I’m not going to rant about the live action Lilo & Stitch. I’m not going to rant about the live action Lilo & Stitch. I’m not going to rant about the live action Lilo & Stitch. I’m not going to rant about the live action Lilo & Stitch…….
…but where was Gantu?! You can argue Dr. Jumba Jookiba is the main villain (if you didn’t actually watch the original movie properly) but not having the big guy show up at the end was one thing in a pile of niggling things I didn’t like about the remake.
But, like I say, I shan’t rant.
Regardless, if we’re looking at Lilo & Stitch from the perspective of a TTRPG adventure, neither Gantu nor Jookiba are the overarching villain. They are henchmen that ramp up the danger level in the 2nd and 3rd acts, but they are both in this story because of a supreme leader. The Grand Councilwoman is the first character on this list that is not explicitly her movie’s Big Bad, but if any character fits the BBEG role, it’s her.
Presence – 3 out of 5
I thought Glenn Close should have been the voice of the Councilwoman in the remake. That’s not a rant! Just a preference. Partly because that’s the best choice. Partly because I used to think that was who did the voice when I was younger, before I learnt it was Zoe Caldwell. Regardless, Caldwell helped to make this such great character (and Hannah Waddigham did okay too).
This is a fun antagonist. [Spoilers] She reveals her warm heart in the very end, but as a villain she is cold and calculating, decisive and focused. On top of that though, there is this wonderful layer of contempt and dissatisfaction. She is an eye-roll in alien form.
Atmosphere – 1 out of 5
She is ultimately the main villain of this story, sending her goons to capture stitch, but as a BBEG this is limited. Unless your DM likes to narrate scenes that the player characters ‘can’t see’, a lot of the Councilwoman’s actions and orders will be lost to them. Your Hawaii themed TTRPG is going to be unphased by her presence. Ganta and Jookiba will leave there marks.
Omniscience – 2 out of 5
Almost no understanding of earth, she had no idea stitch was created until he was presented to her. She’s certainly well connected, but not in any way that steers the story.
Henchmen – 3 out of 5
Okay, so Lilo & Stitch is far removed from any standard TTRPG adventure. I can imagine playing one or more children trying to help the monster that is Stitch become a lovable creature, or FBI agents trying to get to the bottom of this alien incursion. The players could even be a group of aliens sent to capture Stitch, thought that reworks the Councilwoman’s role.
In any case, the main goons sent to capture Stitch would be delightful NPC villains. Incompetent for sure, but a real joy. Dr Jookiba and Agent Pleakley are a klutsy comedy duo with the potential to level a house (on purpose or by accident). Gantu is wonderfully imposing, even if he’s a little dim.
Threat Level – 0 out of 5
A lot of people around her have guns, and other alien tech, but the Grand Councilwoman gives no evidence of any amount of threat. She’s a good character, but she seems harmless.
Finale – 2 out of 5
There’s two parts to this ending. The first part has no Grand Councilwoman. Explosions, escape, excitement, none of which she causes. The second part is her threatening to take Stitch away, only to see the light and have a reasonable reaction to a death monster being a lil’ sweetie. It’s one of my favourite Disney endings, but as the end of a TTRPG it’s limited. Very few adventurers want a “the real treasure was the friend’s we made along the way” kind of ending.
Final Score = 1.33
Everyone gets a stat block, even if it doesn’t always feel worth it.
The Grand Councilwoman was never going to do well in this ‘competition’. Lilo & Stitch is not your standard adventure, as so she is not your standard villain.
| Disney Villain | Score |
| Hades | 4.00 👑 |
| Jafar | 3.83 |
| Professor Ratican | 3.66 |
| Lyle Tiberius Rourke | 3.66 |
| Billy Pine, a.k.a Syndrome | 3.33 |
| Elsa of Arendelle | 3.16 |
| Hopper | 3.16 |
| Robert Callaghan | 3.00 |
| The Horned King | 3.00 |
| Judge Claude Frollo | 2.83 |
This Top 10 is looking quite locked in. It’s going to take something special to contend with these guys. [Checks notes] We’ve got Scar and Ursula coming soon, so change is definitely coming.
Thank You For Reading
The other Disney BBEG contenders are right here.
Please support this blog, if you can x
Gamer Peak 