EVERYTHING CULTURALLY RIGHT AND WRONG WITH MULAN II (2004)

[@XiranJayZhao]

MULAN AND MULAN II TOOK PLACE IN THE YEAR 497 PASS IT ON

[@Sophie-mv7bd]

Because you love your fans?

[@awakeatnight1]

Hey. Somewhat a fan. You're okay

[@BlueflameKing1]

Because you are awesome. Thank you.

[@misterminutes4504]

Because the subscribers are sadists 🤣

[@Mam_Otazku]

For our entertainment, to spread your cultural knowledge and inform us on how other people live.

[@reshiramlodke3884]

I wanna see the pillow fight recreated with historically accurate pillows. I wanna hear porcelain break.

[@sarahlange9029]

They just bash eachothers heads with porcelain.

[@foryx_]

and skulls

[@kelliecarmichael2539]

AND HERE COMES JOHN CENA WITH THE PORCELAIN PILLOW!

[@merrittanimation7721]

"So the princesses need stitches"

[@gayjayy]

"*Crash* MEI! YOU HURT MY HEAD!"

[@elizabethpruden587]

Disney: accidentally includes an era-specific detail Xiran: TARGET ACQUIRED

[@pas-giaw6055]

*_中国 intensifies_*

[@user-Beans2017]

@@pas-giaw6055 google says that your comment is translated as: China intensifies

[@tiara9624]

@@user-Beans2017 that’s probably what they meant

[@chrono-glitchwaterlily8776]

@@user-Beans2017 because they used the Chinese characters for China.

[@arissamazumder]

@@user-Beans2017 Thats because that's China in Chinese 😐

[@InOzWeTrust]

"And then the Emperor executed the court painter." Literal applause at how that story ends.

[@CaptainSoftboy501]

IT CAUGHT ME SO OFF GUARD AND I BUSTED OUT LAUGHING

[@tinysatansierra9318]

I was eating pasta and I had to pause and go “what”

[@Tankerrex3]

that's how you tye up loose ends

[@jeffulloa218]

I paused to translate it to my mom, and she said "that painter is gonna get murdered" and then it happened and she was really happy about it lol

[@sirilay]

I laughed myself into an ab workout after that comment

[@kaya119]

Also, she declared the princesses dead. That means they can't go home. The emperor will now think that Mulan and Shang failed to protect his daughters. Even if they somehow did succeed in getting the treaty, his three daughters are dead. And it's not like they can just bring them back and act like that didn't happen, because if it got out that they WERE alive that would be a big upset. So, the princesses basically lose their family and their high status for three guys they barely know. The emperor is losing his daughters. And like Mulan and Shang are definitely going to be out of the emperor's favor.

[@jeffreygao3956]

Nobody thought this through.

[@dustyrose192]

they;re def gonna die, not amount of those armour medals aint gonna do shit to save them

[@osmanyousif7849]

Not to mention starting the war with the Mongols that she literally cause to start. Actually what am I saying? The war probably would have started anyhow.....

[@mnk9073]

European nobles: "Oh no, I've already promised my only daughter to the King of France and now I can't cement our alliance with the HRE!" Emperor of China: "Hey chambermaids, all of you are now adopted! Yay, princesses! Now off you go marry to those pesky barbarian chiefs, byeeee!"

[@NathanWubs]

That is because europe is all about the blood. (which can also be linked directly to white supremacy) While china is all about the name.

[@mnk9073]

@@NathanWubs Eh, not exactly; the Romans adopted people into their family like crazy and the whole medieval blood thing was more a "divine right of kings"-thing to justify why the empire should be ruled by a 9 year old...

[@galuxius1861]

@@mnk9073 I feel like there's a difference between Roman empire and family and more Britain based area of European.

[@gokbay3057]

@@mnk9073 I think blood based sacred kingship thing in Europe is mostly Germanic in origin (thought Ancient Greek nobles and Roman patricians all claimed blood of heroes and demi-gods). But yes, Romans were very open to adoption like East Asian aristocracy. Wonder what exactly was the thing that caused European nobility to mostly discard it.

[@gokbay3057]

@@NathanWubs linking it to white supremacy feels weird. Not like they claimed all black people were peasants and that all white people descended from nobles. Nobility-Commoners blood based class system and racial discrimination and supremacism being connected does not really hold up as an argument for me. There are similarities sure, but all forms of discrimination and supremacism do.

[@xero1134]

"if you haven't lost to Vietnam once, can you really call yourself a Superpower?" This was the quote I needed today

[@wessmoore7894]

The added context makes it much less embarrassing to be sure.

[@agent45625]

In actuality, the Mongols probably lost to several known minor powers: Vietnam, the Mamluks, and Majapahit Empire (a Hindu Kingdom in what is now modern Indonesia) and of course, Japan.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

@@agent45625 Not only that, but the Mongols in general had problems with stretching their power too thin across a very large empire (you could call that "suffering from success"). And they fell precisely because of disputes over succession, which weakened their central government in China and made them vulnerable to rebellions.

[@jafaral-z1090]

@@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight ironically, they ought to have learned from sun tzu

[@digitaljanus]

Vo Nguyen Giap was the greatest general of the 20th century. He defeated four great powers in as many decades!

[@foxmccloud89]

They did Shang dirty with that animation. Our boy didn't deserve that.

[@victoriaogle9625]

It looked almost like they recycled frames from the matchmaker in the first movie, which definitely bothered me as a child.

[@tink6225]

I feel like they reduced him

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

*Bisexual legend Li Shang

[@vrinkee]

It's been a very long time since I last watched this movie as a little kid, so I always wondered why no one liked. Watching this, I've realized that the only redeeming factors that most people like are literally the only two things I remember about the movie: the song about the seasons and balance, and the dramatic/emotional scene where Shang "dies." Mulan's wedding outfit is pretty cool too, lol. They really butchered their personalities, eh? I mean, I like conflict in a relationship since it's a realistic occurrence, but the way they brought it up and resolved it wasn't so realistic/healthy.

[@sundalosketch4769]

@@vrinkee Issue was the conflicts in their relationship originated from just a conflict of solutions for an important mission then turned to slight sexism comments towards each other, with Mushu perpetuating it even further.. I feel they just really made their relationship too western for it to be seen as realistic for a chinese couple in their era.

[@apexartnerd7238]

The arranged marriage as the main driving argument in this movie annoys me so much! Part of what I loved about mulan in the first movie was that she didn’t want to be different or break from the norm. She was happy to get married and live a ‘normal’ life. She only changed from the norm to save her father. It’s just such a big plot point and her character. They just threw it out the window.

[@16poetisa]

I wouldn't say she was happy, but they definitely showed a more complicated portrayal than "arranged marriage bad!"

[@marinadeburgos8666]

I think she was most focused on trying to be a normal chinese daughter to make her parents happy

[@chavitanwar2126]

@Solaria N what you're saying is also true but she did try to fit in and wanted to do "what she's supposed to". That's what sets her apart from the rest of the Disney princesses. She's not a rebel, she's not breaking tradition or trying to establish a new order. She just wants to protect her father. If the " Huns" didn't attack, it's not like she would've run away from her home to "find adventure in the great wide somewhere", she would've just stayed with her family. It's definitely much more compilated than arranged marriage=bad.

[@bobbirdsong6825]

@Solaria N she didn’t hate it, she hated not being able to live up to the expectations set for her by society, symbolized by her get up, which is not “geisha” in anyway. It’d have been like wearing regular makeup in modern times.

[@emmabunch-benson4795]

Exactly they said point: missed. Totally missed the meaning of the first movie & definitely tried way too hard in all the wrong ways/places in this one

[@JuFated]

I like to think whenever a Disney movie gets a sequel, most of the time the population suffers a plague inbetween so it's suddenly not as crowded in the next movie-

[@ezekielsmith8603]

Oh my go-👁💋👁

[@Demonic_Culture_Nut]

Not historically inaccurate, especially with Pocahontas 2.

[@elliel4736]

Oof.

