@damonlam9145]

Perrito is basically a parallel to Puss and helps him overcome his panic attack and fear and despite being a dude in distress sometimes in the film, he’s not stupid and will find a opening to escape when he has the chance

[@yourtimetraveleralara]

Yeah

[@thegnarledpirate9198]

There's a piece of fanart I love which is Death saving the little puppy Perito from the river. Probably the only character of that movie Death respected.

[@eeg-rh7jv]

Eh, I still found him super annoying

[@Objectnimations]

​@@thegnarledpirate9198 I want to see it. Can you tell me who created that piece and maybe a link to it aswell?

[@philreesrees7543]

Stitch is not just animal sidekick, he is also the second protagonist.

[@purpleclaws202]

But hew merchandised as a sidekick

[@sonicfanboy3375]

I don't even consider him a "sidekick"

[@TECfan1]

Yes. I mean the movie literally starts with Stitch escaping to Earth. It's as much his movie as it is Lilo's. That's why it's called Lilo & Stitch. Notice Mulan is not called Mulan & Mushu, or The Little Mermaid and Sebastian, etc...Lilo & Stitch is truly two characters stories and how their coming together changed their lives.

[@isaacargesmith8217]

@@purpleclaws202 So do Wall-e and Eva, a few main characters in movies are like that honestly.

[@levonneevans5557]

Lmao I 1000% agree with you! Also when i liked your comment my like got your likes up to 626😂😂that was perfect 😅

[@kingagrabowska9366]

Most of the original sidekicks were comedic reliefs but they also brought a lot to the story by moving the plot forward. - Genie had his own wish about being free and helping Aladdin learn his true worth and not lying. Abu gets the story in motion by stealing the gem and then the lamp, and fighting Iago. Flying Carpet is the MVP, saving and flying Aladdin everywhere, showing where the lamp is, and without him there would be no ''Whole New World'' or the kiss on the balcony. - Mushu was the reason why Mulan's legion go to fight in the first place, had a character arc mirroring Mulan's selflessness about not being selfish, and helped Mulan defeat the villain. - Timon and Pumbaa raised Simba and helped fight the hyenas. Rafiki thought Simba the message of the movie and fought hyenas too. - Flounder spills the beans about getting to the surface, gets Ariel Eric's statue (somehow), and helps her get to the ship. Sebastian provides 2 important to the plot songs, goes to Triton for help at the end, and learns to like Ariel. Scuttle teaches Ariel about human stuff (wrongly but that's the point) and delivered the information about Ursula trying to marry Eric. - The Pug and Racoon in Pocahontas represent two side fighting. And the hummingbird being hostile toward John at the beginning but mellowing down after he took the bullet to save Pocahontas' father is something. - Even the gargoyles have some powerful and smart lines that help Quasimodo do the right things. - Pegasus got over his jealousy towards Meg because she tried to help Hercules and started to love him for real. - Tantor and Terk district Kerchak, so the meeting between people and gorillas can happen which kickstarts the third act. It also helps that for the most part they are actually funny. What does Tuk Tuk add to the story besides being Raya's ride?

[@dustymcwari4468]

Flounder and Sebastian also helped saving Eric from Flotsam and Jetsam when they binded him so Ursula could kill him after he harpooned her, which with the help of Ariel pulling Ursula's hair at the right time, it all ended up killing Flotsam and Jetsam

[@hunterolaughlin]

@@dustymcwari4468Remembering how Sebastian and Flounder played an important part in the original really still makes me disappointed how they were treated in the remake.

[@amberwingtundrawing776]

The Raya one is irrelevant but the ones from Strange World and Lightyear did help the plot based on your criteria

[@foxtoons1999]

Heck, even Hei Hei from Moana helps save the Heart of Te Fiti when Moana almost loses it near the end! That’s gotta count for SOMETHING.

[@skylily427]

I actually forgot tuktuk existed til now

[@lulucalliope713]

"They're not Simba's pets, they're his gay dads." YES

[@Beastboy0000aj]

lol

[@misterkaos.357]

Are they a gay couple, or simply platonic pals? Let's ask e621!

[@frogosplayer1]

I know this isn't Disney but one of the best animal sidekicks imo is Appa from Avatar. He was Aang's friend from before the time skip in the ice and once they were out, Appa became one of the only links to Aang's past life giving their friendship even deeper emotional weight. Which is why the episodes where he got kidnapped hit so hard and you really felt and understood Aang's turmoil and rash behaviour.

[@dr.c.f.8074]

They really just took the Nickelodeon logo, made him character, and called it a day.

[@chloenieuwsma4846]

He doesn't look anything like the nick Splat at all.

[@allysonaham7190]

​@chloenieuwsma4846 it's a splat in a different color

[@chloenieuwsma4846]

@@allysonaham7190 I don't see it.

