History Characters / TheLittleMermaid

!!Atlantica Royalty and Associates

[[folder:King Triton]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Triton.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Kenneth Mars (first two films and the series), Creator/JimCummings (third film)

Triton is the ruler of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. He is a muscular merman, the widower of the late Queen Athena, and the father of Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana and Ariel. He is also the father-in-law of Prince Eric and the grandfather of Ariel and Eric's daughter Melody. As King of Atlantica, he has in his possession a powerful magical trident which appears to be made of gold. It emits a glowing light and a typical sound when in use. Furthermore, he has a crown and two armbands, which also appear to be made out of gold.

* ActionDad: Triton isn't afraid to get his hands dirty if it's to protect Atlantica or his family.
* AdaptationDyeJob: In the first and second movie, his eyes were blue, but in the third movie, his eyes were green.
* AlmostKiss: In the prequel, he almost kisses his wife until he catches his daughters watching them.
* AngerBornOfWorry: Triton only gets angry at his daughters, especially Ariel, because he just wants them to be safe.
* BadassBeard: Long white beard.
* BadassGrandpa: The ruler of the Atlantica Kingdom is an intimidating and powerful merman with a good body build for his age and wields a magical trident as a weapon of choice. He is very prone to anger due to his overprotective personality and [[FantasticRacism his hate on humans]]. Once he is angry he can be unstoppable, whether he is scolding his rebellious daughter Ariel or facing his treacherous former ally Ursula the sea witch. Hadn't Ariel made an undestructible contract with Ursula, he could have give the sea witch an unforgettable lesson. By the sequel, he becomes a proper grandpa to his only known grandchild Melody even though he had already an stablished badassery.
* BadassInCharge: The King of Atlantica and is the ''biggest'' badass there. He may be old, but he can kick some serious ass!
* BalefulPolymorph: Becomes one following his HeroicSacrifice.
* BerserkButton: Anything that reminds him of the human world will set off his HairTriggerTemper. At least until the end of the first film, thanks to Eric.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Triton is a noble and reasonable king with a soft heart...just ''don't'' make him angry.
* BruiserWithASoftCenter: A tough, short-tempered guy who has a soft side.
* BigGood: For Alantica as he's the King and wielder of the trident.
* BigNo: At the beginning of ''Ariel's Beginning'' [[spoiler:when his wife gets crushed to death.]]
* BigOlEyebrows: His gray eyebrows are ''thick''.
* CharacterDevelopment: Whereas Ariel is largely a StaticCharacter, King Triton gets the lions share of development when he realizes being so hard on Ariel just ended up driving her away from him, and when Eric saves his daughters life from Ursula, it allows him to overcome his xenophobia of humans and realize that it's for the better that he lets Ariel stay with Eric. By the time of the sequel, Triton has become accepting of humans. He's presented as still very wise, though incredibly toned down temper wise. However, his aggressive nature remains in times of crises.
* ChickMagnet: As shown in the prequel, besides being in a loving marriage with his wife, two other women (seen at the beginning and end) give him a flirty greeting.
* CoolCrown: Which emphasizes his authority and intimidation.
* CynicismCatalyst: The death of his wife Athena. Before this happened, he was perfectly content to take periodic trips to the surface with his family.
* DemotedToExtra: In the sequel, he only gets a handful of appearances. It's quite justified, because Ariel hadn't seen him during the twelve year gap, and could not for Melody's protection.
* DotingGrandparent: He has a notable soft spot for Melody and highly values her safety.
* FantasticRacism: His insight of humans, and it blinded him to the fact that there are far worse threats than humans.
* FatalFlaw: His loyalty to his family caused him sign over his trident to Ursula to save Ariel and almost made him willingly give it to Morgana in order to ensure Melody's safety.
* FieryRedhead: Even after his hair turned grey, Triton still retains the "fiery" status.
* GodzillaThreshold: Triton never personally gets involved in most problems, usually sending Sebastian to take care of it. When he does get involved, things are that serious.
* TheGoodKing: Shown a lot in the TV series that Triton is a kind, respectful, wise, and fair leader. There was, however at least a period of time when he was something of a tyrant, all because he let his grief consume him.
* GoodParents: King Triton may have made [[NiceJobBreakingItHero a catastrophic mistakes by destroying Ariel's grotto]] and being overprotective, but he's shown to be a very loving, caring father towards Ariel and his daughters. Heck, he even attempted to sacrifice himself for Ariel to Ursula.
* GreenEyes: Only in the prequel.
* HairTriggerTemper: It doesn't really take much to piss him off.
* HappilyMarried: He and Athena deeply loved each other, before her tragic death.
* HeartbrokenBadass: After his wife, Queen Athena, is killed by pirates. He does move on from his wife's death, but doesn't remarry, and it took him a while to accept humans as equals.
* HeroesWantRedheads: Triton was in a loving marriage with the auburn (reddish-brown) Queen Athena.
* HeroicBuild: Just ''look'' at him. Even nearing old age, he still has a broad chest.
* HeroicSacrifice: In the first film, he [[spoiler:swaps places with Ariel when Ursula's taken her prisoner as part of their contract]].
* HeterosexualLifePartners: An interspecies example. He (a merman) and Sebastian (a crab) are each other's best friend, with the latter being the former's closest advisor.
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: The Huge Guy to Athena's Tiny Girl. She's not especially tiny, but looks small compared to Triton who has a [[HeroicBuild massive physique.]]
* InSeriesNickname: "Red" was Triton's childhood nickname.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Sure, he has a temper and may overreact, but he's a softie underneath it all.
* LaserGuidedKarma: By letting his vendetta towards humans get the better of him, he was arguably begging for the heartache of a missing child.
* {{Leitmotif}}: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shvwa0s20mo&feature=related Has a]] {{Fanfare}}.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone:
** After he destroys Ariel's grotto in a fit of rage; the minute Ariel breaks down in tears, Triton has a visible look of guilt on his face before he leaves. Later, he almost says it word-for-word when none of Triton's search parties can find any trace of Ariel.
** He gets one of these in the prequel too, when Ariel says that her mother "wouldn't have wanted this" - "this" being Atlantica empty of music and it being banned.
* NobleBigot: Pre-CharacterDevelopment. Triton may have had an intense hatred for humans, he was also a good king, protective father, and he never used his powers to kill humans. Not even the ones indirectly responsible for his true love's death.
* NotSoDifferent: Like Eric, he is normally portrayed as a benevolent but easily distracted monarch and as loyal to his subjects as they are to him. Especially apparent in the television series.
* OddNameOut: His wife and daughters all have names that start with an "A." His name starts with a "T."
* OhCrap:
** When he realizes that destroying Ariel's grotto indirectly caused the latter to run away and make a deal with Ursula.
** Triton has one of these moments in ''Return to the Sea'' when Melody steals his trident as part of her deal with Morgana.
** He has another one in ''Ariel's Beginning'' when [[spoiler:he realizes that Athena is about to get killed]]. At the end of the film, he's utterly shocked when [[spoiler:Ariel is rendered unconscious]].
* OverprotectiveDad: This may actually be justified. He doesn't want his daughters anywhere near humans (or anything that came from humans) because human pirates were the reason for his wife's death.
* PapaWolf: He's protective of all his daughters and granddaughter. He was all and ready to ''kill'' the people who dare to harm either.
* ParentalFavoritism: Although never addressed in the animated media, Ariel is actually Triton's favorite daughter. The reason behind this being he sees show much in himself in her, personality-wise. Like him, she has red hair, and as seen in the third film, she has an almost uncanny resemblance to his late wife, Queen Athena.
* ParentalSubstitute: His interactions with Urchin are reminiscent of a father and son.
* ParentsAsPeople: Triton blatantly loves Ariel and his other daughters, and many episodes of the TV series show him raising them quite competently, but he has a very overprotective zeal and a temperament that, while not abusive, can be very harsh. It is almost always followed by [[WasTooHardOnHer heavy remorse after he cools down]].
* PhysicalGod: It's implied he is the Triton of GreekMythology. (He looks like a merman, he's king of a race of people that look like him -merpeople - he wields a magical trident, and carries a conch shell at one point). If so, this would make him son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, and a minor deity in his own right.
* ProngsOfPoseidon: Fitting, considering that [[Myth/ClassicalMythology it's implied Poseidon is his father]].
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica.
-->"I consider myself a reasonable merman. I set certain rules, and I expect those rules to be obeyed!"
* RedIsHeroic: Loses his red hair over time, but still retains his heroic qualities.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: He's the King of Atlantica and has no problem taking on a foe who has either his kingdom or family.
* RulingCouple: Before her death, Triton ruled alongside Athena in Atlantica.
* SingleTargetSexuality: He has never stopped loving Athena.
* SuperStrength: His build plus the fact that merpeople have more physical prowess than humans.
* TakeMeInstead: Willingly takes Ariel's place in the contract she signed with Ursula, taking her place as a polyp.
* TookALevelInKindness: [[spoiler: He finally gives up his grudge towards humans as he let Ariel marry Prince Eric]].
* TragicKeepsake: In the Broadway version, his trident is one from his late father Poseidon.
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: His destruction of Ariel's Grotto all but ensured that Ursula would have Ariel make a DealWithTheDevil and stage a plot to assume control of Atlantica.
* UsedToBeASweetKid: An older example. ''The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning'', initially depicts Triton as a devoted and loving father and husband. After his wife's death, he becomes extremely strict and a violent-tempered man, [[CharacterDevelopment but eventually comes to terms with the incident]]. During the series though, we see what a free-spirited kid he used to be when he regressed.
* WasTooHardOnHer: When Ariel disappears from the kingdom in the first film, he blames himself for causing her to run away. And he's not exactly wrong...
* WeaponOfChoice: Triton's main weapon, which is also an ancestral one, is his trident.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Takes extreme measures to prevent Ariel from interacting with the human world. Unfortunately, this helps convince her to strike a deal with Ursula.
* WouldHitAGirl: He attempted to kill or seriously harm Usrula with a blast from his trident; he encased Morgana in a block of ice.
* YouthfulFreckles: In his youth, he had some that represented his energetic nature.

[[folder:Queen Athena]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Little-mermaid3-disneyscreencaps.com-390.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' Lorelei Hill Butters (speaking) and Andrea Robinson (singing)

Queen Athena was the wife of King Triton, and the mother of Ariel and her six older sisters. She was the Queen of Atlantica, and beloved by her family and subjects. Unfortunately, she died as a result of a run-in with a big pirate ship when Ariel was very young. A statue of her dancing with Triton is present in his courtyard.

* DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: When she was alive, she's shown to be a very caring mother towards her daughters.
* HappilyMarried: Before her death, she and Triton were in a loving, close marriage.
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: The Tiny Girl to Triton's Huge Guy. Athena's not especially tiny, but looks small compared to Triton who has a [[HeroicBuild massive physique.]]
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Her death took a ''very'' long time for Triton to accept and was the [[CynicismCatalyst main trigger for his]] initial hatred of humans.
* TheLostLenore: For her husband -- her death left him so grief struck he banned music in Atlantica because it reminded him of her.
* MamaBear: A small moment, but Athena helped rescue her eldest daughter, Attina, by freeing from being stuck between two rocks to escape from the pirates.
* MissingMom: Died when her daughters were children, her eldest being a pre-teen.
* MumLooksLikeASister: After having seven children (a few being teenagers), she still looks youthful. While she does have the start of a few wrinkles going on, they only appear in certain shots.
* NiceGirl: Kind, motherly, romantic, and caring.
* PosthumousCharacter: Her role in Ariel's backstory doesn't come up until the third installment.
* RapunzelHair: Her hair reaches to her waist.
* SignificantGreenEyedRedhead: Red hair and green eyes. She's also the mother of the franchise's protagonist and is a key figure in the prequel.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: She looks almost exactly like Ariel, except her eyes are green.

[[folder:Ariel's Sisters]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/497011_1279719521938_full.jpg]]
->'''Attina voiced by:''' Creator/KathSoucie (TV series), Creator/KariWahlgren (third film)\\
'''Alana voiced by:''' Kimmy Robertson (TV series), Creator/JenniferHale (third film)\\
'''Adella voiced by:''' Sherry Lynn (TV series), Creator/TaraStrong (third film)\\
'''Aquata voiced by:''' Sheryl Bernstein (TV series), Creator/GreyDeLisle (third film)\\
'''Arista voiced by:''' Creator/MaryKayBergman (TV series), Creator/GreyDeLisle (third film)\\
'''Andrina voiced by:''' Cathy Cavadini (TV series), Creator/TaraStrong (third film)

Ariel's six older sisters.

* AdaptationDyeJob: In the first movie, all of Ariel's sisters had blue eyes like Ariel. Come the prequel and only a few have blue eyes -- Attina - green; Alana - violet; Adella - teal; Aquata - brown; Arista - ice blue; Andrina - hazel.
* AdaptationDeviation: In the original story, Ariel had five siblings. She was the sixth. The film however gives Triton seven daughters.
* {{Adorkable}}: All of them to some extent in the prequel show their dorky, awkward side.
* AlliterativeFamily: Their names all start (and end) with 'A'.
* {{Ascended Extra}}s: They get a major role in the TV Series and in the prequel ''Ariel's Beginning''.
* BlondeBrunetteRedhead: Andrina and Arista are the Blondes and Adella, Aquata, Attina, and Alana are the Brunettes to Ariel's Redhead.
* TheCameo: A few of them make an appearance in the sequel.
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: In the original movie, Ariel's sisters had more-or-less the same face and no known personalities. Future adaptations, such as the tv show and the prequel ''Ariel's Beginning'', give them more varying designs and more individualized personalities.
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: Ariel's sisters quickly figured out that their baby sister was in love in the first film.
* FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: The responsible (shows up for recitals on time, obey their father's rules, and generally more level-headed) to Ariel's foolish (late for recitals, constantly breaks her father's rules, and impulsive).
* HairDecorations: All of the sisters had these in the original.
* HairstyleInertia: The prequel's beginning shows that all of them had the exact same hairstyles they had in their youth.
* ImpossibleHourglassFigure: All them like Ariel, especially in the prequel. Subverted with Adella in the TV series where she is more chubby.
* RainbowMotif: Arista - red; Attina - orange; Adella - yellow; Ariel - green; Aquata - blue; Andrina - purple; Alana - pink.
* SeashellBra: All six of them wear this, in the movie that [[TropeCodifier codified]] this for mermaids.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Each one has a favorite delicacy they enjoy.
** Attina- Kelp wrap.
** Alana- Low-salt coral blossom stew.
** Adella- Sea cucumber sandwiches.
** Aquata- Sea daisy stir-fry.
** Arista- Sea sponge swirl (which is a lot like cotton candy).
** Adrina- ''Everything''.
* WhatDoTheyFearEpisode: [[AllThereInTheManual The Disney wikia site]] states their biggest fears.
** Attina- [[WellDoneSonGuy Letting her father down.]]
** Alana- Having scaly skin.
** Adella- She will never be kissed.
** Aquata- Dancing in public.
** Arista- Forgetting a rehearsal.
** Adrina- Merpeople who can't take a joke.

!!Attina
[[quoteright:247:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/attina.PNG]]

Attina is the eldest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.

* BigSisterInstinct: Attina to Ariel in the third movie. It's implied that she may be the eldest, but she may also be the most mature of the group.
* BrainyBrunette: Attina has shown to be the most rational and mature of her sisters in the prequel.
* CuteBookworm: Book!Attina loves to read.
* FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: Attina is shown to be the Responsible Sibling (following their father's rules) to Ariel's Foolish Sibling (who breaks her father's rules) in the prequel.
* AGirlAndHerX: Her Catfish, who she named Fin-Fin.
* GreenEyes: Which is more prominent in the prequel and may be there to further distinguish herself from her sisters.
* {{Irony}}: Despite being the oldest and having the "job" to boss her younger sisters around, Attina finds herself being bossed around by them.
* MeaningfulName: Attina is very close to her mother's name, Athena.
* {{Retcon}}: Early material clearly had Aquata as the oldest and even had her worry about being the heir to the throne. The third movie states Attina is the oldest sister.
* TeamMom: Attina in the prequel given the fact she's the oldest and wants to keep her sister safe.
* WellDoneDaughterGirl: Her biggest fear is letting her father down.

!!Alana
[[quoteright:188:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the-little-mermaid_17022_6.jpg]]

Alana is the second daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.

* TheFashionista: Book!Alana creates her own beauty products.
* AGirlAndHerX: A Girl and Her Sea Turtle.
* GracefulLadiesLikePurple: Alana and Adrina both have purple tail fins and wear purple seashells.
* GreenThumb: Book!Alana. Not in powers, but she takes care of the sea garden.
* ItsAllAboutMe: Downplayed. Alana can be somewhat vain, it is not to the extent that she could play this trope straight.
* RavenHairIvorySkin: Alana is a brunette with pale skin.
* {{Retcon}}: In extension media released after the first film, Alana is the second youngest daughter of King Triton. In the prequel, she is the second oldest after Attina.

!!Aquata
[[quoteright:299:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Aquata.jpg]]

Aquata is the third daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.

* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: {{Implied}}. When she thought that Ariel was with a "bad boy" in the prequel, Aquata seemed ''excitedly'' happy for her sister.
* BruiserWithASoftCenter: She looks delicate enough but doesn't like when her stuff gets borrowed without permission or when her sisters get threatened, and is more than capable of holding her own as the sportiest of the seven. She also, by her own admission, has a strong case of ICantDance - in her own words, ''"I look like a spastic piece of kelp!"''
* CurtainsMatchTheWindows: Aquata has brown hair and brown eyes.
* GirlsLoveStuffedAnimals: Aquata was quite irritated with Arista when she took her pink, stuffed seahorse named Mr. Fuzzyfinkle.
* HotBlooded: Downplayed. Aquata can be aggressive, but only slightly.
* MeaningfulName: Aquata's name is Latin for "watery".
* NoodleIncident: Aquata and the sting ray incident.
* {{Retcon}}: As mentioned, early material clearly hd Aquata as the heir to the throne while the third film places her as the third oldest. Due to Disney [[CanonDiscontinuity ignoring]] made-for-video sequels it's possible that she is still the oldest, however her age is never mentioned in newer material.

