<P> This article lists information of animated characters from Disney's The Little Mermaid franchise, covering the 1989 film, its prequel TV series, its direct - to - video sequel and prequel films, and the stage musical adaptation . </P> <P> Ariel is the title character of the franchise, save the second film in which she is a secondary character . Ariel is voiced by Jodi Benson and designed by Glen Keane . Ariel is the seventh - born and the youngest daughter of king Triton and queen Athena of the merfolk, and over the course of the original film becomes human and marries Eric, a human prince . She is the only Disney Princess to reach parenthood in Disney's animated film canon . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Eric </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> First appearance </Th> <Td> The Little Mermaid (1989) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Last appearance </Th> <Td> The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Created by </Th> <Td> Hans Christian Andersen (original story) Ron Clements and John Musker (adaptation) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Portrayed by </Th> <Td> Gil McKinney (Once Upon a Time) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Voiced by </Th> <Td> C.D. Barnes (1989 film and Kingdom Hearts II) Jeff Bennett (TV series) Rob Paulsen (The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Information </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Aliases </Th> <Td> Prince Eric King Eric </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Family </Th> <Td> Princess Ariel (wife) Princess Melody (daughter) King Triton (father - in - law) Queen Athena (mother - in - law; deceased) Princess Ariel's sisters (sisters - in - law) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Nationality </Th> <Td> Danish </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who is the main character in the little mermaid