Disneyis no stranger to creative reinterpretations, but its latest anime-style redesign of Princess Aurora might be its boldest yet. In an official Japanese reimagining ofSleeping Beauty, the classic damsel-in-distress is transformed into a fierce, sword-wielding heroine. The striking artwork, which features Aurora clad in silver armor, rewrites the rules of the original tale in a captivating style.
This is not just a fan-made fantasy, it is an official collaboration from Disney’s Japanese publishing partner, according toPR Times. The illustrations were created by Mizutamaridori for the Japanese edition of theTwisted Taleseries, a collection of novels that put fresh, often darker, spins on classic Disney stories.In this retelling, Aurora is not waiting for a prince to save her, she is the one doing the saving.
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The new book,A Twisted World – Someday in a Dream, Sleeping Beauty, flips the iconic narrative on its head. When Prince Phillip kisses the cursed princess, he falls into a deep sleep instead. Now it is up to Aurora to venture into a surreal world where dreams and reality blur, and where she must rescue him from Maleficent’s clutches.
Mizutamaridori’s illustrations lean heavily into a shojo-inspired fantasy aesthetic, blending haunting beauty with sharp-edged determination.The front cover shows Aurora armored and ready for battle, while the back offers a chilling image of Maleficent cradling her. The tone is more emotionally charged than the 1959 film, but it feels powerfully modern.
This is not just a visual refresh, it is a reframing of Aurora’s entire role. Rather than sidelining her, this new version positions her as a capable protagonist, ready to fight for those she loves. It is a welcome break from the passive roles many Disney princesses were originally assigned.
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Aurora’s redesign is part of a larger trend. TheTwisted Taleseries has been steadily empowering Disney heroines through “what-if” narratives. From Jasmine launching a rebellion to Ariel rescuing her father, these stories shift the focus back onto female characters and offer richer, more active roles than their animated origins.
The success ofTwisted Wonderland, a Disney-backed mobile game created byBlack Butler’sYana Toboso, shows just how deeply the studio is leaning into Japanese aesthetics.
This growing library of reinterpretations is also steeped in anime influence. The success ofTwisted Wonderland, a Disney-backed mobile game created byBlack Butler’sYana Toboso, shows just how deeply the studio is leaning into Japanese aesthetics.With an anime adaptation ofTwisted Wonderlandon the horizon, Disney’s cross-cultural ambitions are crystal clear.
Someday in a Dreamfeels like more than just a book release; it is a signal that Disney is finally embracing its global fanbase in bold, exciting ways. The armored Aurora proves that there is room for classic characters to evolve, andit is high time moreDisneyicons got the anime heroine treatment.