!!Arista
[[quoteright:288:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1efrgrg_3.jpg]]

Arista is the fourth daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.

* AdaptationalNiceGuy: In the TV series, Arista had some {{jerkass}} moments towards Ariel, but showed her [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold heart of gold]] side. The prequel has her as a ditzy, but nicer sister.
* TheDitz: Arista has a more ditzy, absent-minded personality in the prequel.
* GenkiGirl: Arista is more excitable in the prequel.
* GreenEyedMonster: Arista reveals in the TV series that she is jealous of the adventures that Ariel has.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Arista has blue eyes in the prequel to symbolize her friendliness and innocent (if ditzy) nature.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Arista in the TV series was prone to being an antagonistic jerk (especially to Ariel), but did show she had a good heart at the end of the day.
* NoodleIncident: Arista and the "blowfish incident".
* RapunzelHair: Arista has waist length hair that is tied in a ponytail.
* SiblingYinYang: Arista is the prejudice, girly JerkWithAHeartOfGold and Ariel is the open-minded, tomboyish NiceGirl in the TV series. Also, in the prequel -- in this case Arista is the ditzy older sister who follows her father's rules while Ariel is the sensible (at times) younger sister who wants to change the rules.
* SweetTooth: Arista's favorite food is sea sponge swirl, which is a lot like cotton candy.
* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Arista is the Girly Girl to Ariel's Tomboy.

!!Adella
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img-thing6.jpg]]

Adella is the fifth daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.

* DramaQueen: Adella can be this to way when she finds out that he youngest sister (possibly) has a boyfriend before her.
* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: While she is only briefly seen, Adella is still quite chubby in the original version of the [[http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/disney/images/1/1e/Tlm2pic000055.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120303032107 sequel]]. This seems to have been modified in a later edition, where she fits the same frame as her [[http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/disney/images/1/18/Little-mermaid2-disneyscreencaps.com-401.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140727173311 sisters]]. All other material minus the tv series (which has her even chubbier than in the film) has her slimmed down.
* GossipyHens: Adella has a bit of one because she doesn't mind speculating or commenting on others' love lives.
* RapunzelHair: Adella has waist length hair that is tied in a ponytail.
* ReallyGetsAround: Book!Adella has had many boyfriends.
* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan: The reason Adella is so obsess over guys? She wants to find the perfect one.
* SmittenTeenageGirl: In the prequel, Adella was shown to like a cute merboy, Stevie.

!!Andrina
[[quoteright:231:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/andrina.PNG]]

Andrina is the sixth daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.
----
* BigEater: Andrina's favorite food is ''everything''.
* DeadpanSnarker: Andrina appears the most sarcastic of her sisters as shown in the third movie.
* GracefulLadiesLikePurple: Alana and Adrina both have purple tail fins and wear purple seashells.
* GrumpyBear: Andrina shows shades of this in the prequel.
* NotAMorningPerson: Andrina didn't like to wake up early, as see in the prequel.
* PassionateSportsGirl: Book!Andrina was shown to be quite the athletic one.

[[folder:Sebastian The Crab]]
[[quoteright:233:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/little_mermaid_sebastian_2.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Samuel E. Wright

Horatio Thelonious Ignacious Crustaceous Sebastian Crab, or Sebastian, is a red Jamaican crab and a major character ''The Little Mermaid'' franchise. He is the "distinguished" court composer for King Triton, and is regularly tasked with watching over his daughter, Princess Ariel.

* AngerBornOfWorry: Frequently, in the first film.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: One episode of the series has him wish to be bigger, problem? He doesn't stop growing until he's twice the size of a large vessel, and gets even worse when Ariel uses her wish for him to be "His old self" which makes him giant AND elderly.
* BadlyBatteredBabysitter: Sebastian's part in the movie is a fleshed out version of this plot. The fact that his charge is 16 does not make things any easier.
* BattleButler: He has a few moments when he shows off his fighting skills, especially if the people he cares about are in danger.
* BoundAndGagged: In the second film, when Melody unintentionally ties him in her dress bow. [[HilarityEnsues But when he finally breaks free]]...
* ButtMonkey: Sometimes he suffers comic incidents. PlayedForLaughs.
* CharacterDevelopment: Sebastian has, perhaps, ''the'' most dynamic character growth in the original movie. He goes from a [[TheComicallySerious pompous]], [[ItsAllAboutMe self-centered]] [[DirtyCoward dirty coward]] who just wants to write symphonies, and convince Ariel to act like "all the normal fish" so ''he'' doesn't get in trouble with her father, to a brave and selfless hero who willingly risks his own life ''many'' times to ensure Ariel's happiness. (And keep in mind that Ariel is ''not'' his daughter like she is to Triton, nor his love interest like she is to Eric, nor even really his friend at first like she is to Flounder and Scuttle. Ariel isn't even his favorite student, since her constant no-shows cause him no end of trouble. He has no personal stake in making her happy. Yet, Sebastian ''still'' risks it all to help Ariel, just to make her happy.) He also learns to overcome his fear of humans, going from running scared of Chef Louis to confidently knocking the chef out with a loose beam at the end of the film.
* CharacterTics: His voice tends to get high when he's nervous and/or scared.
* TheComicallySerious: Serious, somewhat grumpy personality, and often put into comic situations.
* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: Sebastian gets hit with this ''hard'' in the original movie. He's the only member of Ariel's inner circle who tries to discourage her interest in humans, and after she gains legs he's the only one to advocate using the short time she has left to cancel her deal with Ursula instead of risking it all on a slim chance of victory. It's only after Sebastian agrees to go along with her (very dangerous) wish to woo the prince that he's portrayed sympathetically. (Though no less of a ButtMonkey.)
* ConflictingLoyalty: Between Triton and Ariel. Sebastian is originally tasked by ''King'' Triton to keep ''Priness'' Ariel away from the surface and humans. However, as Sebastian becomes increasingly aware of Ariel's feelings he becomes increasingly torn between keeping her secrets, and obeying her father's instructions. He ultimately chooses Ariel.
* DramaQueen: Shown all the time in the movies and TV series.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Frequently, especially after becoming Ariel's BadlyBatteredBabysitter.
-->'''Sebastian:''' (''after narrowly avoiding being '''eaten''''') I hope you appreciate what I go through for you, young lady!\\
'''Ariel:''' (''absentmindedly pats his head and walks away'')
* FieryRedhead: Fiery red shelled.
* FreudianTrio:
** The Superego to Ariel's Id and Flounder's Ego.
** The Superego to Scuttle's Id and Flounder's Ego.
* FriendOrIdolDecision: When Ariel first becomes human, Sebastian resolves to tell her father about Ursula's deal so they can reverse it. This would conveniently free him from being Ariel's BadlyBatteredBabysitter, and allow him to return to his old job as the royal court composer. However, when he realizes just how miserable this would make Ariel, Sebastian decides to give up his "idol" (his king, his job) for the sake of his "friend" (Ariel).
* GrumpyBear: More like "Grumpy Crab".
* HeterosexualLifePartners: An interspecies example. He (a crab) and Triton (a merman) are each other's best friend, with the former being the latter's closest advisor.
* HypercompetentSidekick: To Ariel after she becomes human, since Ariel and Flounder are [[AccidentalPun out of their element]] on land, and Scuttle [[KnowNothingKnowItAll doesn't know as much as he thinks he does about humans]]. It's Sebastian's plans that help Ariel woo Eric, and later stall the wedding (and get Triton for good measure), that gives her a fighting chance against Ursula's treachery.
* InopportuneVoiceCracking: As he nervously approaches King Triton, trying to maintain a calm, dignified appearance. But when he speaks, he lets out a squeaky "Yes?" before composing himself and speaking in his regular tone of voice.
* InterspeciesFriendship:
** His closest friends are Triton and Ariel (merpeople), Flounder (fish), and even Scuttle (seagull).
** Sebastian also develops a close bond to Melody (the first mer-human).
* ItsAllAboutMe: Pre-CharacterDevelopment.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: When you get to really know Sebastian underneath his vain and temperamental nature, he's a really softie.
* KnightInSourArmor: Has his moments in the original film. He doesn't exactly ''want'' to risk life and limb to help Ariel fit in among humans, but he helps her anyway because it's the right thing to do.
-->'''Sebastian:''' (''ruefully'') What a soft shell I turned out to be.
* TheLancer: To Ariel, after she becomes human. He's her complete opposite in terms of temperament and ideology, yet he's her most competent sidekick and works tirelessly to help her succeed.
* TheLeader:
** Of Ariel's {{Non Human Sidekick}}s since he is usually the one directing and giving orders.
** Also to the Catfish Club Band in the prequel.
* LooseLips: How Triton found out about Ariel saving Eric, and her grotto filled with human treasures.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: After Triton finds out about and destroys Ariel's "collection" due to Sebastian's own big mouth. The horrified and guilt-ridden look on his face after Triton destroys Ariel's treasures says it all.
* NervousWreck: Combined with DramaQueen, in the original movie. Trying to keep the less-than-discreet Ariel's new love for Prince Eric a secret, and then deal with the daunting odds against her coming out okay from Ursula's DealWithTheDevil, are almost more than he can bear.
-->'''Sebastian:''' (''Gasps'') My nerves are shot! This is a catastrophe! What would her father say? I'll tell you what her father'd say. He'd say he's gonna kill himself a CRAB, that's what her father'd say!
* NumberTwo: He is King Triton's most trusted advisor and closest friend. In the television series, he may arguably share this role with Dudley the turtle.
* OnlyFriend: He's Melody's constant companion throughout most of her life.
* OnlySaneMan: Sure, he's a pessimist, but he's also the voice of reason, especially when it comes to Ariel's actions.
* OverlyLongName: According to his introduction before the royal court, it's Horatio Felonious Ignatius Crustaceous Sebastian.
* ProperlyParanoid: Sebastian's belief that humans want to eat sea creatures like him is proven ''deadly'' accurate when he stumbles into a kitchen filled with cooking seafood, and where the fanatical chef becomes ''hell-bent'' on making Sebastian part of the menu.
* RedIsHeroic: Sebastian is a red-shelled crab and one of the good guys.
* RedOniBlueOni: Played with in regards to Ariel. In the face of danger, Sebastian is very [[StealthPun Red]] ([[DramaQueen dramatic]], [[AngerBornOfWorry temperamental]], and [[NervousWreck heatedly convinced everything is a catastrophe]]), while Ariel is very calm, cool, and always confident that things will turn out. However, when it comes to planning ahead, Ariel is very reckless and impulsive, [[LeeroyJenkins preferring to leap into action and worry about the fallout later]], while Sebastian is much more cautious and meticulous, [[TheStrategist preferring to look and plan ahead before leaping]].
** Played straight with Flounder, where Sebastian is very much the [[AngerBornOfWorry yelling, temperamental,]] [[DramaQueen dramatic]] Red Oni to Flounder's quiet, listening Blue Oni.
* ReformedButNotTamed: While Sebastian becomes brave and selfless following Ariel's adventure, he never quite gets over his old DramaQueen and self-aggrandizing ways.
-->'''Sebastian:''' Well, [[BlatantLies it's like I always say]], Your Majesty. [[FavoritismFlipFlop Children got to be free to lead their own lives]].\\
'''Triton:''' (''Skeptical'') ''You'' always say that?
* SarcasticDevotee: He often snarks and complains when following Ariel around, but he's completely devoted to her happiness and well-being.
* ShipperOnDeck: For Ariel/Eric (though ''very'' reluctantly at first). He helps Scuttle and Flounder to get Eric to fall in love with Ariel.
* TheSmartGuy: Of Ariel's friends, since Flounder is [[TagalongKid so young]] and Scuttle is [[CloudCuckooLander so spacey]].
* SurroundedByIdiots: Has this reaction ''a lot'' after following Ariel to land; mostly in response to [[CloudCuckooLander Scuttle]].
-->'''Sebastian:''' Jeez, man! I'm surrounded by amateurs!
* ToBeLawfulOrGood: To follow King Triton's orders that Ariel stay away from the surface and humans, or to help Ariel attain her dream of becoming human? Sebastian ultimately chooses the latter.
* UndyingLoyalty: To both Triton and Ariel.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: His trauma and near-death experience in Louis' kitchen is {{played for laughs}} since he's just a crab.
* WhatYouAreInTheDark: When Ariel blows him off to follow Flotsam and Jetsam to Ursula, he and Flounder have plenty of chances to turn back and inform King Triton. Instead, he follows her and opts to save her life after she makes her deal with Ursula instead of turning back to tell her father.

[[folder:Herald, The Seahorse]]
[[quoteright:185:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/782463811.jpeg]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Will Ryan

A royal announcer and a member of King Triton's court.

* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: For some reason Herald wasn't present in the prequel.
* RegalRuff: As a member of King Triton's court, he wears a purplish one.
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Had Herald been more explicit on why Triton needed to see Sebastian about Ariel, the crab wouldn't have thought it was because he knew about Prince Eric.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: After informing King Triton that Ariel's whereabouts are still unknown, Herald disappears to continue to look for her and isn't seen again.

!!Other Residents of Atlantica

[[folder:Flounder The Fish]]
[[quoteright:280:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/timthumb_3.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Jason Marin (1st film), Edan Gross & Bradley Pierce (TV series), Creator/CamClarke (2nd film), Parker Goris (3rd film)

Flounder is a major character from ''The Little Mermaid'' franchise. He is Ariel's best friend and despite his name, he is not a flounder, he is a tropical fish.

* AdaptationPersonalityChange: In the third movie, which is supposed to be a prequel to the first movie, he acts much more brave and extroverted for some unexplained reason.
* {{Adorkable}}: A cowardly talking fish. He's cute and beautifully coloured in blue and yellow.
* CharacterDevelopment: In the sequel, Flounder has grown more braver at dealing with potentially dangerous situations.
* ChildhoodFriends: In the TV series with Ariel.
* CowardlyLion: When Ariel is in trouble, he comes through for her without hesitation.
* CowardlySidekick: At the beginning of the first film. In the prequel, Flounder was more adventurous and outgoing; a stark contrast to the first movie. It can be reasoned that he became more nervous and cautious when he befriended Ariel.
* DeadpanSnarker: Shows a more witty attitude in the sequel. Mostly towards the idea of Scuttle helping.
* FreudianTrio:
** The Ego to Ariel's Id and Sebastian's Superego.
** The Ego to Scuttle's Id and Sebastian's Superego.
* GoodParents: Flounder is shown to be a good father to his kids in the sequel, despite not having that much screentime.
%%* GreenEyes
* InformedSpecies: Flounder does not look anything like an actual flounder, though he might be named after the verb instead of the fish.
* InterspeciesFriendship: His best friend is Ariel (mermaid), as well as Sebastian (crab) and Scuttle (seagull).
* LooseLips: He accidentally blurts out that he and Ariel explored near the surface of the sea.
* MultipleChoicePast: On how he and Ariel met. The TV series shows that they met when Ariel was still a child, while this film shows Ariel to have been older.
* NervousWreck: Flounder scares easily and is prone to panicking under stressful situations, especially when he goes on adventures with Ariel.
* NiceGuy: He is sweet and loyal.
* ShipperOnDeck: For Ariel/Eric. He even surprises Ariel with the statue of Eric that sunk after the storm and spends the rest of the movie trying to get Eric to kiss her.
* TagalongKid: To Ariel in the first film.
** Also to the Catfish Club Band in the prequel.
* TookALevelInBadass: While he would always help Ariel in whatever scary predicament she got themselves in, he had the attitude of more of a CowardlyLion. Come the sequel, he doesn't ''once'' hesitate to go into a scary situation or take on the BigBad or show any sign of fear in front of said villain.
* UndyingLoyalty: To Ariel. Despite being a CowardlyLion and NervousWreck, Flounder will always come through for Ariel when needed, to the point where he's not only her closest friend, but her most loyal one.

[[folder:Alex]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/walt_disney___the_little_mermaid_ii___return_to_the_sea_eng_235_0001.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Justin Schulte

Alex is one of the three merteens Melody met while in Atlantica. She and him quickly developed an interest in each other.

* AllThereInTheManual: His name was revealed in side materials.
* AmbiguouslyBrown: Alex has deeply tanned skin, green eyes, and blonde hair.
* BigOlEyebrows: He has thick, square-like eyebrows.
* DarkSkinnedBlonde: Alex has blonde hair and a noticeable tan.
* FlatCharacter: Not a lot of characterization.
* ImpliedLoveInterest: To Melody. They bump into each other from the back twice. There has been a few hints of romance between the two, but it is unknown if they are truly in love. Melody's [[Main/FacialDialogue facial expressions]] and [[Main/BodyLanguage body language]] even shows that she is not in love with the merboy, she ''does'' find him attractive.
* InterspeciesRomance: Alex (merman) apparently has feelings for Melody (mer-human).
* NiceGuy: Shown to be polite and well mannered.
* SatelliteLoveInterest: Really don't get much depth other than him being a NiceGuy and having a mutual attraction with Melody.

[[folder:Catfish Club Band]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/p4.jpg]]
-> Ray-Ray Voiced by: Kevin Michael Richardson
-> Cheeks Voiced by: Kevin Michael Richardson
-> Ink Spot Voiced by: Creator/RobPaulsen
-> Shellbow Voiced by: Jim Cummings

The Catfish Club Band are a quartet house band in the Catfish Club, the underground music club in Atlantica that exists in opposition to King Triton's ban on music in the prequel. Their bandleader and vocalist is Sebastian, who also plays maracas. Other members are Ray-Ray, a sky-blue manta ray who plays the bass; Cheeks, a green blowfish who plays the saxophone; Ink Spot, a violet octopus who plays the piano; Shelbow, a teal sea turtle who plays the drums.