[@davidsteinmetz7256]

That's because the sequels take the characters they have lovingly developed in the first movie and run them through the money making machines by adding a vomitted up plotline and sprinkled in with a dash of stupid humor all while shattering everything you loved about the characters in the first movie. ...it's really part of Disney's brand at this point, I'd be more surprised to find a Disney Sequel that didn't actually do this.

[@mallardduckjrh8048]

And with each of them the plague was called smaller budgets

[@acecat2798]

Can you imagine how funny it would've been if they did the proposal the ancient Chinese way, like the Li family calls the matchmaker from the first movie to come to arrange a match. She comes in, fawning over being noticed by this prestigious family and flattering them constantly. Then they're like "oh we have someone in mind, we just want you for negotiations and checking the birth dates' compatibility". She's like, "oh yes? And who is the bride you're looking to marry?" "Fa Mulan." And she has to contain the rage, subtly tries to trash talk her as a buffoon who poured boiling hot tea all over her and disguised herself as a man... and Shang just finds it funny but his mom and grandma start to get concerned, setting up a conflict where they question if Mulan is too much a warrior and not a proper future daughter-in-law/wife/mom.

[@imjustlucy_29]

THAT could’ve been an interesting rising climax for this movie but they went quite wonky for this plot.

[@chavitanwar2126]

That would have been a better movie than this 😂😂😂

[@louise4152]

BRO that would've been fun to watch 😭😭

[@SobrietyandSolace]

Yeeeeeeeesssssss this would be brilliant

[@merrittanimation7721]

Funnily enough in an earlier draft of the original movie an early scene was Mulan and Shang's families trying to organize their marriage together, so there'd be conflict when Mulan disguised herself in his army. Obviously they decided this was a bit contrived in context but that being used in a sequel sounds hilarious.

[@frozenweevil4022]

Xiran: Gets banned from internet by government. Xiran: Oh no, anyway.

[@PColumbus73]

Xiran treats Chinese sensors like Americans treat Facebook bans

[@poison_raine5219]

me too lol, vpns save me

[@rinibunny4576]

Wait she got banned?

[@frozenweevil4022]

@@rinibunny4576 yes, she said in the sponsor thing

[@rinibunny4576]

@@frozenweevil4022 in this video? I haven’t watched it yet so I probably sound dumb lol

[@greca5903]

I can't quite decide what's my favourite sentence from this particular video... "No mom, we belonged to Mongolia" or "You know you've grown up when the adults in Disney movies start making more sense than the protagonists". They are both deserving of eternal remembrance, honestly.

[@jeffreygao3956]

Xiran's got memes spilling from their mouth and I love it.

[@bigfanofstuff3266]

the second one is so true, though. I spent almost the entirety of disney's Strange World yelling through the screen at the teenage protagonist; I could barely pay attention to the plot it was so frustrating.

[@jeffreygao3956]

@@bigfanofstuff3266 So...what the heck happens when the Disney protagonist IS an adult? I'm sure Hercules was an adult.

[@kiwimusume]

“You know you’ve grown up when the adults in Disney movies start making more sense than the protagonists” is also the rallying cry of every conservative who turns their nose up at liberal themes in Disney movies, so my favourite part is Xiran’s jab about the USA losing the Vietnam War.

[@jeffreygao3956]

@@kiwimusume They could have meant France as well. Also, the right word is regressive, not conservative.

[@pinkfeiry]

I am dying over the painter who got executed for painting a woman ugly XD Please never stop telling us these stories they're the best.

[@jeffreygao3956]

Yes, this is real.

[@TeruteruBozusama]

History is full of weird moments

[@pas-giaw6055]

Him makes her beauty go yeet The emporer goes him yeet

[@user-Beans2017]

Not as weird as in the bible (and I learned this from my RE teacher) god sent a bear after some kids because they laughed at a mans beard

[@alachedelmictlan648]

@@user-Beans2017 God in the Old Testament is pretty much like any other European god in that era. Just as brutal and just as self-centered. The goodie-goddie thing came with Jesus haha.

[@toganium4175]

For all its faults, it's still better than the live action remake.

[@Hana_H]

True

[@JuFated]

Mulan 2 is clumsy and a cash grab but it never claimed to be accurate or realistic, unlike the actually harmful and offensive live action.

[@jovindsouza3407]

At least Mulan 2 has a grand total of one good scene (Lesson Number One). Mulan 2020 has a nothing at all.

[@GhostHunterDipperPines]

Sadly, that’s true

[@katet_33]

I agree with you and I couldn’t even finish Mulan 2.

[@redbomb3576]

Fun Fact: In some countries, Mulan 2 is ironically called Mulan: The final war. Despite the amount of war in it.

[@fossilfighters101]

wow i'm so glad mulan and shang getting married ended all wars

[@sweetbunnybun]

maybe they tried to hype it up

[@zainmudassir2964]

It's probably because there was no marriage alliance so China got invaded. The End

[@ChristianNeihart]

You know, with a title like that, I would imagine Mulan would be fighting King Ghidorah in that movie after jobbing the rest of the Toho monsters. I am so disappointed.

[@redbomb3576]

@@ChristianNeihart Disney: Oh! A new property to own!

[@Macaulyn_97]

I randomly remembered this video and got myself thinking that the way they portrayed the soldier trio as incels was such a waste, because they and the princesses actually had potential: - Now, Yao and Mei didn't have that much chemistry, it felt like they were pushed a little too much, so they'd need some serious rewriting. - Chien Po's very calm personality contrasting with Su being very energetic was cute. I just hate the fact that they bonded over liking to eat, because it was like "look, he is fat so he likes to eat a lot" and "look, she eats a lot but she is still very thin", but they could have been a cute couple with something else to bond over. - Ling and Ting Ting actually were the best ones, I love the idea that Ting Ting had a weird laugh and was probably taught to hide it because it wasn't "appropriate for a woman" or something like that and Ling would end up causing her to burst in laughter at one point he'd actually love her because of an aspect of her she was taught to hide. Hell, this movie would be better if Mulan and Shang were limited to cameos and the stories were focused on the trios meeting and having a better written love story.

[@mitsusah2612]

Nice to see others randomly coming back to this. :) I totally agree that Ling and Ting Ting had a good premesis. Sue and Chien Po could be just tuned a bit into them talking about favourite fruits or other culinary preferences and I think them being nerds about food like food critics would have worked well enough. The calm and energetic personalities do a big favor for them. Yao and Mei needs to be redone though. No idea how, but maybe something about Mei being able to see past Yao's looks like she did in the movie. Just more deep and let them actually talk more. Mulan and Shao not being central would be nice. Like them living their happily ever after and giving advice to the others. But I guess then the movie's name couldn't be Mulan II, if she isn't the main focus. 🤔

[@snowangelnc]

@@mitsusah2612 Another option would be just to focus on Ling and Ting Ting and have Yao and Chien Po having more of a wingmen role. The whole premise felt very forced, the idea that there were three guys so there had to be three princesses and all three sets had to match up like socks in the laundry.

[@kingace6186]

Rewriting Chien-Po as an incel was so unrealistic. Mulan 1 Chien-Po was husbando material.

[@hiitscupid3504]

i always thought yao and mei were really cute honestly

[@ericlamburg6751]

"If you haven't lost to Vietnam once, can you even call yourself a superpower?" Me (audible): Goddamn.

[@alphahunterd]

Vietnam is op

[@francescogulisano2917]

@@alphahunterd Vietnam and Afghanistan are the true superpowers

[@razk9231]

as an australian i giggled

[@airotiv7916]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED when she said this, floored by the greatness of this line 😍💜

[@MrDemonWorm]

"Merci becoup, Xiran!"

[@nomisunrider6472]

Fun fact: I saw the Mulan 2 trailer long before the actual movie, and Ting-Ting has a line in it where she acknowledges that she doesn't want this but that she will sacrifice for her people. It struck a chord with child me, how this woman couldn't fight like Mulan but seemed just as strong due to her conviction and honor, and even though it was just a single line I deeply admired her for her grace and selflessness. And then I watched the actual movie.

[@estherramsay445]

Can you send me the link?

[@nomisunrider6472]

@@estherramsay445 I'm pretty sure you can find it on youtube.

[@misslangleysoryuisiconic]

I need the warm sauce?

