Sorry, I just need to catch my breath, because looking at this Tumblr artist's rendition of Disney animals as humans has knocked the wind out of me. Like most '90s kids, I grew up worshipping at the altar of Simba and Nala, who were my #RelationshipGoals if there ever were ones for a 5-year-old. Now Pugletto, a Wisconsin-based Tumblr artist and my personal new hero, has reinterpreted the Disney characters we know and love by not only putting them in human form, but by keeping them true to their cultural roots.
Any Disney fan who has ever scrolled through their Tumblr dash knows that there have been more redheaded Simbas depicted than the internet could ever account for. "The inspiration was more or less a way to deal my own frustration with a lack of diversity in fan-based at communities," the artist shared with Bustle in an e-mail. "When people ask me how or why I drew them as people of color, my answer to them is usually, 'Why not?'"
Pugletta's interpretation go above and beyond the artistry call of duty, taking into account region, time period, and specific art styles when choosing the clothes and basic features of her human characters. My literal only complaint about this art set is that there aren't actual movies based on these characters as humans. (YET.) Don't get me wrong, these are all timeless classics, but being the unabashed Disney fiend that I am, I want more, more, MORE.
Here are the characters she has recreated:
1. Baloo and Baheera from The Jungle Book
2. Scar from The Lion King
3. Simba from The Lion King
4. Young Nala and Simba with Zazu from The Lion King
5. Kuvo from The Lion King 2
6. The hyenas from The Lion King
7. The whole gang of The Lion King
8. Jenna and Balto from Balto
(Technically not Disney, but STILL FREAKING AWESOME.)
9. Lady and Tramp from Lady and the Tramp
10. Duchess and Thomas O'Malley from The Aristocats.
Well, it's been over a decade, but I've finally come to terms with my strange childhood attraction to Kuvo. I've been set free. BLESS everything about this, and go follow Pugletto on her Tumblr and Patreon pages for similar artistic awesomeness.
Images: Courtesy of Pugletto; Disney(9); Universal