* TheCameo: They made brief appearances in the first film, but had no introduction or lines.
* TheCasanova: Ray-Ray is the resident womanizer of the band.
* TheCharmer: Ray-Ray, either with the ladies or with his pals.
* EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods: Ink Spot.
* EvilSoundsRaspy: {{Inverted}} with Cheeks. He has a raspy voice, but is a definite good guy, along with his friends.
* MeaningfulName: Ink Spot is an octopus who will ''spot ink'' whenever he is stressing out.
* NervousWreck: Ink Spot will squirt ink whenever he is nervous.
* {{Nice Guy}}s: Despite some of their flaws, they are a nice bunch, who will help their friends.
* OnlySaneMan: Shellbow is the calmest of the group.
* TrueCompanions: They ultimately prove this in the climax.

[[folder:Urchin]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Urchin16.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' Danny Cooksey

Urchin is a supporting character from ''The Little Mermaid'' animated series; he's a young merboy who becomes one of Ariel's best friends.

* DoggedNiceGuy: To Ariel.
* HappilyAdopted: He starts out as being an unofficial member of the King's court, before being unofficially adopted by the King and his daughters.
* HotBlooded: Prone to jump to conclusions easily.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: He's not exactly a jerk, but he was a bit of this trope in his first appearance, and tends to be a prankster. But other than that, he's an okay guy.
* ThePrankster: In one episode, Urchin pranked Ariel's sisters as they were getting ready.
* PrecociousCrush: It was implied that he had one on Ariel in "Marriage of Inconvenience."
* TagalongKid: He shares this role with Flounder.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: We never see what happened to him after Ariel left for 12 years (especially since he mentioned that [[Main/HarsherInHindsight he would be upset if she ever left him]]).

[[folder:Pearl]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Untitled_275.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' Cree Summer

Pearl is a young mermaid featured on ''The Little Mermaid'' television series as well as the Marvel Comics serial.

* AscendedExtra: She had three major roles in the Marvel Comics, two being in The Little Mermaid serial, and the last being in ''Disney Comic Hits!''
* BrattyTeenageDaughter: Takeing advantage of her parents' trust qualifies her as one.
* FatalFlaw: Her thrill-seeking actions often lead to Ariel, as well as herself, getting in trouble.
* TheLeader: In Issue 3 of the Marvel comics, Pearl was the leader of a club known as the Daredevilfish Club that involves doing some risky dares to allow joining up.
* LifeOfTheParty: She ''loves'' parties.

!!Residents of Prince Eric's Castle

[[folder:Prince Eric]]
[[quoteright:280:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ericpic1.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ChristopherDanielBarnes (1st film), Creator/JeffBennett (TV series), Creator/RobPaulsen (2nd film)

Prince Eric is the deuteragonist of the ''The Little Mermaid''.

* ActionDad: In the sequel, when he becomes a father to his and Ariel's only child, Melody. Eric will still take on anything that threatens him or his family.
* ActionHero: Becomes this in the climax of the first film.
* AdaptationalBadass: {{Downplayed}}. He is saved by Ariel like in the novel. For almost all of the film otherwise ''he'' is rescuing her or other people.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: The Prince (later King) of his kingdom and ''defeated'' [[BigBad Ursula]].
* BabiesEverAfter: He and Ariel have a daughter, Melody, in ''Return to the Sea''.
* BadassInCharge: This guy took down GIANT URSULA for God's sake! And he saved both his kingdom and Triton's from certain destruction! And let's not forget he freed Triton, Ariel and ''hundreds'' of merpeople from eternal damnation! He's also the prince of his kingdom and later became the King in the sequel.
* BadassInDistress: The movie plays loyal to him being saved from drowning by the title mermaid like in the original story. Unlike the novel however, he met the tide with a fight, and also returns the favour to Ariel later.
* BadassNormal: This guy does ''not'' [[{{Determinator}} give up]]. EVER. Sky-high {{Physical God}}dess Sea Witches be damned, you do ''not'' mess with his girl.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Eric is one of the nicest characters in ''The Little Mermaid'' franchise...he also has threatened or outright ''killed'' those who harmed his loved ones.
* BirdsOfAFeather: He wanted to escape his landlocked life to go out to sea. Ariel wanted to escape her underwater life to live above ground.
* BigOlEyebrows: Big, dark eyebrows.
* ABoyAndHisX: A Man And His Dog. His best friend is his lovable dog, Max.
* {{Brainwashed}}: "Vanessa" does this to him in the first film.
* CarFu: A ship example. How he defeats Ursula.
* ChekhovsSkill: His piloting his ship through a hurricane in the first film.
* ChickMagnet: Immediately wins the affections of [[FieryRedhead Ariel]] and at least lots of compliments from [[BigBad Ursula]]. His status as this trope is further confirmed with Grimsby's line about Eric denying ''another'' proposal from a neighboring princess.
* ComicBookFantasyCasting: In the facial structure he resembles Creator/KirkDouglas.
* DemotedToExtra: He has a recurring role in the TV series, is a supporting character in the second film, and makes no appearance in the prequel. Justified for the first and third since [[LoveBeforeFirstSight he has not yet met Ariel until the first film]].
* {{Determinator}}: To the same extent as Ariel.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: In the first film, with Ariel being obviously TheProtagonist.
* ForgottenFirstMeeting:
** In the movie, he does meet Ariel after she saved him, but only remembers her voice.
** In the TV series episode "Scuttle", Eric catches a brief glimpse at Ariel, but is convinced by Grimsby that it was just his imagination.
* FriendToAllLivingThings: He helped free a dolphin from a net. Unbeknownst to him, his future wife, Ariel watched him save the dolphin. While she doesn't see his full face, Eric's selfless action was the catalyst that helped Ariel to believe that not all humans are evil. Then, there's his brotherly and close relationship with Max his sheep dog.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Eric is genuinely a NiceGuy to everyone, but that doesn't stop him from ''killing'' Ursula.
* GoodParents: He may have made a mistake or two with Melody, but the way Melody grew up into a respectful and good-hearted young lady proves he and Ariel raised their daughter right.
* HappilyMarried: To Ariel in the sequel; they prove to have an incredibly stable marriage whether there is or isn't danger.
* HelloSailor: An accomplished mariner. And not bad looking.
* HeroesLoveDogs: His best friend is his dog, Max.
* HeroesWantRedheads: Falls in love with and marries redhead Ariel.
* HiddenDepths: This skilled mariner turns out to be an expert on the flute.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Blue eyes, kind and heroic personality.
* InterspeciesRomance: Eric, a human, falls in love with and marries Ariel, a mermaid, though technically she's half-human.
* IWillFindYou: His intention to find Ariel after she was taken by Ursula.
* {{Leitmotif}}: Has a short love motif heard at the beginnings of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UQsECA7RZU&feature=related "Bedtime"]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC12EVZGSK4&feature=related "Eric to the Rescue".]]
* LoveAtFirstNote: While he does see Ariel for a couple of seconds, due to complications involved with being half-unconscious, he didn't remember what she looked like, which led to him falling in love with her voice.
* MarryForLove: In the first film, he tells Grimsby that the girl out there for him exists, but until then he won't marry someone because it's customary for him to do so.
* MeaningfulName: "Eric" is Old Norse for "eternal ruler", alluding to his status as the Prince, later king, of his kingdom.
* ModestRoyalty: Except for formal occasions, he prefers very simple clothing.
* NamedByTheAdaptation: He was only ever referred to as "the prince" in the original Creator/HansChristianAndersen story.
* NiceGuy: Heroic, brave, fun-loving, kind, selfless, polite, and down-to-earth.
* NonIdleRich: Despite being a prince, Eric enjoys sailing the seas and doesn't hesistate to get into action if he needs to.
* NotAllowedToGrowOld: He still looks the same after Melody is born and even after she turns 12.
* PapaWolf: Towards Melody. He ''angrily'' asks Morgana (who now has the powerful trident in her hands) what she has done to Melody while brandishing his sword.
* RammingAlwaysWorks: During the final showdown, he commandeers one of the old shipwrecks that Ursula's whirlpool lifts from the ocean's bottom and uses the prow as a giant harpoon to skewer her.
* RescueRomance: His relationship with Ariel grew after they save each other.
** Ariel saves Eric from drowning.
** He, in turn, saves her (and the rest of the ocean) from Ursula at the end of the movie.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Prince Eric is a competent sailor.
* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: The down-to-earth Savvy Guy to Ariel's spunky, rambunctious Energetic Girl.
* SingleTargetSexuality: Grimsby mentioned that Eric wasn't remotely romantically interested in any of the women picked to be his bride. Ariel is only woman he has shown an interest in.
* SmallRoleBigImpact: {{Zig zagged}}. While Eric is an important character in the franchise, he gets DemotedToExtra in the sequel, prequel, and the TV series -- where the last one revealed that ''he'' was the one to show Ariel that not all humans are cruel beings when he rescued a trapped dolphin.
* TallDarkAndHandsome: Ariel certainly thinks so.
* ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend: Gender-flipped. He ''impales'' Ursula to save Ariel.
* WouldHitAGirl: He ''kills'' Ursula and threatens Morgana; both moments in the defense of his (future) wife and daughter, respectively.

[[folder:Sir Grimsby]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/j256a.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Ben Wright (1st film), Kay E. Kuter (2nd film)

Grimsby is Eric's manservant and confidant.

* AffectionateNickname: Eric nicknames him "Grim".
* BritishStuffiness: Grimsby is a reserved man with a thick British accent.
* TheConfidant: To Eric. He offers the young Prince advice when it appears needed.
* CoolOldGuy: Grimsby gave Eric good advice on not chasing after a fantasy girl and focus on the real one.
* DeadpanSnarker: Some of his dialogue has a level of wit.
* DemotedToExtra: He only has three scenes in the sequel.
* NiceGuy: He may be no-nonsense and witty, but not to an extent he would be considered mean. In actuality, he's gentle, friendly, and helpful.
* ParentalSubstitute: {{Implied}} in his interactions with Eric in the first film that show Grimsby acting as a sort of father figure.
* ServileSnarker: He's technically a servant to Prince Eric, but isn't above sending some snark his way.
* ShipperOnDeck: As time goes on, Grimsby notices that Eric is falling for Ariel. He councils him to forget his dream girl (he wished to marry the one who saved him, not realizing it was Ariel), and to accept the real one he has.

[[folder:Carlotta]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/littlemermaid_616.jpg]]
-> Voiced by: Edie [=McClurg=]

Carlotta is the sweet and kind maid of Prince Eric; she's also one of his most loyal friends.

* BerserkButton: {{Downplayed}}. She doesn't go berserk, but she shows great annoyance at Chef Louis' making a mess.
* BigBeautifulWoman: A heft woman with a big heart.
* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: Throws a bucket of water on Louis' head when he indirectly ruins Melody's birthday party.
* {{Maid}}: Her main job at Eric's castle is a maid.
* NiceGirl: Carlotta is kind, gentle, sweet, helpful, loyal, hardworking, lighthearted.
* ParentalSubstitute: {{Implied}} in some of her actions with Eric. Like Grimsby, she seems to take on a sort of surrogate mother role for Eric, worrying about his emotional well-being as well as his physical state. After Eric laughs at Ariel blowing soot in Grimsby's face, Carlotta notes that that's the first time she's seen Eric smile in weeks.
* ShipTease: Some with Chef Louis in the sequel. In the first movie there is the slight implication that they are married.
* TearsOfJoy: Gets emotional at Eric and Ariel' s wedding.
* {{Tsundere}}: Type 2. The "tsun" part is mostly seen when Louis acts up.

[[folder:Chef Louis]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jl232b.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Rene Auberjonois

Chef Louis is a chef who is infamous for trying to cook Sebastian. He apparently loves his job, possibly to an almost unhealthy extent.

* AntiVillain: While Louis may not harbor any malice, we the viewers are aware he was preparing possibly SENTIENT sea life, this is especially apparent whenever he and Sebastian face off. Though in his case as mentioned below, it may be more just a matter of pride than to actually serve the little crab up on a platter.
* AxCrazy: Although he's fine elsewhere, in the kitchen, Louis isn't exactly the most... ''balanced'' of individuals. He's just a little too disturbingly jovial when preparing his meals and his response to Sebastian trying to escape is to ''chop a table in half and destroy the entire kitchen.''
* ButtMonkey: He takes quite a bit of abuse, being an [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Ineffectual Sympathetic]] AntiVillain at the wrong side of the board.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Just read some of these lyrics out-of-context and, ignoring for a moment that it's about fish, ask yourself if they don't sound a little... Hannibal Lecter-esque?
-->'''Louis:''' With a cleaver I HACK them in two\\
I PULL OUT what's '''inside'''\\
And I serve it up '''fried'''...
%%* FrenchCuisineIsHaughty
* FrenchJerk: He has shades of this - including the obnoxious, nasal "french laugh": [[MauriceChevalierAccent Hee hee hee, haw haw haw]]! He also sings about cutting up and serving fish for dinner, which seems almost sadistic from the point of view of Sebastian.
* GratuitousFrench: Random French words are sprinkled among his sentences like garnish.
-->'''Louis:''' Zut alors, I have missed one!\\
Sacre bleu, what is this?
* HotBlooded: Sebastian pinching his nose quickly gets him so angry he ''throws knives'' at the little crab, go after him with a cleaver, and then destroy the whole kitchen to catch him.
* IneffectualSympatheticVillain: After he chases Sebastian all over the kitchen in the first film.
* NiceHat: His chef hat.
* PsychoForHire: Downplayed. He ''is'' a professional chef, so it is his job to chop up, season, and cook little sea critters for dinner. That said, he seems to enjoy the "cut up" part of his job ''way'' more than he should...
-->'''Louis:''' First you POUND the fish flat with a mallet\\
Then you SLASH OFF their '''skin'''\\
Give their '''belly''' a SLICE\\
Then you '''rub some salt in'''\\
'Cause it makes it taste '''nice'''
* ShipTease: With Carlotta, especially in the sequel. In the first movie there is the slight implication they are married.
* SuperPersistentPredator: To Sebastian, though, to Louis, it may be more a matter of pride than simply to serve the little crab as an entrée.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Le Poissons is {{played for laughs}} since he gleefully sings about how much he '''loves''' ''cutting off'' and ''chopping up'' and ''pulling out'' little fish parts, not people.

[[folder:Max The Sheepdog]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/max-the-little-mermaid-33989036-400-225.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/FrankWelker

Max is Prince Eric's loyal Old English Sheepdog.

* AnimalCompanion: Max the ''Sheepdog'' follows Eric almost anywhere.
* BigFriendlyDog: He's Prince Eric's dog, and is fond of jumping around and licking Eric and Ariel's faces on various occasions.
* BlindingBangs: Has very long fur covering the face and eyes.
* ButtBiter: Max bites Ursula/Vanessa in the butt to save Scuttle in the first film's climax.
* DemotedToExtra: He has minor roles in the sequel and TV series. He makes no appearance in the prequel.
* TheDogBitesBack: "Vanessa" kicks him in the face for growling at her. Less than a minute later when Scuttle's menagerie crashes the wedding, he bites her in the butt, allowing the seagull to pull the shell necklace off her and unraveling her disguise.
* EmpathyPet: Upon Prince Eric's cluelessness over whether or not the now mute Ariel is the one he's been looking for, his dog Max rolls his eyes and blows hair out of his own face in annoyance, which Ariel mimics.
* EvilDetectingDog: During the wedding, he snarls angrily at "Vanessa" as she walks down the aisle with Eric. He also assists Scuttle in exposing her plan.
* FurryConfusion: He's the only animal in the movie who doesn't talk.
* TheNoseKnows: Which is how Max is able to recognize Ariel when she's human.
* ShipperOnDeck: Max is more happier with Eric and Ariel married.
* TheyHaveTheScent: From the first film, when he finds Ariel after she became human.

!!Allies

[[folder:Scuttle The Seagull]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Tlmpe153.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BuddyHackett (1st and 2nd films), Creator/MauriceLaMarche (TV series), Chris Edgerly (Walt Disney Parks And Resorts)

Scuttle is a seagull and friend of Ariel, as well as a major supporting character. He appears in the film as an expert on human objects with whom Ariel consults about items she salvages, though his identifications consist of nonsense.

* TheCameo: Makes a silent appearance in the prequel.
* CloudCuckoolander: Biggest one in the film.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: When he stalls the wedding to buy Ariel some time in the first film. He also destroys Ursula's amulet, granting Ariel back her voice and breaking Eric from her spell.
* DemotedToExtra: He makes only ''two'' appearances in the TV series, and a brief cameo in the prequel.
* DidYouGetANewHaircut: In the first film, when he meets up with Ariel after she became human.
* FeatherFingers: Notable in that the fish characters avert the "fish can walk on their tailfins" subtrope until the "Under the Sea" number, where it looks awkward. Scuttle doesn't exactly avoid the TropeNamer either.
* FreudianTrio: The Id to Flounder's Ego and Sebastian's Superego.
* InkSuitActor: Scuttle bears a strong resemblance to his voice actor, the late Buddy Hackett.
* InterspeciesFriendship: His buds include Ariel (mermaid), Sebastian (crab), and Flounder (fish)[[note]]The latter might be especially remarkable since seagulls normally ''eat'' fish[[/note]]. In the sequel, he also has a close friendship with Melody (the first mer-human).
* TheKlutz: Scuttle seems to have a habit of occasionally running into things while flying.
* KnowNothingKnowItAll: His knowledge about human things is anything but accurate. He claims that a fork is a thing for styling hair, a (smoking) pipe is a musical instrument, and also uses a telescope backwards. This gets lampshaded later on in the film when he's trying to warn Sebastian about something. Sebastian is understandably skeptical, and Scuttle shouts "Have I ever been wrong? I mean, when it's important?"
* {{Leitmotif}}: His playful theme can be heard at the beginning of "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zY_3flXIhc&feature=related Wedding Announcement]]" and was [[WithLyrics rewritten]] as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkC8ltjRl7s "Beyond My Wildest Dreams"]] in the Broadway Show.
* NiceGuy: Despite his eccentricities, he's a good friend to Ariel.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Most of his mannerisms were based from Creator/BuddyHackett.
* NoIndoorVoice: His default volume seems to be screaming.
* PluckyComicRelief: As the resident WackyGuy.
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: From the first film, "The prince! Is marrying! The sea witch! In disguise!"
* ShipperOnDeck: For Ariel/Eric. He helps Sebastian and Flounder to get Eric to fall in love with Ariel.
* SmallNameBigEgo: About knowledge of human life.
* SophisticatedAsHell: "You've got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair that humans go nuts over."
* SpannerInTheWorks: In the first film, ''he'' is the entire reason Ursula's EvilPlan falls apart. Not only is he the one who catches Ursula gloating within her "Vanessa" disguise and warns Ariel she has been duped, he rounds up an army of sea life to stall the wedding and personally destroys her amulet to free Eric and enable his BigDamnHeroes moment.
* ToothyBird: Scuttle is depicted with teeth.

