Honestly, it’s been over a decade since Jorge R. Gutierrez dropped The Book of Life on us, and the internet still can't stop talking about the character designs. Usually, animated movies from 2014 start to look a bit "crusty" around the edges as technology moves forward. But this movie? It’s different. It feels like a handcrafted folk-art fever dream. When we talk about characters book of life, we aren't just talking about a checklist of protagonists and villains. We’re talking about a visual language that managed to tell a story about Mexican culture, grief, and toxic masculinity way before those topics became standard "prestige" animation fare.
You’ve got the central trio: Manolo, Joaquin, and Maria. On the surface, it’s a classic love triangle. But if you look closer at how they are actually built, you see the genius of the production design. They look like wooden puppets. Why? Because the framing story involves a tour guide telling a legend to a group of rowdy kids using wooden dolls. It’s meta. It’s smart. And it gives the movie a texture that CGI usually struggles to capture.
The Love Triangle That Isn't Actually About Love
Most people think the movie is just about two guys fighting over a girl. That’s the boring version. The real heart of the characters book of life dynamic is the struggle against expectations.
Take Manolo Sanchez. He’s a bullfighter who doesn't want to kill the bull. In a family of legendary matadors, that’s basically social suicide. Manolo’s design is all soft edges and guitar strings, contrasting sharply with his father, Carlos Sanchez. If you watch the way Manolo moves, he’s hesitant. He’s a musician trapped in a warrior's body.
Then you have Joaquin. He’s the "hero." He’s got the Medal of Everlasting Life pinned to his chest, which makes him literally invincible. He’s basically a walking parody of a machismo action star. He’s top-heavy, with a chest so wide it’s comical, and tiny little legs. He represents the burden of being a "great man" at the expense of being a "good man."
And Maria? She’s the best part. Maria Posada isn't a prize to be won, though the boys certainly treat her like one initially. She went to Europe, learned kung fu, read books, and came back to San Angel with zero interest in being a damsel. Her character arc is about choosing her own path in a town that just wants her to marry well.
La Muerte and Xibalba: The Gods Playing Poker
You can’t discuss the characters book of life without bowing down to the rulers of the Underworld. La Muerte and Xibalba are, quite literally, relationship goals and a cautionary tale all wrapped into one.
La Muerte is stunning. Her hat is decorated with marigolds and lit candles. She’s made of sugar candy—calavera style. She loves humanity. She believes in the inherent goodness of people. On the flip side, you have Xibalba. He’s made of tar and scrap metal. He’s got wings that look like a tattered umbrella. He’s a cheat. But—and this is the nuance—he’s not "evil." He’s just salty that he has to rule the Land of the Forgotten, which is basically a grey, lonely wasteland where people go when nobody remembers them anymore.
Their wager over who will marry Maria is the engine of the plot. It’s a cosmic bet.
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Why the Land of the Remembered Matters
The Land of the Remembered is where La Muerte reigns. It’s a perpetual party. The colors are so bright they almost hurt your eyes. This is where we meet the extended Sanchez family. This is a crucial part of the movie's philosophy.
- Carmen Sanchez: Manolo’s mother. She’s fierce. She’s the one who actually gets things done in the afterlife.
- The Ancestors: A gallery of matadors who died in increasingly ridiculous ways (one was even killed by a giant bull made of lightning).
These characters serve a purpose beyond comic relief. They show Manolo that "tradition" isn't a static thing. You can honor your ancestors without repeating their mistakes. It’s a heavy concept for a "kids' movie," but The Book of Life handles it with a shrug and a song.
The Villain Nobody Remembers (Until He Shows Up)
Chakal. He’s the bandit king.
While the gods are betting on souls, Chakal is just looking for his medal. He’s the physical threat that forces the characters book of life to actually grow up. He’s massive, intimidating, and represents the literal destruction of the community. What’s interesting is how he contrasts with Joaquin. Joaquin wants to be a hero for the glory; Chakal is what happens when you take that desire for power to its logical, violent conclusion.
The Visual Language of Mexican Folk Art
Director Jorge Gutierrez and art director Paul Sullivan didn't just pick a style because it looked "cool." They leaned into the Alebrije and Papel Picado aesthetics.
Look at the hands. Every character has joints like a puppet. Look at the eyes. They aren't the watery, hyper-realistic eyes of a Disney character. They are circles and dots, yet they express more emotion than most live-action actors. This stylistic choice allows the movie to deal with death without it being terrifying. Death in this world isn't an ending; it’s a vibrant, noisy, musical transition.