[@crypticmrchimes]

*Movie:* shows map *Xiran:* “I’m about to end this whole film’s dynasty!”

[@kiamichelleee.]

Ayyy 1K likes

[@crypticmrchimes]

@@kiamichelleee. Wait, WHAT? *HOW?!?*

[@kiamichelleee.]

@@crypticmrchimes magic 😌

[@talonstride]

@@crypticmrchimes It's straight-on perfect point of your comment relative to the video

[@billie1129]

i loved this movie as a kid. but only some moments : the little girls in the beggining, the princesses' designs and their little shoes, that scene where they go fruitpicking, Mulan's amazing beautiful stunning legendary wedding dress. but i wonder what made the people who worked on this sequel think kids wanted to see Mulan and Shang's relationship problems, Mushu becoming a petty antagonist to keep his job, and three couples with very strange relationship dynamics that i kinda want to unsee. all the while dragging our favorite bicon's good name through the mud by putting him in ridiculous situations. unacceptable.

[@zephlodwick1009]

Indeed

[@Varoon1]

“She went off to the grasslands to become a legend and the emperor executed the painter”, this is why I love this channel 😂

[@jeffreygao3956]

Well that’s one asshole of an emperor!

[@bogmoth6899]

Xiran: I am going to tear this bad excuse of a movie into pieces and I am going to look majestic while doing so

[@ipsumquaerere6927]

And so they did!

[@kaynecrimson1233]

Indeed

[@peckypork]

That's a Queen move if I've ever seen one😌

[@CCharmanderK]

"Y'all, this was just straight-up racist." I lost it.

[@dingle2987]

Lol, reminds me of the Siamese cats in Lady and the Tramp. Let’s play some cliche old movie generic supposedly asian notes and have them move their heads back and forth.

[@Firegen1]

Absolutely. Horrified to learn recently that Peggy Lee voiced them. That made that movie even weirder for me.

[@aaunyea4799]

@@dingle2987 and the Siamese cat from the "The Aristocats". Played the piano with chopsticks

[@solarmoth4628]

It felt of as a kid but as an adult I understand why.

[@ave8544]

@@aaunyea4799 I had purged this from my mind nooooo

[@renvocals]

It's frustrating to see writers move character development backwards. I mostly erased this film from my mind as a kid, but even just the screenshots at 17:16 are so annoying because the guys are supposed to have grown alongside Mulan - everybody remembers "Make a Man Out of You" and they were a part of it! They grew! Like Yao handing Mulan her stave instead of trying to trip her with it during the song, showing he's growing/softening up as a person. But now here they are still being toxic as if they hadn't learned anything; did the first movie even happen to the writers? Mulan suddenly hating arranged marriages when it was all she wanted at the beginning is also crazy.

[@SMTH_After_All]

The ironic thing about my feelings on this movie is that deleted scenes of Mulan 2 were actually more entertaining in my opinion. Shang proposed to Mulan when they were on a life or death mission. Still not accurate to actual Chinese proposals, but more entertaining at the very least. XD Also, the princesses in the deleted scenes were never in love with the incel trio and were just using them to escape their duty. Yeah, the princesses were more set on getting out of their arranged marriages in the original concept. Sure, they were being completely selfish in dooming China to war, but at least it was more realistic with their relationship with the incel trio. XD The princesses were more entertaining in the deleted scenes honestly, even if what they were doing was selfish. Honestly, it would have made a more interesting conflict with the whole message of the "my duty is to my heart" thing if they were trying to escape their arranged marriage instead of falling for the first guys they interact with in the movie. There's no saving this movie though and was better off scrapped.

[@teresar6348]

I mean making it life or death makes it more reasonable as to why they divert from the norm rather than the more western proposal happening just because they felt like it. Incel trio was not needed at all like they could have just been inept at traditional husbandry or fail the test due to taking clever solutions (That happen to fail) like mulan did due to influence. Maybe they give up on the idea of finding someone all together/. Better the 2 trios don't show interest til later, keeping the selfish reasons for now.

[@theanafront3746]

I agree. Listening to the art Team's commentary on those deleted scenes as a kid felt so much like they were trying really, really hard not to sound disappointed (...and like the Mouse _didn't_ have a gun pressed to their heads). Every creative and interesting idea they had was shot down by the Execs, and it's very possible that creative thought and effort was not even _allowed._ Its definitely a trend specific to all of the other Disney sequels, too.

[@starrsmith3810]

I have an idea: Fix Mulan and Shang personalities (cut the duty to my heart bullshit) Fix Mushu being a selfish ass Don’t make the three bodyguards into incels Have the three princesses actually going to get picked for an arrange marriage WITHOUT the threat of China being destroyed

[@SMTH_After_All]

@@asdcwdfvrebttnyt2183 In my opinion, even as a kid I felt very odd with the fact Chien Po, Yao, and Ling getting gfs when they barely did anything to earn it (being part of saving China in the first movie aside, even then, saving a country doesn't mean you're entitled to anyone's affections in the slightest). It really felt rushed and it had the potential to be cute if the guys didn't feel very manipulative in trying to get the girls to go on dates with them after Chien Po eavesdropped on the girls' musical number. (Chien Po you're supposed to be the good one DX) Also, it just felt contrived during the dates the princesses just so happen to be the perfect woman for each of them. Especially Su, do you honestly expect me to believe a young, pampered princess knows how to cook for herself? XD Joking aside, it just feels forced to just show the women happen to be everything the boys ever wanted instead of just, you know letting them like them for them despite not being completely perfect for them like the song said! I liked the deleted version of the relationship better because it shows both sides as being selfish. It has the potential for both sides to grow past their selfishness and bond with each other. It could be a lesson of they may not be the perfect bride/husband, but they are perfect for them because they genuinely appreciate their company.

[@starrsmith3810]

@@asdcwdfvrebttnyt2183 they low key were in the second movie. They were a lot more likeable in the first one.

[@orrinmenkins2916]

People: So is the whole "Mulan acts like a teenage girl trying to hook up her friends and damns her country to war" the reason why the sequel is bad? Xiran, suffering for 79 minutes straight: *Weeeeeeeeeeeeeelll.* *Edit:* I spent exactly 10 seconds coming up with this joke, so here's something actually of merit you can look at on a comment with this many likes. Atomic Kitten sung a cover of the "I Wanna Be Like Other Girls" song that was available in a music video on the DVD features. Worth noting that this song changed a lot of the song to 'modernize' it for 2005, although one line in particular could have worked in the original song. "No hands folded perfect like holding a lily" was changed to "No people that think that they know me but don't" and... seriously, why didn't they just use the latter? It's way less racist and fits perfectly with the story they're trying to tell.

[@NguyenNguyen-ro9xl]

Sorry but I have to ask. I don't really get the racism in "No hands folded perfect like holding a lily" mostly since I don't even understand what it means haha

[@adlirez]

@@NguyenNguyen-ro9xl it’s how the girls sang it in the movie with a fake Chinese accent

[@AuroSya]

I want Xiran to write an animated remake of the Mulan movies. They're one of the writers I would trust.

[@thatHARVguy]

A companion story to Iron Widow? Are Mulan and Shang drift compatible?

[@Ilypookies]

Ya and she would have it be just as good

[@ieatteeth5605]

Disney should hire her!

[@jeffreygao3956]

@@ieatteeth5605 They don’t have the brains. This is the same Disney behind the Mickey Mouse Protection Act, live action remakes, and who canned The Owl House. Plus, Xiran criticized Disney before so they DEFINITELY won’t be hired!

[@_hunnybe]

"Bisexual Legend Li Shang" is the only name I will accept now

[@user-xt9nw6bf3g]

I was just about to comment that lol. I very much agree with that statement

[@Victoria-_]

Same 😌

[@antoniocasias5545]

I think it’s too much of a stretch

[@petrusnelson4248]

I don't think he's bisexual at all. He's as straight as they come. It always baffled me how people love to label him as such. I never saw any indication that he's interested in Mulan when she was disguised as a boy. I always see this as being presumptuous.