[[folder:Stormy The Seahorse]]
[[quoteright:320:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/l_1c069202.jpg]]

Stormy is an ornery seahorse stallion.

* DarkIsNotEvil: Stormy has a dark color scheme, and while he may be moody and wild, he's not bad.
* IJustWantToBeFree: When taking him out for a ride, Ariel finds out that Stormy wants to go to the Wilderness.
* MeaningfulName: He has moody, unpredictable attitude and his name is Stormy.
* MoodyMount: Really angsty most of the time.
* SeahorseSteed: Briefly becomes this for Ariel.

[[folder:Spot, The Baby Orca]]
[[quoteright:320:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2-Spot.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' Frank Welker

Spot is a killer whale calf whom Ariel adopted and secretly raised in the palace.

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Spot is a GentleGiant, but if you harm Ariel...he'll show you why making an killer whale mad is a '''HUGE''' mistake.
* DarkIsNotEvil: He's a real sweetie when you get to know him.
* GentleGiant: His heart is twice as big as him.
* HappilyAdopted: By Ariel in secret.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Showing his child-like personality.
* MeaningfulName: Ariel gives him his name by the single, white spot on his tail.
* NiceGuy: Spot is the most gentlest and playful whales you'll meet.
* PapaWolf: Do '''not''' hurt [[ParentalSubstitute Ariel]] or you'll face Spot's wrath. Just ask the shark that tried the same foolish act.
* SuperStrength: {{Justified}}. Spot is an orca whale. And they are ''pretty'' strong.

[[folder:Simon the Sea Monster]]
[[quoteright:267:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Simon25.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Brian Cummings

Simon is a sea dragon from ''The Little Mermaid'' series that Ariel and Flounder befriend.

* {{Adorkable}}: Cements this trope with his huge size, kind heart, and desire to have friends.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: For whatever reason, Simon was imprisoned in a cave and spent an unknown amount of time writing letters in a bottle to look for a friend.
* IJustWantToHaveFriends: The reason he was sending bottles is because he wanted someone to answer and come save him.
* NiceGuy: He's a really sweet guy.

[[folder:Tip and Dash]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Tip_dash4.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MaxCasella (Tip) and Stephan Furst (Dash)

Tip and Dash are the two main supporting characters from ''The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea''. Tip, a penguin, and Dash, a walrus, are two best friends who dream of becoming heroes.

[[AC:Tropes applying to both]]
* {{Adorkable}}: When they try to act like heroes.
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: {{Justified}} since in their first scene the duo's cowardly nature almost got Tip' s family killed by a shark.
* BigDamnHeroes: They try, and succeed, to be this for Melody.
* BigGuyLittleGuy: Dash and Tip, respectively.
* {{Cowardly Lion}}s: Become this in the rising climax.
* CowardlySidekick: Dash is the "sidekick" to Tip and is equally as cowardly as Tip.
* DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu: When they try to manipulate Undertow by taunting him so they can save Melody. It worked.
* FatAndSkinny: Dash is the Fat (a huge walrus) and Tip is the Skinny (a small penguin).
* FreudianTrio: Tip is the Superego and Dash is the Id to Melody's Ego.
* HeroicWannabe: They want to be heroes but will cower in any real danger.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: They are each other's best friend and (presumably) only family.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: Their dream is to be heroes, but they're not exactly good at it until Melody is in danger...
* InterspeciesFriendship: Tip is a penguin and Dash is a walrus.
* LovableCoward: They may have ran away scared at the beginning, but they manage to control their fear for Melody's sake.
* PluckyComicRelief: Become this when they go to rescue Melody.
* RedOniBlueOni: Tip is the Red to Dash's Blue. And vice versa with Dash.
* ThoseTwoGuys: They always hang out together as a duo.
* TookALevelInBadass: The duo manage to face their fears so they can help Melody. They inadvertently managed to take down a shark!
* UndyingLoyalty: To each other and Melody.
* VitriolicBestBuds: Sometimes they insult each other, but they'll always be there for each other and their friend, Melody.

[[AC:Tropes applying to Tip]]
* DeadpanSnarker: Tip is the snarkiest of the duo.
* EverythingsBetterWithPenguins: Tip, a penguin, is TheHero of the duo.
* TheHero: Tip is the "hero" in his "dynamic duo" with Dash.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Tip can be quite hot tempered and occasionally egotistical, but when his friends really need him....there is no doubt he will help them.
* MilesGloriosus: Tip will rant about his heroic exploits, but will cower (like Dash) in any real danger.

[[AC:Tropes applying to Dash]]
* FatBestFriend: Dash, the giant walrus, is this Tip.
* HeartwarmingOrphan: Implied with Dash. He is a walrus who lives with a colony of penguins. His walrus family has not been seen or heard of.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Dash has these which hint at his adventurous nature.
* NiceGuy: Dash is more sweet, patient, and polite than his friend and partner Tip.
* {{Sidekick}}: Dash is the "sidekick" in his "dynamic duo" with Tip.
* WarmHeartedWalrus: Dash is a kindhearted walrus.

!Antagonists

!!!First Film Antagonists
[[folder:Ursula]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1561_ursula_40_detail.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Pat Carroll (and Jodi Benson while in disguise)

Ursula is the main antagonist of ''The Little Mermaid'' and its 1992-94 spin-off television series in the saga.

* AdaptationalBadass: An interesting variant, as it's not Ursula herself who gets this in the Broadway version, but rather ''her shell necklace''. In the film, it was exactly as Ursula describes it in the play--a simple, albeit magical trinket whose sole purpose is to keep Ariel's voice inside. Ursula is already plenty powerful without it and destroying it has no ill effects on her. In the Broadway version, it's basically the EvilCounterpart to Triton's trident--a sacred artifact that grants its user incredible power and is the source of all of Ursula's magic, just as the trident is the source of Triton's. It's mentioned that Ursula relies on it so much that destroying it would kill her, which she denies. [[spoiler:The ending proves that it's true, as Ariel defeats Ursula by destroying the shell]].
* AdaptationalVillainy: In the fairy tale, the sea witch was a neutral character who, in addition to warning the mermaid of the transformation's consequences, didn't go back on her deal with the mermaid until asked to, and never interfered directly.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: To her sister, Morgana.
* AmbitionIsEvil: Ursula was kicked out of Atlantica because she attacked King Triton and tried to seize the throne. During the TV Series, she tried to defeat Triton in the Sargasso Sea with her Octopid army.
* AnimalsHateHim: When she's disguised as Vanessa, the animals crash the wedding by attacking her.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: In the climax of the first film.
* AttackItsWeakPoint: How Eric finishes her off.
* AxCrazy: Just check out some of her facial expressions.
* BenevolentBoss: An unusual example for a Disney film; she loves Flotsam and Jetsam. Subverted in the TV series, though, but that was before.
* BigBad: Of both the first film and the TV Series, and one of Disney's more notable examples.
* BitchInSheepsClothing: Her human alias, "Vanessa".
* BlatantLies: Her entire VillainSong "Poor Unfortunate Souls," where she swears up and down she's not evil anymore and only uses her magic only to help those in need. She does admit that "once or twice, someone couldn't pay the price," and she had to "rake 'em across the coals"... ''right in front of a huge garden full of the "poor unfortunate souls" she made deals with.''
* {{Brainwashed}}: "Vanessa" does this to Eric.
* TheCaligula: In the stage version, Ursula was Triton's sister and co-ruler. To put it bluntly, she wasn't much saner back then.
* CompositeCharacter: Of two characters from the original fairytale, the sea witch and (in her "Vanessa" form) the woman that the prince mistakes for his savior and marries instead of the mermaid.
* TheConqueror: During the TV Series, it's shown that sometime after her banishment she led her people, the Octopids in a battle against the merpeople in a bid to conquer Atlantica, empowering one of her commanders with a trident more powerful than Triton's, but that failed. Ursula attempted to conquer Atlantica again by giving her Octopid army ''eight'' Dark Tridents, but that failed again.
* DarkIsEvil: What with her Faustian overtones. A notable contrast to the original story's version of the character, who was an example of DarkIsNotEvil, even warning the mermaid of the deal's consequences.
* DealWithTheDevil: Her profession when she brings Ariel around, as the devil of course. Those "poor unfortunate souls" you see in her lair can attest to her track record.
* DevilInPlainSight: DarkIsEvil aside, if her near-constant {{Psychotic Smirk}}s, {{Slasher Smile}}s, and {{Evil Laugh}}s don't tip you off, we don't know what will.
* DramaQueen: Ursula has her moments. For example in her introduction she is lamenting that she's "wasting away" since her banishment, when she's anything ''but''.
* TheDreaded: Almost every creature of the sea is ''terrified'' of Ursula.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Genuinely seemed to care for her eel henchmen. When they're accidentally killed by the trident, she's so horrified that she goes into a RoaringRampageOfRevenge.
* EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods: She's a notable aversion of this trope though.
* EvilEyebrows: Let's face it, every Disney villain fits this trope.
* EvilIsHammy: '''"[[VillainSong YOU POOR, UNFORTUNATE SOOOOOOUUULLLLLLLL!!!!!]]"'''
* EvilLaugh: Ursula does one about every five minutes.
* EvilSoundsDeep: Has a deep voice, courtesy of Pat Carroll.
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: When Eric stabs her with the ship's bowline. Strangely enough, her death looks very similar to that of [[Disney/{{Aladdin}} Jafar's]].
* FatBitch: In contrast to her sister in the sequel who is LeanAndMean.
* FateWorseThanDeath: What she inflicts on the ''poor unfortunate souls'' who fail to meet the [[ImpossibleTask nigh-impossible]] terms of her contracts; turning them into miserable little polyps doomed to [[AndIMustScream forever writhe helplessly]] in her personal garden. Thankfully, they're all set free after she's killed at the end of the film.
* FauxAffablyEvil: It's easy to forget that Ursula's crazy as they come.
* GlamourFailure: When "Vanessa" looks in the mirror, her true identity is revealed.
* TheHedonist: The stage version makes a case for her being this, most notably with her song "I Want the Good Times Back".
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: In the climax, when Eric stabs her with the bow of the ship.
* ImpossibleTask: In true FairyTale WickedWitch fashion (though, ironically, [[AdaptationalVillainy not the witch she's based on]]), Ursula deliberately makes the terms of her deals with mortals nearly impossible to fulfill, because she ''wants'' her clients to fail and turn into polyps. (She's duly surprised and enraged when Ariel almost succeeds anyway.)
* InkSuitActor: Subversion; Ursula was actually based on the drag queen Divine, who was originally supposed to voice her, but died before he could even record the voice, so the role went to Pat Carroll instead. Ironically, in the Latin American Spanish dub, she was voiced by an actual ''drag queen''.
* {{Kaiju}}: Grows into the size of one at the final battle
* KickTheDog: A literal example in her human form -- she kicked Max with her shoe when the dog growled at her.
* {{Leitmotif}}: "Poor Unfortunate Souls"
* MakeMyMonsterGrow: In the climax.
* MamaBear: Ursula did not take kindly to Flotsam and Jetsam getting blasted by the trident.
* MovingTheGoalPosts: She gives Ariel three days to woo and kiss the prince. When she sees that Ariel might actually ''succeed'', she turns herself into a beautiful young maiden and uses Ariel's own voice to hypnotize the prince into falling in love with her so Ariel won't have a chance at success.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Ursula throwing a monkey wrench into her deal with Ariel to usurp power is ultimately a catalyst for Eric killing her for trying to kill Ariel, which convinces Triton to overcome his hatred of humans and let Ariel stay with Eric and depart with him and the rest of his kingdom on good terms.
* NoblewomansLaugh: Most female Disney villains (and male ones too, in fact) have one of these, but few are more rich and booming than Ursula's.
* OhCrap: "Vanessa" does one when she sees the whole flock of birds flying towards her. Ursula has one in her giant form when, as she's about to kill Ariel, she turns aside a bit only to see [[spoiler:Eric charging at her in the ship and impaling her.]]
* OneWingedAngel: Grows into a giant enemy monster version of herself at the film's climax using the trident's magic.
* OrganicBra: Ursula's scales extend up to her bustline, though are missing from part of her back, giving the impression of a backless dress without actually wearing one.
* PaletteSwap: Vanessa's appearance is basically Ariel with the hair and eye colors changed.
%%* PowerHair
* PowerMakesYourVoiceDeep: Her [[EvilSoundsDeep already deep voice]] goes ''downright demonic'' after the trident powers her up and turns her into a giant. This is most noticeable in the Latin American spanish dub.
* PurpleEyes: As Vanessa.
* RedOniBlueOni: While we never see them together, she's shown to be much more calm and collected than Morgana, suggesting that they may have had this dynamic.
* SanitySlippage: She becomes more and more deranged as her plan achieves more success. By the time she's got the trident in her hands and transforms into a giant monster, the little sanity she had is completely gone.
* SeaMonster: Wonder why she's TheDreaded?
* ShoutOut: The climactic battle against her is heavily inspired by Creator/HPLovecraft's ''Literature/TheCallOfCthulhu''.
* SlapstickKnowsNoGender: As Vanessa sea animals crash her wedding with a slapstick routine played mostly for laughs. Particularly notable since this only happens to her in her generically pretty, feminine form.
* SlasherSmile: Ursula does this quite a bit during the final battle. Vanessa, Ursula's disguise, has this when gloating about her inevitable victory (specifically, when she throws her hairpin at a mirror with enough force to knock the mirror back upon impact).
** Also near the conclusion of "Poor Unfortunate Souls," as she goads Ariel into signing, gets the cauldron boiling, and demands Ariel to "SIIIING." The PsychoticSmirk that accompanies her triumphantly clasping Ariel's voice probably should have tipped the little mermaid off to her true nature ''before'' Ursula started interfering with her own deal a few days later.
* SolitarySorceress: She was banished from the Kingdom of Atlantica, but still gives magical help to "poor unfortunate souls"... [[DealWithTheDevil with a hook in it]].
* SoreLoser: Her reaction to seeing Ariel nearly succeed in getting Eric to kiss her in the three day time limit (despite the odds) is to have Flotsam and Jetsam flip the boat over before their lips could meet, and BrainWash Eric into thinking he's in love with a disguised Ursula so Ariel ''can't'' meet the terms of their deal fairly.
* StageWhisper: "Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys."
* TragicKeepsake: Her shell is depicted as this in the Broadway version, given to her by her deceased father Poseidon. Subverted in some showings, as they occasionally portray him as simply giving it to her so that [[TheUnfavorite she'll]] [[AbusiveParents leave him alone]].
* TyrantTakesTheHelm: As soon as she gets her hands on Triton's crown and trident, she wastes no time abusing her power.
-->'''Ursula:''' [[EvilIsHammy NOW I AM THE RULER OF ALL THE OCEAN!!]] THE WAVES OBEY MY EVERY ''WHIM.'' THE SEA AND ALL ITS SPOILS '''BOW TO MY POWER!!!'''
* UnscaledMerfolk: Being half octopus, or more accurately, and Octopid.
* VillainousBreakdown: Near the end.
* VillainousGlutton: She even eats shrimps while they're alive.
* VillainSong: "Poor Unfortunate Souls".
* WickedWitch: Also a WitchWithACapitalB.
--->"''I admit that in the past I've been a nasty, /They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a ''witch''..."
* XRaySparks: During her death scene.

[[folder:Flotsam and Jetsam]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/78ccd48d81d56b434ef4afdce5cd1fc8.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Paddi Edwards

Flotsam and Jetsam were the moray eel minions of the sea witch Ursula. They appear as the secondary antagonists in the film ''The Little Mermaid'' and the prequel television series.

* AnimalEyeSpy: They serve as this to Ursula.
* CoDragons: Both serve Ursula faithfully.
* CreepyTwins: True, they may or may not be twins, (One eel looks pretty much like another) but the scene where they talk Ariel into going with them to see Ursula is pretty creepy.
* EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas: If one is willing to see Ursula as their "mother" (she certainly acts like it), they adore Ursula as much as she adores them.
* EvilMinions: Ursula's personal attack dogs.
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: They end up getting blasted to smithereens from a misfire from the trident.
* {{Irony}}: In real life, moray eels like to ''eat'' octopi.
* {{Leitmotif}}: If you listen carefully, they have a sub-theme inside of Ursula's own leitmotif.
* SlipperyAsAnEel: [[MeaningfulName Flotsam and Jetsam]] are a prime example of this trope.
* ThoseTwoBadGuys: They are Ursula's pets
* UndyingLoyalty: Their loyalty to Ursula is absolute and they carry out her wicked wishes with gusto.
* VileVillainLaughableLackey: Averted. Unlike many Disney henchmen, they are not comedic at all. In fact, they prove to be as successful manipulating Ariel as Ursula is.
* YellowEyesOfSneakiness: They have these, most of the time at least - sometimes one or both of their eyes are ordinary white, as can be seen in the picture above.

[[folder:Glut, The Shark]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/glut_the_shark.jpg]]

An antagonistic shark that tries to kill both Ariel and Flounder.

* PredatorsAreMean: Shark? Check. Vicious and snarling? Check.
* ThreateningShark: He nearly ate heroes Ariel and [[CowardlyLion Flounder]].
* UncertainDoom: He's left trapped in the anchor, [[FridgeHorror and sharks need to move in order to get oxygen.]] So unless he manages to free himself, he's going to slowly suffocate or starve to death. [[BewareTheNiceOnes Yeah, don't mess with Ariel.]]
* TheVoiceless: Never utters a single word.

