Why Is Stitch So Popular?
Released in 2002, Lilo & Stitch is a wild adventure set in outer space on the island of Hawaii. The heroes are a little girl (Lilo) and, above all, Stitch, an alien who's as cute as he is crazy. That's why this ultra-nerdy character is one of our favorites from the Disney universe.
At Disney, we've got heroes! Here at the editorial office, we all have our own favorite characters. If you're expecting a child, the world of the company with the big ears is full of adorable models with inspiring names. You'll also be able to shed a tear when you see the cutest babies from Disney films. In fact, on Disney+, every subscriber can change the avatar on their Disney+ account and take on the features of their favorite, whether it's Iron Man, Black Panther or the Hulk, Baby Yoda, Darth Vader or Chewbacca, Rebelle, Woody, Nemo or Arlo, or Mickey, Robin Hood, Pinocchio, Cinderella or Arielle. Many of these can boast one or more cult lines, which would be very handy to be able to bring out in real life. But among the whole Disney galaxy, there's one little hero who holds a special place. His name is Stitch.
And we will delve into the question: "Why is Stitch so popular?"
Stitch almost became a giant space gangster!
Released in cinemas in June 2002, Lilo & Stitch does not rank among the firmament of great classics from the company with the big ears. But its fans are numerous. The film begins in a galaxy far, far away, where the scientist Jumba has created a malignant, powerful and uncontrollable little creature. Wishing to get rid of it as quickly as possible, the authorities have condemned it to exile. But she managed to escape and landed by chance on Earth, in Hawaii, where she was placed in an animal shelter. Her path then crosses that of Lilo, a little girl who has lost her parents and lives with her big sister, Nani. Lilo decides to take in the alien and names him Stitch. So here's this somewhat nervous little alien. He was supposed to be a space gangster in the original version, before the technical teams turned him into a miniature genetic experiment to make him more appealing to a wider audience... And it works!
Stitch, a hero so funny to imitate
It's hard to resist the many facets of our little hero, who's as adorable as he is uncontrollable! It has to be said that his facial expressions have been exaggerated, as our dear, eyebrowless Stitch appeared inexpressive at the start of production. A look between dog and cat, big Dumbo ears, a shimmering blue color and teeth to make even the most seasoned dentist pale: Stitch has it all, half fluff, half terror. And then there's that "voice", or rather those funny sounds and onomatopoeia, as if Donald and the Gremlins had decided to mix their timbres into a single, instantly recognizable tone. So it's hardly surprising that young and old alike enjoy imitating Stitch, who is definitely a special character in the Disney galaxy!
His personality
Despite his superhuman strength and high level of cybernetic intelligence, Stitch is emotionally fragile and a childlike personality lurks beneath his monstrous exterior. Lilo believes this is one of the reasons why he pursued his work of destruction in the first place. He was conceived as a monster, but received little or no understanding or sympathy from others.
The character mellows after his improvement, but is often unable to control all his antisocial impulses and actions. Luckily for him, Lilo (and later Reuben and Angel) are always there to support him. Viewers sometimes believe that Lilo is dependent on Stitch for protection. On the contrary, it's Stitch who is dependent on Lilo. Despite her difficulties, Lilo does everything she can to help Stitch. And as the story progresses, Stitch becomes more aware and able to make the right decisions. By the end of the series, Stitch has friends, family, loved ones and a purpose to believe in.
His physical appearance
Crafted by the imagination of Chris Sanders, Stitch emerges as an extraterrestrial genetic creation, boasting a distinctive blue hue and a stature of 3 feet when upright. Bearing a striking resemblance to a koala or French bulldog, Stitch is commonly referred to as a dog within the franchise, a fact unbeknownst to most humans except Lilo, Nani, Cobra, and David. Despite his alien origins, his appearance is so convincingly canine that the majority of people remain oblivious to his extraterrestrial nature.
Stitch's physical attributes include sharp teeth, a lengthy pink tongue, and a short tail protruding from his rear end. Notably, he possesses a unique ability to alter his physical appearance to a limited extent. In his earlier, more rogue days, Stitch sported a red spacesuit featuring an inverted triangle with a red border and yellow center on his chest and sleeves—a distinctive ensemble from his time as a cosmic delinquent.
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His powers and abilities
While explaining his creation to the Galactic Council at the start of Lilo & Stitch, Dr. Jumba gives the following summary of Stitch's powers: "He's bulletproof, fireproof, shockproof, and can think faster than a supercomputer. He can see in the dark and move objects 3,000 times his size. He once dived into a volcano and came out without a scratch. The character speaks over 20 different languages, but prefers to express himself in Tantalogue, the language of his home planet. And look how cute he is!
Bonus: Lilo and Stitch interesting facts
Here's a list of unsuspected facts of interest to all Lilo and Stitch fans
1. The original story focused solely on a stranger living in a forest, trying to overcome his isolation and discover where he came from. So Lilo didn't become part of the film until much later in the story's development.
2. Lilo and Stitch is the first Disney animated film since Dumbo to use watercolor backgrounds.
3. During a visit to Kaua'i, the filmmakers noticed that their Hawaiian tour guide seemed to know someone everywhere they went. They were so impressed by the guide's explanation of the term "ohana" in the context of an extended family, that they made it the central theme of the film.
4. Lilo and Stitch is the first animated feature film shot in Hawaii.
5. Lilo and Stitch should have been a horror film!
That's it for today! We hope you enjoyed our "Why is Stitch so popular?" article! If you liked this article, don't hesitate to check this one, and don't forget to check our amazing Stitch merch, like these plushies!