[@_hunnybe]

@@petrusnelson4248 it's presumptuous to label anyone anything that they haven't named themselves. This character is fictional, though. Also, BD Wong has gone on record saying Shang was fluid or queer 🤷‍♀️

[@Fallphoenix18]

You can see the joy in Xiran's eyes when they discover what dynasty this movie is set in, purely because they can now rant about the inaccuracy and nobody can say a thing

[@jeffreygao3956]

But then, that just raises more questions!

[@janetai1277]

Imagine how different the sequel might've been if they followed ancient Chinese proposal/marriage traditions and the conflict was instead between the Li family and Fa/Hua family or something

[@akinmytua4680]

Oooo

[@MortMe0430]

Or even if we'd gotten to meet any of Shang's family at all beyond his late father. He could have had his own whole-ass interesting supporting cast, but everything that could have made this movie better in terms of narrative was either cut or never conceived of.

[@davidsteinmetz7256]

Idk, I low key wanna say that families not getting along is soo beyond cliche in movies in general, but... it would have been much more bearable than what happened in this train wreck, so I'll allow it. Although I also don't know how any of that would work from a Chinese cultural standpoint and if Disney would have been able to (mostly) faithfully dictated possible conflicts between the two families. Is there any merit to a plot like this? I'm asking anyone who knows more than my ignorant self XD.

[@acecat2798]

Can you imagine the emotional conflict between, say, Bisexual Legend Li Shang's more traditional military family and Mulan? Maybe his mom really likes Mulan personally but doubts her aptitude in the role of wife and mother. But Mulan proves that her compassion, cleverness and her teamwork with Bisexual Legend Li Shang would make them a great match! Or his grandma is very much a stick-in-the-mud and the B-plot is her and Grandma Fa getting up to cartoon hijinks? (Mulan's mom has to stop the grandmas fist-fighting in the courtyard). Add to this the real grief for Bisexual Legend Li Shang's dad- the fact that even though Mulan saved China, the invasion still had casualties. This would be great emotional drama and a smaller domestic story would be very doable on a slashed sequel budget- maybe throw in an action scene with some bandits or something if you have to but keep the focus on the family dynamics. EDIT: I just realized there's an epic scene built into the premise where Bisexual Legend Li Shang and his family ask the matchmaker to their house and she's fawning over a family of such high status asking for her services... and they ask her to open talks with the Fa family for the hand of Fa dumped-tea-in-her-face Mulan. There's also a built-in main character conflict because Mulan came into her own in the first movie, but she needs to maintain that space to be herself openly and honestly while knowing that some traditions hold great value and should be respected. What does she do with herself once everything's back to normal- can she inhabit multiple conflicting roles at once? Can she inhabit a role without being defined by it? (Yes.)

[@davidsteinmetz7256]

@@acecat2798 You had me at grandma fist fight XD I could get behind having TWO iconic grandmas in one show and have them throw down. If there's one thing Disney (And pretty much everything) does right, its the sassy grandma. Case in point? Xiran loved the grandma in this and made no complaints about her!

[@natashamorais6264]

"Bless her iconicness" and "white people tattoo nonsense" are my favorite lines. I'll use it on a daily bases from now on.

[@sinclair707]

I love this woman sm

[@Baldwin-iv445]

@ariel_the_terrible Yeah whoever she dates has gotta be in extremely lucky.

[@Baldwin-iv445]

@ariel_the_terrible Yeah whoever she dates has gotta be in extremely lucky.

[@mystiquedarkholm3818]

"When girls say that they're not like other girls, what they mean is that they're not like the vaped, two-dimensional idea of women constructed in popular media by men" That was one of the most brutally honest smackdowns I have ever heard.

[@nmg6248]

Then they proceed to turn the princesses and Mulan into said 2D caricatures 😬

[@_stupidbro]

@@nmg6248 Ironic when you think about it

[@GTRNights]

Hell, I think it's ironic that so many people are trying to focus on how empowering it is for a woman to do combat, when traditionally, 99% of MEN are the ones dying in combat to protect said women. But you know, evil patriarchy and all that.

[@usagibun77]

@@GTRNights Yes because all men start and go to wars to protect women, not because men like war or anything. Lol.

[@GTRNights]

@@usagibun77 Point being that men are the ones fighting and women aren't, therefore women are profiting from the protection of men. I wasn't saying men go to war with the sole purpose of protecting women (though many do simply out of a desire to protect their families and country.) War isn't ever started by the men who fight. Wars are started by the men in power, and the men who fight are just their pawns in the game for more power. It's not like they have a choice. Especially in situations of conscription or draft. Myself as a US Army veteran of the 1st Infantry Division and US SOCOM, I can assure you, men don't "LIKE" war. Only a dipshit with no clue would think otherwise.

[@jessephillips1233]

"If you haven't lost to Vietnam once can you even call yourself a superpower?" Best line in this - I laughed so hard

[@naniandrea3344]

Lmao same

[@RuralSquirrelJuror]

I CACKLED, it was genius

[@jeffreygao3956]

Well, it sure didn't work for Cambodia.

[@rockyblacksmith]

Though it's even more fitting for Afghanistan.

[@jeffreygao3956]

@@rockyblacksmith Pretty much: Great Britain Soviet Union United States Mongol Empire

[@libeflu]

Shang just turned into bridezilla out of stress, it's not his fault

[@Niobesnuppa]

Bisexual legend Shang just wanted the perfect wedding!

[@hat7475]

I haven't even watched the whole video (let alone the sequal) and now I'm terrified 😀

[@victoriapulcifer6218]

I dunno about yall. But I don't suddenly turn into a sexist when I'm stressed out. He literally told Mulan "I wouldn't want to chip your paint". Yeah I get he was sexist in the first movie too but they don't really address this like they do in the first film

[@lou-cidmire3065]

The reason these vids are so addictive is because you're not only critiquing an animated movie, you're teaching people little bits of history - like the I Ching divination thing had me invested for real. Also you have a cool & pleasant voice haha.

[@DarthGardens]

I love how mulan (1) was about feminine strength and underestimating people And mulan (2) was about hahaha married couples hate each other and fight over a road trip

[@sparrowskeleton1831]

Ah yes, “Valiant Upper Arm” is my favorite character in Disney movies.

[@RozehKakes]

wow i love Big Valiant Upper Arm 6 uwu

[@ryanspears9704]

I was so confused as a child by the “like holding a lily” because I’ve never seen ANYONE hold it like that! Then Xiran calls out the racism! I LIVE!

[@MissRiny]

In the German dub it says "stand straight like lilies" and I always thought it would be just a reference that royal girls would have been pushed to have a perfect posture more way more than the average girl.

[@just-trying-my-best-everyday]

I don't get it.

[@mirusama7045]

@@MissRiny in Polish it's "without hands innocently folded into a line/ruler" and it doesn't make much sense, but it does describe their hands I guess (we have the same word for a line and a ruler so idk which one it is)

[@BonaparteBardithion]

Still have no idea why they picked that one line to go all "We are Si-a-meeese".

[@dbseamz]

BonaparteBardithion ohhhh so the accent was the racist part, that makes way more sense! I thought it was something to do with the pose

[@Droemar]

"The alliance will crumble and the Mongols will destroy us." I don't know anything about Chinese history, but I do know Mongols. And it was my understanding that the Mongols were like "Wait, you're paying us because you can't defend yourselves? Then why don't we just take what you can't defend anyway?" For EVERYTHING. Cultural definitions of property ownership can really ruin your day.

[@jeffreygao3956]

Coming from someone who is kinda an expert in Chinese history, you'd have an easier time teaching a bunch of trolls the alphabet than you would getting various empires(Jin, Song, and a bunch more I'm forgetting) of the 13th century to cooperate against the Mongol threat.

[@SeruraRenge11]

From what I can tell what happened was the different empires were too busy fighting each other to fight the Mongols until it was too late. "The Jin are getting sacked? Good, fuck those guys!"

[@NWolfsson]

"I got blocked by a whole government." Weird flex, but okay!

[@MammaApa]

This is easier than you'd think with china. Mention Tiananmen Square anywhere on your linked in profile and you are instantly blocked from viewing in china. I am sure this is true for other social media platforms aswell.