!!!Second Film Antagonists

[[folder:Morgana]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/morgana2.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Pat Carroll

Morgana is the main antagonist in ''The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea''.
----
* AgonyOfTheFeet: Err...''tentacle'' in this case. At the climax, Melody pricks Morgana in the tentacle with the trident! Cue Morgana holding her tentacle in pain.
* AndIMustScream: Her fate at the end of the movie, courtesy of King Triton.
* AvengingTheVillain: Which is why she attempted to have baby Melody ''swallowed'' by Undertow, because her parents killed Ursula.
* BeautyMark: On the right side and under her lips.
* BigBad: The main antagonist of the sequel.
* BigNo: When Melody gives the trident back to her grandfather.
* BreakThemByTalking: She tries this to Melody after the latter gives her King Triton's trident.
* TheDreaded: Morgana terrifies everyone (especially Sebastian) when she first shows up.
-->'''Sebastian:''' (''panicked'') URSULA'S CRAZY SISTER!
* DrivenByEnvy: {{Implied}}. She wanted to steal the trident not only for ultimate power, but also to prove she was a better conqueror than her sister.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: {{Subverted}}. In her first scene, she appeared generally upset about what happened to her sister. Then, it was revealed it was just a façade and she actually loathed her sister (due to being TheUnfavorite).
* EvilCounterpart: To Melody. Both have self-esteem problems, MommyIssues making them into [[WellDoneDaughterGirl "well done daughter" girls]], and are based on the previous protagonist (Ariel to Melody) and antagonist (Ursula to Morgana). However, Melody is a caring and kind person who is able to repair her relationship with her mother while Morgana is heartless and vindictive who was never able to get the reconciliation she needed.
* FateWorseThanDeath: She gets trapped into a block of ice and falls into the oceans below.
* {{Foil}}: To Ursula. In regards to body types, Ursula was obese while Morgana is quite skinny and almost skeletal. Morgana was TheUnfavorite to their mother who doted on Ursula. Ursula was completely full of herself and had loyal henchmen who served her quite well, while Morgana is frequently bickering with Undertow and suffers from a major inferiority complex. Her magic is also not as strong as Ursula's. Ursula came across as more businesslike and ultimately pressured Ariel into signing her contract, while Morgana was more informal and managed to convince Melody she was truly sympathetic to her plight. Ursula indirectly used Ariel to get Triton's crown and trident, Morgana managed to trick Melody into stealing it for her.
* FreudianExcuse: When she gets the trident:
-->'''Morgana''' (''to the sky''): ''SEE THAT MA?! WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE NOW?!''
%%* GreenEyes
* AnIcePerson: Doesn't use ice to attack, but she lives by a glacier and creates an icy throne. She's also [[spoiler:imprisoned in ice]].
* IneptMage: None of her own magic works correctly; she has to use Ursula's magic and the Trident to be a real threat.
* LeanAndMean: In contrast to her sister's [[FatBastard Fat Bitch]].
* ManipulativeBitch: To Melody. Morgana is able to effortlessly manipulate Melody into stealing the trident by giving her the answers she needed while making Ariel look like the bad guy.
* NoodlePeople: Again, contrasting with Ursula's fatness.
* OhCrap: When Melody successfully hands over the trident back to Triton, and then when she is going to be trapped into a block of ice for eternity.
* OrganicBra: Her scales cover herself up in a similar fashion to Ursula's.
* PsychopathicWomanchild: In contrast to the more calm and collected Ursula, Morgana is essentially a middle-aged EmoTeen.
* RedOniBlueOni: While we never see them together, she's shown to be much more erratic and emotional than Ursula, suggesting that they may have had this dynamic.
* RememberTheNewGuy: A rare case wherein it's kind of justified, seeing as it's implied that Morgana's hatred of her sister was mutual, thus giving an explanation as to why Ursula never mentioned her.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: To Ursula.
* TheUnfavorite:
-->'''Morgana''': That's all my mother ever did was criticize me! It was always 'Ursula this' or 'Ursula that' or 'Morgana, why can't you be more like your sister URSULA!?!'
* VillainHasAPoint:
** When Ariel tries to convince Melody to give her the trident, Morgana manipulates into not. And when Ariel tries to explain that the sea witch is lying, Morgana replies that ''Ariel'' was the one lying to Melody all her life. True, Morgana was lying to Melody about certain details and was only trying to get the trident, but she's not wrong about Ariel's lies, however well-intentioned.
** After Melody impulsively gives Morgana the trident, she reveals her true colors. And when Melody, angrily states that Morgana tricked her, the witch replied that Melody only has herself to blame. While Morgana ''did'' trick Melody, she wasn't wrong about Melody only having herself to blame since she ''did'' have a chance to give Ariel the trident and only gave it to Morgana out of spite and anger towards her mother.
* WellDoneDaughterGirl: The main reason Morgana hated Ursula is because their mother always praised her sister while criticizing her.
* WouldHurtAChild: She was willing to have Melody swallowed as an ''infant.'' Also, she didn't hesitate to hurt Melody at the almost-end of the movie.
* YouKilledMyFather: {{Subverted}}. Her first scene has her enraged over the good guys killing her sister. The next scene with her has her reveal she doesn't really care for Ursula.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Undertow, The Tiger Shark]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/thelittlemermaid2_187_7.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ClancyBrown

Undertow is the secondary antagonist of ''The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea''. He is Morgana's gigantic tiger shark who loves intimidating others with his size.
----
* ButtMonkey: Being magically shrunk and then many failures at having him return to his original size.
* TheDragon: To Morgana. Of her three minions, Undertow is her main muscle and the one who will call her out on her plans.
* EvilSoundsDeep: It helps that he's voiced by Creator/ClancyBrown.
* {{Jerkass}}: Cruel, mean, and bullying.
* SmallAnnoyingCreature: A small shark (thanks to the Trident's effects) who constantly argues with Morgana.
* ThreateningShark: A tiger shark who ''loves'' intimidating others with his size.
* VillainHasAPoint: Undertow is right that Morgana can't keep blaming Ursula for her own failures.
* WouldHurtAChild: He wanted to ''eat'' baby Melody at the beginning of the sequel.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Cloak and Dagger]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cloak_dagger.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Dee Bradley Baker

Cloak and Dagger are the tertiary antagonists in ''The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea''. They are dark manta rays and Morgana's pets and minions.
----
* EvilMinions: The dastardly duo serve under the sequel's BigBad, Morgana.
%%* [[EvilTwin Evil Twins]]: Implied.
* ThoseTwoBadGuys: Like the minions they are based off of, Cloak and Dagger always work together.
* TheVoiceless: They never breathe a word.
[[/folder]]

!!!Third Film Antagonists

[[folder:Marina del Ray]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tlm3pic0001154.jpg]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Sally Field

Marina Del Rey is the main antagonist in ''The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning''. Marina is the governess of Ariel and her sisters.
----
* AmbitionIsEvil: A rather unusual case in that she has no interest in replacing the figurehead, just being the attaché.
* AxCrazy: See WomanChild below.
* BigBad: Of the prequel.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Implied to sympathize with Ariel and her sisters on Triton's harsh measures. This doesn't prevent her from exploiting Ariel's musical desires, though.
* AGirlAndHerX: A Woman and Her Eels. Just look at her page picture!
* LaughablyEvil: She's evil, but sure is immature.
* MeaningfulName: "Marina" is American for "of the sea".
* PunnyName: UsefulNotes/LosAngeles residents get a chuckle out of a villain named after Marina del Rey, a tiny coastal neighborhood immediately to the south of Venice Beach.
* VillainSong: "Just One Mistake".
* WomanChild: Crosses into PsychopathicWomanChild when she unleashes her electric eels.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Benjamin, The Manatee]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ariels126.jpg]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Jeff Bennett

Benjamin is Marina Del Ray's sidekick, but he is much nicer than Marina.
----
* AntiVillain: Quite possibly one of the least villainous antagonists Disney ever conceived, as all he does is follow Marina around like the cute manatee he is.
* MoralityChain: He even keeps the key to the Marina's dangerous pet eels, just in case she goes crazy.
* NiceGuy: Benjamin is kind, merciful, and sweet.
* OnlyFriend: He is Marina's constant companion.
[[/folder]]

!!!TV Series Antagonists

[[folder:The Evil Manta]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_evil_manta___little_mermaid.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TimCurry

The Evil Manta, or just Manta, is a major antagonist who appears in the television series of ''The Little Mermaid'' franchise. Although it is unknown how old he is, he is believed to be ageless. He has the form of a giant black and purple manta ray, giving a foul presence to wherever he dwells.
----
%%* AffablyEvil
* BadassCape: His manta wings double as an effective one.
%%* BadassMustache
%%* BewareMyStingerTail
* BigBad: He's set up as the main villain of the series, at least until Ursula eventually shows up.
* TheCorrupter: His first plot involves turning all the denizens of Atlantica against one another.
%%* DarkIsEvil
%%* TheDreaded
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: He genuinely seems to love and care about his son, Little Evil. He just really wishes Evil would act, well, more ''evil.''
* EvilParentsWantGoodKids: PlayedWith. He wants his son to be good... [[GoodIsBadAndBadIsGood good at being evil]].
* EvilSoundsDeep: His voice is deep. Comes with being voiced by Tim Curry.
%%* GlowingEyesOfDoom
%%* GoodHurtsEvil
* HeelFaceTurn: Implied to be heading in this direction in the last episode of the TV series after Ariel saves him from getting his brain drained.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Almost gets his own brain sucked out by his pet brain sponge.
%%* LargeHam
%%* ManipulativeBastard
* PapaWolf: A rare villain example.
* Really700YearsOld: He was imprisoned by ancient Merpeople and apparently hasn't aged a day.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: [[http://images.wikia.com/villains/images/4/45/Evil_Manta.jpg Pupiless eyes,]] no less.
* {{Satan}}: While it couldn't be stated out loud, he really does come across as an underwater version of The Devil.
* WoundedGazelleGambit: In his debut episode, he pretends to be weak and helpless in order to get Ariel to set him free.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Little Evil]]
[[quoteright:243:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/little_manta.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' N/A

Little Evil is a minor character in the television series ''The Little Mermaid''. He is the son of Evil Manta, who is a recurring villain in the series.
----
* CharacterDevelopment: Little Evil eventually learns to be true to himself and not be the brat his father wants him to be.
* HeelFaceTurn: Early on, Little Evil expressed a desire to be like his evil father. After encountering Ariel, however, Little Evil ultimately proved to be good at heart with a natural sense of curiosity.
* HiddenDepths: He develops a love of art and a desire to attend school with other Atlanticans.
* IJustWantToHaveFriends: His motivation for befriending Ariel.
* MoralityPet: To Evil Manta. Despite his evil ways, he appears to be a good father to his son.
%%* OverlordJr
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Looks almost exactly like a miniature version of his father minus the mustache.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Lobster Mobster and Da Shrimp]]
[[quoteright:238:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_thing_8.jpg]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Joe Alaskey (Lobster Mobster); David Lander (Da Shrimp)

Lobster Mobster and Da Shrimp are recurring antagonists from ''The Little Mermaid'' television series. They are bumbling con-artists and constantly antagonize Ariel and her friends. They are modeled after 1920s gangster stereotypes.
----
* BrooklynRage: If Mobster's accent is anything to go by.
* {{Jerkass}}: Both are mean and cruel.
* TheMafia: They are modeled after 1920s gangster stereotypes.
* NiceHat: Both wear coral styled hats.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Howling Hairfish]]
->'''Voiced by:''' N/A

Howling Hairfish are monstrous fish that when a normal fish becomes cursed in ''The Little Mermaid'' TV series. A school of silver fish will turn a Howling Hairfish back into a normal fish. The only Howling Hairfish that speaks is Flounder who turned into a Howling Hairfish.
----
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Justified, seeing as how they're underwater and all.
[[/folder]]

!!!Comic Book Antagonists

[[folder:The Morays]]
A race of moray-merpeople who appeared in the comic book story "Serpent Teen." They are led by King Cornelius, Queen Aemelia, and Princess Celia.
----
!!King Cornelius
* EvilCounterpart: To King Triton.
* PyrrhicVillainy: Zapping Triton and daring him to destroy his kingdom caused him to do just that.
* ShockAndAwe: He can electrify anything with his tail.

!!Queen Aemelia
* OnlySaneWoman: She's the only one in her family who wants to release Ariel.

!!Princess Celia
* EvilCounterpart: Celia represents Ariel at her worst. She's hostile and rude to her parents, self-centered and cruel, and persists in getting whatever she wants.
* RoyalBrat: She's rude and controlling to ''both'' her parents.
* ShockAndAwe: She can electrify anything with her tail.
[[/folder]]

!!Titular Protagonists

[[folder:Ariel]]
[[quoteright:242:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8940364.png]]

A rebellious mermaid princess, she desired most to live above the sea and learn about humans, despite the wishes of her father, Triton the Sea King. After rescuing the human prince Eric, falling in love with him and having her spirits obliterated during a violent fight with her father, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to be turned into a human. They bargain that she must receive the kiss of True Love by three days, or else belong to Ursula.

