Mulan - Characters & Cast

Initially, her motivation is purely selfless: to save her elderly father from having to go to war. As her journey progresses, it evolves into a desire to prove her own self-worth and find her place in the world, culminating in a duty to protect her friends, the Emperor, and all of China from the Hun invasion.

Mulan begins as an awkward young woman who feels like a disappointment because she can't conform to the role of a demure, perfect bride. Driven by love for her father, she transforms herself into a soldier, "Ping," initially struggling but eventually excelling through perseverance and intelligence. After her identity is revealed and she is cast out, she hits her lowest point. However, she rises above this shame to become the savior of China, embracing her true self and proving her worth on her own terms, ultimately becoming a confident and celebrated hero.

His primary motivation is to regain his status as a respected family guardian among the ancestors. He believes that by making Mulan a war hero, he will prove his own worth and be promoted back to his pedestal.

Mushu starts as a disgraced and demoted family guardian, reduced to the role of a gong-ringer. His initial motivation for helping Mulan is selfish; he hopes her success will get him reinstated as a guardian by the ancestors. Throughout their journey, he provides comic relief and often-flawed guidance but grows to genuinely care for Mulan. By the end, he helps her save the day not for personal gain, but out of loyalty and friendship. His arc is completed when he is reinstated as a guardian, having earned it through his newfound selflessness.

Shang is driven by a strong sense of duty and honor, both to his country and his family's military name. He is determined to train his recruits into a capable army and defeat the Huns, especially after learning of his father's death at their hands.

Shang begins as a newly appointed, by-the-book army captain, eager to prove himself and live up to the legacy of his father, the General. He is a demanding leader who initially dismisses "Ping" (Mulan). He grows to respect Ping as a capable soldier and friend. The discovery of Mulan's identity creates a conflict between his duty (the law requires her execution) and his heart. By sparing her life, he shows significant growth. He ultimately learns to value a person's character over tradition and gender, as shown when he follows her to her home at the end.

Shan Yu's motivation is straightforward conquest and power. He seeks to prove his strength by conquering China and defying its Emperor. He is driven by a desire to dominate and shows no capacity for mercy or compromise, viewing any obstacle simply as something to be destroyed.

Shan Yu is a static character who serves as the embodiment of ruthless ambition and brute force. He does not undergo any development. His presence is defined by his singular goal: to conquer China. From his first appearance breaching the Great Wall to his final confrontation with Mulan, his character remains consistently menacing and cruel, acting as the primary obstacle Mulan must overcome.