What’s not to love about Disney’s delightfully chaotic, yet sweet Experiment 626, who we all know as Stitch?
We are Stitch fans in our household. I recall thinking this was an interesting movie as a kid. The storyline is unique, incorporating real-life scenarios, raw feelings, and dynamic events within the rising action. My love for Stitch grew more when I discovered my children’s father’s favorite Disney movie Lilo & Stitch. His love of Stitch gave me an in-depth snapshot of his larger-than-life, free-willed personality mirroring that of his favorite character.
My kids and I have been celebrating 626 Day every year (on June 26th, which is 6/26) since 2022. We binge-watch the franchise’s movies and cartoons while eating Hawaiian-inspired cuisine.
Let’s surf into the 26 reasons everyone still loves Stitch even after more than two decades since the release of the original movie.
Stitch’s Adorable Appearance Won Our Hearts
Stitch’s ears stick up like a rabbit’s, but their shape also gives off bat-like vibes. The ears show off his adorable, cheeky personality. His wide eyes, combined with his tiny frame and how his ears are slightly taller than his overall body, add to the irresistible cuteness factor.
The way Stitch looks makes fans wish there was a true dog breed that looks like him. A canine that looks cute, is loyal, and can spontaneously lift heavy objects? Now that’s some dog!
Best Friend Goals Brought To Us By Stitch
As Stitch assimilates into his ohana, Lilo and Stitch become best friends. They go everywhere together while diving into some hairy misadventures. From learning Elvis’s music and dance moves to devouring snow cones, their escapades are a mix of chaos and pure fun.
Lilo wishes for a friend in the early portion of the movie. She gets her wish and then some with an unexpected ball-of-fire personality like Stitch.
Experiment 626’s Comedic Personality Is Contagious
Speaking of personality, Stitch is a comedian with many jokes up his sleeve. Jumba places a carrot into a cannon when Stitch goes to fire it towards the movie’s climax. They play a game of hot potato, pretending it’s a different holiday as they exchange the about-to-combust cannon. Jumba first says it’s Stitch’s birthday, and then the blue experiment pipes back, “Merry Christmas!”
Let’s not forget the alien jailbreak scene at the start of the film, where Stitch is laughing maniacally while he is hijacking one of the spaceships to flee to another planet. His comedic personality meshes well with Lilo’s matter-of-fact, blunt nature.
Stitch Is A Determined Little Guy
Stitch’s determination to escape the Galactic Federation and forge a new life for himself is nothing short of extraordinary. His journey to find belonging is a hallmark of the film’s theme of assimilating with his new ohana. Attempting to understand Earth’s customs not only for survival but also to feel like he belongs is the best example of Stitch’s determination.
His desire to put things right when attempting to prepare the torn family picture demonstrates his emotional growth throughout the movie, as he becomes more empathetic towards Lilo and the other characters’ feelings. The climax of this trait is unveiled at the end of the movie when he rescues Lilo from Gantu by using a fuel truck to prevent his ship from escaping.
Our Favorite Space Experiment Is An Expression Extraordinaire
Stitch’s expressions are fun, light-hearted, and sometimes crazy weird. From pulling his eyes when he’s frustrated with Jumba and Pleakley watching his every move to his super silly grin when he meets Lilo for the first time, Stitch’s expressions are iconic and memorable.
When my daughter imitates Stitch, she effortlessly mimics his silly grin. She’s also as blunt and straightforward as Lilo.
He’s Super Fluffy!
“I’m cute and fluffy!” Stitch proclaims confidently when he pretends to be a dog while in public with Lilo to prevent Jumba and Pleakley from capturing him in the earlier part of the original film. Everyone loves Stitch for more than his verbal proclamation about his fluffiness. I mean, look at his royal blue fur and cute periwinkle tummy. That’s super fluffy!
Even the Stitch stuffed animals are fluffy and plush. My son has a standard Stitch plush from Five Below, and my eldest daughter has a Stitch Build-a-Bear with fun accessories, Dad allowed her to get as her birthday present (a branded drawstring bag, cute romper, and a food and water bowl). What was even fluffier was my son’s outfit when he and my eldest daughter dressed as Lilo and Stitch for Halloween 2022.
Growth In His Character
Stitch went from being a destructive experiment to becoming a lovable, yet cheeky, companion member of his ohana. His personal growth and development are the most substantial and notable in the history of Disney’s characters.
I’ve known my children’s father since we were 14 years old. I have seen him grow from a little shy boy into a responsible family man who is the most playful, loving, and nurturing father I have ever met. He’s gone through as much character development in the last 17 years as his priorities shifted, just like Stitch’s astronomical personality change.
Experiment 626 Is Headstrong
Experiment 626’s determination sometimes manifests in his headstrong personality. With everything he does, Stitch is not satisfied until things are his way. He acts the way he wants, even if it’s societally incorrect.
Facing off against Gantu, who is maybe 5 times his size, is another example of Stitch’s headstrong nature. Even though the odds are usually stacked against him during combats with the main enemies throughout the series, Stitch always finds a competitive angle against his opponents.