[@ZoarTwili]

@@chloenieuwsma4846Blind?

[@allysonaham7190]

@@chloenieuwsma4846 how the hell do you not see it

[@Tzarina8472]

Even Morph from Treasure Planet served to 'Henderson' the plot in a moment that was both natural for the character and the energy in that moment.

[@tny1757]

MUCKLE DARMED CULTISTS! 'AIR YOU NAMBLIES KEEPIN' ME WEE MEN?!?

[@jaygooese4242]

I like Morph

[@blankadams3120]

Now compare and contrast Splat with Morph from Treasure Planet... they're basically the same concept but Morph is done so much better.

[@5Geass]

Agreed, 100%

[@marda0maranwe]

Slpat reminds me a little bit of Morph from Treasure Planet. But unlike this blue goo, Morph had personality. He was playful and helpful and expressive and sympathetic , and he helped to move the plot forward. You have to have at least one of those points, if not all of them, to have a good side animal character/companion. The problem with animal side characters is the same as the general problem of side characters. How do those characters reflect those main questions: Are they interesting , do they help the main hero and do they move the plot somehow? The less interaction and impact the animal character has on the hero/plot the harder it is to engage into him/her .

[@5Geass]

I basically just made this same comment, it's good to see other people remembering Treasure Planet, thank you

[@Kurbr_is_goob]

Treasure planet is one of the best films i've ever seen.

[@CompSomAnichi]

What makes amorph interesting too is that he's the villain's sidekick

[@victoronnie]

i had the same thought as soon as i saw splat! splat feels like a soulless recreation of morph, morph is so charming while i feel nothing at all from splat

[@Beannnskies]

YEA!!. I love morph. Him and Long John are cool

[@termitesc.aardwolf3644]

Disney needs to make a movie with a cast of cute animal characters but with a human comic relief sidekick.

[@clubpingu3755]

You could almost argue that Winnie the pooh is like that, except Christopher Robin isn't exactly a comic relief side character, just a regular one.

[@Antifearn]

The Rescuers is the best example I can think of, though Penny is not a comic-relief character.

[@maybebearable6910]

Jungle book ?

[@cyruskuria5165]

The good dinosaur?

[@emmagibson5039]

I guess this is Pixar and not Disney, but Monsters Inc has Boo as the cute sidekick

[@ashessakura7518]

A way my friend described it: Old sidekickes were like vases, they drew more attention to the flowers (aka the main characters) and didn’t draw attention away from, they really just held them up to be better than they would be without them

[@Styxintheriver]

I don't really consider Phil an animal sidekick. That's what Pegasus is for, Phil is a character equal to Hercules, hades, or meg. Pegasus, however, doesn't provide a ton to the plot (as much as I adore him) and could technically be removed without drastically changing the plot, wheras Phil is not that way. You'd have to change the story a lot to get rid of the wise mentor character, even if he is a comic relief

[@andreasmeelie1889]

Doesn’t Pegasus help Hercules out a lot in the movie though?

[@sumguy789654]

Seriously, Phil is a full on character he's even an authority figure to hercules. Mad disrespect 😂

[@KingOfCannibals]

@@andreasmeelie1889 to be fair, mushu helps mulan thru her movie but is still an animal side kick. They just help in minimal ways. Pegasus is a means of travel and companionship and not much else.

[@badboyluvr]

Yeah, I'd say Phil is more of the Mentor character than an animal sidekick.

[@wxy3964]

Your analysis of the Little Mermaid's side characters is a perfect reminder of why it was so iconic.

[@CarrieTooTired]

If Heihei has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Heihei has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Heihei has only one fan then that is me. If Heihei has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Heihei, then I am against the world. I love that stupid chicken so much 💖

[@RiannaPeterson]

I'm a fan too 🐔

[@Ramekinnz]

It kind of feels like they made TukTuk and Splat just for the sake of having side characters to try and mimic the charm of previous side characters that we have grown to love. Also to sell toys, probably.

[@super_carson]

Danny Devito gives off big animal sidekick vibes tbh

[@eeveefennecfox]

oh the pokemon hater?

[@tweettweetyweety]

@@eeveefennecfoxWhat’s wrong with that??

[@annabunovsky5628]

Some of my favorite animal sidekicks are the ones from Cinderella because of how much they indicate to us about the protagonist. Jaq, Gus & the rest of the mice are cute and funny, but they’re also living reminders of why Cinderella is deserving of her happy ending. She could’ve been bitter and taken her frustrations out on the only creatures in the house ranked lower than herself, but instead she protected & took care of them. They go out of their way to make her a dress and help her escape the attic not just because that’s their role, but because they want to repay her kindness. We’ve also got Bruno the dog, whose conflict with Lucifer directly mirrors Cinderella’s dynamic with the stepfamily. He also has to endure unfair treatment or risk being thrown out with nowhere to go, then at the climax when there’s a chance for them to have a better life, he finally gets to deliver some payback.

