Growing to be the largest grossing Disney movie of all time, ‘Frozen’ has received unprecedented critical acclaim—and a 250-million-dollar lawsuit. Isabella Tanikumi, a little known author residing in Northern New Jersey, claims that Disney’s animated film is not loosely based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, but her own life story.  The author claims that Disney copied characters and plots from her autobiography Living My Truth published in 2010.

In the lawsuit Isabella claims Frozen creators plagiarized her own life story in 18 different ways.  The question is, are the accusations true or merely a coincidence?  The synopsis of Tanikumi’s book reads:

“This is a compelling, introspective account of the life of Isabella TaniKumi, who takes her readers on a journey through various phases of her remarkable life- from her family’s survival during the devastating earthquake of 1970 in Huaraz, Peru, to the trials of overcoming heartbreaks of her youth. Conquering personal insecurities led to exploring the reaches of her intellect while facing the tragic, and untimely death of her beloved sister, Laura.”

Just from the synopsis, similarities between the two stories were hard to make out, however Tanikumi supports her accusations with evidence. Isabella explains her autobiography as “the story of two sisters who have tragedies, romances, conflicts, isolation and loneliness…”, somewhat similar to the plot of ‘Frozen’, but a very broad range of topics that many novels share similarities with.  Here are some of the 18 parallels proposed by Tanikumi:

1.

• Living My Truth: Isabella and her sister are playing and Isabella was severely injured (fell in hot custard) with damage to the face.

• Frozen: Elsa was playing with Anna and Anna accidentally hurts her head.

2.

• Living My Truth: Hans and Cristoff are the two male characters who have romantic interests in Isabella.

• Frozen: Hans and Kristoff are the two male characters who have romantic interests in Anna.

3.

• Living My Truth: The sisters are involved in a very tragic accident (earthquake that affected an entire city) resulting in isolation for the two, and emotional bonding—a friend died in the tragedy and they only have each other.

• Frozen: The sisters are involved in a very tragic accident (storm caused parent’s boat to capsize) and they only had each other—isolation and emotional bonding.

4.

• Living My Truth: Isabella had to cover up her facial injuries with concealing creams to be in public. Isabella is obsessive about concealing. Isabella has terrible fears—afraid to go out.

• Frozen: Elsa had to cover up her hands with concealing gloves to be in public. Elsa is obsessive about concealing. Elsa has terrible fears of going out in public.

5.

• Living My Truth: Isabella had an incident where her defect was exposed and children are frightened. Isabella runs away when her defect is discovered.

• Frozen: Elsa had an incident where her defect was exposed and children are frightened. Elsa runs away when her defect is discovered.

6.

• Living My Truth: Image of Isabella with hand to sky with sprinkles (book cover).

• Frozen: Image of Elsa with hand to sky with sprinkles (DVD cover).

7.

• Living My Truth: Isabella’s beloved sister Laura dies in a severe accident and devastates Isabella.

• Frozen: Elsa’s beloved sister Anna dies in a severe incident while trying to defend her sister and devastates Elsa (she does come back to life).

Now, will this lawsuit follow through, or will everyone just Let It Go?