Strong Female Characters: Disney Princesses vs. Hayao Miyazaki

While killing time on the internet yesterday, I came across an article on Wired titled "Great Geek Debates: Disney Princesses vs. Hayao Miyazaki." The author, Erik Wecks, a father of three girls, says: 

"I have found [Miyazaki's] work to provide a needed vaccine for my girls against the creeping illness of princess-itis."

After acknowledging that Disney owns the distribution rights for the English dubs of Miyazaki's films, Wecks goes on to list the three reasons why he'd rather have his daughters pretend to be a Miyazaki heroine rather than a Disney princess:

1. Archetypes vs. Characters. "Almost all the actions of Disney princesses still seem to be defined in relationship to their man." In contrast, lead female characters in Miyazaki films "have interests, a life, and a personality beyond their relationships with men"

2. Attraction vs. relationship. "In every film from the Disney princess industrial complex, romance is based upon the laws of attraction, dare I say, based upon sexuality."

3. Untrustworthy parents versus high-functioning families. "Finally, in almost every movie from the Disney princess industrial complex, the parents are either absent or the problem in some way or another. From repressive fathers to evil step-mothers, bad parenting is often the problem for a Disney princess. By the end of the film, rebellion from these constraining forces always proves to be the liberating and correct answer for a young princess.

The 2 photos above perfectly illustrate Disney's princesses vs. Miyazaki's heroines. Source.

I'd have to say, I totally agree with Weck's argument. In my two favorite films by Miyazaki, "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro," the lead characters are young girls whose bravery helps them achieve their goal. These characters aren't just strong or brave, though. They're smart, funny, curious, committed, decisive. They're more than just a cute face. In "Spirited Away," Chihiro's interest in Haku takes a back seat to the goal, which is saving her parents. While Haku helps her along the way, their friendship/relationship is never really the center of attention. 

I've also always admired that Miyazaki's characters fall for each other because of personality - not looks. As Weck points out, the lovebirds in Miyazaki's "Ponyo" are 2 five-year-olds, but it's still a great example of how two people develop a close bond through their personalities and their experiences together rather than just because they think the other person is good-looking. 

While Disney princess movies have shifted a bit and show more proactive characters like Mulan and Fiona, they are still motivated by the guy they like. And honestly, I think they're all beauty and no brains. The independence that Miyazaki's characters show is something all young girls should be exposed to and look up to.