[@andtheniforgotit]

I feel like the big problem currently with Disney is not just bad writing with their cute animal sidekicks, but bad writing in general. Where did all the good character makers and story developers go?

[@SilentBeaver]

Died or left.

[@madderandmadder]

While Sox was very marketable, I personally feel like he was a great sidekick with a personality of his own. He's darling and helps move the plot forward.

[@criticalplat1num80]

I'm convinced Splat is literally an eight-year-old's scribble.

[@zalybrainlessgenius503]

Short story didn't read the whole thing - sidekicks work when they're their own characters, not just some random pets.

[@Beastboy0000aj]

as batman u know all about sidekicks huh?

[@zalybrainlessgenius503]

@@Beastboy0000aj Yes haha. Everytime they're not a well developed character I just have them killed off by The Joker and replaced with a new orphan kid :D

[@Beastboy0000aj]

@@zalybrainlessgenius503 Cool👍

[@lisamartinez8200]

@@Beastboy0000aj lol

[@n19ntendods]

In all seriousness, I really loved Sox and he’s one of the few redeeming qualities of Lightyear.

[@arnold20139]

Me too. Sox is the only character that actually gave me a few good laughs in Lightyear

[@Kittyboi.]

Sox was litteraly the only reason I watched the movie lol

[@Prototype-357]

Sox's back must hurt from carrying that whole movie.

[@stanmarshsillygoose]

@@Prototype-357LOL fr

[@stanmarshsillygoose]

I loved Sox too. He was cute and had comedically silly elements.

[@Pterosauria]

One thing that really bothered me about Splat: Strange World is a film about learning to coexist with the natural world on it's own terms, rather than immediately being hostile to it for being weird or dangerous. But the animal sidekick doesn't /act/ like something weird from the natural world; it's a completely anthropomorphic creature that emotes and gestures like a human. It would have been so much more fitting to the themes of the film if the creature acted like a real animal and the boy had to learn to understand it's behavior and boundaries, and maybe even learned how to navigate and understand the dangerous parts of the world through befriending it.

[@kamikeserpentail3778]

Yeah, but then it would just be How to Train Your Dragon. :P

[@Pterosauria]

@@kamikeserpentail3778 well I mean less that the film would be /about/ the friendship between the boy and the creature, and more just that it would support the themes better if the boy had to learn to work alongside an environment that seems hostile and alien. It still would be the same movie, just tweaked a little

[@customarymagic]

It's just exhausting whenever a new trailer comes out and you can already tell which character exists solely for merchandising. Like with Elio's trailer, there's a little blue/green creature in some of the shots. While I'd love to be wrong, it just looks like another dull sidekick that's created to sell toys.

[@DanielGoldhorn]

I can't wait for the Wish Goat to be the greatest Disney animal sidekick of all time 🐐

[@finalmountain]

Is that goat your cousin? 😅

[@orboakin8074]

I used to work at my local Walmart. In the toy section, there were Sox figures for Lightyear and they rarely sold much. Conversely, Olaf figures and plushies constantly sold well despite their age. Sidekick characters sell well when they are actually well written and memorable characters integral to the plot.

[@diegosanchez5412]

Olaf was fine in the first movie, but was so godamn loud and annoying in Frozen 2.

[@Cattensu]

The problem with Tuk Tuk is he is overshadowed by Sisu and the monkeys. Also his function as a mod of transportation is almost instantly tossed aside because of the boat. He is kind of like Khan from Mulan, there when needed, but otherwise kept in the back out of the way.

[@RandomGenerator-sr7fh]

Instead of having CG sidekicks in the live action, I personally would rather see them in a more cartoon-y look, like the penguins in Marry Poppins. I’m not sure if it’s harder to create the animals that way over a more realistic CG, since I’m no professional animator. (The biggest thing I’ve used is FlipaClip lol) But I think that would make the characters retain their cartoon-y look. Disney may want a live action look, but the CG animals honestly look like my 2am sleep paralysis demons.

[@PokemonkaDub]

All I need to stan the goat from Wish is the fact that he's voiced by Alan Tudyk.

[@MaximizedAnimation]

Alan Tudyk has voiced a character in every Disney movie from the last ten years, including a few other non-speaking animal sidekicks, which is honestly super impressive

[@Prototype-357]

I was going to write a comment about Perrito from Puss in Boots the Last Wish but by your definition of an animal sidekick Perrito actually isn't one, I guess he's just a sidekick? Emotional Support? Private Therapist? I don't know.

[@alexbennet4195]

Just a regular comic relief?

[@Prototype-357]

@@alexbennet4195 I feel like he does too much for the narrative to just be a comic relief, he's the embodiment of the theme of the movie and he helps Puss on his character arc.

