Disney Lorcana would be nothing without Elsa
The Queen of Arendelle herself is the most important card in the game for me, not because she’s the highest level, but because she represents a return to embracing the writer’s true self, rather than the person I wanted others to perceive me as.
Disney Lorcana has been the gateway to a new world for me, a world that I hadn’t been too interested in exploring before. I’ve been swept up in the hype surrounding the game, and I’m excited to play it, but my relationship with Disney has been rocky over the years. Thankfully, one character has helped me embrace the game, and Disney Lorcana as a whole.
As I write this, I’m watching Frozen for the second time this month, and I can’t wait to play through the game again. I’m not alone in my fondness for Elsa, the queen of ice and snow, and one of the most famous Disney characters of this century. I have a deep connection with her, and she’s a large part of the reason I’m in love with Disney Lorcana. But, why? Because she’s my favorite Disney character? Because she’s a Princess?
Well, no. Elsa isn’t technically a Princess, but she plays a vital role in hypothetical Princess Decks. She’s the seventh member of the lineup. Of course, I could go on about how wonderful Frozen is, and how much I love Elsa, but I want to get to the heart of why this character matters so much to me.
The writer’s favorite Disney character is Elsa. I know, it’s not a big surprise considering this article. But, I want to talk about what Elsa means to me, and why she’s so important.
Elsa entered my life when I was at a transformative point. I was just beginning to realize who I was, and what I wanted out of life. I had always felt different, but I just couldn’t put my finger on what ‘it’ was. Then, Elsa appeared.
Around the time of Frozen’s release in 2013, I was in my early 20s, and I was starting to see a clearer picture of who I was. I was finally unapologetically me, and I was learning to embrace my true self, rather than seeking approval from others. Elsa appeared during this time, and she’s been with me ever since.
When I look at my top five Disney characters, Elsa is the only overtly feminine character. I was never heavily interested in Princess movies growing up. I was more into male characters like Aladdin, Tarzan, and Kim Possible, but I know my love for Elsa has a lot to do with my own gender transition, and the lack of a clear before-and-after point.
I know I was never male, and I’ve never felt like I was – I was just forced to live as one. I’m still figuring out what my gender identity is, and how I want to express it in the future. I’ve got a long way to go, but Elsa has always been there for me. I’ve assembled my identity in my 20s and learned to embrace my true self, rather than seeking approval. Elsa’s journey in Frozen resonated with me, as she learns to embrace her true self and let go of fear.
That’s not to say other fictional characters haven’t mirrored my journey as well. Max Caulfield from Life is Strange is one such character. She helped me realize I wasn’t alone in my feelings of isolation, and that there were others out there who felt the same way. But Elsa has been there longer, and she’s more than just a character to me.
Disney Lorcana is a bit of a jumble of emotions for me. On the one hand, I’m excited to play a game filled with Princesses. On the other, it’s a game that revolves around the patriarchal idea of royalty, and I’m not a huge fan of that. But Elsa represents that part of me that can embrace a game of Princess cards, if I choose to.
As I play through the game and form bonds with my favorite characters, I can already see Elsa by my side. I’m looking forward to playing the game with her by my side.
If you’ve got a favorite Disney character, or have been swept up in Disney Lorcana, we’d love to hear from you.