[@TopDesert_ace]

Every time she mentions VPNs and being blocked by the CCP, I'm tempted to get a VPN just to get on Chinese social media and rile up the CCP.

[@timmyimmy5697]

tbh that’s kinda of a power move, imagine being such a badass a whole country blocks you

[@thebettermtvrockstar]

yeah please don't aggravate the ccp, especially if you're a chinese citizen. it may pay a visit for some tea-

[@olivialim7541]

it sounds badass

[@leafbladie]

Probably one of the less awful Disney sequels, but it feels more insulting since it followed one of the best originals.

[@darkangelprincess101]

The only Disney sequel I like is lion king two

[@MaysoonJeffery]

The worst sequel ever is still cars 2. -_-

[@GhostHunterDipperPines]

@@MaysoonJeffery cars 2 is so bad it’s good, the Disney sequels in my opinion are worse because they’re just boring

[@lenorabrown4702]

Cinderella 3: A twist in time is still the best

[@GottaGoBlast]

@@lenorabrown4702 HANDS DOWN 🙌

[@Sjono]

“Mushu became the most selfish Disney character.” Kuzco: “Allow me to introduce myself.”

[@gorg6151]

YOU THREW OFF MY GROOVE!

[@anonymousname5860]

“I’m sorry but you’ve thrown off the emperor’s groove”

[@amethishi]

SOOOOOOOORRRRYYYYY!!!!!

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

Yeah, but at least Kuzco gets continually punished and humiliated for his hubris until he sees the error of his ways. In this movie, Mushu gets away pretty much scot-free with just a few temporary cartoon injuries and a mild scolding from Mulan and Shang.

[@decapitated420]

@@imveryangryitsnotbutter and at least kuzco was a bit likable, he was funny whereas mushu just seemed more irritating

[@indigovae3579]

i love how the video went from being an analysis of the cultural pros and cons of the movie to a film theory of when the movie was set. love it!

[@jeffreygao3956]

But that raises more questions!

[@bleeding.shrooms]

but that’s just a theory, a film theory!

[@Eddrian32]

*Grandparent doesn't understand social media, family drama ensues* Oh, I've seen this one before! Also "bicentennial peasant uprising" is now my new favorite thing

[@ErikMyLove]

"I'm adopting you. You're a princess now. Go" It killed me xD

[@alachedelmictlan648]

"HELLO GIRL I JUST HIRED TO WORK TO SERVE THE EMPEROR-"

[@Xixi_the_princess]

“Why does this movie exist?!” ...So you can roast it like roast duck and feed it to us.

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

Is duck anything like turkey? Need to try some sometime.

[@Xixi_the_princess]

@@TheKing-qz9wd Watching this video, it is probably like turkey. Don’t quote me on that though

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

@@Xixi_the_princess Eh, as long as it is better than turtle.

[@Rainygirl3100]

@@TheKing-qz9wd It's very similar in flavor and texture to dark meat turkey, yes. Maybe a little less dry

[@BlitzedPort]

So I decided to watch Lady General Hua Mu-lan after this video and it's SO GOOD!!! One part that struck me as especially wholesome is right as she's getting ready to leave for war, she really wants to learn some of her father's techniques but he won't show her because she's a woman. So she has it set up that her male cousin will introduce her in a disguise to her father as his "friend" who he'll be signing on with and asks that he shows the two of them some of his old moves, just so she can learn from him. It's really very precious.

[@jugemujugemugokonosurikire4735]

I feel like the script writers of mulan 2 were like: - Hmmm let's make an Asian movie - OK let's do mulan since it was popular at first - OK since its Chinese, let's add gender disputes - OK since its also ancient China, let's add stuff that looks Chinese (hit or miss)

[@KarmasAB123]

Artists: *hopelessly try to rectify ignorance*

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

"OK since its Chinese, let's add dragons EVERYWHERE." "Well actually, the Chinese have this god of love and marriage named Yue-" "The Golden Dragon of unity commands you to shut up."

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

How come there are rarely ever lions in Western made Chinese media? We see the statues all the time in Chinatowns and know of the Lion Dance for New Years yet Hollywood always chooses dragons. Yeah dragons are cool but like...clearly the lion are important to Chinese culture so????

[@Niobesnuppa]

Then one of the office workers shows up one day with a Chinese finger trap, and is like "Guys, the label says it's Chinese! Let's put it in the movie!"

[@kevinbayu7621]

@@ThexDynastxQueen Serpent like dragon are usually associated with Eastern culture (despite the fact basilisk and lindwurm exist in western myth) whilst lions are more universal and less exotic.

[@jadedflames2809]

"I got blocked by the whole government" I love this energy, and it always makes me laugh

[@AccentedCinema]

That's not a Ruyi. That's an "as seen on TV" Comfort Wipe. I refuse to accept another other explanations.

[@vanessameow1902]

Ayy you're here! I love your channel.❤❤

[@Speireata4]

Thanks, I couldn't remember where I had seen that shape, but it looked familiar. I would have never remembered that comfort wipe gadget!

[@alext3811]

"We were inspired by the house of mirriors in VERASILLES"! ... Wait, wrong video...

[@francescogulisano2917]

Collaboration with Xiran when?

[@Ola-ib8iq]

12:21 I actually like this detail, because we can interpret this as Shang being in balance with his feminine side thanks to Mulan, and Mulan being in balance with her masculine side thanks to Shang. They balance each other :)

[@ToruKun1]

Mulan and Shang fighting over asking directions = BOOMER HUMOR ÜBER ALLES

[@SipAndSociology]

Wenn das Deutsch auf einmal rauskommt

[@DocKrazy]

@@SipAndSociology ja... Passiert halt ne

[@keineahnung6184]

Ah i see Ein weiterer German

[@ayior]

No one: Germans: Hippidy Hoppity this Comment Section is now MEIN EIGENTUM

[@cuongpham6218]

Ist jemand hier Deutsch-Asiate? xD

[@manglednatalia]

God, I hated this movie as a kid. The conflict feels soooo forced and what they did to Shang is unbelievable.

[@phoenixshadow6633]

Still more emotionally engaging than the 2020 remake.

[@LmaoMoni]

哈哈哈

[@jesscerabm]

Yes and that emotion is rage

[@area52ron]

@@jesscerabm at least it’s something

[@jesscerabm]

@@area52ron Fair

[@area52ron]

@@jesscerabm I felt absolutely nothing for the 2020 movie remake all I did was roll my eyes

[@fancycakes9253]

my family was broke and disney charged a ton for their actual films (when they weren't locked up in "the vault") so these were the disney movies we got for christmas i also started reading fanfiction at a young age and i remember even then thinking "wow its like someone's "post-movie" fanfic got fully animated"

[@aylacrissman3443]

Faithfully asking for you to review JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES and AMERICAN DRAGON: JAKE LONG!! Please and thank you!

[@Lunarchild00]

I second Jackie Chan Adventures

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

I second American Dragon: Jake Long!

[@ИмяФамилия-ф2д8ш]

I second the whole comment

[@Alaninjas]

I second the whole comment too

[@jacobboski1768]

I third the whole comment three

[@desanipt]

Wait, your friends pay rent to their parents? That's normal in North America?

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

I will copy my reply to an earlier comment, because I am still mad about it: My friends' parents think my parents are "too soft" for not charging my brother and I rent to /not move out of our childhood home/. We live in Auckland. There is a housing crisis. There's NO WAY most young millennials here can afford rent without major sacrifice / going hungry. But, no, my friends' parents still laugh at mine for not charging us hundreds of dollars a week, and they think they're "generous" and "kind" because they COULD be charging their kids market rates, which is closer to a grand a week. The friends who have moved out are barely keeping a roof over their heads, often by not being able to afford food consistently. Their parents do not give a single damn. Ah, upper-class white British New Zealanders are... I'm gonna say... interesting.

[@Fallowsthorn]

Generally (here in the Pacific Northwest, at least), this happens because a lot of people live in apartments and/or have mortgages that they need to pay for every month. The child, at this point a young adult ideally beginning their career, effectively becomes another roommate and is expected to contribute to the household income for food, utilities, etc, etc. My parents don't make me pay rent because I'm disabled and have no income, but it seems reasonable enough to me, inasmuch as any capitalism is "reasonable."