[@Simbala-bq5vy]

I guess Perrito is more like just the best friend to protagonist character same with Timon and pumbaa and genie

[@sully1707]

Sox is the only interesting and useful character in Lightyear, and nobody can tell me otherwise.

[@Antifearn]

Why would anyone argue with you when you are 100% correct?

[@jammyjammy2912]

Real

[@nadegef4895]

After watching the movie, the only thing I wanted was a Sox at home !

[@Antifearn]

One of my favorite Disney animal sidekicks is Evinrude from The Rescuers. He only communicates by buzzing and primarily acts as a leaf driver, but I absolutely adore his design (he’s a dragonfly with a mustache who wears a sweater) and the wide range of expressions the animators gave him. His sole purpose in the film is to bring the other characters together in order to rescue Penny from the showboat, and his strength and determination evolve throughout. He begins as an overworked, trapped bug living in a bayou where his life is always in danger, but eventually gets the love and encouragement he needs when Bianca and Bernard “adopt” him. I was really upset when I saw that he was scrapped from the sequel, because the new characters in that film (except for Jake and Joanna) are very weak. I also really love Rufus. He’s my favorite Disney cat, and the scene where he comforts Penny always makes me bawl my eyes out.

[@kamikeserpentail3778]

Catnip snaps

[@sickbeet4219]

3:32 We got a Schaffrillas fan here, folks.

[@n19ntendods]

😁😁😁 You saw the direct-to-DVD sequel ranking video, too.

[@Polychi1998]

They’re nothing compared to Perrito.

[@Xeorboom]

he's not a sidekick! he's part of the main cast!

[@RiannaPeterson]

I don't see how Perrito counts as an "animal sidekick", but yes I love Perrito

[@numbuh1507]

Louis. The Crocodile from TPATF is named Louis.

[@n19ntendods]

I like Louis.

[@SuperPlacido1]

What is "TPATF"?

[@nightstalker5282]

​@@SuperPlacido1The Princess and the Frog

[@marleecorrell1486]

Alligator, and yes.

[@MagicSkittlez]

Funnily enough, a lot of these characters fail at what they're meant to accomplish purely because of their design. Stitch's face is painted everywhere, but I can't say that I've ever seen any merchandise of say, Svenn or the chicken from Moana. The reason for this is because their character makes no effort to be remotely interesting, both from a storytelling and a design standpoint and therefore are inferior to representing that franchise. Great video!

[@joevictor53]

Not really a fair comparison. One is a main character of a film and 20 year old franchise with shows, films, games, books, etc. focused on him. The other 2 are comedic sidekicks with no voices just there for a laugh here and there that have no extra content based on them. A better comparison would be Stitch vs Olaf but even Olaf isn't a main character

[@5Geass]

I haven't seen Strange World, but the moment I saw it, I thought of Morph, from Treasure Planet. Which...looks like same concept as Morph, but Morph looks like he was done 100x better. Morph definitely has personality. c':

[@frostierthenyou]

honestly i like sox. hes funny

[@hineraable]

Wait, so Timon and Pumba count as characters equal to the others but Stich doesn't??? 😂 Wouldn't the movie have no plot if Stich wasn't there? I'm sorry, it's just, calling him a sidekick seems like a stretch when he's the co-protagonist. Arguebly Sebastian is more like a second father figure/semi wise mentor character, because his subplot of being more accepting of Ariel's love for the human world mirrors Titron's

[@joevictor53]

I totally agree. Timon and Pumbaa should count as sidekicks but Stitch is a main character

[@LucasF25]

Ngl, i don't think most of them were ever that good in the first place. They always felt like just some random cute animal placed there just because marketing There's always exceptions tho. Like Maximus from Tangled. That's just the best character in the movie lmao

[@alexbennet4195]

And that’s because they clearly wrote him as a “character”, NOT as an “animal sidekick” (whose side is he supposed to even be by?). In comparison to, like, the chameleon, who literally served no purpose other than selling toys.

[@bananagrandma2997]

​@@alexbennet4195ikr

[@Yipper64]

honestly hearing "kidults" is kind of offensive tbh, I fall into that category but just because I like these things. They arent necessarily childish. At least not the way that adults interact with them. Like, I collect plush toys, I display them. I dont play with them. I watch cartoons, but I dont want to watch baby shows I want to watch cartoons with substance. Like Spiderverse.

[@rommix0]

That word is mainly used by right wing circles. They're the very people that consider people like us weak for liking "kids" stuff. It's a weird term.

[@Yipper64]

​@@rommix0 Eh im something of a right winger myself. I could call certain people kidults, like people who cant handle being called by the wrong pronoun or some nonsense, but just liking collecting toys? Thats different.