Why Manolo’s Guitar is the Most Important "Character"
It sounds weird to call an object a character, but Manolo’s guitar is his soul. It’s inscribed with the phrase "Always Play from the Heart."
In the climax of the film, Manolo doesn't defeat the great bull monster with a sword. He doesn't "kill" his enemy. He plays a song. He apologizes. This is a radical departure from the standard "hero kills the dragon" trope. The characters book of life succeed through empathy, not just strength. Manolo’s song—a cover of Radiohead’s "Creep" followed by the "The Apology Song"—is the moment the movie cements its legacy. It’s about vulnerability.
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The Candle Maker: The Neutral Party
Voiced by Ice Cube (an inspired casting choice, honestly), the Candle Maker is the guy who keeps the balance. He lives in the Cave of Souls. He’s made of wax and has a cloud for a beard.
He represents the "Book of Life" itself—the idea that our stories are being written as we go, but we still have the pen. He provides the cosmic perspective. When Manolo is freaking out about being dead, the Candle Maker is there to remind him that the story isn't over until the last page is turned.
What We Get Wrong About the Comparison to Coco
It happens every time. You talk about The Book of Life, and someone says, "Oh, like Coco?"
No.
They both deal with the Day of the Dead, sure. But they are fundamentally different movies. Coco is a detective story about family secrets. The Book of Life is an operatic, romantic epic. The characters book of life are more stylized, more mythological. While Coco strives for a grounded, realistic version of Mexico, The Book of Life goes for the mythic, "tall tale" version. Both are valid. Both are beautiful. But The Book of Life has a punk-rock energy that Pixar usually avoids.
Real-World Impact and Artistry
The film was produced by Guillermo del Toro, and you can see his fingerprints all over it. There’s a love for the "monster," a respect for the macabre, and a deep-seated belief that love can bridge the gap between worlds.
The character designers didn't just draw people; they drew symbols.
- Joaquin's medals represent his insecurity.
- La Muerte's candles represent her hope.
- Manolo's broken guitar represents his transformation.
The complexity of these designs is why cosplayers are still making these costumes ten years later. Have you ever tried to make La Muerte’s hat? It’s a structural engineering nightmare. That’s the level of detail we’re dealing with here.
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How to Apply the Lessons of San Angel to Your Own Creative Life
If you’re a writer, an artist, or just someone who loves a good story, there is a lot to learn from the way these characters were built.
First, don't be afraid of the weird. The world of The Book of Life is bizarre. It’s loud. It’s crowded. But it’s authentic. The characters work because they feel like they belong to a specific place and time, yet their struggles—feeling like a disappointment to your parents, wanting to be loved for who you are—are universal.
Second, contrast is your friend. Putting the tiny, sensitive Manolo next to the hulking, ego-driven Joaquin creates instant drama before they even speak a word.
Third, honor your roots but find your own voice. This is the literal plot of the movie, but it applies to the filmmaking too. Gutierrez took centuries of Mexican tradition and mashed it up with pop music and modern animation. The result is something that feels both ancient and brand new.
If you want to dive deeper into this world, your next move is to check out the "Art of The Book of Life" book. It’s one of the few "making of" books that is actually worth the price tag because it shows the evolution of these designs from rough sketches to the final wooden-doll aesthetic. You can also follow Jorge Gutierrez on social media; he’s constantly sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits and concept art that didn't make it into the final cut.
Finally, go back and watch the "Apology Song" sequence again. Watch the background characters. Notice how even the skeletons in the crowd have unique designs and personalities. That’s the mark of a movie that actually cares about its world.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the "Art of the Book of Life" commentary if you have the Blu-ray; it explains the specific Mexican folk art influences for each character's shape language.
- Compare the character silhouettes. If you can recognize a character just by their shadow (like Joaquin’s massive chest or Maria’s flowing hair), that’s top-tier character design.
- Explore the soundtrack. The way the music reflects the dual nature of the characters (traditional mariachi mixed with modern rock) is a masterclass in thematic consistency.
The characters in The Book of Life aren't just pixels on a screen. They are a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and the courage to write your own story. Whether you’re a fan of the animation or the message, there’s no denying that San Angel and its inhabitants have earned their place in the Land of the Remembered.