Prince Charming is the only Prince that is liked by the whole kingdom because he is shown to be perfect. He is quite bland. Prince Eric is necessarily a gary-stu because he has some (however small) personality. He isn't seen as perfect because he has flaws, he's manipulated by Ursula's spell and he got hurt when he tried to save Max, resulting in Ariel having to save him.

Prince Charming is shown being rude, Phillip is shown being forceful, Eric is shown being....a musically talented, dog loving, charming guy

Eric took the time to change his clothes (From tux to normal outfit) and could still save the day.

I really like him, but yeah by far.

^
Exactly.

Prince Eric is the definition of a gary stu. The charming, so called handsome, prince that everyone loves and treats like a nobleman. He is a completely flawless character.

One thing I really want to know is, if people are going to pick on belle for being a mary sue, then why do they give Eric so much slack? Too scared to admit that their childhood crush as actually bland, idealized, and a gary stu?

To who is voting out Eugene/Flynn Rider...you are saying Eugene is perfect and flawless. Which he isn't.

I don't think any of them are Gary-Stus, but yes... Eric does come the closest.

He is a dream guy. Butit's not necessairly bad. In real-life I would prefer a boyfriend like Eric, not like Beast or Shang.

All classic princes + Eric definitely. All of latter princes started with Beast are created to be flawed imo.

Eh. Eric is pretty clueless. Sometimes Max, his dog, catches on faster than he does.

But the original Prince Charming didn't have much screen time, just like Aurora didn't.