# Ariel (TV series)

Ariel, also known as Disney Jr.'s Ariel, is an American animated television series produced by Wild Canary Animation. The series is inspired by "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen, the 1989 animated film of the same name by Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the 2023 live-action remake. It debuted on Disney Jr. on June 27, 2024.

## Premise

Ariel is growing up with her friends in the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. As she attends magic camp taught by her "tauntie Ursula", Ariel goes on a number of adventures, learning about her Caribbean-inspired surroundings and inspiring others with her voice.

## Characters
### Main

* Ariel (voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris) is an 8-year-old mermaid princess of the underwater kingdom Atlantica.
* King Triton (voiced by Taye Diggs as an adult, Jeremiah Felder as a child) is Ariel's father, Ursula's brother and King of Atlantica. As a kid, he had the nickname Tri-Tri.
* Ursula (voiced by Amber Riley), a sea witch and Triton's sister and Ariel's aunt. Unlike the films, Ursula is not antagonistic and has been nicknamed "Tauntie" by Ariel.
** Ebb and Flo, Ursula's pet moray eels
* Lucia (voiced by Elizabeth Phoenix Caro) is Ariel's friend.
* Fernie (voiced by Cruz Flateau) is Ariel's friend.
* Flounder (voiced by Gracen Newton) is a fish who is Ariel's friend.

### Recurring

* Sebastian (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is a crab who is the royal composer and one of Ariel's friends. Richardson reprises his role from the Kingdom Hearts video games.
* Ravi (voiced by Parvesh Cheena)
* Ayanna (voiced by Dana Heath) is Alanna's twin sister and Ariel's older sister.
* Alanna (voiced by Jessica Mikayla) is Ayanna's twin sister and Ariel's older sister.
* Hermès (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams)
* Cristina Cuttles (voiced by Alanna Ubach)
* Clamila (voiced by Somali Rose)
* Delfino (voiced by Ron Funches)
* Navi (voiced by Melissa Villaseñor)
* Bembé (voiced by Madelyn Skyler Tee)
* Tantie Chantale (voiced by Danni Washington)
* Aquatica (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown)

### Guest

* Squid (voiced by Parvesh Cheena)
* Duke of Clownfish (voiced by Jeff Bennett)
* Jewels (voiced by Amari McCoy)
* Revi (voiced by Rizwan Manji)
* Wahoo Fish (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams)
* Remy (voiced by Ryan Lopez)
* Sanka (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui)
* Kite Monster (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson)
* Ronaldo (voiced by Ayush Rajmachikar)
* Gabi Guppy (voiced by Abril Bellido)
* Mer-Mom (voiced by Grey DeLisle)
* Gigi Guppy (voiced by Emma Rodriguez)
* Marla (voiced by Alanna Ubach)
* Santa Mer-Claus (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson)

