Ariel, the fictional character from Disney's "The Little Mermaid," has many sisters as part of the movie's storytelling and to establish her background as a member of the royal mermaid family. In the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid," the protagonist also has a total of six sisters.
The decision to give Ariel numerous sisters serves a few purposes:
Enriching the World: Introducing a large family for Ariel expands the fictional underwater world of merfolk and creates a sense of a broader community.
Establishing Hierarchy: Ariel's father, King Triton, rules over the underwater kingdom, and by having several daughters, the movie illustrates a royal family hierarchy.
Sibling Dynamics: By having many sisters, the movie explores various sibling dynamics, each with distinct personalities and relationships, which adds depth to the characters and story.
Opportunities for Spin-Offs: Having multiple princess sisters potentially opens up opportunities for spin-off stories or merchandise related to the other characters.
Visual Appeal and Group Scenes: Including a group of mermaid sisters allows for visually stunning scenes, such as the iconic "Under the Sea" musical number where many sea creatures participate.
Overall, having numerous sisters for Ariel contributes to the richness of the story, enhances the world-building, and provides opportunities for character development and storytelling within the context of a Disney animated film.