[@amymanen5699]

I did

[@guy-sl3kr]

That's neoliberalism for you. Western countries revolve completely around capitalism and there is immense pressure for the working class to work & consume as much as possible. The threat of homelessness plays a big role in forcing people to be compliant workers and people have been indoctrinated into accepting this as a fact of life. That's why many parents see charging rent from their children as teaching pErSOnaL rEsPonSibiLiTy instead of promoting an oppressive system. A family where every single member works a full-time job (even the young and elderly) is seen as upstanding instead of dystopic. Also this wasn't meant towards the people that genuinely cannot afford housing without everyone contributing. It really is absurdly expensive in most places

[@rwar3206]

Yeah, a lot of people (especially American kids, from my experience) have had that experience. My step-mom threatened rent on me when I was still in elementary school lmao

[@kenziecullen4434]

I read on the Disney Wiki that the scene of Yao returning Mei’s slipper is inaccurate as a woman’s feet were considered as private as her lady bits in ancient East Asian cultures. Is this true? Because it’s kind of hilarious if this scene, just innocently trying to have a Cinderella moment, would have actually been akin to Mei flashing her breasts or hoo-hoo at Yao!

[@hydrogenperoxide7244]

for what i remember, this is true. the parts below the ankles are more private than your breasts and arms, so the Chinese paintings in history you can see all women always cover their legs and ankles. You can find some paintings that women at home wearing thin-ass upper clothing and rolling their sleeves up during summer but never once showing their ankles.

[@Checkmate1138]

So what would have been more historically appropriate, if the princess did accidentally let her slipper fall off? People just leave it there?

[@Checkmate1138]

@@sundalosketch4769 Ah, I didn't know if she would be "allowed" to stop to bend down and pick up her own shoe. Instead, what you said is a lot easier.

[@hat7475]

HOO HOO ;LMAOI HDSJKAGKHJD

[@dakotamartinez8310]

That would be embarrassing!

[@thatoneguy2886]

that Vietnam dig was legendary because America's schools', politics, and society mysteriously fails to mention ANYONE fighting Vietnam

[@jeffreygao3956]

But James Leowen does! Read Lies my Teacher told Me.

[@jeffreygao3956]

Even if China, France, and South Korea aren’t superpowers, they are certainly close to it!

[@thepinkelephant2520]

Fr! My 8th grade english teacher was pretty miffed about that and kept telling us that America called the Vietnam War a “conflict” to avoid further embarrassment and we read a wonderful novel on the war called Inside Out (or something similar). She was an excellent teacher

[@Wahzoozoo]

I can’t get over how terribly drawn Mulan is, it’s like not even the same person!! They look so bad!

[@ocean6828]

All of the straight to DVD sequels were opportunities for newbie animators, writers, etc. to practice before getting into “real” movies

[@ultrairrelevantnobody1862]

@Ocean Some of the people who worked on these sequels also said strict budget and time constraints were why they turned out the way they did.

[@dexa6623]

Please go easy on the artists. They didn't choose for this to be written so badly, and it seems like at least a few of them were trying hard with getting some stuff accurate. Generally movies like this one are made by their newer and less skilled artists to build some talent and confidence. They also wouldn't have put nearly as much funding into this movie as the original, so they were working on a smaller budget. The ones who were doing the racist caricatures suck though. The real fault goes to whoever decided to produce the movie, and gave the script the go ahead.

[@ultrairrelevantnobody1862]

^This.

[@EclecticallyEccentric]

@@dexa6623 Someone working hard on something doesn't mean you should go any easier on the criticism.

[@honeydragon3909]

I get SO distracted whenever their cats show up on screen, Temujin is baby

[@bloodywilliam3083]

Tes!

[@voidify3]

“We have no obligation to make art, history, or a statement. Those are just bonus side effects of our goal: to make money” - Michael Eisner, the man who ordered all these goddamn direct to video sequels

[@Isabelle-hv6ny]

Thats just.... disgusting

[@voidify3]

@@Isabelle-hv6ny [jazz hands] thats the 80s, baby

[@Isabelle-hv6ny]

@@voidify3 And still accurate but without the aspect that they made art

[@Mysticgamer]

@@voidify3 80s? The sequels started in the 90s with the return of Jafar. I remember being excited for sequels to the Disney classics but Aladdin 2 put a stop to that real quick.

[@voidify3]

@@Mysticgamer the reason I said 80s was that Eisner said this in the 80s. But he led Disney from the mid 80s until the mid 00s

[@HououMinamino]

It really bothered me that Mulan was uncomfortable with the idea of an arranged marriage, when in the first movie, that's what she was going to the matchmaker for. And she even voiced this opinion in front of the Emperor. It seemed like the movie was really pushing the "arranged marriage=bad" angle, with the princesses even getting to marry the men they fell in love with at the end, but in the era Mulan is set, that likely never would have happened, especially due to the fact that the marriage was being arranged for an important alliance with another country. It also seemed strange to me that the Emperor was sending all three of his daughters off to be married, when the ruler of the other country apparently only had one son...or at least, we only see one son. What happened to the other two sons that were mentioned in the beginning? Honestly, I would have loved to have seen a twist in which the son of the other emperor is actually a sweet guy, and upon finding out that his betrothed is in love with another, sings a passionate song and vows to show how much he cares for his bride-to-be...and she overhears it and is moved to tears. Something like that. Or maybe, a six-man song comparing and contrasting the princes and the soldiers. Like, one prince sings a line, and then Yao sings a line, etc. Also, the princesses want to be like other girls? Other girls in China weren't free to do as they pleased. They still had arranged marriages. The whole song makes no sense. I always thought that Qui-Gong was Korea for some reason.

[@jeffreygao3956]

But if it's Korea, then it should be to the EAST on the map not west. Also, in the late 5th century Korea wasn't a thing. There was Gorguryeo, Bakjae, Gaya, and Silla. And I agree that this movie doesn't make much sense.

[@HououMinamino]

@@jeffreygao3956 I knew about that; I thought maybe it was based on one of those kingdoms. Probably should have clarified that. The first one you mentioned came to mind. But you are right--if they were headed west, it couldn't have been one of those. I'd love to know what it really was modeled after, or if it was just "some other random kingdom in Asia somewhere."

[@jeffreygao3956]

Judging by geography, I would guess Russia or Kazakhstan but that falls apart when you realize none of those countries would have been Chinese inspired by the late 5th century nor would they even have existed! What is now Kazakhstan would likely have been Rouran territory in the late 5th century but no Russian state existed then, not even the Kievan Rus which was formed in 882! I’m lost here! This is a mess!

[@HououMinamino]

@@jeffreygao3956 Yep, the entire movie is a mess! The emperor sent them in the wrong direction, it seems!

[@imyourdaddy5822]

Qui Gong isn't an actual place in fact the closest reference I ever found to it was an east Asian body healing method.

[@theanafront3746]

The "Like Other Girls" song confused me so much as a kid. What "other girls" are they referring to? They don't want to be in arranged marriages to people they don't love, so they wish to be like "other girls"...who are STILL made to go into arranged marriages with people they don't love...???

[@candycane1744]

Omg same

[@dakotamartinez8310]

This could work for first world countries like America in modern times, but it really does not make sense for them to refer to citizens who go through the same situation.

[@alister707]

there is a possibility that they don’t know, a small possibility but it’s there. Also just generally not being politically involved in any way, well ok - I mean; they’re marrying people of entirely different status than they likely would if they were average citizens.

[@yasminthespiritsinger7704]

They are talking about peasant girls who did marry who they loved.

[@mia-saraking5479]

@@yasminthespiritsinger7704 but common girls also were matched by match makers as well

[@Lotan_]

Huh, I always assumed Shang got the Yin half of the amulet due to him being more reserved and orderily, and Mulan got the Yang half for being the more outgoing and chaotic.

[@sundalosketch4769]

Same, i thought it was a play on how Mulan made a great man while Shang became more in touch with his soft side (being soft being commonly referred to as a feminine trait). Which would've made their given halves very poetic in a weird way.