[@rommix0]

@@Yipper64 That's just sad. Why not just be a normal person and call them adults? You right wingers are some of the most cringiest and dangerous people on this earth. Good thing I'm on the right side on history. 🌈

[@aeoligarlic4024]

​@@rommix0people who use the term kidults are normies who refuse to watch something just bc it's animation

[@purpleclaws202]

​@aeoligarlic4024 I doubt that. I thought that I myself have grown out of it until I rewatched classic movies and realized that they just treated animated movies much better. The modern ones I like are Soul, Big Hero Six and Tangled

[@MaximizedAnimation]

I watched Strange World the other night (which was actually pretty good, not nearly as mediocre as I was expecting, now I'm kinda sad it was such a financial disaster), and while Splat was far from a great Disney sidekick, I enjoyed its inclusion in the story for a few reasons. Firstly, people tend to look at Splat's design and think that because the design is very simple and it has no face, it's lazy or uncreative. In actuality, the way Splat moved and behaved in the movie reminded me a lot of the magic carpet from Aladdin. It was really impressive to see how the animators were able to give Splat such dynamic movements and a clear personality despite working with a character with no face, an unorthodox body shape, and the ability to only communicate through bubbly high pitched noises. The character design also fits with the rest of the world, as every creature is supposed to resemble the kind of microscopic life you'd find in the human body, so Splat's cell-like design makes sense. It's also not like Splat adds nothing to the story or is annoying either, there are a lot of moments that actually flesh it out as a character and make it not a one-dimensional joke machine. Specifically, when Splat is first introduced, it's almost an antagonistic force that rejects offers of friendship from the lead boy, Ethan, and when it agrees to lead Ethan back to the ship, another character establishes that its species is known for leading unsuspecting beings to their death. When Splat is almost about to trap Ethan in the middle of a horde of monsters, it touches a plant Ethan has that electrocutes its arm. What follows is a really good scene where Ethan tries to get close to the injured Splat and wrap a handkerchief around its burnt appendage, and Splat, despite being scared at first, allows Ethan to help him, and from that point, it decides to lead Ethan away from the horde of monsters and help the main characters on their journey. From Splat's very first moments in the film, it's shown to be antagonistic, but also scared of the human characters at first, before growing close to them and feeling like a second pet, which helps Splat avoid coming off as one-dimensional. From this point, Splat's importance in the story does diminish a bit, and there are definitely moments that come off like forced comic relief (plus the scene where one guy says "I gotta merchandise you" was kinda cringe), but Splat isn't useless to the journey either. Because it's a being from the titular strange world that the main characters are trying to navigate, its able to help out the other characters in perilous situations, like convincing another species to help safely pilot their ship through a sea of acid, and helping them escape from a locked closet because it's able to fit underneath the door. Basically, what I'm saying is that, while Strange World isn't great, it's a lot better than most people give it credit for, and the same applies to its supposed one-note animal sidekick. Splat isn't perfect sure, and there are definitely way better Disney animal sidekicks out there, but I never got the impression that it added nothing to the story, which is more than I can say for many other animal sidekicks. Morph is still better though.

[@kamikeserpentail3778]

Splat still better than the dog who served no purpose whatever

[@ladypool1404]

One of the animal i hate, Hei-hei the chicken. He's not cute, not funny! The ocean could get Tefiti's heart instead of him. It's doesn't help liking this character while the ocean hates him too. Also, since this chicken is so stupid and can't feed himself; i doubt he will have a long life. Moana better eat him, Hei-hei is really useless 😂

[@doodelli]

Yeah, Moana is a decent movie, but the pig and chicken have got to be some of Disney’s lamest animal sidekicks.

[@SuperPlacido1]

@@doodelli "decent movie"?! Moana is an amazing movie!

[@missroyaltea4012]

i wish moana took pua the pig with her instead the pig is actully cute sadly the pig has like no screen time.

[@doodelli]

@@SuperPlacido1 Dude chill. I’m allowed to think a movie was just good in my experience. Art is subjective. Personally I love Lilo & Stitch, I think it’s a masterpiece, but I’m not gonna get on someone’s case for not vibing with that movie exactly the way I do. I am also allowed to hold the opinion that an animated chicken was kind of lame and didn’t serve the greater narrative of the film in question.

[@s.g2344]

Ugh I hated Hei hei 😅😅 I wanted the pig to come on the journey instead 😊

[@Nightman221k]

I’m not looking forward to the adorable goat in wish having a deep grown man voice. It made me groan when I saw that. Seriously? We can have a cute talking sidekick anymore.

[@Bowsermmbbreal]

That’s another trope, known as “the small character has a deep voice”

[@EyesWillRule]

@@Bowsermmbbreal Doesn't make sense when the goat is still a kid with no horns.

[@rudolfpap5646]

The cat from Lightyear is a legend, don't you DARE saying anything bad about him!