Stitch’s Iconic Voice Is Contagious
Chris Sanders’ iconic voice makes Stitch such a memorable character. The blue experiment sounds like a mix between a cheeky toddler and an extroverted college adult ready to attend frat parties all night long.
Whenever we are talking about Stitch, my oldest daughter loves to imitate his cute, playful voice. Her youthful interpretation of his voice reminds me of when I would imitate my favorite characters’ voices, like Vegeta from the Dragon Ball Z franchise or Osmosis Jones from the 2001 Warner Bros. movie.
He’s A Joy (and Chaos) Bringer
Stitch brings so much joy to Lilo and other individuals in Hawaii. Becoming her friend, putting on an Elvis-inspired show at the beach, and performing good deeds for others throughout the film showcase how much of a joy-bringer he is.
Of course, some of that joy is also mixed with chaos as Stitch transitions from destructive to more caring tendencies. There are times I feel like my son acts a little like Stitch. He sometimes throws things or kicks objects when he is angry, but there are other times when he asks me for a hug. And that, my friends, is proof that Stitch has part toddler mentality.
Stitch Is A Kind Creature (Eventually)
It takes time for Stitch to learn kindness. His “badness level” is in the middle of his ears at the beginning of the film. It seems like this level depletes down to the middle of his stomach for 50/50 in kindness and destructiveness.
Stitch maintains his nice nature when interacting with Lilo and the rest of his family. However, he keeps just enough bad, high-energy behavior when fending off enemies in the major films and helping capture his cousins in the series. How’s that for a balance?
Experiment 626 Is A Very Loyal Boy
Experiment 626 could have chosen any other family to be with. However, his loyalty is unmatched, and he stays with Lilo and his ohana no matter what. His loyalty shows most when he attempts with all his might to stay with them when the Galactic Council attempts to take him back to space.
Loyalty is the hallmark of bonding with family, whether they are your blood or not. My children are loyal to one another and, even though they banter and fight once in a while, back each other up and support one another no matter what.
Mischievous Charm
Stitch has an unmatched mischievous charm, unlike that of any other cartoon character. He brings out the crafty jokester in all of us. One minute, he’s trashing the place and feeling calm and collected the next. Remember when Stitch ripped Lilo’s pillow, played drums with a record player, and spun around constantly while wearing a pair of underwear on his head? And what calmed him was the pink lei that Lilo put around his neck.
His charm also incorporates comedic relief throughout the original film. Acting like a dog so the humans don’t panic, even while Jumba and Pleakley are after him, is hilarious because of his bad acting.
Stitch Is Perfectly Imperfect
Stitch is far from perfect. In the second movie, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, he doesn’t mean to hurt Lilo, but glitching back to his normal tendencies causes undue harm to his best friend. While he may break things or initiate chaos throughout the franchise, he still tries to make up for it with his newfound loyalty to his ohana and Earth customs overall.
Millennial parents who are rewatching the Stitch franchise with their little ones can resonate with the main character in realizing that they, too, will not always be perfect throughout their parenting journey. For me, there are times I lose my cool and raise my voice a little too loudly. I apologize if I make a mistake when parenting my little ones. We are living life for the first time, so we aren’t always going to be perfect, just like our favorite little monster.
He’s an Ohana Advocate
Stitch learns the meaning of ohana, which is a Hawaiian term for “family”, throughout the original film. He and Nani say together, “Ohana means family. Family means that no one gets left behind or forgotten,” when he makes it apparent that he will go save Lilo from Gantu.
When the Grand Councilwoman comes to take Stitch back to the Galactic Council, Stitch continues to advocate for his new family. Stitch informs the Grand Councilwoman with passion and a light smile, “This is my family. I found it all on my own. It’s little and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good”. Stitch’s advocacy for his family reminds me of how I advocate and support my family every day. I make time to spend with them primarily on Saturdays, when their father and their half-sister come to visit.
Is There A More Protective Pal?
Stitch protects his ohana. Whether it’s when stays with Lilo in the forest before Gantu captures her or when he frees her from being a hostage, Stitch is a ride-or-die pal. He won’t go down without a fight to protect his family.
This little creature, with his newfound emotional intelligence, can understand how lost Lilo would be without him. Rather than give up and fly back with the Grand Councilwoman to the Galactic Federation, he advocates for his new family to stay with them instead. Parenthood is all about protecting your little ones’ innocence and safety as you guide them to adulthood.
Stitch Is One Quirky Dude
Experiment 626 is one quirky dude. His knack for animated storytelling to prove his point and his melodramatic nature, showcasing his biggest feelings, are just a couple of his notable quirks.
Stitch loves to try new things (i.e., drinking the coffee-filled baby bottle and building a San Francisco model before tearing it down). His overwhelming curiosity for exploring the unknown makes him such a unique and lovable character.
