I saw this Anime version of Little Mermaid when I was 8 or 9 years old, long before Disney got there happy little hands on it. I cried my eyes out at the end of it. However, it showed me that you don't always get what you want in life. It also taught me about sacrificing for someone you love. I believe the original version of this movie gets across a poignant message about sacrifice, love and loss. (If you read the story, there is much more to it than that, but as far as the movie goes, that is the message I saw in it.)
I was very disappointed in Disney's version at first. I didn't have to wait to see the ending to be upset at it. Ariel/Marina was not supposed to be able to talk, never mind being able to sing, and she was supposed to have pain when she walked....part of her sacrifice to be with the prince she had fallen in love with. And then, being a Disney version, she gets the prince in the end. I did not like it. Now, there is nothing wrong with optimism and believing things can get better and end happily. However, life does not always end "Happily Ever After" as Disney would have children believe. I think our overindulged children of today would be better off knowing that you don't always get what you want and that there is such a thing as sacrifice.
Well, I have grown to accept and even enjoy Disney's version. It is lighthearted and fun. And that is what Disney is all about.... fun and enjoyment.
In the end, I still love the original Anime version of it better. I didn't actually remember it as being Anime until I started searching for this version. Reading the comments on it helped me to recall the big beautiful eyes of the characters. Yes, this is the version I remember and love from my childhood....tears and all!