[@sllawson6]

I know a girl who’d drink to that

[@goatinator654]

This is literally something I complained about when me and my friends did a powerpoint night. Mine was on my favorite and most hated cliches and one of them was pointless Disney sidekicks and how they offered nothing to the story. Very cool to find a similar sentiment.

[@littleblueclovers]

I feel like a small factor that helps is when the movie has more than one “cute animal sidekick”. Like with flounder and Sebastian, or like Apu and Iago, seeing more than one makes me feel like “oh, that’s just how animals look/act in this world.” When there’s just one, it feels like they stand out in an uncomfortable way. It feels like the second they show up, the movie is yelling at me to buy their merch.

[@awesomeocelot7475]

Honestly Lois was my favorite character from The Princess And The Frog! Man that movie is so underrated is was awesome!

[@Jaden_K]

"Timon and Pumbaa are just his gay dads" STOP THAT'S SO TRUE BUT YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT 😭

[@zingkoinko1231]

no they are just friends .

[@wendyblair3079]

I made my bf watch Moana with me and he said the baby sea turtle that she saved at the beginning of the movie should have come back when she grew up and been her animal sidekick

[@Oblivitana]

My thing is that a sidekick should actually need to be in the story, such as the story not being able to happen without them (though this doesn’t always have to be the case), like donkey from shrek. Or the if they don’t add anything they should at least inform us about the world of the story

[@kamikeserpentail3778]

Kind of funny, I thought Donkey wasn't that important for Shrek to happen, but Perrito in Puss in Boots was just a more necessary Donkey.

[@Oblivitana]

@@kamikeserpentail3778 I mean, if donkey hadn’t banged a dragon… It is ALSO important that he did infant bang a dragon also because of the 4th movie where shrek telling donkey about his children are what leads donkey into trusting shrek

[@imbromidic6027]

Watching this video, I was so shocked by how few views, likes, and subscribers you have! This content is very good, I hope you continue to grow!

[@Misscouchpotato-]

"Meet, Splat" Me: that's Covid.

[@ColdNorth0628]

Splat is just a Poor mans morph from Treasure planet

[@giulf3der957]

Is Stitch an animal sidekick tho? Isn't he a co-protagonist? Wouldn't he be at the same level, if not higher, as Timon and Pumba since he's a big part of the plot?🤔 Also the horse from Tangled.. isn't he almost a villain of the movie? [I'm not sure tho, cuz I haven't seen both films in years] It's like saying Toothless from HTTYD is an animal sidekick... no, he's a co-protagonist together with Hiccup! Btw, nice video, I agree, they should make more interesting animal sidekicks in today's movies.. they were frequently my favorite characters in films with human protagonists when I was a kid

[@thelivingdripunal2513]

Perrito is an amazing sidekick, he can be annoying but he just wants to make people happy and be there for emotional support like in that panic attack scene

[@mlgsmurb8266]

I feel like Splat ALMOST works, but is just a bit too anthropomorphized for my liking. If they made Splat not bipedal, act like a feral, yet curious and intelligent alien who the protag treats as a close friend, and add an air of mystery to them that contributes to the worldbuilding, I feel like Splat could be both endearing and likeable. Take inspiration from the cockroach in WALL-E; they don't need to exhibit overtly human characteristics in order to be cute, they can just have a really good bond with the main character.

[@quicksilveryt4000]

I feel like the whole idea is that they have to be actual CHARACHTERS with DESIGNS and PERSONALITY and A REASON TO EXIST other than just 'Hehe plushie sales go BRRRRR'

[@saborevolutionarychief6458]

I feel like Sox was decent, but definitely missed potential. I actually don’t mind the character and found him pretty adorable, but that’s about it. His character is just there for support, and nothing else. Lightyear in general wasn’t a good movie.

[@lovepeople777]

idc what you guys say i love splat just because of the speculative biology alone

[@Kromiball]

For some reason I like expressive faceless characters

[@linedoltrainerchannelgammi2247]

1:45 from what you said, I heard on google that the two are just best friends duo while Simba is just an addition as a trio

[@Kurbr_is_goob]

I had no idea that anyone didn't like the crocodile in The Princess and the Frog, I had always thought that he was really cool, (like everyone else in that film.)

[@Simbala-bq5vy]

What I like about Mushu Timon and pumbaa they are the reason why the protagonist is the way he/she is and they are more like the best friend to the protagonist

[@ellencoleman4604]

I'm surprised you didn't compare splat to morph from Treasure Planet, who worked far better using a similar concept / vibe. Also, nothing on the lack of female animal sidekicks? It's a massive bugbear of mine that Disney always makes the animals boys, it implies that boys are the default, and really draws attention to how flimsy their attempts at representation can be.

[@aidankocherhans9861]

If they made an animal sidekick a girl they would probably give her big eyelashes or something so we would know it's a girl

[@redpanda6497]

@@aidankocherhans9861 God, I remember how female animal characters looked like in 2010. Ugh. Some things should be left in the past.

