Dharma Armadillo

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Dharma Armadillo

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Dharma Armadillo
Background Information
Feature Films	Zootopia Zootopia 2
Comics	Cinestory Comic
Voiced by	Josie Trinidad
Character Information
Species	Armadillo
Gender	Female
Appearance	Blue-green eyes, red half-moon glasses, red necklace, dark blue cardigan with flower print under teal shirt, red skirt
Alignment	Good/Neutral

“And welcome to the Grand Pangolin Arms - luxury apartments with charm. Complimentary de-lousing once a month... Don't lose your key.”

―Dharma welcoming Judy Hopps to her room

Mrs. Dharma Armadillo (pronounced "arma-dee-yo") is a female armadillo in Zootopia. She is the landlady of the Grand Pangolin Arms, the apartment complex which Judy Hopps moves into.

Her name is never mentioned in the film, nor in the credits, where she is credited simply as "Landlady", but in The Junior Novelization, her name is revealed. She is also identified as "Dharma Armadillo" in the film's official screenplay.

Description

Dharma Armadillo is wearing a red skirt along with a light blue shirt and a dark blue cardigan with red and light blue flowers on it. She is also wearing a red necklace and red half-moon glasses.

Development

In earlier drafts of the film, Mrs. Armadillo was a different character, with a role as a teacher at Woodlands Elementary School. In an early version of the opening to the film, she rehearses her class for the "Zootopia Pride Day" play (which would become the Carrot Days Talent Show in the final film) and plays the piano for Judy Hopps' group - the "Melody Mammals" - to sing a song. Judy objects to her verse about wanting to grow carrots, so Mrs. Armadillo gives the class a break and talks to her.

As Judy voices her big expectations in life, Mrs. Armadillo explains that when she was young, she wanted to be a firefighter but gave up because armadillos curl up at the sign of danger. From her experience, she advises Judy to have realistic dreams. A student then comes to tell the teacher that Bobby Catmull got stuck up a tree. Everybody panics as the branch starts to break, and Mrs. Armadillo curls up in fright. Thinking fast, Judy grabs Mrs. Armadillo's laser pointer and uses it to guide Bobby down to the safety. Arriving just in time to watch the act, a tiger officer encourages Judy to become a cop.

Role in the Film

Dharma welcomes Judy to her new home

Dharma is first seen near the beginning of the film showing Judy Hopps her new apartment room. After listing all the benefits of staying at the Pangolin Arms, Dharma takes her leave, but not before warning Judy not to lose her key.

Later, near the climax of the film, she is seen browsing Duke Weaselton's movie stand. Duke tries to interest Dharma in his goods, even offering her 15 percent off, and then 20, but the armadillo walks away uninterested.

Trivia

• In Hindi, "Dharma" means "basic principles of the cosmos".
  • The Sanskrit word it comes from literally means "decree" or "custom", typically referring to the way in which one ought to conduct themselves according to law.