Two Sisters, Two Stories, One Big Question
When it comes to Disney heroines, few characters have earned as much love and admiration as Anna from Frozen and Mirabel from Encanto. Both are brave, deeply caring, and determined to heal the cracks in their families—literal and emotional. Yet their stories are very different. One grows up in a snow-covered kingdom longing for connection. The other lives in a magical house buzzing with superpowers but feels like the odd one out. Both characters shoulder emotional burdens that are far heavier than their animated frames would suggest. But which one truly carried the weight of the family legacy? Let’s step into their worlds and see how each brought their own brand of magic to the mantle of familial responsibility.
Anna: The Heart of Arendelle
From the very beginning, Anna is driven by love—especially for her sister, Elsa. After their parents’ tragic deaths, she is left isolated and confused, craving closeness but given silence instead. When Elsa accidentally unleashes her icy powers and flees Arendelle, Anna doesn’t hesitate. She climbs snowy mountains, fights off wolves, and braves a blizzard to bring her sister home. And she does it all without any magical powers. Her strength lies in her fierce loyalty, optimism, and willingness to sacrifice herself for those she loves. In Frozen II, Anna takes her role even further. With Elsa seemingly lost, Anna takes the reins of leadership and does the next right thing, even when that means making painful choices. She’s not just a princess—she’s the emotional engine of her kingdom, a steady presence who keeps everyone moving forward.
Mirabel: The Magicless Miracle
In Encanto, Mirabel begins her story already feeling left out. Her family members all have magical gifts, while she has none. She’s surrounded by super strength, weather control, healing powers, and prophetic visions—but what she brings to the table is harder to define. Yet, when cracks begin to appear in the family’s enchanted house, both physically and metaphorically, it’s Mirabel who sees it first. And more importantly, it’s Mirabel who decides to do something about it. She embarks on a journey not of self-discovery, but of familial healing. She asks the hard questions. She reconnects with the estranged. She pushes her Abuela to acknowledge the pressure placed on everyone to be perfect. In doing so, Mirabel unearths a deeper kind of magic—the ability to bring a family back together. She doesn’t just save the house. She restores the heart of it.
Sacrifice Without Spotlight
Neither Anna nor Mirabel seeks glory. Their motivations are grounded in love, and their sacrifices often go unnoticed. Anna’s journey through the frozen wilderness is made all the more powerful by the fact that she does it while being misunderstood, dismissed, and even betrayed. She puts her life on the line—literally jumping in front of a sword—because she believes in Elsa’s goodness. Mirabel’s efforts to hold her family together are equally quiet. She doesn’t seek credit. She doesn’t complain about her lack of a gift. She just keeps showing up, listening, and helping, even when it feels like she’s being overlooked. Their acts of love are subtle, deep, and ongoing. And that’s what makes their legacies so profound.
Leading Through Love, Not Power
Neither heroine leads with authority or magical might. Anna and Mirabel both lead through connection. Anna builds trust with Kristoff, Olaf, and the Northuldra. She listens to others’ truths and adjusts her course accordingly. Her leadership is built on empathy. Mirabel, too, doesn’t rely on a title. Her power lies in her deep understanding of each family member’s pain. She sees what others miss, and she reaches people who have emotionally checked out. She coaxes out Bruno, encourages Luisa to admit her exhaustion, and helps Isabela redefine her identity. In both characters, we see that true leadership isn’t about commands or crowns—it’s about showing up and showing love.
Breaking Generational Cycles
Perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of both characters is their role in breaking unhealthy family patterns. Anna challenges Elsa to open up emotionally, even when Elsa’s instincts are to shut everyone out. She constantly chooses connection over isolation, helping Elsa find balance. In Frozen II, she even calls Elsa out when she’s trying to go it alone, reminding her that they’re stronger together. Mirabel, meanwhile, faces off with the family’s deeply ingrained belief that worth is tied to magical ability. She challenges her Abuela’s worldview with honesty and kindness, gently unraveling decades of fear-based legacy building. These aren’t just fairy tale conflicts—they’re mirrors of real family dynamics. And both Anna and Mirabel tackle them with grace and courage.
The Invisible Weight
What makes Anna and Mirabel so compelling is that they both carry invisible burdens. Anna often gets brushed off as the quirky, naive sister, when in reality, she’s holding the emotional weight of her family and kingdom. She’s the one making plans, comforting others, and trying to hold it all together. Mirabel, too, is constantly underestimated. Without a visible gift, she becomes the family’s unspoken emotional caretaker. She watches, absorbs, and soothes, even when no one is watching. That silent labor is something many viewers—especially women and girls—recognize in their own lives. It’s the kind of heroism that doesn’t come with fanfare but deserves every bit of celebration.
The Legacy They Leave
So who truly carries the family legacy? In some ways, the answer is both. Anna and Mirabel redefine what legacy means. It’s not about thrones or powers. It’s about relationships, resilience, and the willingness to stand up when it’s hardest. Anna becomes queen not because she wants power, but because she’s earned the trust of her people. Mirabel becomes the new heartbeat of the Madrigal family, not because of magic, but because of her emotional intelligence and fierce compassion. They both show that legacy isn’t something you inherit. It’s something you build—one choice, one hug, one song at a time.
Two Heroines, One Incredible Thread
Anna and Mirabel may come from different worlds—one icy and royal, the other warm and enchanted—but they’re stitched from the same incredible cloth. They both carry the emotional heartbeat of their families. They both lead with love, not ego. They both rewrite what it means to be a Disney heroine. And while they may not fly or cast spells, their magic is no less powerful. They heal, they protect, and they bring people together. That’s a legacy no tiara can top.