[@metademetra]

Come to think of it. The only ones I can think of off the top of my head are some of Cinderella's mice, Turk, and one of the gargoyles.

[@n19ntendods]

A part of me hates to say this, but I think Pascal is overrated. While he is cute and a great companion to Rapunzel, I feel like he can be judgemental, egotistical, irritable, cynical, and mean-spirited towards Eugene. Even after the latter redeems himself. I understand he was suspicious and hostile towards Eugene, as he didn’t know him properly and he was a selfish, sneaky thief and in the TV show, Eugene still occasionally acts cheeky, rude, inconsiderate, and arrogant, but I still feel like Pascal holds a grudge against him and acts too possessive over Rapunzel. Overall, I found Maximus’ resentment and rivalry with Eugene more funny and justified.

[@Robohead-z6z]

I don’t remember him acting like that towards Eugene. However Eugene does call him a frog so maybe he holds a grudge against that. I would’ve hate if someone keep referring to me as the wrong species.

[@n19ntendods]

@@Robohead-z6z Fair enough.

[@purpleclaws202]

​@n19ntendods I don't think overrated is the right word for this. I think you dislike him lol. But don't worry I wasn't ever a big fan of him either. I did feel bad for him when Gothel kicked him though

[@Robohead-z6z]

@@purpleclaws202 I have to rewatch the movie again cause people are saying things I don’t remember. Then again I only watched it once and it been a while.

[@n19ntendods]

@@purpleclaws202 Me too.

[@iamjackspyramidshapedhelmet]

I’m pretty sure Djali and the gargoyles were the only things that kept Hunchback from getting a PG13 rating lol

[@mainstreetsaint36]

Good guy Sox letting Buzz Lightyear put his name on Sox's movie!

[@MarkusAT]

MAJOR MANDELA EFFECT My friend tried to explain me the word "Aladdin" in Alias -boardgame and he thought Aladdin was the Genie! Robin Williams was the voice actor for genie, not Aladdin!

[@GingerTyPerior]

I’ve been watching all the movies in order and it’s insane to think that the entire “talking animal sidekick” trend started with GURGI

[@juliahornback2843]

No. It was the mice from Cinderella

[@lars7282]

Problem is: they aren’t memorable. Not their scenes, not their jokes, and not their designs. They always feel like Disney thinks they NEED to make sidekicks, but they don’t have anything to do for them - except posting them on socials and earning some „uuuuh cute!!“s.

[@moonamoonz]

The older sidekicks felt like actual pets, they cant talk but they are always there, supporting you, they felt alive. Rocco was the most dead character I've ever seen in a movie, not only as a sidekick, but in general.

[@enolp]

4:13 “a scrawny little twig who gets bullied by all her ancestors” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@genehen6495]

my biggest pet peeve with alot of animal sidekicks is that they aren't characters. Whether they talk or not - could you replace them with a soft toy the characters pick up sometimes and say "aw, how cute" to at random intervals and not really miss anything out from the story? OR would you have to replace them with another HUMAN character in order to actually complete the story? You couldn't really have the little mermaid without Sebastian, flounder or the bird. You could replace all of them with other mermaids - but you couldnt make them into thingimabobs. Maximus couldn't be a soft toy. He could be a man without much about the story changing, but he cant be removed. I think the chameleon COULD be replaced with a toy - infact part of me thinks maybe it should have (rapunzel treating a toy like a pet/friend? Shes gone a bit nutso in that tower) - but definitely not the horse. Splat could have been a shiny rock they found. It isnt a character, its an entertaining tidbit they picked up along the way. These characters are CHARACTERS, even if their role is small. No character should be wasted space in a movie just for shits and giggles - unless its a fucking AMAZING giggle. Movie-defining giggle.

[@ladypool1404]

One of the animal i don't like is Hei-hei the chicken. He's not cute, not funny! The ocean could get Tefiti's heart instead of him. It's doesn't help liking this character while the ocean hates him too. Also, since this chicken is so stupid and can't feed himself; i doubt he will have a long life. Moana better eat him, Hei-hei is really useless 😂

[@hunterolaughlin]

It disappoints me, and almost everyone, that between the 2 animal sidekicks they could’ve chosen to go with Moana on her journey, either Pua the Pig and Hei-Hei the Rooster, they choose the Rooster despite Pua being almost all over the marketing. 🤦‍♂️

[@nightstalker5282]

​@@hunterolaughlinPua was originally going to go but the writers realized he was very helpful and supported towards Maona especially in her darkest hour and got her out of it very quickly making the entire journey less overwhelming and fast which is the main reason why they kept the Hei Hei because he was another obstacle and probably that kept getting in her way while overcoming that problem as well making the chicken two in one problems. The entire story is Moana solving these problems while being a strong and independent woman but with Pua being included their narrative goes out the window. It was in an interview with one of the head writers. Moana originally had brothers too but got cut.