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original release date | Prod. code |
| 1 | "Atlantica Day" | Kuni Tomita | Keith Wagner | Clint Taylor & Wendy Grieb | June 27, 2024 (2024-6-27) | 101 |
| 1 | "A Winner's Spirit" | Steven E. Gordon | Norma P. Sepulveda | Pete Mekis & Rick Farmiloe | June 27, 2024 (2024-6-27) | 101 |
| 2 | "Ursula's Magic Camp" | Dan Fraga | Maria Escobedo | Shawna Cha & Wendy Grieb | June 27, 2024 (2024-6-27) | 102 |
| 2 | "Fernie's Notebook" | Dan Fraga | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Rafael Rosado, Jordan Koch & Rick Farmiloe | June 27, 2024 (2024-6-27) | 102 |
| 3 | "Crystal Cavern Caper" | Steven E. Gordon | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Clint Taylor & Wendy Grieb | June 28, 2024 (2024-6-28) | 104 |
| 3 | "A Banner Moment" | Steven E. Gordon | Maria Escobedo | Barry Caldwell | June 28, 2024 (2024-6-28) | 104 |
| 4 | "The Endless Sleepover" | Dan Fraga | Keith Wagner | Jordan Koch | July 5, 2024 (2024-7-5) | 105 |
| 4 | "Daddy Daughter Dinner" | Dan Fraga | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Rafael Rosado & Wendy Grieb | July 5, 2024 (2024-7-5) | 105 |
| 5 | "Copy Catfish" | Monica Tomova | Maria Escobedo | Robert Souza & Wendy Grieb | July 12, 2024 (2024-7-12) | 106 |
| 5 | "Happy Crabby Day" | Monica Tomova | Shawneè & Shawnelle Gibbs | Arthur Valencia & Floyd Norman | July 12, 2024 (2024-7-12) | 106 |
| 6 | "Smoothie Shake-Up" | Steven E. Gordon | Norma P. Sepulveda | Pete Mekis & Wendy Grieb | July 19, 2024 (2024-7-19) | 107 |
| 6 | "Family Picture Day" | Steven E. Gordon | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Clint Taylor | July 19, 2024 (2024-7-19) | 107 |
| 7 | "The Cuttlebaby Sitter" | Dan Fraga | Story by : Halcyon Person Written by : Maria Escobedo | Rafael Rosado & Wendy Grieb | July 26, 2024 (2024-7-26) | 108 |
| 7 | "Flounder the Leader" | Dan Fraga | Joe Purdy | Jordan Koch & Rick Farmiloe | July 26, 2024 (2024-7-26) | 108 |
| 8 | "The Clean Team" | Monica Tomova | Keith Wagner | Robert Souza | August 2, 2024 (2024-8-2) | 103 |
| 8 | "Clamming Up" | Monica Tomova | Norma P. Sepulveda | Arthur Valencia & Wendy Grieb | August 2, 2024 (2024-8-2) | 103 |
| 9 | "The Singing Dolphin" | Steven E. Gordon | Maria Escobedo | Kelly James & Wendy Grieb | August 9, 2024 (2024-8-9) | 109 |
| 9 | "The Happy Patty Clap" | Steven E. Gordon | Michelle Calderón | Clint Taylor | August 9, 2024 (2024-8-9) | 109 |
| 10 | "Ravi and Navi" | Monica Tomova | Maria Escobedo | Robert Souza | August 16, 2024 (2024-8-16) | 111 |
| 10 | "Chef Flounder" | Monica Tomova | Teresa Kale | Arthur Valencia & Wendy Grieb | August 16, 2024 (2024-8-16) | 111 |
| 11 | "The Brave Little Goby" | Dan Fraga | Keith Wagner | Jordan Koch | August 30, 2024 (2024-8-30) | 110 |
| 11 | "Kid Triton" | Dan Fraga | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Rafael Rosado & Rick Farmiloe | August 30, 2024 (2024-8-30) | 110 |
| 12 | "Ariel's Tall Mer-Tale" | Monica Tomova | Keith Wagner | Robert Souza, Rick Farmiloe & Wendy Grieb | September 6, 2024 (2024-9-6) | 114 |
| 12 | "Remy, the Houseguest" | Monica Tomova | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Arthur Valencia | September 6, 2024 (2024-9-6) | 114 |
| 13 | "La Sirenusca" | Steven E. Gordon | Norma P. Sepulveda | Clint Taylor & George Oliver Holguin | September 30, 2024 (2024-9-30) | 112 |
| 13 | "Substitute Sebastian" | Steven E. Gordon | Walinase J. Mbekeani | Kelly James Givan & Wendy Grieb | September 30, 2024 (2024-9-30) | 112 |
| 14 | "The Kite Monster" | Dan Fraga | Norma P. Sepulveda | Rafael Rosado & Wendy Grieb | October 4, 2024 (2024-10-4) | 113 |
| 14 | "The Spooky Mirror Trick" | Dan Fraga | Maria Escobedo | Jordan Koch | October 4, 2024 (2024-10-4) | 113 |
| 15 | "Fernie's Dra Konfó" | Steven E. Gordon | Michelle Calderón | Clint Taylor & Wendy Grieb | October 25, 2024 (2024-10-25) | 115 |
| 15 | "Lucia, Lucia, Lucia!" | Steven E. Gordon | Michelle Calderón | Kelly James Givan | October 25, 2024 (2024-10-25) | 115 |
| 16 | "The Lost Dogfish" | Steven E. Gordon | Maria Escobedo | Clint Taylor & Wendy Grieb | November 8, 2024 (2024-11-8) | 118 |
| 16 | "Swim Scouts" | Steven E. Gordon | Michelle Calderón | Kelly James Givan | November 8, 2024 (2024-11-8) | 118 |
| 17 | "Daddy Daughter Adventure Day" | Dan Fraga | Norma P. Sepulveda | Jordan Koch & Wendy Grieb | November 29, 2024 (2024-11-29) | 119 |
| 17 | "Rainbow Sea Caves" | Dan Fraga | Norma P. Sepulveda | Rafael Rosado | November 29, 2024 (2024-11-29) | 119 |
| 18 | "Flounder's Christmas Letter" | Dan Fraga | Walinase J. Mbekeani, Norma P. Sepulveda & Keith Wagner | Jordan Koch & Lincoln Adams | December 2, 2024 (2024-12-2) | 116 |
| 18 | "Holiday Toy Box Trouble" | Dan Fraga | Keith Wagner | Rafael Rosado & Wendy Grieb | December 2, 2024 (2024-12-2) | 116 |
| 19 | "The Great Big Garden Show" | Kuni Tomita | Maria Escobedo | George Oliver Holguin & Tara Nicole Whitaker | January 10, 2025 (2025-1-10) | 120 |
| 19 | "The Sea Sniffles" | Kuni Tomita | Denisse de la Cruz | Arthur Valencia & Wendy Grieb | January 10, 2025 (2025-1-10) | 120 |
| 20 | "Razzle Dazzle" | Unknown | Maria Escobedo | TBA | February 7, 2025 (2025-2-7) | 121 |
| 20 | "Fernie's Float" | Unknown | Keith Wagner | TBA | February 7, 2025 (2025-2-7) | 121 |
| 21 | "Jewels the Winner" | TBA | Michelle Calderón | TBA | March 7, 2025 (2025-3-7) | TBA |
| 21 | "Abuelita’s Shawl" | TBA | Norma P. Sepulveda | TBA | March 7, 2025 (2025-3-7) | TBA |

