Disney: 5 Reasons Mulan’s Mushu is the best Disney sidekick (& 5 It’s Little Mermaid’s Sebastian)

There’s no denying that there are many wonderful sidekicks out there in the world of Disney. But two of the best of the best are Mulan‘s fierce dragon Mushu and The Little Mermaid’s loveable, musical crab Sebastian. These two scarlet, side-kicks really know what it means to really stick with the people they love. They’re both loyal, brave, and have a lot to bring to the table in their own ways, but that begs the question which one is the better sidekick? It’s a really hard call, so the two need to be compared side by side in some detail.

Here are some reasons why Mushu brings home the top prize and some why it’s undoubtedly Sebastian who reigns supreme.

10 Mushu: He’s A Dragon

It goes without saying that Mushu is a dragon, not a lizard, and even though he’s travel size, he is the real deal. Dragons are incredible creatures and very rare, not to mention their fire breathing comes in handy in a pinch.

Mushu’s special, magical species makes him one of the best sidekicks around.

9 Sebastian: He has iconic songs

Sebastian isn’t the royal composer without cause, after all. A great deal of what makes The Little Mermaid as excellent as it is, is Sebastian’s music.

After all, Sebastian is responsible for the ultimate Disney anthem, Under the Sea. It doesn’t get much more excellent than that.

8 Mushu: He’s Not Afraid To Go To Battle

Mushu is fierce, arguably, the fiercest of all sidekicks. He’s never afraid to face the music and, in fact, seeks battle to prove Mulan’s honor and his worth.

Mushu moves the plot along and is an instrumental part of some the biggest fight scenes in the movie. Which other sidekick could claim that?

7 Sebastian: He Tries to Keep Ariel out of trouble

Sebastian, on the other hand, tries to protect Ariel, incredibly loyally. More than once, he risks his own life to help her better her own. In fact, he almost ends up on the dinner plate at the palace because he’s determined to be there for Ariel. Even though it causes him a lot of stress, he takes his role as Ariel’s guide to heart and never sleeps on the job.

This kind of selflessness makes him an amazing sidekick.

6 Mushu: He pushes Mulan to try harder

Mushu doesn’t let Mulan give up and he doesn’t let her doubt herself. When she first joins the army, he helps her find her place, although sometimes disastrously.

Mushu is always there to cheer up Mulan and hold her hand. In one tear-jerking moment, he rallies to tell Mulan how wonderful she is, even after they both think they’ve lost nearly everything. Even that kind of defeat and humiliation isn’t enough to stop Mushu from trying to help Mulan back onto her feet. This makes him one of the most amazing sidekicks ever.

5 Sebastian: He Fills the role of a parent

When Ariel is alone in the human world, a stranger in a strange place for the first time, Sebastian is the one that watches over her.

After all, neither her father, sisters, nor other friends can follow her to this existence. Without Sebastian she’d be all alone. It’s not an easy step, changing your whole life, moving to a new place, and basically existing in a whole new reality, so Sebastian is really Ariel’s everything, aside from her love of the Prince. In many ways, he also acts as her voice, since she can’t even speak to make new friends. Sebastian is one awesome crab.

4 Mushu: he fills the role of a best friend

Mulan doesn’t really have many friends until the army, but Mushu is truly her first one. As a companion, confidant, and supporter, Mushu is truly Mulan’s best friend.

While other sidekicks are close with their heroes, Mushu might just be the closest.

3 Sebastian: He really evolves

Sebastian comes into his own and learns to stick to his guns throughout the movie. While he is often scared and pushed around at first, he learns to follow his heart and do what he feels is right.

This kind of evolution is amazing to behold.

2 Mushu: He has the best lines

There’s no denying, Mushu’s wisecracking ways are hilarious. He is a snarky sidekick who is never afraid to deliver what’s on his mind with panache. Other sidekicks may be nicer, they may be sweeter, some even may be cuter, but there is no one as funny as Mushu in any Disney movie.

Mushu makes Mulan one of the funniest movies out there, really earning him his keep.

1 Sebastian: he’s wise

Sebastian is one smart advisor. His final line to King Triton really resonates. He says, “Like I always say, Your Majesty, children have got to be free to lead their own lives.” There’s no denying that kind of wisdom, it’s a line that really resonates and applies to merpeople and humans alike. It’s the summary of the entire movie and it touches the heart.

Sebastian’s brain makes him a sidekick like no other. He’s one crab everyone will want on their side.

About The Author

Rotem Rusak
(78 Articles Published)

Fangirl extraordinaire. Lover of all things pop culture, including Marvel, Hannibal, Harry Potter, and more.

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