This is the first post in my discussion of important changes, additions, or inclusions in Disney storytelling. I am starting here because it is the most recent and also because it is my discussions with others about this film that was the impetus for starting this series.

Earlier today, my husband reposted a discussion post from Facebook where user Aimee Ford wrote and supported her observation that “Mariano is the most important character in Encanto. Not for the story, but for *Disney.” The post has since been removed or hidden, so I cannot link to it, but here are my screenshots of it:

I think Encanto is important because many of the characters break a mold. Here are just a few of my thoughts:

Augustin and Felix are very strong men to love and marry women who are objectively stronger and more powerful in their community and are recognized for their gifts. In “our” world, they would be seen as weak for not dominating their wives.

Augustin is in a particularly interesting position. He married into the family without powers and no expectations of getting them. Mirabel was expected to have them, but didn’t get them. He tries to empathize with her because he knows how it feels to be powerless among the gifted, but he never experienced the rejection and disappointment Mirabel did because he was never expected to be more. He has to watch his family crap all over his youngest daughter.

The head of the family is a woman. Not a king. Not a king and a queen. Not even a queen. Not anyone from whom leadership was expected. Not someone who had been groomed for power or raised learning how to bear such a huge responsibility. Just a “regular” woman. And she is in charge. Although the story involves the recognition that she made mistakes, Mirabel’s speech emphasizes that it was Abuela’s strength and sacrifice that allowed her to receive the miracle in the first place and save the family, but now the burden is no longer solely on her shoulders and she can let go and enjoy life without all of the responsibility.

I love the tensions being caused by Louisa. She is strong physically and is drawn consistent with that strength. They did not make her petite and magically strong. She looks like a physically strong person. But she in unapologetically feminine in dress and mannerisms, particularly when dancing. People are fighting about whether she is trans, but I think the beauty is that we don’t and won’t ever know. It isn’t relevant to the story and it isn’t any of our business. We have to accept her and her pronouns as is. We can’t test her DNA or look up her skirt. We have to live without knowing. And I think that is exactly the right answer.

I love that even though Dolores is interested in Mariano, she has no objections to Isabella marrying him without getting to know him because of family expectations. Indeed, arguably, Dolores knows Mariano even better than Isabella because she has heard him—as she tells him. But once Mariano is available and it is her relationship, she is not about to rush it. “Slow Down!” is her response to his proposal. Following in Frozen’s footsteps, instant marriage is off the table. I LOVE that about her!