[@bananarama1425]

So they gave us a deliberately annoying character that most people dislike for the sake of strong independant woman? That's just sad.

[@kofizayn6077]

He *is* funny and better than the pig. It would probably be too cliche if she went with the pig instead of the chicken.

[@RiannaPeterson]

You're so mean, saying they should eat him 😢. I loved the chicken

[@anarchohelenism]

Kidults. I love it. That’s exactly what they are.

[@monokubb]

the reason i have such a love for sox is because he felt like an actually enjoyable character in lightyear. yes, he was there for some of the comedy parts but i believe that is what makes his character him. he’s an adorable robot cat who just is there and one of the better parts of lightyear. i know lots of people didn’t like lightyear, but i did just because of sox and i thought he was the best characters to come out of the movie. i also love sox because i have a love for cats and my dad and i like cat characters so sox was a good cat character for my dad and i to enjoy!!

[@_vlpin]

Kidults? The term "manchildren" is literally right here.

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

Sox was the only good thing about Lightyear.

[@user-xu9qs4mp8q]

Sox was a way better sidekick then the chicken from moana

[@Ld-vm7ii]

2:25 Oh god. I thought those elephants where real people in costumes. I got scared

[@diegosanchez5412]

Anyone remember the documentary "Life Animated"? It was about an autistic man finding his voice through watching Disney movies. During the movie, he makes a story about him being "the protector of the sidekicks" for the Disney characters. I seriously want to know his opinion on the newer sidekicks because with the exception of Sox and a couple of the Television characters, a lot of these modern sidekicks feel so uneccesary and sometimes annoying and are nowhere near as memorable as Sebatian or Genie. also 0:13 kidaults really? 😒

[@nickchavez720]

The weak sidekick characters are a symptom of a much larger problem with disney. Disney is no longer being run by people with authentic passion, talent, or work ethic it used to have resulting in poorer stories. Human beings thrive off story; its one of our most important qualities that distinguish us from animals. Stories are how we make sense of the world. We can tell, even if subconsciously, when the beats of a story are off. The fact disney is messing us something as fundamental as the sidekick character shows why have lost the way. Because if you look at the golden years when walt was still around, the disney dark ages, and the renoassiance...even when a movie wasnt a classic it still had a solid structure.

[@kojikashiin319]

You should do a tier list vid of these sorts of characters, I’d be here for it The S in Stitch is for S tier

[@April_Animates_Stuff]

I hadn't noticed this, but yeah. You're totally right!

[@cindyespindola4946]

Stitch is not an animal sidekick in my opinion since it's the main character along with Lilo, not a secondary character at all. Apart from that great video!

[@tonii-chan00]

You also have to take into account the differences between time periods and ability to create their respective medias. 2D animated concepts were made with the idea that the animators had to draw everything frame by frame. CGI or 3d animated movies were based on how things can be rendered and moved. When you're not limited by hand drawing each frame and can program things to move, as well as having a modern mega corporation you can start focusing on what character designs you can sell vs what character designs you draw over and over again.

[@austinmccormick8952]

Splat Going Ah ha with that pose was hysterical

[@justarandomchick767]

in older movies the characters had multiple plot driving moments. recently it feels like they only use animal sidekicks to make otherwize boring scenes more ''fun'' by adding one without giving them any actual character

[@paranixoussouxinarap4090]

Whatever incentive Disney had to try (at least in their own opinion) is now gone. They'd much rather claim something outside of their control is the problem then admit they were wrong and change.

[@toric6005]

3:36 always love to see a Little Mermaid 2 clip! Haha I was also today years old when I got this joke. I always though he said, “I sound like a weasel” which makes no sense but now I’m pretty sure he said I sound like Coruzo! The opera singer from the 20’s. 😂

[@yourshoulderdevil5229]

Whenever I watch movies with "childish" characters, I pay extra attention to that character to decide wether or not that movie could have survived without it. Recent Disney could probably take out most of them since Olaf. Even Pascal bit Mother Gothal as a way to contribute, but if the sidekick did nothing to help the main character or drive the plot then tye movie would better if it didn't exist.

[@Thot_Patrol_USA]

just here to say I am your 1000th subscriber

[@OneyButtwillies]

Whats the ending track you used? Love the midi jams

[@DianaLopez-dq8sy]

Djali the goat is actually in the original Victor Hugo novel. He’s not a Disney creation. 🐐

[@betterlatethannever4529]

Am I the only one who is kind of sad he didn’t bring up Morph from Treasure Planet as an example?

[@alumlovescake]

I saw the thumbnail, looked that the Buzz robot cat and went: Ah yes that dog from Bolt...... Yeah I know I am stupid.

[@RuneKight]

I resent being called a kidult but similarly I cannot argue