In my recent Underrate post about Merida, someone commented about how Lilo and Stitch is really the first Disney film about familial love, and dear commenter is totally right. So I thought about not Lilo, but Nani, her older sister, and how she is an underrated lady herself.
Nani ends up having to care for her younger sister Lilo after a fatal accident of their parents. Not only is she a sister, but she is a guardian which is already a different look for Disney and a family dynamic.
Also, Nani does not look like a typical Disney princess. She has curves and muscles, since she is a surfer, and it’s not the look of the Disney ladies before her. Also, she has to be the responsible adult figure. She can’t afford to dream for a prince or a ball, she has to be in reality.
Lilo and Stitch not only focuses on the family relationship but also gives a look into life in poverty and a struggling family, not one of royalty. Nani has to fight to keep her sister with her and also to keep her happy, while Lilo struggles to find a place where she belongs. We all as people are more likely to be Nani or Lilo, than we are to be Cinderella or Aurora. And it shows that Hawaii is both beautiful, but difficult for some to survive in.
What’s your favorite Disney film? Share with me in the comments below!
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Another aspect I love about Nani is that she “entertains” Lilo’s creativity, instead of shutting it down and telling her to grow up. One example is when Lilo wants a pet lobster, and Nani says that they can’t because they don’t have a lobster door. 🙂
I love Mulan because she’s also not the stereotypical princess. She doesn’t wait for her Prince Charming, or lets herself be a damsel in distress. She takes her life and fate into her own hands and becomes a heroine in her own way.
I absolutely LOVE Nani. She has to struggle with Lilo AND Stitch. They show realism and didn’t downplay he looks at all, even thought they normally do within media, especially Disney. She had to not only be a sister and a guardian, but also focus on her own self love AND make sure Lilo learned to love her own self. It’s amazing to see the development.
I love Nani as well. She truly has to struggle with Lilo yet as a truly loving “parent” she wants what’s best for Lilo. She tries to fuel her imagination rather than suppress it and that’s what I love about Nani! She really has the aloha spirit in her!
I LOVE Nani, I always thought she was such a cool older sister and she cared SO much for Lilo. I always have an appreciation for the secondary characters though!
This is so awesome! I literally just finished rewatching lilo and stitch the movie about a week ago. So it was quite a lovely surprise to see that you wrote about Nani. Maybe sometime I will do the same as well.
I can’t choose a favorite!!!
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Another aspect I love about Nani is that she “entertains” Lilo’s creativity, instead of shutting it down and telling her to grow up. One example is when Lilo wants a pet lobster, and Nani says that they can’t because they don’t have a lobster door. 🙂
I love Mulan because she’s also not the stereotypical princess. She doesn’t wait for her Prince Charming, or lets herself be a damsel in distress. She takes her life and fate into her own hands and becomes a heroine in her own way.
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Mulan is my all time favorite Disney character! I wrote an Underrated for her too https://ageekgirlsguide.com/2016/01/26/underrated-mulan/
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I absolutely LOVE Nani. She has to struggle with Lilo AND Stitch. They show realism and didn’t downplay he looks at all, even thought they normally do within media, especially Disney. She had to not only be a sister and a guardian, but also focus on her own self love AND make sure Lilo learned to love her own self. It’s amazing to see the development.
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I love Nani as well. She truly has to struggle with Lilo yet as a truly loving “parent” she wants what’s best for Lilo. She tries to fuel her imagination rather than suppress it and that’s what I love about Nani! She really has the aloha spirit in her!
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You are so right! Nani definitely deserves a spa day!
She holds down the whole family as the rock in the tide.
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Awww, you’re so right. She’s so underated 😮 She rocks!
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Beauty and the Beast is my fave, hands down!
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I LOVE Nani, I always thought she was such a cool older sister and she cared SO much for Lilo. I always have an appreciation for the secondary characters though!
La Belle Sirene
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She really is the only Disney character ever to look like me and the fact that she is independent, fit, strong willed, fun and caring is wonderful!
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This is so awesome! I literally just finished rewatching lilo and stitch the movie about a week ago. So it was quite a lovely surprise to see that you wrote about Nani. Maybe sometime I will do the same as well.
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How funny! Quite the timing indeed.
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I love Nani! She definitely deserves more love! As for my favorite Disney film,The Lion King!
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