Can't say I liked how the major go-to point for Mulan was "she could kick ass". While that is undoubtedly true, and she was presented as cunning, skilled and resourceful, that doesn't reflect on the topic of "Who is the most independent princess". Ass kicking has little relevence towards that unless you're living in a might-makes-right society. A good point for independence would be citing the end of the training montage, where she is the first to figure out the training regime, the fact that she demonstrated herself to be at least as good as her male counterparts in a field traditionally and legally [at the time] considered the domain of men, and the fact that she spearheaded the final battle in which she proved not only to be a capable soldier but a capable leader as well. Those would be good points indicating a strong character and the capacity for independence far better than simple physical prowess.
My personal bid though goes with Tiana (who qualifies as a princess by marriage). Self-made woman who grew up working two jobs (with a specific goal in mind) and whose general competence acts as a dramatic foil to the lead male. She ends up owning her own [apparently very successful] restaurant by the end of the film. The last part doesn't sound terribly impressive, I know, but given that the movie is set in New Orleans in the 1920s, well before the Civil Rights Movement really took off and riding on the coattails of the first wave of the Feminist Movement, that accomplishment is nothing short of incredible. Of course, Disney portrayed a much lighter and softer version of the issues of the time in the movie, so it's arguable how well history translates for that purpose.
My personal bid though goes with Tiana (who qualifies as a princess by marriage). Self-made woman who grew up working two jobs (with a specific goal in mind) and whose general competence acts as a dramatic foil to the lead male. She ends up owning her own [apparently very successful] restaurant by the end of the film. The last part doesn't sound terribly impressive, I know, but given that the movie is set in New Orleans in the 1920s, well before the Civil Rights Movement really took off and riding on the coattails of the first wave of the Feminist Movement, that accomplishment is nothing short of incredible. Of course, Disney portrayed a much lighter and softer version of the issues of the time in the movie, so it's arguable how well history translates for that purpose.