## Mermaid Tales

| No. | Title | Disney+ release date | YouTube/Disney Jr. release date |
| 1 | "Ariel's Tail" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 4, 2024 (YouTube) June 5, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 2 | "The Quiet Game" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 5, 2024 (Disney Jr.) June 6, 2024 (YouTube) |
| 3 | "Palace Puzzle" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 5, 2024 (Disney Jr.) June 6, 2024 (YouTube) |
| 4 | "Ariel's Palace Tour" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 6, 2024 (YouTube) June 7, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 5 | "The Friendship Smoothie" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 7, 2024 (YouTube) June 10, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 6 | "A Fashion Emergency" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 8, 2024 (YouTube) June 11, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 7 | "Dress Up Mess Up" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 8, 2024 (YouTube) June 12, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 8 | "Magic Breakfast" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 8, 2024 (YouTube) June 13, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 9 | "The Silly Trumpetfish" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 8, 2024 (YouTube) June 14, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |
| 10 | "Hiccup Gone Amuck" | June 5, 2024 (2024-6-5) | June 8, 2024 (YouTube) June 24, 2024 (Disney Jr.) |

## Production

During the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis announced the development of an animated television series inspired by "The Little Mermaid." The series is produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior. Lynne Southerland serves as executive producer, while Keith Wagner and Norma P. Sepulveda act as story editors. Ezra Edmond is credited as producer, with Kuni Tomita Bowen as supervising director and Chrystin Garland as art director. To ensure cultural authenticity, the production team consulted Dr. Patricia Saunders for cultural supervision and Sean Skeete for guidance on Caribbean music, aiming to accurately represent Caribbean heritage. The songwriting team consists of Tone Jones, Sofia Quinn, and Olivia "Livvi" Waithe. The main cast was announced in August 2023, which included Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel, Taye Diggs as King Triton, and Amber Riley as Ursula, among others.

## Music

All credits adapted from Apple Music and Spotify.

### Singles

| Year | Title | Album | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
| 2024 | "Shimmer" | Disney Jr. Music: Ariel | Anthony M. Jones, Sofia Quinn, Olivia Waithe | Anthony M. Jones |
| 2024 | "Ariel (Theme Song)" | Disney Jr. Music: Ariel | Chantry Johnson, Michelle Zarlenga, Rosemarie Tan | Chantry Johnson |

### Studio albums

| Title | Details |
| Disney Jr. Music: Ariel | Released: May 10, 2024 Label: Walt Disney Records Formats: Digital download, streaming Track listing "Ariel (Theme Song)" "Shimmer" "Making Waves" "One Colorful Ocean" "Zim Zam Bazoo" "Let Your Music Play" "So Many Flavors" "Sebastian's Song" "Trust in What You Know" "Enjoy the Ride" |

## Release

The first trailer for Ariel was released on International Mermaid Day, confirming that Ursula is portrayed as Ariel's aunt and former instructor at a magic camp. The series premiered on Disney Jr. and later aired on Disney Channel on June 27, 2024. The series was subsequently made available for streaming on Disney+. Furthermore, both Ariel and Ariel: Mermaid Tales were released on Disney Now.

## Reception
### Critical response

Caleb Gottry of Plugged In complimented how Ariel depicts mixed and same-gender friendships, and asserted that children learn lessons about forgiveness, patience, and responsibility through the show. Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media gave Ariel a score of five stars out of five and noted the depiction of positive messages and role models, stating the character of Ariel is kind and caring. She acknowledged the educational value of the series, saying Ariel teaches social-emotional lessons, and wrote, "Fresh take on beloved mermaid will delight littlest viewers."

### Accolades

Ariel was nominated for Best Animated Television/Media Production for Preschool Children at the 52nd Annie Awards. It also received a nomination for Outstanding Animated Series at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.

## In other media
### Miscellaneous

* Disney Jr.'s Ariel made her debut at Disneyland during the Disney Jr. "Let’s Play! Parade," which took place on D23 Day at Disney California Adventure.
* In August 2024, Disney Publishing Worldwide released a picture book titled Disney Junior Ariel: A Magical Mess.