Animation Source Forums

Over time, I have noticed many characters in animated movies and TV shows that are similar in characteristics, personality, and background. They can be from either a TV show or a movie, Balto or otherwise. I have one, between Zuko from Avatar and Kovu from Lion King 2.

1. They are both two-sided, playing roles of both villian and good guy.
2. They are both princes.
3. They both faced exile.
4. They both have a scar over one of their eyes, given to them by one of their parents.
5. Someone from the evil side dies when he/she refuses help from someone. Death also involves water.

i never actually noticed that. it's kinda ironic that you would notice something like this maybe it was a coincidence, but it could be that they did it on purpose...i dunno.

Well, Kovu's not really a prince . . . . not by birth anyways. (Unless you read my fic about Simba's other cub . . . )

Still, quite interesting!

- Juuchan17

I doubt that it was done on purpose, but the similarities are kind of ironically funny. Someone on Youtube used the Lion King 2 song "One of Us" for a Zuko video. Just type "zuko king" into the search box and you should find it at the bottom of the first(and only) page. I'm just in the mood of Spirited Away right now, so I will now compare Kovu with Haku and Zira with Yubaba.
I will do Kovu/Haku first.

1. They are both played by Jason Marsden.
2. Their alternation of sides goes like this: Good, bad, better.
3. They are both under influence of the female villain, and their behavior briefly reflects this.


1. Both are played by Suzanne Pleshette.
2. Both are greedy, Zira wanting control over the pridelands and Yubaba wanting all of the gold from No-face and the river spirit
3. Both have wack-job children, eg. Nuka and that huge talking baby.

Still not by birth, but meh, I get your point.

Anywho, getting back on the subject, I've noticed that most animated movies have some similar characters that can go under one of these certain types:

I'm not going to describe each type. If you have any to add, feel free to!

- the rebellious, confused teen: Mainly a character who is young and unsure of where his or her life is headed. This type of character usually has a secret about themselves being kept from them since they were born or really young, but later on, they end up discovering that secret (mainly about their past, heritage, or truth about their parent(s)). A basic sequel offspring character type.
Examples: Aleu (Balto 2), Melody (TLM2), Scamp (L&T2)

- the overprotective parent: This type of character is mainly seen in sequels; usually it's a main character from the original film that now has a child that is so similar to him/her that they fear for their safety. They protect their child because they care, although sometimes they can tend to overreact in certain situations. It's hard to let their children go, but in the end, they realize that their children are wiser when they listen to them for once.
Examples: Simba (TLK2), Balto (WQ), Ariel (TLM2)

Gah . . . I know there's more.

- Juuchan17

Wasn't Kiara also a confused rebellious teen?

Nah. Her father didn't keep any secrets from her (with exception of the whole "I hate the Outlanders" thing . . . which no one still knows the answer to that question).

Kiara would be more "rebellious" than confused. She's more of a klutz too. She means well, but she has wisdom beyond her years. She sees the Outlanders for what they are - the other half of who she is. It's then that she realizes that her destiny is to unite the new prides together, with the help of her Outlander lover, Kovu.

Heck, she gets a category all her own: The rebellious, klutzy teen. This category is similar to the "rebellious, confused teen", but there are differences. Most characters that fit this type are female.

Does that help you out, DF?

- Juuchan17

Absolutely J17,It's just that I haven't watched LK 2 in a looooong time.

Same here. It's just that some scenes make me want to slap Simba or something. (I think you know which ones I'm talking about) But when I read the script to it and rewatched the film again, I've grown an attraction to the inner meanings of things in the film.

Perhaps there are other characters that fit the "Rebellious, klutzy teen" other than Kiara, but so far, she's the only one that it suits.

- Juuchan17