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In an unusual move to appeal to the Chinese market, Disney seems to have altered one of the key promotional posters for The Little Mermaid in China. Observers have noted that the poster almost deliberately obscures Ariel's race, making her appear as blue-toned rather than visibly Black. This subconscious or deliberate attempt to hide her racial identity has sparked widespread discussion online.
Many are drawing parallels to past Disney controversies in China, where the studio adjusted promotional material to downplay racial features or cultural representations. Notable examples include the Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster, which visually minimized Finn's Black identity, and the Black Panther poster, similarly altered for Chinese audiences.