In Pixar’s Finding Nemo, the three sharks are named:
- Bruce – The friendly great white shark and the leader of the “Fish are Friends, Not Food” club.
- Anchor – A hammerhead shark, who is part of Bruce’s group.
- Chum – A Mako shark, who also belongs to Bruce’s group.
Together, they promote the idea that fish should not be eaten, but rather be treated as friends.
- Bruce:
- Species: Great white shark
- Personality: Bruce is the leader of the “Fish are Friends, Not Food” club. He’s a large, intimidating shark with a friendly and cheerful demeanor, though his size and appearance make him seem a bit scary. He sincerely tries to convince other sharks to avoid eating fish and embrace a more peaceful lifestyle. Bruce’s famous line, “Fish are friends, not food,” is a central part of his character, though his enthusiasm for the cause doesn’t always go as planned. His friendly nature is a facade, as he struggles with his instincts, which leads to a tense moment in the film when he nearly eats Marlin and Dory.
- Appearance: As a great white shark, Bruce has a sleek, large body with a wide mouth and the classic sharp teeth, which gives him a somewhat intimidating look despite his friendly nature.
- Anchor:
- Species: Hammerhead shark
- Personality: Anchor is one of Bruce’s companions in the “Fish are Friends, Not Food” group. He is named for the shape of his hammerhead, which is instantly recognizable. While Anchor’s personality isn’t as fleshed out as Bruce’s, he’s shown to be more laid-back and good-natured. He adds to the comedic dynamics of the group, often participating in Bruce’s speeches or expressing concerns in a funny way.
- Appearance: Anchor has a hammer-shaped head, which is characteristic of the hammerhead shark species. His broad head and eyes at the ends of the “hammer” give him a distinctive look, and he shares Bruce’s large, shark-like body.
- Chum:
- Species: Mako shark
- Personality: Chum is the third member of Bruce’s shark group. He’s a mako shark, which are known for being faster and more agile than other types of sharks. Chum is portrayed as a bit goofy and does not have a prominent speaking role, but he’s often present for Bruce’s motivational speeches. He has a somewhat silly and endearing vibe, which contrasts with the usually feared nature of sharks in other media.
- Appearance: Chum is a smaller, sleeker shark compared to Bruce, as mako sharks are known for their speed and agility. Like the others, he has the typical shark features—sharp teeth, a streamlined body, and a fin sticking out of the water as he swims.
These sharks serve as comic relief in the film but also help convey one of its key themes: the idea of looking past natural instincts and biases to be more compassionate and understanding.