He Has An Excellent Redemption Story
Stitch is a great embodiment of a glorious redemption story. When he could have stayed a destructive experiment, he used his free will to change his ways and become a loyal member of his ohana.
Redemption takes guts, wit, and hard work. He worked tirelessly to learn Earth’s customs, enhance his empathy and kindness, and protect his new family. While he joined Lilo’s family to prevent being captured, it turned into an everlasting familial bond that they could not live without.
He’s A Strong Friend To Have On Your Side
For having such a tiny stature, Stitch is stronger than a bodybuilder. Experiment 626 lifted a couch during his first rampage after coming home with Lilo and Nani. Stitch also hijacks and drives Nani’s red buggy while Lilo is with him. Despite not lifting it from the ground, his elite control and how he crashes it show his strength. He finds a fuel truck and blocks Gantu during the final battle against him to save Lilo from being taken hostage.
According to Disney Wiki, Stitch can lift approximately 3,000 times his original weight due to how Jumba programmed him for elite strength, durability, and endurance. Cue David’s question, “Are you sure that’s a dog?”.
He’s A Team Player, Especially In His TV Series
Primarily in Lilo & Stitch: The Series, he’s a team player when it comes to catching his cousins and helping them find their one true purpose. He is a proponent for jumping into the bait-and-switch part of cousin captures, sometimes popping up at the last minute to save the day.
Despite being for bad reasons, Stitch is also a “team player” in Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch when Myrtle tells Lilo she won’t ever hula like her mother, and the cat fight ensues. Cue when Stitch says “Smile!” and leisurely snaps photos of the debacle. He understood the assignment and showed out for his teammate in crime.
He’s Amusingly Unpredictable
You just don’t know what Stitch is going to do next. The first few times I watched the original movie as a child, I had no idea what to expect from this cute little monster. Every crazy decision he made had me laughing or crying because you wouldn’t know what he would do until it happened.
Stitch’s unpredictability makes it more advantageous when he rescues his cousins in the television series. His uncanny unpredictability reminds me so much of my son. I don’t know whether he is going to be a delightful cuddle bug or a crazy ball of energy when gets into his big feelings.
Stitch Can Even Be The Voice of Reason (At Times)
Remember the scene when Jumba captures, but then the experiment becomes a voice of reason? He convinces Jumba to release him and helps to track down Gantu to rescue Lilo. Even though Stitch is a fiery ball of energy, where fans may wonder what he’s thinking, Experiment 626 portrays a realistic mindset sometimes.
During that critical moment, Stitch’s priorities shift from causing chaos to protecting the family member closest to him: Lilo. His persuasiveness helps Jumba uncover a sense of loyalty that is an important turning point in the film, where eventually they all become ohana members after Lilo is saved from Gantu.
Who Doesn’t Want A Friend With Wild Energy?
Let’s not forget how wild Stitch is. This aligns with unpredictability, quirkiness, and a mischievous charm. His appreciation for high-energy misadventures keeps fans living on the edge to see more of what he’s capable of throughout the movies and television series.
I love how wild Stitch is in the original film. He takes the risk to perform as a dressed-up Elvis, knowing that anything may set him off. Stitch tries his best not to let the flashing pictures from civilians get to him, but he goes wild anyway. Many fear his wildness, but then they begin to understand that this is part of his journey to transition to living on Earth.
Experiment 626 Has The “X-Factor”
Stitch has something that everyone loves about him that can sometimes be indescribable. While I have touched on 25 other reasons why everyone still loves Stitch, there’s this attractive X-Factor that keeps fans hooked on their favorite little guy.
For me, I love Stitch because he embodies a wild side while also being a loyal family member. He can be himself while not forgetting to focus on the needs of his ohana.
His Youthful Spirit Is Amazing
Lilo and Stitch get along so well because of his youthful spirit. His childlike personality is highlighted through his curiosity and open-mindedness in learning Earth’s customs, which helps him transform into a good soul throughout the original movie.
Being youthful means there are many possibilities for learning new things and developing into a different individual. Believe it or not, rewatching the Stitch franchise as an adult made me realize other techniques for connecting with my youngest toddlers, who can sometimes be as misunderstood as this little blue creature.
His Zany Antics Are One Of A Kind
Stitch’s zany antics are all a part of his overall charm as this cuddly, yet chaotic experiment. Whether he’s pretending to be a dog or cosplaying as Elvis Presley, Stitch’s desire to pretend is a great comedic relief throughout the series.
How Experiment 626 acts out showcases his desire for attention from others and the endearing symbolism to fit in within his community. While it’s difficult for Stitch to think before taking action, he builds more clarity, so that his antics become lessened over time.
For all you Stitch lovers, the live-action remake of the franchise has proven to be a popular hit in theatres. Rewatch the animated films and television series to hype yourself up before watching Lilo & Stitch (2025).
Millennials and Gen Z members will love to relive the original story. At the same time, Generation Alpha children have the opportunity to be exposed to the franchise for the very first time if they haven’t already. Embrace your love of Experiment 626 and stay as unique as he is!
