In honor of the 25th anniversary of The Little Mermaid [1], we could think of no better way to pay homage to the fierce aquatic princess than with a trove of the best Ariel fan art that the Internet has to offer. Of course, you can never go wrong with the classic Disney rendition of Ariel who stole our hearts away exactly a quarter century ago; but we love the way in which fans have taken the fin-flipping chick into reinterpretation, daring to break her out of the quintessential princess mold. If you've ever wondered what Ariel might be like as part of another world — like what she'd look like as a man [2] or how she and her Disney cohorts would dress while fighting off droves of zombies [3] — look no further.
Ariel as Melisandre from Game of Thrones
From the artist: "The iconic red hair made this pairing a no-brainer. Personality-wise, the sweet, naive Ariel is pretty much at the opposite end of the spectrum from Stannis' ruthless, ambitious, fervent, and shadow-baby-birthing red priestess."
See all the Disney and GOT mashups! Can you guess who'd depict who? [4]
Illustration by Sam Tsui [5]
GIFed Ariel
Check out all of artist Jeca Martinez's Disney GIF illustrations [6] — they're mesmerizing!
Illustration by Jeca Martinez [7]
Racially Reinterpreted Ariel
Ariel isn't the only royal lady to be reimagined! Check out all the race-bent Disney princesses [8].
Source: Disney [9]; Illustrations by Tumblr artist lettherebedoodles [10]
Ariel as Black Widow
Artist Isaiah K. Stephens envisioned Ariel as one of Marvel's most badass chicks. He has a whole series on Disney characters decked out in pop culture costumes [11]!
Hipster Ariel
You've never seen Disney princesses this edgy [12].
Source: Tumblr user EVVIART [13]
Selfie Ariel
This is probably one the most relatable Ariel portrayals for those of us who are all about the selfie. Believe it or not, there's a whole collection of Disney's leading ladies taking selfies [14], and it's awesome.
Sloth Ariel
These sloth Disney princesses [15] are too cute!
Meg and Ariel
See renditions of all your favorite Disney characters in same-sex relationships [17].
Historical Ariel
Artist Claire Hummel [18] created depictions of Disney princesses [19] dressed in garments more relevant to their historical settings.
Modern Ariel
This artist imagines what Disney princesses would like as stylish women today.
Ariel on Instagram
Take a look at other Disney leading ladies taking selfies [22]!
Prom Ariel
Princess Ariel and Prince Eric would surely win the titles of king and queen.
Ariel in Springfield
This artist hilariously visualized Ariel and Ursula as characters from The Simpsons.
Cross-Dressing Ariel
Artist Haruki Godo [25] has reimagined Disney princesses [26] by dressing them in the clothes of their princely counterparts.
Vogue Ariel
These fashionable Disney princesses heat up Vogue magazine covers!
Tiana and Ariel
See renditions of all your favorite Disney characters in same-sex relationships [29].
Hipster Ariel
Ariel and all the other hip Disney princesses [30] don't want to be a part of your world; it's too mainstream.
Source: Jenn Smith [31]
Cool Ariel
We love fashionable Disney princess [32] Ariel, especially her hot hairdo!
Hipster Ariel
What can we say? The Internet loves to consider what Ariel would be like as a hipster, so much so that one woman even played out hipster Ariel's wedding [34].
Source: Lee0z [35]
Ariel's "Mirror Pic"
Take a look at other Disney leading ladies taking selfies [36]!
Pinup Ariel
When the Disney gals go retro sexy [37].
Ariel as a Man
Take a look at all the other Disney princesses as beaus [38]!
Illustration by Sakimi Chan [39]
Superhero Ariel
Forget damsels in distress; these Disney princess superheroes [40] are ready to save the day!
Fighter Ariel
Watch out — this Disney princess warrior is ready to fight! Ursula would be no match.
Child Princess Ariel
Little-girl versions of the Disney princesses squeeze their corresponding sidekicks.
Eric and Male Ariel
See renditions of all your favorite Disney characters in same-sex relationships [43].
Ariel After an Oil Spill
This artist wondered what the Disney tales would be like [44] with "unhappily ever after" endings.
College Student Ariel
Artist Rubén imagined what Disney princesses would look like as college students [45]. He even gave them backstories.
"The shy new girl in the school. Ariel is in the swimming club of the university waiting for her surfer Eric."
Meg and Ariel
See renditions of all your favorite Disney characters in same-sex relationships [47].
Seven Deadly Sins Ariel
Artist Chris Hill's Disney princesses as the seven deadly sins [48] have an art nouveau style.
Ariel as a Breast Cancer Survivor
Check out all the portrayals of Disney princesses as breast cancer survivors [50].
Magazine Cover Ariel
Clever photoshopper Mary of Tumblr Petite Tiaras [51] imagined what Disney princesses on fashion magazine covers would look like [52].
Avatar Ariel
Artist Robby Cook [54] creatively merged Disney princesses with characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Here's Ariel as a waterbender.
Adventure Time Ariel
See what all the Disney royals would look like [56] alongside Finn and Jake!
Illustration by deviantART user KleeKay423 [57]
Ariel as Orange Is the New Black's Red
How cool (and fitting) is this interpretation of Ariel as Red from Orange Is the New Black [58]? Can you guess who other Disney characters would portray [59] in the cast of OITNB?
Illustrations by Maria Bayley [60]
End of the World Ariel and Eric
This artist reimagined the classic duo (among other Disney characters [61]) and what they would look like in an apocalyptic zombie wasteland.
Ariel in 1989
Swedish artist Beatrice Lorén [62] designed Disney princesses dressed in the fashion of the years [63] their movies came out.
Real-Life Ariel
Graphic design student Jirka Väätäinen used Photoshop to imagine what Disney princesses would look like if they were real women.
Grumpy Cat Ariel
Artist Eric Proctor inserted famous feline Grumpy Cat [66] into classic Disney princess scenes to hilarious perfection. The title of this one is "Part of Your No."
Star Wars Ariel
This artist reimagines Disney princesses as Star Wars [68] characters.