->'''Voiced by:''' Jodi Benson

* EightiesHair: Not the frizzy and curly kind, but her hair is certainly voluminous, and maintains its shape even when being underwater should weigh it down.
* ActionGirl: Excusing Mulan and Rapunzel, Ariel gets into the most action scenarios, especially in any extra material she appears in.
* ActionMom: In the sequel, she becomes a mother to her and Eric's only child, Melody. Still doesn't hesitate to get into a fight when necessary.
* AdaptationalBadass: In a lot of works other than the movie, she does this, notably the animated series, the stage musical, and some of the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' games.
* AdaptationalModesty: In the original story she was topless.
* {{Adorkable}}: When she's human and on dry land for the first time. She takes in everything with an almost contagious amount of childish curiosity and wonderment. And who could forget the scene when she tried to comb her hair with a fork?
* AgeLift: In the original tale, the little mermaid was 15. In this adaptation, she's 16.
* AlmostKiss: With Eric, which is interrupted by Flotsam and Jetsam so she doesn't fulfill her bargain.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: One of the few meanings of "Ariel" in Hebrew is "lion of God".
* BabiesEverAfter: She and Eric have a daughter, Melody, in ''Return to the Sea''.
* TheBabyOfTheBunch: Ariel is the youngest of Triton's seven daughters.
* BadassPrincess: Probably the first badass Disney princess and was most certainly the first to save her prince. The TV series, sequel and her appearance in the ''KingdomHearts'' video game only solidified her badassery. Ariel was the only female party member in the first game (unless you count Tinkerbell, who was a summon), and knew powerful Fire/Ice/Lightning magic, among others.
* BareYourMidriff: Wears only a seashell bra for the first half of the movie.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Ariel is friendly, playful, and always willing to help, even to total strangers. But, if you make her mad? She might just attack you, or try to. Don't be fooled, she was ready and willing to physically attack [[BigBad Ursula]], a bigger and (possibly) physically stronger woman who had the most powerful object in her hand.
* BigNo: When Melody gives Triton's trident to Morgana in ''Return to the Sea''.
* BigSisterInstinct: Acts as a surrogate one for Flounder. Ariel is rather protective of him, and when in peril, she always puts his safety before her own, making sure he's always the first to make it out safe.
* BirdsOfAFeather: She wanted to escape her underwater life to live above ground. Eric wanted to escape his landlocked life to go out to sea.
* BlondeBrunetteRedhead: The redhead; Andrina and Arista are the Blondes; Adella, Aquata, Attina, and Alana are the Brunettes.
* BrattyTeenageDaughter: Initially and downplayed -- while she would openly disagree with her father and rebel against at time in her youth, she also showed that she could be mature at times (mostly seen in the TV series). No more in the sequel as she is a mother and an adult.
* BreakTheCutie: Triton, did you ''really'' have to destroy her collection of human possessions? It's a miracle she didn't ''disown'' her father for that!
* CharacterDevelopment: By the time of the sequel with her becoming a mother, Ariel is more mature and level-headed than she was in the first movie.
* CharacterTics: Ariel sighs so that it blows her bangs upward and bites her lip, the latter of which was taken from the animator's wife as a habit.
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Seen this way by other merpeople due to her obsession with human things.
* CollectorOfTheStrange: She has a grotto full of human things, which are considered strange by merfolk standards.
* CoolCrown: Wears a gold tiara as part of her wedding dress. She gets a few more crowns in the sequel, and of course in the merch.
* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot: The ''entire plot'' of the sequel could have been avoided if Ariel had simply told Melody ''why'' she was forbidden to go in the sea. When Melody goes missing, Ariel even acknowledges that she blew it.
* CuteMute: Ariel when she loses her voice, which requires some of the best animation in the film in getting her to express herself without speaking.
* DaddysGirl: She butts heads with Triton a lot, but she is ''furious'' when Ursula transforms him into a [[BalefulPolymorph polyp]]- even her last line in the movie is, "I love you, Daddy."
* DealWithTheDevil: How Ariel loses her voice to Ursula.
* {{Determinator}}: You can see it in her eyes when she agrees to Ursula's impossible bargain.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: She becomes the second main focus in ''Return to the Sea'', since her daughter, Melody, is the protagonist.
* DisneyDeath: Gets hit with this in ''Ariel's Beginning'', though since this is a prequel, some may be more fooled by it than others.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: After getting her new feet, Ariel often prances about barefoot during her stay at the castle.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Well Ariel never saw a horse-drawn carriage before, so she didn't know how. A bit of HilarityEnsues (it's not stated in the sequel if she learned since then).
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: In the first movie, she's introduced forgetting to attend a royal concert that she's the star of because she's too busy excitedly exploring sunken ships looking for human trinkets. She also ignores Flounders' worry that there might be sharks around, and then effortlessly fends off (and saves Flounder from) said shark when it turns up looking for dinner.
* FairytaleWeddingDress: Gets a big, poofy [[TheEighties '80s]] version in her wedding with Eric, which helped characterize that specific look as a fairy tale wedding dress in the modern age (along with Cinderella).
* FatalFlaw: Her curiosity nearly led to Ursula ruling the sea. More specifically, Ariel is a kind, brave, fun-loving and open-minded individual, but she can also be stubborn and shortsighted. Throughout the film, she ignores Flounder and Sebastian's warnings and keeps putting herself into dangerous situations for the sake of discovery. This eventually catches up to her when she loses a bet she made with Ursula out of anger and hurt, and the sea witch nearly kills her and her friends and family. While Ariel wasn't wrong to want a human life or pursue it, she does learn the hard way that her actions have consequences that can affect more than just herself.
* FieryRedhead: More rebellious than angry, and easier to see in the first half of the movie.
* FishOutOfWater: It's actually Ariel's dream, and although she doesn't exactly blend in, she's endearing enough that it doesn't bother the people she meets.
* FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: The foolish (late for recitals, constantly breaks her father's rules, and impulsive) to her sisters' responsible (shows up for recitals on time, obey their father's rules, and generally more level-headed).
* FormerTeenRebel: In the sequel, she scolds Melody for doing what she used to do as a teen. Granted, she did have good reason, but all she ever told Melody was to stay out of the ocean.
* FutileHandReach: Ariel reaches out her hand to stop Melody from giving the trident to Morgana, but it doesn't work out.
* GenerationXerox: She's got it from her mother, Queen Athena, and her daughter Melody looks identical to her in all but color scheme.
* GenkiGirl: She frustrates her father with how energetic and adventurous she is.
* GiantPoofySleeves: As per '80s norm, and probably no small part in why poofy sleeves are still considered princess-y (along with Snow White).
* GirlinessUpgrade: By ''Return to the Sea'', she's come a long way from her curiosity/[[RebelliousPrincess teen rebel]] phase from the first film, to the point where she's superseded by her own daughter in regards to the TomboyPrincess trope.
* GoodParents: She may have made a mistake or two with Melody, but the way Melody grew up into a respectful and good-hearted young lady proves she and Eric raised their daughter right.
* GracefulLadiesLikePurple: Her seashell bikini top, and her dress in the sequel.
* HappilyMarried: To Eric in the sequel; they prove to have an incredibly stable marriage whether there is or isn't danger.
* HiddenDepths: Pre-CharacterDevelopment, despite her usual naivety and impulsiveness, Ariel has shown on many occasions to be serious, careful, and very intelligent and intuitive.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Much like her father, she decides that it's best for Melody's safety to keep Melody ignorant of her true origins and heritage. However, it is Melody's ignorance (and Ariel's unwillingness to be truthful when she finds the locket) that cause her to run away and go against her mother until Morgana reveals her true colors.
* IJustWantToBeSpecial: Inverted. The mermaid Ariel dreams of being human.
* ImpossibleHourglassFigure: Ariel has a very slim hourglass figure, both as a mermaid and a human.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Ariel's innocence is especially emphasized when she meets Ursula, who despite many signs decides to trust for a chance to be with Eric and be human.
* InnocentFanserviceGirl: When she first becomes human, the only thing she's wearing is her SeashellBra. Not having much knowledge of clothes, who knows how much longer she would have went naked without care if Scuttle hadn't given her that old sail.
* InterspeciesFriendship: Her closest friends are as listed: Flounder (fish), Sebastian (crab), and Scuttle (seagull).
* InterspeciesRomance: Ariel, a mermaid, falls in love and marries Eric, a human.
* IWantSong: "Part Of Your World".
* LeeroyJenkins: Tends to leap before she looks and worry about fallout later, much to [[CowardlyLion Flounder]] and [[BadlyBatteredBabysitter Sebastian's]] consternation.
* {{Leitmotif}}: "Part Of Your World" and "Part Of Your World (Reprise)".
* LikeParentUnlikeChild: Ariel is one of seven daughters. The other six are blonde and brunette, and perfectly content being mermaids. Ariel is the only redhead, and the only one who finds any interest at all in the surface world. This drastic contrast causes severe friction between her and her father, Triton.
* LoveAtFirstSight: For Eric. When she first sees him on his boat she is ''immediately'' smitten. And when her father confronts her over Eric and how he is just as bad as every other human, Ariel impulsively yells she loves him, and this was roughly a few days after Ariel first saw Eric.
* MamaBear:
** Inverted -- during the climax of the movie, Ariel ''attacks Ursula'' when she transforms her father into a limbless worm.
** So far the only princess where we see that she's had children (although it's not outright denied that the other princesses become mothers). Ariel will do ''anything'' to keep Melody safe -- Case in point, she uses Eric's sword to cut one of the sails to knock Morgana away from Melody when the sea witch was holding her daughter hostage.
* ManicPixieDreamGirl: Implied that she is this to Eric; in the dinner scene, his housekeeper mentions that he rarely laughed before he met Ariel.
* MassiveNumberedSiblings: Ariel has six older sisters: [[AlphabeticalThemeNaming Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella and Alana]].
* MeaningfulName: Her name is also the name of the air-spirit servant in The Tempest—appropriate for the mermaid who's bent on leaving the water and living an air-breathing existence.
* MsFanservice: A gorgeous red-headed bikini-top wearing mermaid with a mesmerizing voice. Special mention when she first becomes human and [[NakedOnArrival the only thing she's wearing]] is her seashell bra.
* MultipleChoicePast: On how she and Flounder met. The TV series shows that they met when Ariel was still a child, while this film shows Ariel to have been older.
* MumLooksLikeASister: In the sequel, despite having a twelve-year-old daughter, Ariel hasn't aged a day since being sixteen.

** After witnessing her father sacrifice himself to save her, Ariel feels remorse for what her actions have done.
** In ''Return To The Sea'', she realizes her actions have only caused Melody to run away from home.
* NamedByTheAdaptation: Ariel is referred to as "the little mermaid" in the original story.
* NiceGirl: She's kind, brave, and sweet.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: In ''Return To The Sea'', her decision of refusing to tell Melody why she is forbidden to enter the sea is what set the whole plot in motion. Ariel even acknowledges that she blew it.
* OddNameOut: If you notice, while she's in an AlliterativeFamily, her name is the only one that doesn't end with an "a."
* OfficialCouple: With Prince Eric.
* OhCrap: When Melody runs away from home in ''Return to the Sea''.
* OurMermaidsAreDifferent: Although little is fleshed out about their culture in the first two movies (the series fixes this).
* ParentalHypocrisy: She becomes a strict mother to Melody, just like how King Triton was to her. This may be justified, as both Triton and Ariel had good reasons to be protective.
* ParentalSubstitute: She acted as a surrogate mother to Spot, an orphaned killer whale.
* PimpedOutDress: Her pink dress and wedding dress in the first movie, and a few more in the sequel.
* PinocchioSyndrome: The main plot point of the first movie is Ariel becoming human.
* PluckyGirl: She's very brave and never gives up.
* PoorCommunicationKills: In the sequel, her decision to keep Melody LockedOutOfTheLoop about her mermaid heritage is the catalyst for a significant chunk of the plot.
* PrincessesPreferPink: The first human dress she's seen wearing, and her nightgown, are pink.
* ProtagonistTitle: The "little mermaid" refers to her and the prequel's title is "'''Ariel's''' Beginning".
* RainbowMotif: With her sisters, they share the different colors of the rainbow. See her sister's section for more details.
* RebelliousPrincess: Although it's never expressed whether she had any royal duties, she's probably the most rebellious of the princesses.
* RedheadInGreen: As a mermaid, Ariel has a green tail. In the sequel, one of her dresses was green. And her redesign dress is green too.
* RescueRomance: Although Eric gets the biggest moment with saving Ariel at the climax, the true Rescue Romance is actually Ariel saving Eric, which leads them both to falling in love. His obsession with the beautiful singer who saved him leads him to overlook Ariel as a love interest for the first day of knowing her.
* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: The spunky, rambunctious Energetic Girl to Eric's down-to-earth Savvy Guy.
* SeashellBra: Most likely the TropeCodifier, but not the TropeMaker--the mermaids in ''Disney/PeterPan'' had them first.
* SheCleansUpNicely: When she walks into the dining room in her pink dress, Eric is ''stunned''.
* ShesGotLegs: Gets a nice set after becoming human.
* SiblingYinYang: To Arista. Ariel is carefree, naive, and impulsive, compared to her mature, serious older sister Arista.
* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan: Ariel fell in love with the humble, kind, shy and heroic [[NiceGuy Eric]].
* SparedByTheAdaptation: She turns into sea foam at the end of the fairy tale, and must work to gain a soul.
* SpeaksFluentAnimal: {{Justified}}. Ariel was born a mermaid and thus can easily talk to animals, especially sea creatures.
* StaticCharacter: In the first movie, Ariel doesn't go through any significant character development. She just gets in over her head because of the terms of Ursula's deal (and Ursula trying to sabotage the deal on purpose so she can use Ariel as bait for Triton), and she ends up getting a happy ending regardless thanks to Eric intervening and killing Ursula. The sequel does give her some CharacterDevelopment, though.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: In ''Ariel's Beginning'', her mother Queen Athena looks exactly like Ariel with {{green eyes}}.
* TitleCharacter: The "little mermaid" refers to Ariel.
* TomboyPrincess: Very feisty, active and adventurous, and can hold her own against a shark--the start of a Renaissance-era tradition involving the Franchise/DisneyPrincesses.
* TomboyWithAGirlyStreak: Despite her tomboyish traits, she's also very flirty and hopelessly romantic.
* TrueBlueFemininity: The dress she wore while on a date with Eric, as well as the sparkling gown she wears after her final transformation.
* TrueLovesKiss: Her actual given mission in her movie is to get "the kiss of true love".
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: In ''Return of the Sea'', her actions to keep Melody LockedOutOfTheLoop resulted in the latter running away from home and making a DealWithTheDevil to have Morgana transform herself into a mermaid.
* YoungestChildWins: Of the "the other ones are boring" variety. Ariel is the most unique in appearance, as well as the most praised in voice. She is the only one with whom the movie focuses on. The animated series and prequel does a bit to flesh out the other sisters.

[[folder:Melody]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/melody318.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TaraStrong

Melody is the protagonist of ''The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea''. She is the daughter of Ariel and Prince Eric, and the princess of her father's kingdom.

* ActionGirl: In the climax when she briefly attacks Morgana with the trident.
* {{Adorkable}}: Interacting with kids her age makes her ''really'' awkward. And cute boys? Melody can't even utter a sentence. Especially when she meets a cute merboy during her time in Atlantica.
* {{All Loving Hero}}ine: Melody is a NiceGirl and ''never'' meant to hurt anyone. Probably not even Morgana at the end.
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: A rare example where someone of high status is marginalized, because of her "weird" behavior.
* BadassAdorable: Melody is a beautiful, {{adorkable}} child who, in the climax, goes to attack Morgana.
* BadassPrincess: The princess of her kingdom, a skilled swimmer, and inherited her mother's mermaid abilities.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Melody wished to become a mermaid. She got more than she bargained for.
* BerserkButton: {{Implied}}. When she was being reprimanded by her mother for going out into the sea, disobeying her rules. Notice that Melody didn't say anything and just took it. But when Ariel calls the sea "dangerous", it's only ''then'' that Melody yells back. She has a similar reaction later when Ariel says that she did everything [[ForYourOwnGood to protect her]], which quickly makes her give the trident to Morgana.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Like her parents and grandfather, Melody is usually polite person. But, if you make her angry? ''All bets are off''.
* BeYourself: The lesson Melody learns at the end of the movie.
-->'''Melody:''' I just wanted to be a better mermaid than a girl.
-->'''Ariel:''' Oh no sweetie, it doesn't matter if you have fins or feet. We love you for who you are on the inside, our very brave little girl.
* BigOlEyebrows: Something she inherited from her father where his thick, black eyebrows.
* BrainyBrunette: She's very smart and mature for her age.
* BreakTheCutie: From her ruined birthday party to discovering that she indirectly stole from her grandfather.
* CallingTheOldWomanOut: Twice to Ariel.
** First, Melody yells at her mother for [[BerserkButton saying the ocean is dangerous]] even though she's [[DramaticIrony never been in it.]]
** Second, when Ariel (now in mermaid form) tries to persuade Melody to give her the trident, Melody calls her out for lying to her about Atlantica and trying to keep Melody from the sea despite being aware of how much her daughter loved it.
* {{Celibate Hero}}ine: Donwplayed. Two boys are shown interacting with Melody and she is shown to enjoy interacting with them in turn. But she is never shown expressing any interest in them specifically. Melody only laments that she cannot fit in with children her age.
* ChildOfTwoWorlds: {{Zig zagged}}. While Melody is half-mermaid and half-human ('Never been seen, never before!'/'A child is born of sea and shore!') and ultimately brings the human and mermaid communities together at the end of the film, the reason Ariel cut ties with Atlantica was because she thought keeping Melody ignorant of her mermaid heritage was the only way to save her from Morgana.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Ariel is a mermaid who's obsessed with the land and wants to become human, while her daughter, the main character of the sequel, is a human but is drawn to the ocean and wants to be a mermaid. They're not strikingly different in temperament, but their goals are complete opposites.
* DealWithTheDevil: When she trades Triton's trident to Morgana in the second movie in order to become a permanent mermaid.
* {{Determinator}}: One of the strongest qualities she shares with both parents.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: Runs in the family.
* FatalFlaw: Her impulsiveness leads to her making a DealWithTheDevil and nearly dooms Atlantica.
* FearlessInfant: As a baby, she is always shown smiling and giggling, including when she is held hostage by Morgana and almost fed to Undertow.
* FreudianTrio: The Ego to Tip's Superego and Dash's Id.
* FriendToAllLivingThings: {{Justified}}. She has a strong connection with the creatures of the sea because of her mother being born a mermaid. The Disneystrology even stated that people born on Melody's birthday (January 14) "cherish animals and enjoy their companionship."
* FriendlessBackground: Heavily implied. She's not shown to have any human friends because they think she's weird.
* GenerationXerox: Melody has gained a lot of Ariel's looks (sans hair and eye color), personality, and DealWithTheDevil scenario (with some minor differences). The major difference is their dreams (Ariel becoming a human, Melody wanting to be a mermaid).
* AGirlAndHerX: Melody has close friendships with animals.
** A Girl And Her Dog: Doesn't have as much screen time with Max, but it is probably a close relationship given her natural love for animals.
** A Girl And Her Dolphin: Melody appears to have a friendship with the unnamed dolphin in her first scene as a teen.
* HairDecorations: Melody wears a variety of these throughout the movie.
** As a baby, she wears a pink/white bow.
** During her 12th birthday party, she dons a pink ponytail.
** Throughout most of the story she wears a blue ponytail.
** At the end, she's wearing a white ponytail.
* HalfHumanHybrid: The first hybrid in Disney. She is half human (father)-half mermaid (mother), {{Deconstructed}} as it leaves her with a lot of insecurity and social awkwardness due to never quite being able to fit in.
* HasAType: {{Implied}}. The only two possible love interests Melody has are both blondes.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: Melody has a lot of low self-esteem issues.
* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: One of Melody's biggest personal flaws. She is completely naive enough to trust in the ObviouslyEvil Sea Witch Morgana and do her bidding. [[spoiler:And only after she gives Morgana the trident, does she realize her horrible mistake]].
* HumanMomNonhumanDad: {{Inverted}}. Her mother is nonhuman (mermaid) and her father is the human.
* IJustWantToBeSpecial: In direct contrast to her mother, Melody dreams of being a mermaid.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Melody's blue eyes represent her naive and adventurous personality.
* InSeriesNickname: By accident. When Alex asked for her name, she was too lovestruck to answer completely and said, "Mel-Mel".
* InterspeciesFriendship:
** Her closest friends include Sebastian (crab), Scuttle (seagull), Tip (penguin), Dash (walrus), and Flounder (fish).
** She may have possibly became friends with the snooty, human kids.
** Melody may have also became friends with the merteens she met in Atlantica.
** As the only Mer-Human any friends Melody has qualify as this.
* InterspeciesRomance: Melody, the first mer-human, apparently has a crush on Alex, a merboy, and really any romance she would have would qualify.
* KidHasAPoint: Her reasons for running away are quite understandable, considering how she felt interacting with her peers.
* {{Kid Hero}}ine: Only 12-years-old and is the sequel's protagonist.
* LikeParentLikeChild: Melody has a sassy and headstrong personality who reflects upon the personality of her mother in her younger years, but her insecurity around others and socially-awkward tendencies stem from her father. While Sebastian states that Melody is "just like her mother" in ''The Little Mermaid II'', many similarities exist between Melody and her father, Prince Eric. Her sense of adventure, curiosity and willingness to take risks exist in both Ariel and Prince Eric, but her mild shyness stems from a sheltered upbringing and her father's personality.
* LittleMissBadass: She had inherited some of her mother's superhuman traits, namely speed and strength, the latter of which is demonstrated by her scaling an ice wall with little problems late into the film. She also inherited superhuman endurance, as evidenced by her not being crushed into oblivion when forcibly changed back into a human by Morgana despite the depth she was at.
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Deconstructed. Ariel thought it would be best to keep Melody's true heritage a secret. But, this comes back to haunt her 12 years later since Melody goes to Morgana for help and sea witch uses Melody's ignorance to her advantage.
* MeaningfulName: "Melody" is Greek for "song", which alludes to her mother's love for singing, as well as her own love for it.
* ModestRoyalty: Judging from the mild reactions of the snooty kids, it wasn't uncommon to see the ''Princess of the Kingdom'' in her underwear.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: After she gives Morgana the trident and realizes that Morgana was EvilAllAlong.
* NiceGirl: One of the friendliest.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: She probably should have given Triton's trident to Ariel when the latter confronted Morgana. However, her actions in giving the trident to Morgana ends up dooming Atlantica. "You've got no one to blame but yourself," indeed.
* OhCrap:
** When she realizes that Morgan tricked her into giving her Triton's trident to spite Ariel for lying about her heritage.
** She has another one when she is about to be transformed back into a human after Morgana traps her.
* PimpedOutDress: Being a princess, she has to wear some for formal events.
* PrincessesPreferPink: Her ballroom dress is pink. Her mermaid tail is close to pink.
* RapunzelHair: Even in the ponytail, her hair reaches down to her waist.
* RavenHairIvorySkin: Long, black hair with a pale complexion.
* RebelliousPrincess: Disobeyed her parents' rule of not going out into the sea.
* RoyalBrat: {{Averted}}. Melody never uses her title as a princess for selfish or vain reasons.
* TheRunaway: Which sets the story in motion.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After her argument with Ariel, Melody runs off to the ocean to become a mermaid.
* SkewedPriorities: When confronted by Ariel, she prioritizes calling Ariel out for lying over handing the trident back to her grandfather. This is understandable,however, due to Melody being unaware of the fact that Morgana was evil and what the Trident is capable of doing.
* SmittenTeenageGirl: Downplayed. She's totally lovestruck by the cute, blonde merboy she meets in Atlantica; this detours her initial "mission" in the underwater city.
* {{Socially Awkward Hero}}ine: Melody will effortlessly sneak out of the castle and go swim in the seas, without any regard to her parents' wishes. But, talking to cute boys or even interacting with kids her own age... That's a challenge.
* SpeaksFluentAnimal: {{Deconstructed}}. Melody has the ability to speak with marine life. Unfortunately, her powers cause her to be marginalized as a freak.
* SpinOffSpring: As Ariel's daughter, the spotlight shifted to her for the direct-to-video sequel.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Melody has her mother's face. More specicfically, she's the perfect blend between both of her parents --She inherited her mother's eyes, nose, and facial structure; she inherited her father's hair color, skin tone, smile, and thick eyebrows.
* TakeAThirdOption: At the end of the film, King Triton offers Melody a choice to either live with him and Atlantica as a mermaid, or stay human and live with her family. She chooses neither: instead using his trident to dissolve the castle's seawall so both humans and merfolk can live together.
* TeensAreShort: Downplayed. She's at the age where she'll get hit puberty and get taller.
* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: The Tomboy who loves to go out and swim to Ariel's Girly Girl who acts quite queenly in the sequel.
* TomboyishPonytail: A black, long ponytail.
* TomboyPrincess: She is into boyish things and is a princess.
* TomboyWithAGirlyStreak: Despite being tomboyish, she has a princess canopy bed and a girl-ish styled bedroom.
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: She gave Morgana the trident largely to spite Ariel for lying to her about her mermaid heritage her entire life. She realizes what a bad decision that was seconds later.
* WellDoneDaughterGirl: {{Implied}} in a subtle way in a few scenes.
-->'''Melody:''' ''(to Ariel)'' I just wanted to be a better mermaid than a girl.