[@rockinrootbeer1795]

And I thought they were given each other's halves on purpose since they complete each other.

[@KitTheAnkafolk]

All three of these are fascinating theories!

[@edniz]

Actually, Yin is the one that represents chaos, not order.

[@Lotan_]

@@edniz I've read conflicting things about it. But characteristically it seems to make more sense for Yang to be chaotic, given its principle is represented by spllitting, light, fire, etc.

[@isao-tann]

13:23 I'm actually Vietnamese and this joke was actually so sweet. Most Vietnam joke is about the whole "why are we still here" type of beat which gets frustrating after a while. Most tend to happily ignores our existence and the fact that they raided Vietnam, even when there is acknowledgement, it isn't about Vietnam being able to pull our weight but about how much suffering they got as a result of fighting us unprompted. I know it's just a joke but thankyu for making it and putting it in the video! Your content is so entertaining and informative! Thankyu for making them!

[@buianh1257]

❤ Trần Hưng Đạo

[@jeffreygao3956]

Well then...QUIT MAKING FUN OF FRANCE! They're a TRUE superpower because they lost to Vietnam.

[@luc.6605]

@@jeffreygao3956 i mean france was kinda a superpower once so ig that counts lmao

[@Baldwin-iv445]

Quick question. How were Veterans in Vietnam treated after the war was over? Because we all know what happened to our boys here in America, but I've never seen how Vietnam's fared.

[@isao-tann]

​@@Baldwin-iv445 This is mainly from what I've witnessed from my gtandparents' family who are vets from the America-Vietnam war so do read on if you're interested but do be aware of the bias. After a long period of being very poor and being forced to send their kids to random relative or friends' houses while they (my grandma and grandpa were at war), VN won the war, they were remembered as war heroes. They were given a certificate of sorts, a small amount of money and were given jobs. However, perhaps due to lack of hindsight or general desperation due to the state of the country, the vets weren't given high ranking jobs and roles thatthey specialized about. Ex: my grandma was a medic in the war, they later on appointed her a position on construction. Multiples were like this, which didn't help the economy. I will note that my grandparents were both still capable individuals, meaning they didn't have any huge injuries on them, limbs full intact and all. For those who sustain really bad injuries from the war, the government send them small amount money and provide a few, like, additional things for their children. Like, if they have kids who are at school, then those kids will get some help or does not need to pay tuition due to the parents' contribution to the war and such. They are treated differently depending on who you ask. People who were on their side treat them with respect, generally the country celebrate their efforts. But there are also many who see them as foolish, as getting a high ranking job easy/cheats in the system, among other things in relation to other political things going on within the country at the time. It all gets a bit messy, as you'd expect. I hope that helps!

[@astrawwberri]

Fun fact: Not only do some Chinese people get offended when called by their full name, we also call anyone who is older than us (no matter related or not) aunt or uncle eg. 小明叔叔 (uncle xiaoming). The exception is for elderly

[@lounanotfluentinenglish]

I just realized I forgot 90% of the movie, the only parts I remembered were the crying under the rain (that part traumatized me), the gymnasts walking on their hands and the princess's funny laugh. And the soldier putting chopsticks in his nose.

[@Crosshill]

i remember the cool swings and the wedding headdress

[@mikechicago6200]

That scene where mulan cried for Zhangs supposed death was the most acting Ming Na Wen acted as Mulan and man it showed so that one scene i gotta give props.

[@sks17873]

Literally that scene is 90% of the reason why I rewatch the movie occasionally

[@renji90998]

I heard Ming-na Wen actually got genuinely emotional during the scene where Shang sacrificed himself. She truly gave her all, despite it being in this awful sequel. She definitely deserves more recognition.

[@Evergreenoutsider10]

The only good scene in this movie

[@lich109]

If you look up the voice acting recording for that scene she really is giving it her all (there's tears and everything). A shame it's in this movie.

[@misslangleysoryuisiconic]

Ming was actually crying on that scene

[@jeffreygao3956]

Too bad it didn’t save the movie.

[@shroomyk]

I've noticed that in a lot of Disney sequels, they completely change the characters' personalities to fit some kind of phoned-in, half-assed plot. Even as a kid, I noticed this.

[@alistairmooncrest5018]

"If you're a weeb...anime...you know of the red-string of fate." *glances at the XX number of soulmate AU fanfics across various fandoms in my history* This...was an anime thing?? 😳

[@ИмяФамилия-ф2д8ш]

Always has been

[@Nat-ls1uo]

Yes same with Hanahaki AU, they're from Asia

[@missserenity1090]

Your Name is a really good movie including the red string

[@ComfyCatNya]

Well it’s a Japanese thing, (I think?) and as a result used a lot in anime

[@se1inq]

@@ComfyCatNya no it was Chinese.

[@DragonriderEpona]

The sequels that were published on VHS/DVD usually had a muuuuch lower budget. That's probably why the imperial palace doesn't look as good as in the first film.

[@T_1.5]

Am i the only one who feels old remembering when movies were straight to VHS/DVD? I think I still have a few VHS tapes laying around somewhere....😅

[@maldon3659]

@@T_1.5 I collected these movies on VHS aswell though I gave them to charity ages ago

[@emikookime1849]

Also why they couldn’t hire Eddie Murphy again lol. They probably couldn’t afford his time.

[@eoghanfeighery7383]

@@emikookime1849 Plus Shrek 2 came out in the same year.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

But then, why not just copypaste the palace and change the background to be brighter to reflect the daytime?

[@julian7247]

So "bisexual legend Li Shang" is his full name? Thats canon now.

[@misslangleysoryuisiconic]

_When she said “Bisexual legend Li Shang”, I fucking laughed out and almost woke up someone in the middle of the night_

[@keketski5430]

This is disney they cant be gay lmao

[@Jaboooeyiii]

@@keketski5430 The animators: umm, chile anyways so-

[@Faeriiexx]

@@keketski5430 I mean we have gay Disney now with the owl house and Luca

[@keketski5430]

@@Faeriiexx is it confirmed tho

[@thatweirdgirl8466]

24:35 I like the freeze frame here showing how weird Disney movies are if you pause at the right time. All three of them have their eyes looking in different directions.

[@LeonardoKlotz]

There is an animated series on Netflix called LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS One of the episodes is called GOOD HUNTING, and it is set on 19th century China during British colonization of Hong Kong It is both fantasy and science fiction, with Huli Jings and steampunk Can you do a breakdown of that episode from a cultural point of view?

[@Sabrina-sc1db]

I second this!!!

[@olivialescarbeau1075]

Ohhh, that would be cool

[@kelsyejordan]

This would be interesting

[@SweetHime]

Yes! That’s one of my favorite episodes. The steampunk city reminded me so much of Rapture and the city of Columbia the Bioshock video games.

[@shinyagumon7015]

Oh yeah that one was terrifying

[@ahstiasummers5583]

I have a personal story relating to that line about the one with the uterus deciding kids My Chinese mom doesn't like how I want to adopt kids someday, despite the fact she adopted me. She insists that "what if your husband wants kids" and "you'll love them more when they're your own". So I tell her that my now-boyfriend and I did discuss that, and he told me that because I'm the one with the uterus (and subsequently will be the one suffering all the side effects of pregnancy and childbirth), I get ultimate say over how many kids to have or not have

[@elektrapapakosma8144]

I am sorry but it's kind of fucked up that she said biological children are more loved than adoptive ones especially when she adopted you 😬 tho good job to your husband for understanding ❤️

[@dakotamartinez8310]

That is nice of him.

[@FaerieFlossPrince]

High-key eyeballing your mom saying you'll love your biological children more than your adopted children. Like...what the -actual- fuck? She adopted -You-? Hello???

[@rainnchen9632]

"what if your husband wants kids" Yes, because women's bodies should be owned by their husbands. Ew.

[@ahstiasummers5583]

@@rainnchen9632 my mom has rather conservative beliefs that think girls should get total makeovers just to please men Also in Asian cultures, there tends to be a heavy emphasis on blood relations above all. That you can’t be “real” family if you aren’t biologically related.

