Julián Is a Mermaid Celebrates Gender Diversity in Mainstream Animation

Julián Is a Mermaid adapts Jessica Love’s bestselling children’s book and is directed by Louise Bagnall. The movie was created by Cartoon Saloon – the studio behind The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers and The Breadwinner – and was reviewed at its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Instead of the usual 3‑D CGI, the film uses a painterly watercolor and marker style that feels hand‑drawn, giving each frame a warm, vibrant look that matches the story’s imagination.

The plot follows a Dominican‑American boy living in Brooklyn with his abuela. Over a summer he discovers a love for the ocean, meets a group of girls preparing for Coney Island’s annual Mermaid Parade, and eventually joins the parade himself.

During the parade, the boy encounters a trio of queer‑coded mermaids who help him, highlighting a community that embraces difference. The film shows how gender expectations can limit a child, but love and acceptance can break those limits.

By placing a young, gender‑nonconforming protagonist at the centre of a mainstream animated feature, Julián Is a Mermaid demonstrates that inclusive storytelling can reach wide audiences and celebrate queer identities without preaching.

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMERS

4English does not own the rights to this content. All rights belong to the owner. 4English only uses this content to help users learn English via the app's features. Contact to request the removal of your content: contact@4englishapp.com.

Hörübung

Hörübung