!!Atlantica Royalty and Associates

[[folder:King Triton]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Triton.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Kenneth Mars (first two films and the series), Creator/JimCummings (third film)

Triton is the ruler of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. He is a muscular merman, the widower of the late Queen Athena, and the father of Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana and Ariel. He is also the father-in-law of Prince Eric and the grandfather of Ariel and Eric's daughter Melody. As King of Atlantica, he has in his possession a powerful magical trident which appears to be made of gold. It emits a glowing light and a typical sound when in use. Furthermore, he has a crown and two armbands, which also appear to be made out of gold.

* ActionDad: Triton isn't afraid to get his hands dirty if it's to protect Atlantica or his family.
* AdaptationDyeJob: In the first and second movie, his eyes were blue, but in the third movie, his eyes were green.
* AlmostKiss: In the prequel, he almost kisses his wife until he catches his daughters watching them.
* AngerBornOfWorry: Triton only gets angry at his daughters, especially Ariel, because he just wants them to be safe.
* BadassBeard: Long white beard.
* BadassGrandpa: The ruler of the Atlantica Kingdom is an intimidating and powerful merman with a good body build for his age and wields a magical trident as a weapon of choice. He is very prone to anger due to his overprotective personality and [[FantasticRacism his hate on humans]]. Once he is angry he can be unstoppable, whether he is scolding his rebellious daughter Ariel or facing his treacherous former ally Ursula the sea witch. Hadn't Ariel made an undestructible contract with Ursula, he could have give the sea witch an unforgettable lesson. By the sequel, he becomes a proper grandpa to his only known grandchild Melody even though he had already an stablished badassery.
* BadassInCharge: The King of Atlantica and is the ''biggest'' badass there. He may be old, but he can kick some serious ass!
* BalefulPolymorph: Becomes one following his HeroicSacrifice.
* BerserkButton: Anything that reminds him of the human world will set off his HairTriggerTemper. At least until the end of the first film, thanks to Eric.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Triton is a noble and reasonable king with a soft heart...just ''don't'' make him angry.
* BruiserWithASoftCenter: A tough, short-tempered guy who has a soft side.
* BigGood: For Alantica as he's the King and wielder of the trident.
* BigNo: At the beginning of ''Ariel's Beginning'' [[spoiler:when his wife gets crushed to death.]]
* BigOlEyebrows: His gray eyebrows are ''thick''.
* CharacterDevelopment: Whereas Ariel is largely a StaticCharacter, King Triton gets the lions share of development when he realizes being so hard on Ariel just ended up driving her away from him, and when Eric saves his daughters life from Ursula, it allows him to overcome his xenophobia of humans and realize that it's for the better that he lets Ariel stay with Eric. By the time of the sequel, Triton has become accepting of humans. He's presented as still very wise, though incredibly toned down temper wise. However, his aggressive nature remains in times of crises.
* ChickMagnet: As shown in the prequel, besides being in a loving marriage with his wife, two other women (seen at the beginning and end) give him a flirty greeting.
* CoolCrown: Which emphasizes his authority and intimidation.
* CynicismCatalyst: The death of his wife Athena. Before this happened, he was perfectly content to take periodic trips to the surface with his family.
* DemotedToExtra: In the sequel, he only gets a handful of appearances. It's quite justified, because Ariel hadn't seen him during the twelve year gap, and could not for Melody's protection.
* DotingGrandparent: He has a notable soft spot for Melody and highly values her safety.
* FantasticRacism: His insight of humans, and it blinded him to the fact that there are far worse threats than humans.
* FatalFlaw: His loyalty to his family caused him sign over his trident to Ursula to save Ariel and almost made him willingly give it to Morgana in order to ensure Melody's safety.
* FieryRedhead: Even after his hair turned grey, Triton still retains the "fiery" status.
* GodzillaThreshold: Triton never personally gets involved in most problems, usually sending Sebastian to take care of it. When he does get involved, things are that serious.
* TheGoodKing: Shown a lot in the TV series that Triton is a kind, respectful, wise, and fair leader. There was, however at least a period of time when he was something of a tyrant, all because he let his grief consume him.
* GoodParents: King Triton may have made [[NiceJobBreakingItHero a catastrophic mistakes by destroying Ariel's grotto]] and being overprotective, but he's shown to be a very loving, caring father towards Ariel and his daughters. Heck, he even attempted to sacrifice himself for Ariel to Ursula.
* GreenEyes: Only in the prequel.
* HairTriggerTemper: It doesn't really take much to piss him off.
* HappilyMarried: He and Athena deeply loved each other, before her tragic death.
* HeartbrokenBadass: After his wife, Queen Athena, is killed by pirates. He does move on from his wife's death, but doesn't remarry, and it took him a while to accept humans as equals.
* HeroesWantRedheads: Triton was in a loving marriage with the auburn (reddish-brown) Queen Athena.
* HeroicBuild: Just ''look'' at him. Even nearing old age, he still has a broad chest.
* HeroicSacrifice: In the first film, he [[spoiler:swaps places with Ariel when Ursula's taken her prisoner as part of their contract]].
* HeterosexualLifePartners: An interspecies example. He (a merman) and Sebastian (a crab) are each other's best friend, with the latter being the former's closest advisor.
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: The Huge Guy to Athena's Tiny Girl. She's not especially tiny, but looks small compared to Triton who has a [[HeroicBuild massive physique.]]
* InSeriesNickname: "Red" was Triton's childhood nickname.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Sure, he has a temper and may overreact, but he's a softie underneath it all.
* LaserGuidedKarma: By letting his vendetta towards humans get the better of him, he was arguably begging for the heartache of a missing child.
* {{Leitmotif}}: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shvwa0s20mo&feature=related Has a]] {{Fanfare}}.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone:
** After he destroys Ariel's grotto in a fit of rage; the minute Ariel breaks down in tears, Triton has a visible look of guilt on his face before he leaves. Later, he almost says it word-for-word when none of Triton's search parties can find any trace of Ariel.
** He gets one of these in the prequel too, when Ariel says that her mother "wouldn't have wanted this" - "this" being Atlantica empty of music and it being banned.
* NobleBigot: Pre-CharacterDevelopment. Triton may have had an intense hatred for humans, he was also a good king, protective father, and he never used his powers to kill humans. Not even the ones indirectly responsible for his true love's death.
* NotSoDifferent: Like Eric, he is normally portrayed as a benevolent but easily distracted monarch and as loyal to his subjects as they are to him. Especially apparent in the television series.
* OddNameOut: His wife and daughters all have names that start with an "A." His name starts with a "T."
* OhCrap:
** When he realizes that destroying Ariel's grotto indirectly caused the latter to run away and make a deal with Ursula.
** Triton has one of these moments in ''Return to the Sea'' when Melody steals his trident as part of her deal with Morgana.
** He has another one in ''Ariel's Beginning'' when [[spoiler:he realizes that Athena is about to get killed]]. At the end of the film, he's utterly shocked when [[spoiler:Ariel is rendered unconscious]].
* OverprotectiveDad: This may actually be justified. He doesn't want his daughters anywhere near humans (or anything that came from humans) because human pirates were the reason for his wife's death.
* PapaWolf: He's protective of all his daughters and granddaughter. He was all and ready to ''kill'' the people who dare to harm either.
* ParentalFavoritism: Although never addressed in the animated media, Ariel is actually Triton's favorite daughter. The reason behind this being he sees show much in himself in her, personality-wise. Like him, she has red hair, and as seen in the third film, she has an almost uncanny resemblance to his late wife, Queen Athena.
* ParentalSubstitute: His interactions with Urchin are reminiscent of a father and son.
* ParentsAsPeople: Triton blatantly loves Ariel and his other daughters, and many episodes of the TV series show him raising them quite competently, but he has a very overprotective zeal and a temperament that, while not abusive, can be very harsh. It is almost always followed by [[WasTooHardOnHer heavy remorse after he cools down]].
* PhysicalGod: It's implied he is the Triton of GreekMythology. (He looks like a merman, he's king of a race of people that look like him -merpeople - he wields a magical trident, and carries a conch shell at one point). If so, this would make him son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, and a minor deity in his own right.
* ProngsOfPoseidon: Fitting, considering that [[Myth/ClassicalMythology it's implied Poseidon is his father]].
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica.
-->"I consider myself a reasonable merman. I set certain rules, and I expect those rules to be obeyed!"
* RedIsHeroic: Loses his red hair over time, but still retains his heroic qualities.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: He's the King of Atlantica and has no problem taking on a foe who has either his kingdom or family.
* RulingCouple: Before her death, Triton ruled alongside Athena in Atlantica.
* SingleTargetSexuality: He has never stopped loving Athena.
* SuperStrength: His build plus the fact that merpeople have more physical prowess than humans.
* TakeMeInstead: Willingly takes Ariel's place in the contract she signed with Ursula, taking her place as a polyp.
* TookALevelInKindness: [[spoiler: He finally gives up his grudge towards humans as he let Ariel marry Prince Eric]].
* TragicKeepsake: In the Broadway version, his trident is one from his late father Poseidon.
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: His destruction of Ariel's Grotto all but ensured that Ursula would have Ariel make a DealWithTheDevil and stage a plot to assume control of Atlantica.
* UsedToBeASweetKid: An older example. ''The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning'', initially depicts Triton as a devoted and loving father and husband. After his wife's death, he becomes extremely strict and a violent-tempered man, [[CharacterDevelopment but eventually comes to terms with the incident]]. During the series though, we see what a free-spirited kid he used to be when he regressed.
* WasTooHardOnHer: When Ariel disappears from the kingdom in the first film, he blames himself for causing her to run away. And he's not exactly wrong...
* WeaponOfChoice: Triton's main weapon, which is also an ancestral one, is his trident.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Takes extreme measures to prevent Ariel from interacting with the human world. Unfortunately, this helps convince her to strike a deal with Ursula.
* WouldHitAGirl: He attempted to kill or seriously harm Usrula with a blast from his trident; he encased Morgana in a block of ice.
* YouthfulFreckles: In his youth, he had some that represented his energetic nature.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Queen Athena]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Little-mermaid3-disneyscreencaps.com-390.jpg]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' Lorelei Hill Butters (speaking) and Andrea Robinson (singing)

Queen Athena was the wife of King Triton, and the mother of Ariel and her six older sisters. She was the Queen of Atlantica, and beloved by her family and subjects. Unfortunately, she died as a result of a run-in with a big pirate ship when Ariel was very young. A statue of her dancing with Triton is present in his courtyard.
----
* DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: When she was alive, she's shown to be a very caring mother towards her daughters.
* HappilyMarried: Before her death, she and Triton were in a loving, close marriage.
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: The Tiny Girl to Triton's Huge Guy. Athena's not especially tiny, but looks small compared to Triton who has a [[HeroicBuild massive physique.]]
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Her death took a ''very'' long time for Triton to accept and was the [[CynicismCatalyst main trigger for his]] initial hatred of humans.
* TheLostLenore: For her husband -- her death left him so grief struck he banned music in Atlantica because it reminded him of her.
* MamaBear: A small moment, but Athena helped rescue her eldest daughter, Attina, by freeing from being stuck between two rocks to escape from the pirates.
* MissingMom: Died when her daughters were children, her eldest being a pre-teen.
* MumLooksLikeASister: After having seven children (a few being teenagers), she still looks youthful. While she does have the start of a few wrinkles going on, they only appear in certain shots.
* NiceGirl: Kind, motherly, romantic, and caring.
* PosthumousCharacter: Her role in Ariel's backstory doesn't come up until the third installment.
* RapunzelHair: Her hair reaches to her waist.
* SignificantGreenEyedRedhead: Red hair and green eyes. She's also the mother of the franchise's protagonist and is a key figure in the prequel.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: She looks almost exactly like Ariel, except her eyes are green.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Ariel's Sisters]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/497011_1279719521938_full.jpg]]
->'''Attina voiced by:''' Creator/KathSoucie (TV series), Creator/KariWahlgren (third film)\\
'''Alana voiced by:''' Kimmy Robertson (TV series), Creator/JenniferHale (third film)\\
'''Adella voiced by:''' Sherry Lynn (TV series), Creator/TaraStrong (third film)\\
'''Aquata voiced by:''' Sheryl Bernstein (TV series), Creator/GreyDeLisle (third film)\\
'''Arista voiced by:''' Creator/MaryKayBergman (TV series), Creator/GreyDeLisle (third film)\\
'''Andrina voiced by:''' Cathy Cavadini (TV series), Creator/TaraStrong (third film)

Ariel's six older sisters.
----

* {{Expy}}: Inherited alot of her personality, good looks, and even a similar plot from her mother, Ariel. She's also partially based on [[Disney/TheLionKingIISimbasPride Kiara]].

* {{Expy}}:
** Triton is based on "King Neptune" in ''The Fairy Tale" by Hans Christian Andersen.
** He's also inspired from [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Poseidon, the God of the Sea.]]

* {{Expy}}:
** Her appearance was based on the mature version of her youngest daughter.
** Athena was based on some of the mothers of Disney: [[Disney/{{Bambi}} Bambi's mother]], [[Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians Perdita]], and [[Disney/TheLionKing Sarabi]].

* {{Expy}}: Eric is based on "The Prince" in ''The Fairy Tale'' by Hans Christian Andersen.

* {{Expy}}: His body type and the way he walks and runs bears a strong resemblance to The Colonel from ''Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians''. Minus the talking and that Max has grey and white fur, while The Colonel has brown.

* {{Expy}}: Tip and Dash are sea creature versions of [[Disney/TheLionKing Timon and Pumbaa]]. If that wasn't enough, Tip's [[Creator/MaxCasella voice actor]] originally portrayed Timon in the Broadway production.

* {{Expy}}:
** Inspired from the "sea Witch" of Hans Christian Andersen's ''The Little Mermaid''.
** Ursula is based off of Divine (an American drag queen), Norma Desmond (Sunset Boulevard), and [[Disney/TheRescuers Madame Medusa]].

* EvilCounterpart: To Melody. Both have self-esteem problems, MommyIssues making them into [[WellDoneDaughterGirl "well done daughter" girls]], and are {{expy}} of the previous protagonist (Ariel to Melody) and antagonist (Ursula to Morgana). However, Melody is a caring and kind person who is able to repair her relationship with her mother while Morgana is heartless and vindictive who was never able to get the reconciliation she needed.

* {{Expy}}: To Flotsam and Jetsam from the first film.

* {{Expy}}: Benjamin is basically a manatee version of Franchise/WinnieThePooh.

* {{Expy}}: His head is based on [[Disney/{{Fantasia}} Chernabog]].

** After he destroys Ariel's grotto in a fit of rage; the minute Ariel breaks down in tears, Triton has a visible look of guilt on his face before he leaves.
** Almost says this trope verbatim when none of Triton's search parties can find any trace of Ariel.

* FearlessInfant: As a baby, she is also shown smiling and giggling, including when she is held hostage by Morgana and almost fed to Undertow.

* AdaptationalDyeJob: In the first and second movie, his eyes were blue, but in the third movie, his eyes were green.

* Leitmotif: "Part Of Your World" and "Part Of Your World (Reprise)".

* BadassGrandpa: The ruler of the Atlantica Kingdom is an intimidating and powerful merman with a good body build for his age and wields a magical trident as a weapon of choice. He is very prone to anger due to his overprotective personality and [[FantasticRacism his hate on humans]]. Once he is angry he can be unstoppable, whether he is scolding his rebellious daughter Ariel or facing his treacherous former ally Ursula the sea witch. Hadn't Ariel made an undestructible contract with Ursula, he could have give the sea witch an unforgettable lesson. By the sequel, he became a proper grandpa even though he had already an stablished badassery. He becomes a literal example in the sequel, to his only known grandchild Melody.

