The 1995 Disney animated film Pocahontas features a raccoon and hummingbird as animal sidekicks to the titular character. Though unnamed in the film itself, these two characters were given official names by Disney following the movie’s release. The raccoon’s name is Meeko and the hummingbird’s name is Flit.
Meeko the Raccoon
Meeko is a greedy and mischievous raccoon who accompanies Pocahontas throughout the film. Some of Meeko’s notable antics include trying to steal Percy the pug’s food, ransacking John Smith’s bag, and attempting to grab the compass from John Smith during “Mine, Mine, Mine.”
Meeko has gray fur with a brown mask around his eyes and a ringed tail. He walks on all fours like a real raccoon. Meeko does not speak but communicates through pantomime and other noises. He often gives Pocahontas a sassy look or gesture to express his feelings.
The filmmakers took inspiration from real raccoons when designing and animating Meeko. They studied live raccoons at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to capture their mannerisms and behaviors. Meeko’s movements were animated through a combination of hand-drawn 2D animation and computer technology.
According to Glen Keane, the supervising animator for Pocahontas, Meeko was intended to bring some comic relief and levity to what would otherwise be a heavy and dramatic story. Meeko’s antics help keep the film lively and fun during Pocahontas’ more serious journey.
Flit the Hummingbird
Flit is a ruby-throated hummingbird and another close companion of Pocahontas. He is very small with iridescent feathers in various shades of green and blue. Flit can hover in mid-air and fly backwards, true to real hummingbirds.
Flit acts as Pocahontas’ watchdog and is very protective of her. He is suspicious of outsiders and sounds the alarm when potential threats appear. Flit takes an immediate disliking to Meeko and Percy, and he tries to alert Pocahontas to their shenanigans. Flit often expresses himself through squeaking and humming noises, but the viewer can understand his intentions through his body language.
The animators studied reference footage of hummingbirds in flight to capture Flit’s wing movements and rapid hovering. According to animation supervisor James Baxter, Flit was one of the most challenging characters to animate due to the complexity of his flight. The character was supervised by John Pomeroy.
Like Meeko, Flit provides some comic relief amidst the movie’s drama and tension. His small size makes his fierce overprotectiveness of Pocahontas amusing. And his rivalry with Meeko leads to comical mishaps.
Meeko and Flit’s Relationship
Though they get off on the wrong foot, Meeko and Flit eventually become friends over the course of the movie. Their relationship provides some entertaining comedic moments.
Some highlights of Meeko and Flit’s dynamic include:
– Flit repeatedly thwarting Meeko’s attempts to steal food from Percy.
– Meeko mocking Flit when he slams into a tree trunk.
– Flit trying to warn Pocahontas about Meeko taking her mother’s necklace.
– The two animals cowering together in fear when Ratcliffe’s dog growls at them.
– Flit and Meeko peeping from the bushes as Pocahontas and John Smith meet in the glade.
– Meeko comically imitating Flit’s buzzing wings.
By the end of the film, any rivalry between the two has been replaced by an odd but affectionate friendship. Their camaraderie adds humor and heart to the story.
Meeko and Flit’s Popularity
Though minor characters, Meeko and Flit became very popular with audiences, especially children. As some of the more lighthearted and comedic elements in a otherwise serious film, they provided some fun and levity that appealed to kids.
Meeko’s mischievous antics and Flit’s feisty attitude made them very memorable. Meeko’s gluttony and snooping also struck a chord with viewers. And Flit’s protectiveness towards Pocahontas was endearing.
Meeko and Flit appear frequently on Pocahontas merchandise, books, clothes, toys, and other products. They remain two of the most recognizable characters from the film decades after its release. Meeko especially has become one of Disney’s most famous raccoon characters.
Appearances in Other Media
Meeko and Flit have appeared in various Pocahontas sequels, spinoffs, and cameos over the years:
– Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998) – Direct-to-video sequel where both characters accompany Pocahontas to England
– House of Mouse (2001-2003) – Meeko and Flit make cameo appearances in several episodes of this animated series
– Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams (2007) – Direct-to-video animated film featuring two Pocahontas stories, with Meeko and Flit returning
– Once Upon a Time (2012-2018) – Live-action Disney TV series where versions of Meeko and Flit appear
– Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) – Flit has a small cameo in the Disney princess scene
Meeko also appears at the Disney theme parks as a meetable character who interacts with guests. He remains a popular Disney animal sidekick years after Pocahontas’ release.
Voice Actors
In the original Pocahontas film, Meeko is voiced by John Kassir and Flit is voiced by Frank Welker.
John Kassir is best known as the voice of the Crypt Keeper. He has voiced other Disney characters such as Muk and Luk in Balto.
Frank Welker is a prolific voice actor with hundreds of credits. He has voiced iconic characters like Scooby-Doo, Megatron, and more. Welker has performed numerous roles in Disney films and TV shows over his long career.
In subsequent sequels and appearances, different voice actors have been used for Meeko and Flit:
– Pocahontas II: Danny Mann voiced Meeko and Michael Gough voiced Flit
– House of Mouse: Dee Bradley Baker voiced both Meeko and Flit
– Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Jim Cummings voiced Meeko and Mick Wingert voiced Flit
– Once Upon a Time: Uncredited actors performed vocal effects
Symbolism and Analysis
Like most sidekicks in Disney films, Meeko and Flit can be seen as representations of certain character traits and themes:
**Meeko**
– Greed/gluttony – His constant attempts to steal food symbolize uncontrolled appetite and desire
– Mischievousness/curiosity – His tendency to grab at shiny objects like John Smith’s compass conveys a sense of playfulness and inquisitiveness
– Connection to nature – As a wild raccoon, Meeko represents Pocahontas’ close relationship with the natural world around her
– Primitive instincts -Contrasted with Percy’s domestication, Meeko represents animalistic impulses and behaviors
**Flit**
– Caution/skepticism – Flit’s distrust of strangers represents an instinct for self-preservation and avoiding danger
– Loyalty – Flit sticks close to Pocahontas and protects her, conveying unwavering devotion and care
– Delicacy – His small stature and fragility underscores themes about nature’s fragility and vulnerability
– Childlike innocence – Flit’s simplified perspective of good vs evil echoes a child’s worldview
By representing different aspects of human nature and mentality, Meeko and Flit complement and enrich the themes surrounding Pocahontas herself. Their bonding throughout the film mirrors Pocahontas’ own personal growth and journey depicted in the story.
Conclusion
Meeko the raccoon and Flit the hummingbird play supporting yet memorable roles in Disney’s Pocahontas. Their names, officially designated after the film’s release, reflect their distinct personalities. Meeko provides mischievous comic relief while Flit acts as Pocahontas’ feisty protector. From antagonistic beginnings, their odd friendship grows throughout the movie. These two animal characters became breakout stars from Pocahontas, appearing extensively in merchandise and spinoff media. Their vocal effects were brought to life by talented voice actors like John Kassir and Frank Welker. Though small roles, Meeko and Flit leave a big impact through their humor and connection to themes of nature, loyalty, and instinct. They exemplify what makes animal sidekicks such a charming tradition in Disney animated films.