[@wherefancytakesme]

Even being a white kid, I knew the golden dragon of unity sounded like total bullshit.

[@user-Beans2017]

0:26 we interrupt this video to show you an adorable ,interrupting, and non-suspicious cat who’s climbing all over the background

[@SnowEarDraws]

Xiran Jay Zhao: roast Mulan 2 Little kitty: climbs and falls everywhere

[@kneau]

Pretty sure kitty starts climbing the other side of their backdrop around 02:04. Wonderful

[@cupofcozy708]

I'll be honest, I kind of forgot there was a Mulan sequel movie

[@jadeuwu9860]

LOL SAME

[@megadracosaurus]

Probably for the best, let's be real.

[@InOzWeTrust]

Didn't even know it existed to forget about it myself.

[@Viva_Cynefin]

I never do it exsited-- I wish it stayed that way

[@sunsetskye483]

None of the Disney sequels(for the classics) exist. They just don’t.

[@renesebastianpagsanjan3461]

When she said "why are they trying to pass the island of Japan?" I laughed so hard

[@alicianagel3351]

It caught me off guard so badly lmao

[@jeffreygao3956]

I don’t know! This movie makes not sense!

[@reimichacha]

A little late, but fun fact! The artist who designed Yao got his inspiration from his beautiful baby girl pit. It’s why Yao looks rough and scary in the first movie but sweet and love able in the sequel. It also explains why his personality makes him so fiercely protective of his friends.

[@whatalsaid]

Yo, they did shang dirty in this one. You know how the Prince from Cinderella became objectively better in the sequels? Well, the opposite thing happened with Shang.

[@patroka]

I feel like a big part of growing up is realizing “being a princess in real life would suck, because arranged marriages were a necessary and practical tool of the cultures that had monarchies/nobility”. (Not that they were a good thing, ofc, just that they were important to the ‘system’ and couldn’t be avoided without consequences.) Which this movie almost ironically seems to help teach.

[@acecat2798]

Definitely agree. An even more depressing part of growing up is realizing that basically nobody got any choices for free. Maybe if you're lucky you won't have to choose between love and being safe and provided for because a match will come with all three, but you might not get any of the three. You might just marry someone because they're there- lovelessness doesn't even automatically mean that you'll be safe from hunger, the way it's often presented as love match vs. wealth match. The more I dig into primary sources, the more I'm comforted about this- because people can and do soldier through a lot of things, and a marriage (based on love, wealth or both) hopefully isn't going to be your only social-emotional outlet or even necessarily the primary one. But the more I dig into sources I also get more depressed, because sometimes it really is as soulless as watching someone never get their needs met in any way. I guess it's just weird that I got taught in school that peasants had more choice in marriage. Usually when there was choice there were still big factors with money, prestige, health, religion and how the families' trades interacted, even if personal feelings got taken into account and the individuals had the power to choose or veto. Where refusing an arranged marriage as a noble might break up an alliance, for a peasant that might mean your parents' business won't be saved from bankruptcy from partnering with your spouse's family, which might very well mean starvation if things go south.

[@colleen6440]

What annoyed me was the princesses singing about how of they were peasants they could do whatever they want but the whole opening part of Mulan 1 is that Mulan had a lot of social rules to live up to and didn't have choices.

[@brandonlyon730]

Well I give credit to Empress Catherine of Russia, she managed to make herself from a princess consort to becoming the leader of the biggest Empire in the world after pulling it from under the rug of her own Tsar husband.

[@vinnie906]

They disrespected Mulan so much in Mulan 2... Still, she looks more complex there than in the live action. In the live action they just straight up brain washed her.

[@multilad816]

Let's dismiss Mulan 2 as an alternate timeline

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

1:41 As a guardian, he should be a stone statue waiting to be awakened by the gong! When the ancestors "demoted" him to ringing said gong, they were more punishing themselves because they had to awaken him and his mouth every time! They should have just put his statue in a corner, somewhere.

[@That_One_Gaming_Guy]

Aww, Temujin is an adorable disturber

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

He's going to take over the entire continent some day, mark my words.

[@Meeko4eve39]

@@imveryangryitsnotbutter I see what you did there and I appreciate it 😏

[@juniperrodley9843]

absolute baby

[@robertborland5083]

@@imveryangryitsnotbutter (Sensible chuckle)

[@18grape]

What a great name to give a cute baby ❤

[@emanuele1107]

"if you haven't lost to Vietnam once, can you even call yourself a superpower?" is now my favourite line of all time

[@jeffreygao3956]

Definitely a James Loewen reference.

[@DarkSoulsSauron]

"Losing your last brain cells presented as character development" is an S class roast

[@mimnimpetite8681]

I loved this movie as a kid but only because of the Shang "death" scene. I used to skip through the entire movie to find it and then just watch it over and over because I liked the angst. I didn't do that with any other movies I liked though so I think that may be a testament to how bad the large majority of that movie actually is...

[@flanthief]

On the note of the yin yang pendants. I was once told by a friend in China that it's common for men to wear accessories symbolizing femininity and women to vice versa to balance out their energy. So if a woman were to wear a feminine accessory like Yin then they would be too feminine or something

[@KaliqueClawthorne]

When I remember correctly this Happens Ehen they're to manly or as woman to feminine already.

[@flanthief]

@@KaliqueClawthorne oh I remember it more like when you get in a relationship with someone so that you share each other's aspects of fem and masc again to balance out so you aren't selfish in your ways and think about your partners perspective. Again this could be totally wrong idk

[@auri3670]

the entirety of mulan 2 is just: look at how they massacred my boy

[@gregorywiederecht]

Xiran: "It's surprising that Shang got the Yin pendant, which represents femininity, and Mulan got the Yang pendant, which represents masculinity." Me: *knows this tidbit* "oh yeah, that is weird." Xiran: "I always knew they were a queer couple.😏" Me: *cackling as I roll on the floor* In all seriousness, your humor was especially on point with this video. I died at the story about the emperor who executed the court painter!

[@heatherlee2967]

I loved this part as well XD

[@gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227]

Thats why she is the best🤣

[@Tinuvielthefair]

Yes!!

[@zacharywood9416]

How is a cis man and a cis woman being together queer

[@Tinuvielthefair]

@@zacharywood9416 because Mulan dressed up like a man in Mulan, and Shang was attracted to Ping just as much as he is a attracted to Mulan.

[@CassiusSharp]

Shocking how accurate divination about quarantine was

[@jeffreygao3956]

But I will survive!

[@nerveagent1905]

Xiran-Jay back at it again with the Tang dynasty fit

[@konstantinoskoutsikos9612]

She looks beautiful

[@oopiecanoopie3455]

@@konstantinoskoutsikos9612 they*

[@tink6225]

I love the makeup

[@littlemisstfc]

The icon is gonna choose VIOLENCE today. 👏🏽😔

[@webkinzgirlist]

That Megatron pfp had no right making that comment so much funnier

[@hailghidorah2536]

Well, they came out as enby in the Anti Asian Hate Crimes video, so, The Sovereign has chosen a fucking massacre would be slightly more accurate

[@EclecticallyEccentric]

@@hailghidorah2536 Unless they actually state not to call them a queen and to instead use a gender-neutral term, no crime is committed in calling them 'queen'.

[@hailghidorah2536]

@@EclecticallyEccentric didn’t like my original reply to you

[@littlemisstfc]

@@hailghidorah2536 btw, thanks for telling me. Edited the comment. :)

[@Fishy77777]

Literally the only thing I remembered from this movie is the “I wanna be like other girls” song

[@starsinleaves3671]

Me too :)) that song stuck with me. Other things from the movie? Gone like they never existed

[@ToruKun1]

The "To eat a whole cake (with frosting!)" line lives in my head rent free to this day

[@kurapikasmiddlefinger2674]

What are you talking about there's only a song. The movie doesn't exist.

[@chrisheartman9263]

I liked that song too... ended up being a very queer person, and not even a girl ahah

[@LyraAurora]

That, and the guys finally finish "A Girl Worth Fighting For".

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

9:58 "I thought you didn't gamble!" "With my mother, it's not gambling, it's an investment!" I *love* that line!