* BadassGrandpa: In the sequel, to his only known grandchild Melody.

* BigOlEyebrows: His gray eyebrows.
* CharacterDevelopment: Wheras Ariel is largely a StaticCharacter, King Triton gets the lions share of development when he realizes being so hard on Ariel just ended up driving her away from him, and when Eric saves his daughters life from Ursula, it allows him to overcome his xenophobia of humans and realize that it's for the better that he lets Ariel stay with Eric. By the time of the sequel, Triton has become accepting of humans. He's presented as still very wise, though incredibly toned down temper wise. However, his aggressive nature remains in times of crises.
* ChickMagnet: As shown in the prequel when two women are seen flirting with him.

* CynicismCatalyst: [[spoiler:The death of his wife Athena]]. Before this happened, he was perfectly content to take periodic trips to the surface with his family.

* YouthfulFreckles: In his youth.

* MamaBear: A small moment, but Athena helped rescue her trapped daughter, Attina, so she could escape from the pirates.

->'''Voiced by:''' Christopher Daniel Barnes (1st film), Creator/JeffBennett (TV series), Creator/RobPaulsen (2nd film)

* AngerBornOfWorry: Frequently in the first film.

* CharacterDevelopment: Sebastian has, perhaps, ''the'' most dynamic character growth in the original movie. Goes from a [[TheComicallySerious pompous]], [[ItsAllAboutMe self-centered]] [[DirtyCoward coward]] who just wants to write symphonies and convince Ariel to act like "all the normal fish" so ''he'' doesn't get in trouble with her father, to a brave and selfless hero who willingly risks his own life ''many'' times to ensure Ariel's happiness. (And keep in mind that Ariel is ''not'' his daughter like Triton, nor his love interest like Eric, nor even really his friend at first like Flounder and Scuttle. Ariel isn't even his favorite student, since her constant no-shows cause him no end of trouble. Yet, Sebastian ''still'' risks it all to help Ariel, all just to make a young lady happy.) He also learns to overcome his fear of humans, going from running scared of Chef Louis to confidently knocking the chef out with a loose beam at the end of the film.

* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: Sebastian gets hit with this ''hard'' in the original movie. He's the only member of Ariel's inner circle who tries to discourage her interest in humans, and after she gains legs he's the only one who advocates using the short time she has to cancel her deal with Ursula instead of risking it all on a slim chance of victory. It's only after Sebastian agrees to go along with Ariel, Flounder, and Scuttle's (very dangerous) plan for her to woo the prince that he's portrayed sympathetically. (Though no less of a ButtMonkey.)
* ConflictingLoyalty: Sebastian ''is'' originally tasked by '''King''' Triton to keep ''Princess'' Ariel out of trouble (and away from humans). As Sebastian becomes more aware of Ariel's feelings he becomes increasingly torn between keeping Ariel's secrets, and keeping Triton happy. He ultimately chooses Ariel.

* DudeWheresMyRespect: Has this reaction frequently, especially after becoming Ariel's BadlyBatteredBabysitter.

* FriendOrIdolDecision: When Ariel first becomes human, Sebastian resolves to tell her father about Ursula's deal so they can reverse it. This would conveniently free Sebastian from his job as Ariel's BadlyBatteredBabysitter, and possibly allow him to return to his old job as royal court composer. However, when he realizes just how miserable this would make Ariel, Sebastian decides to give up his "idol" (his king, his job) for the sake of his "friend" (Ariel).

* HypercompetentSidekick: To Ariel after she becomes human, since Ariel and Flounder are [[AccidentalPun out of their element]] on land, and Scuttle [[KnowNothingKnowItAll doesn't know as much as he thinks he does]]. It's Sebastian's plans that help Ariel woo Eric, and later stall the wedding (and get Triton for good measure), that gives her a fighting chance against Ursula's treachery.

* KnightInSourArmor: Has his moments in the original film. He doesn't exactly ''want'' to risk life and limb to help Ariel fit in among humans, but he helps her anyway because it's the right thing.

* LooseLips: How Triton got to know about Ariel saving Eric, and her grotto filled with human treasures.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: The horrified and guilt-ridden look on his face after Triton destroys Ariel's treasures, all because of his big mouth, says it all.

* RedOniBlueOni: Played with in regards to Ariel. In the face of danger Sebastian is very [[StealthPun Red]] ([[DramaQueen dramatic]], [[AngerBornOfWorry temperamental]], and [[NervousWreck heatedly convinced everything is a catastrophe]]), while Ariel is very calm, cool, and confident that things will turn out. However, when it comes to planning Ariel is very reckless and impulsive, [[LeeroyJenkins preferring to leap into action and worry about fallout later]], while Sebastian is much more cautious and meticulous, [[TheStrategist preferring to look and plan ahead before leaping]].

* ReformedButNotTamed: While Sebastian becomes brave and selfless following Ariel's adventure, he retains some of his old DramaQueen and self-aggrandizing ways.

* SarcasticDevotee: He often snarks and complains when following Ariel around, but he's devoted to her completely.

* AdaptationalModesty: In the original story he was topless.

%%* EvilSoundsDeep: Comes with being voiced by Tim Curry.

* {{Socially Awkward Hero}}ine: Melody will effortlessly sneak out of the castle and go swim in the seas, without any regard to her parents' wishes. But, talking to cute boys... That's a challenge.

!!Titular Protagonist

* HalfHumanHybrid: The first hybrid in Disney. She is half human (father)-half mermaid (mother), {{Deconstructed}} as it leaves her feeling like an outsider and a weirdo almost constantly.

* HalfHumanHybrid: The first hybrid in Disney. She is half human (father)-half mermaid (mother), deconstructed as it leaves her feeling like an outsider and a weirdo almost constantly.

* HalfHumanHybrid: The first hybrid in Disney. She is half human (father)-half mermaid (mother).

!!Atlantica Royalty and Associates

[[folder:King Triton]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Triton.png]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Kenneth Mars (first two films and the series), Creator/JimCummings (third film)

Triton is the ruler of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. He is a muscular merman, the widower of the late Queen Athena, and the father of Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana and Ariel. He is also the father-in-law of Prince Eric and the grandfather of Ariel and Eric's daughter Melody. As King of Atlantica, he has in his possession a powerful magical trident which appears to be made of gold. It emits a glowing light and a typical sound when in use. Furthermore, he has a crown and two armbands, which also appear to be made out of gold.

[[folder:Melody]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/melody318.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TaraStrong

Melody is the protagonist of ''The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea''. She is the daughter of Ariel and Prince Eric, and the princess of her father's kingdom.

* ActionGirl: In the climax when she briefly attacks Morgana with the trident.
* {{Adorkable}}: Interacting with kids her age makes her ''really'' awkward. And cute boys? Melody can't even utter a sentence. Especially when she meets a cute merboy during her time in Atlantica.
* {{All Loving Hero}}ine: Melody is a NiceGirl and ''never'' meant to hurt anyone. Probably not even Morgana at the end.
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: A rare example where someone of high status is marginalized, because of her "weird" behavior.
* BadassAdorable: Melody is a beautiful, {{adorkable}} child who, in the climax, goes to attack Morgana.
* BadassPrincess: The princess of her kingdom, a skilled swimmer, and inherited her mother's mermaid abilities.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Melody wished to become a mermaid. She got more than she bargained for.
* BerserkButton: {{Implied}}. When she was being reprimanded by her mother for going out into the sea, disobeying her rules. Notice that Melody didn't say anything and just took it. But when Ariel calls the sea "dangerous", it's only ''then'' that Melody yells back. She has a similar reaction later when Ariel says that she did everything [[ForYourOwnGood to protect her]], which quickly makes her give the trident to Morgana.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Like her parents and grandfather, Melody is usually polite person. But, if you make her angry? ''All bets are off''.
* BeYourself: The lesson Melody learns at the end of the movie.
-->'''Melody:''' I just wanted to be a better mermaid than a girl.
-->'''Ariel:''' Oh no sweetie, it doesn't matter if you have fins or feet. We love you for who you are on the inside, our very brave little girl.
* BigOlEyebrows: Something she inherited from her father where his thick, black eyebrows.
* BrainyBrunette: She's very smart and mature for her age.
* BreakTheCutie: From her ruined birthday party to discovering that she indirectly stole from her grandfather.
* CallingTheOldWomanOut: Twice to Ariel.
** First, Melody yells at her mother for [[BerserkButton saying the ocean is dangerous]] even though she's [[DramaticIrony never been in it.]]
** Second, when Ariel (now in mermaid form) tries to persuade Melody to give her the trident, Melody calls her out for lying to her about Atlantica and trying to keep Melody from the sea despite being aware of how much her daughter loved it.
* {{Celibate Hero}}ine: Donwplayed. Two boys are shown interacting with Melody and she is shown to enjoy interacting with them in turn. But she is never shown expressing any interest in them specifically. Melody only laments that she cannot fit in with children her age.
* ChildOfTwoWorlds: {{Zig zagged}}. While Melody is half-mermaid and half-human ('Never been seen, never before!'/'A child is born of sea and shore!') and ultimately brings the human and mermaid communities together at the end of the film, the reason Ariel cut ties with Atlantica was because she thought keeping Melody ignorant of her mermaid heritage was the only way to save her from Morgana.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Ariel is a mermaid who's obsessed with the land and wants to become human, while her daughter, the main character of the sequel, is a human but is drawn to the ocean and wants to be a mermaid. They're not strikingly different in temperament, but their goals are complete opposites.
* DealWithTheDevil: When she trades Triton's trident to Morgana in the second movie in order to become a permanent mermaid.
* {{Determinator}}: One of the strongest qualities she shares with both parents.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: Runs in the family.
* {{Expy}}: Inherited alot of her personality, good looks, and even a similar plot from her mother, Ariel. She's also partially based on [[Disney/TheLionKingIISimbasPride Kiara]].
* FatalFlaw: Her impulsiveness leads to her making a DealWithTheDevil and nearly dooms Atlantica.
* FreudianTrio: The Ego to Tip's Superego and Dash's Id.
* FriendToAllLivingThings: {{Justified}}. She has a strong connection with the creatures of the sea because of her mother being born a mermaid. The Disneystrology even stated that people born on Melody's birthday (January 14) "cherish animals and enjoy their companionship."
* FriendlessBackground: Heavily implied. She's not shown to have any human friends because they think she's weird.
* GenerationXerox: Melody has gained a lot of Ariel's looks (sans hair and eye color), personality, and DealWithTheDevil scenario (with some minor differences). The major difference is their dreams (Ariel becoming a human, Melody wanting to be a mermaid).
* AGirlAndHerX: Melody has close friendships with animals.
** A Girl And Her Dog: Doesn't have as much screen time with Max, but it is probably a close relationship given her natural love for animals.
** A Girl And Her Dolphin: Melody appears to have a friendship with the unnamed dolphin in her first scene as a teen.
* HairDecorations: Melody wears a variety of these throughout the movie.
** As a baby, she wears a pink/white bow.
** During her 12th birthday party, she dons a pink ponytail.
** Throughout most of the story she wears a blue ponytail.
** At the end, she's wearing a white ponytail.
* HalfHumanHybrid: The first hybrid in Disney. She is half human (father)-half mermaid (mother).
* HasAType: {{Implied}}. The only two possible love interests Melody has are both blondes.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: Melody has a lot of low self-esteem issues.
* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: One of Melody's biggest personal flaws. She is completely naive enough to trust in the ObviouslyEvil Sea Witch Morgana and do her bidding. [[spoiler:And only after she gives Morgana the trident, does she realize her horrible mistake]].
* HumanMomNonhumanDad: {{Inverted}}. Her mother is nonhuman (mermaid) and her father is the human.
* IJustWantToBeSpecial: In direct contrast to her mother, Melody dreams of being a mermaid.
* InnocentBlueEyes: Melody's blue eyes represent her naive and adventurous personality.
* InSeriesNickname: By accident. When Alex asked for her name, she was too lovestruck to answer completely and said, "Mel-Mel".
* InterspeciesFriendship:
** Her closest friends include Sebastian (crab), Scuttle (seagull), Tip (penguin), Dash (walrus), and Flounder (fish).
** She may have possibly became friends with the snooty, human kids.
** Melody may have also became friends with the merteens she met in Atlantica.
** As the only Mer-Human any friends Melody has qualify as this.
* InterspeciesRomance: Melody, the first mer-human, apparently has a crush on Alex, a merboy, and really any romance she would have would qualify.
* KidHasAPoint: Her reasons for running away are quite understandable, considering how she felt interacting with her peers.
* {{Kid Hero}}ine: Only 12-years-old and is the sequel's protagonist.
* LikeParentLikeChild: Melody has a sassy and headstrong personality who reflects upon the personality of her mother in her younger years, but her insecurity around others and socially-awkward tendencies stem from her father. While Sebastian states that Melody is "just like her mother" in ''The Little Mermaid II'', many similarities exist between Melody and her father, Prince Eric. Her sense of adventure, curiosity and willingness to take risks exist in both Ariel and Prince Eric, but her mild shyness stems from a sheltered upbringing and her father's personality.
* LittleMissBadass: She had inherited some of her mother's superhuman traits, namely speed and strength, the latter of which is demonstrated by her scaling an ice wall with little problems late into the film. She also inherited superhuman endurance, as evidenced by her not being crushed into oblivion when forcibly changed back into a human by Morgana despite the depth she was at.
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Deconstructed. Ariel thought it would be best to keep Melody's true heritage a secret. But, this comes back to haunt her 12 years later since Melody goes to Morgana for help and sea witch uses Melody's ignorance to her advantage.
* MeaningfulName: "Melody" is Greek for "song", which alludes to her mother's love for singing, as well as her own love for it.
* ModestRoyalty: Judging from the mild reactions of the snooty kids, it wasn't uncommon to see the ''Princess of the Kingdom'' in her underwear.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: After she gives Morgana the trident and realizes that Morgana was EvilAllAlong.
* NiceGirl: One of the friendliest.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: She probably should have given Triton's trident to Ariel when the latter confronted Morgana. However, her actions in giving the trident to Morgana ends up dooming Atlantica. "You've got no one to blame but yourself," indeed.
* OhCrap:
** When she realizes that Morgan tricked her into giving her Triton's trident to spite Ariel for lying about her heritage.
** She has another one when she is about to be transformed back into a human after Morgana traps her.
* PimpedOutDress: Being a princess, she has to wear some for formal events.
* PrincessesPreferPink: Her ballroom dress is pink. Her mermaid tail is close to pink.
* RapunzelHair: Even in the ponytail, her hair reaches down to her waist.
* RavenHairIvorySkin: Long, black hair with a pale complexion.
* RebelliousPrincess: Disobeyed her parents' rule of not going out into the sea.
* RoyalBrat: {{Averted}}. Melody never uses her title as a princess for selfish or vain reasons.
* TheRunaway: Which sets the story in motion.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After her argument with Ariel, Melody runs off to the ocean to become a mermaid.
* SmittenTeenageGirl: Downplayed. She's totally lovestruck by the cute, blonde merboy she meets in Atlantica; this detours her initial "mission" in the underwater city.
* {{Socially Awkward Hero}}ine: Melody will effortlessly sneak out of the castle and go swim in the seas, without any regard to her parents' wishes. But, talking to cute boys... That's a challenge.
* SpeaksFluentAnimal: {{Deconstructed}}. Melody has the ability to speak with marine life. Unfortunately, her powers cause her to be marginalized as a freak.
* SpinOffSpring: As Ariel's daughter, the spotlight shifted to her for the direct-to-video sequel.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Melody has her mother's face. More specicfically, she's the perfect blend between both of her parents --She inherited her mother's eyes, nose, and facial structure; she inherited her father's hair color, skin tone, smile, and thick eyebrows.
* TakeAThirdOption: At the end of the film, King Triton offers Melody a choice to either live with him and Atlantica as a mermaid, or stay human and live with her family. She chooses neither: instead using his trident to dissolve the castle's seawall so both humans and merfolk can live together.
* TeensAreShort: Downplayed. She's at the age where she'll get hit puberty and get taller.
* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: The Tomboy who loves to go out and swim to Ariel's Girly Girl who acts quite queenly in the sequel.
* TomboyishPonytail: A black, long ponytail.
* TomboyPrincess: She is into boyish things and is a princess.
* TomboyWithAGirlyStreak: Despite being tomboyish, she has a princess canopy bed and a girl-ish styled bedroom.
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: She gave Morgana the trident largely to spite Ariel for lying to her about her mermaid heritage her entire life. She realizes what a bad decision that was seconds later.
* WellDoneDaughterGirl: {{Implied}} in a subtle way in a few scenes.
-->'''Melody:''' ''(to Ariel)'' I just wanted to be a better mermaid than a girl.
[[/folder]]

!!Allies

[[folder:Scuttle The Seagull]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Tlmpe153.jpg]]
->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BuddyHackett (1st and 2nd films), Creator/MauriceLaMarche (TV series), Chris Edgerly (Walt Disney Parks And Resorts)

Scuttle is a seagull and friend of Ariel, as well as a major supporting character. He appears in the film as an expert on human objects with whom Ariel consults about items she salvages, though his identifications consist of nonsense.
----

* Expy: Benjamin is basically a manatee version of Franchise/WinnieThePooh.

* UncertainDoom: He's left trapped in the anchor, [[FridgeHorror and sharks need to move in order to get oxygen.]] So unless he manages to free himself, he's going to slowly suffocate or starve to death. [[BewareTheNiceOnes Yeah, don't mess with Ariel.]]

* BlatantLies: Her entire VillainSong "Poor Unfortunate Souls," where she swears up and down she's not evil anymore and only uses her magic only to help those in need. She does admit that "once or twice, someone couldn't pay the price," and she had to "rake 'em across the coals"... ''right in front of a huge garden full of the "poor unfortunate souls" she made deals with.''

* {{Expy}}: His body type and the way he walks and runs bears a strong resemblance to The Colonel from ''Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians''. Minus the talking and that Max has grey and white fur, while The Colonel has brown.