Dora (Dora the Explorer)

Dora Márquez is the title character and protagonist of the American children's animated television series and multimedia franchise of the same name.

Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer character
First appearance	The Legend of the Big Red Chicken (2000)
Created by	Chris Gifford Valerie Walsh Valdes Eric Weiner[1]
Designed by	Helena Giersz
Portrayed by	Isabela Merced (2019 film) Madelyn Miranda (2019 film; young)
Voiced by	Kathleen Herles (2000–2009) Caitlin Sanchez (2008–2012) Fátima Ptacek (2012–2019) Stephanie Joy (2011; Dora's Explorer Girls: Our First Concert) Karina Padura (singing voice for Our First Concert) Sophia Torres (2021–2023, Paramount+ commercials) Diana Zermeño (2023–present)
In-universe information
Full name	Dora Lullaby
Gender	Female
Alignment	Good
Relatives	Elena Márquez (mother) Cole Márquez (father) Guillermo Márquez (brother) Isabella Márquez (sister) Abuela (paternal grandmother) Abuelito (paternal grandfather) Nico Márquez (uncle) Sabrina Márquez (aunt by marriage) Daisy Márquez (older cousin) Alicia Márquez (older cousin) Diego Márquez (older cousin) Gabriel García Márquez (uncle grandfather)
Nationality	Pan-Hispanic[2]

Depiction

Dora was originally created to help teach Spanish in grade schools. As time went on, she was depicted on live shows in theatres, stadiums, and halls, originally as a bunny that lived in the woods, but later in production as a Pan-Hispanic (ambiguous race) girl.^[1] As a child 7-8 years old in Dora the Explorer (2000), she is portrayed as a multilingual educator who likes sports, family, exploring the world, and her friends Boots, Backpack, Map, Isa, Benny, and Tico. Dora also has a cousin named Diego Márquez with whom she sometimes has adventures. As a 10-year-old in Dora and Friends: Into the City! (2014), she is portrayed as a compassionate leader and role model, who has multiple dynamic peer relationships.^[3][4] In Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019), she is a high school teen, 16 years old,^[5] portrayed as a naïve fish-out-of-water weirdo to the people around her. Her parents need to remind her that she is an explorer (a positive designation), not a treasure hunter (a negative designation).^[6][7][8][9] In this adaptation, she is described as a "Latino superhero" by executive producer and actor Eugenio Derbez.^[10]

The character has also been the subject of parodies, on shows like Robot Chicken and Saturday Night Live.^[11]

References

1. "Enfocamp Newsletter | Characters | Dora the Explorer". www.enfocamp.com. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
2. Acevedo, Angélica. "I grew up believing Dora the Explorer was Mexican, and I was shocked to learn she doesn't have a real ethnic identity at all". Insider. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
3. Genzlinger, Neil (2014-08-17). "In a Metropolis, a Messenger Bag Might Come in Handy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
4. Horten, Lisa (2014-07-14). "Dora Heads Into the Big City (and She's Bringing Her Friends!)". POPSUGAR Family. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
5. "Dora and the Lost City of Gold". Screen Queensland. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
6. "Dora the Explorer grows up and goes live action". ABC News. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
7. "Dora and the Lost City of Gold". Films Fatale. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
8. "REVIEW - 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold' is fresh, lively, and rather irresistible". The Jam Report. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
9. Stebbins, Katrina (2022-01-26). "The live action 'Dora' movie is both hilarious and self-aware". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
10. "'Dora and the Lost City of Gold' is a rare opportunity for Latino representation in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. 2019-08-08. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
11. Brissey, Breia (July 20, 2010). "Dora the Explorer does 'Inception': What other movie spoofs should she do?". EW.com.