Antonio Madrigal is a supporting character in Disney's 2021 animated feature film Encanto. The youngest son of Pepa and Félix, and the youngest member of the Madrigals, his gift allows him to communicate with animals.
Background
Born into the Madrigal family, Antonio is the youngest member of the family. Antonio is the youngest son of Pepa and Félix, and the younger brother of Dolores and Camilo. In addition to being the nephew of Julieta, Bruno and Agustín, Antonio is also the cousin of Isabela, Luisa and Mirabel. Being the youngest member of The Madrigals and being born after his uncle left the family, Antonio was never able to meet Bruno. Prior to his gift ceremony, he lives in the nursery with Mirabel and looks up to her, considering her a big sister. What makes Antonio unique amongst the Madrigal family is his ability to talk to and understand non-human animals, among which are capybaras (one named Chispi[1]), toucans (with Pico among them), hummingbirds, coatis, a tapir, and a jaguar named Parce,[2] all of whom assist Antonio. He is capable of keeping other animals under control and in safe condition, such as reminding Parce not to eat the rats, as they can help him.
Personality
As the youngest member in his family, Antonio is very sweet and innocent. He loves his family so much and is willing to do anything to help them, such as he willingly offered his ostracized uncle, Bruno (whom he had no memory of and just met), to use his room so he can have a vision in order for him and Mirabel to figure out how to save their family's magic. Antonio shares a close relationship with his older cousin, Mirabel where he looks up to her for comfort and wishes she had a magical gift, knowing how hard it must be for her to be the only child in their family to not have any magical abilities. It is this profound empathy for his cousin that earns him the trust of Bruno's rats who inform Antonio of his uncle and cousin's whereabouts and predicament.
Antonio is also a very shy individual and has trouble being around other people, except for his family. He gets stage fright very easily and prefers to interact only with his family and animal friends. Yet, when members of his family get nervous, Antonio would go to help them, such as when he gave Bruno his stuffed jaguar doll to calm his nerves before he did his vision and escorted Mirabel to the newly-built Casa Madrigal so she can put a new doorknob on the front door.
Physical appearance
Antonio is a 5-year-old boy with dark skin, curly black hair, and dark brown eyes. Out of all his siblings, he resembles his father the most. He wears a long-sleeved yellow and light orange striped shirt with an orange sleeveless vest over it, along with a red scarf. He has brown jeans and dark beige and orange shoes. Symbolizing his gift, Antonio's vest has some animals sewn on it. During his gift ceremony, following the tradition, he wears white clothes similar to his normal ones, but with a white vest instead of a scarf.
Powers and abilities
Antonio has the power to communicate with animals. Because of this, he has a lot of animals in his room, from capybaras to toucans to hummingbirds, coati, a tapir, and even a jaguar.
Antonio cannot control the animals he talks to; this is strictly based on the bonds of trust and closeness he builds with them that allows him to rely on them for help and companionship, as well as to discourage undesirable behavior, such as when he warned Parce from eating his uncle Bruno's rats.
Appearances
Encanto
Antonio first appeared accompanying his family to the village as they get ready to celebrate his fifth birthday and gift ceremony. Later, before the beginning of the ceremony, he hid underneath Mirabel's bed in her room, anxious that his gift ceremony would also fail like hers. However, Mirabel was able to encourage him to come out of hiding. Antonio was then wished good luck by his family and his parents tell him that they'll be waiting for him at his door. When the gift ceremony starts, Antonio became too anxious to go forward. He held out his hand to Mirabel, since he wanted her to accompany him, but the latter initially refused, knowing that Alma will disapprove of it. However he desperately whispered that he needs her so that he wouldn't be scared and Mirabel reluctantly takes his hand. The other Madrigals were then stunned upon seeing that Antonio wants Mirabel to accompany him. After climbing up the stairs, he swore to use his gift to help the community by Alma and upon putting his hand on the doorknob of his door, a toucan suddenly landed on his arm and he immediately understood it and when the bird asked him if all of his friends could come, Antonio happily agreed.
Upon entering his magic door, he was astonished upon seeing that his new room is a big and beautiful jungle with a big tree. A jaguar then suddenly came in and gave Antonio a ride on his back. After that, he and the rest of the family, sans Mirabel, had a group picture.
Other appearances
Disney Emoji Blitz
Antonio also appears in Disney Emoji Blitz.
Antonio's Amazing Gift
Inspired by characters and scenes from Encanto, this brightly illustrated picture book celebrates Antonio’s gift day! The young boy learns he can communicate with animals and tours his new, magical bedroom alongside his amazing family.
Disney Parks
Antonio appears as an It's a Small World doll in the 2022 finale of the Main Street Electrical Parade alongside Mirabel and Pico.
Gallery
Trivia
- Antonio's birthday is on May 21st, coinciding with Afro-Colombian Day.[3][4]
- In real life, it is illegal to keep exotic animals such as jaguars, toucans, and other types of exotic animals like the ones that Antonio has as pets, as it is considered illegal trade. Capybaras, though, are allowed as pets in some states and countries, since they are not endangered species.
- In the movie posters, Antonio is seen wearing a vest with animal patterns sewn on it, but he is seen wearing it in only one scene. Presumably because this vest represents his gift, and he doesn't receive it until later on in the film.
- His name is a reference to Saint Anthony the Great, the Patron Saint of Animals.[5]
References
- ↑ Bush, Jared (December 1, 2021). "Chispi's Name". Twitter.
- ↑ Bush, Jared (December 26, 2021). "Parce's Name". Twitter.
- ↑ Bush, Jared (March 19, 2022). "Antonio's birthday". Twitter.
- ↑ Bush, Jared (March 18, 2022). "Meaningful Birthdays". Twitter.
- ↑ Bush, Jared (January 11, 2022). "Antonio's name". Twitter.
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