Mahna mahna

landofdoom:

waltdisneyconfessions:

“Watching Mulan as a teenager now, the attraction of Shang to Mulan as Ping is noticeable & undeniable. Disney took a serious risk with it. I LOVE IT.”

Oh, hell yes. Shang was bi, and I’m sure that couldn’t have been easy to deal with in Imperial China. (as if it’s such a cake walk today; I know, I know.)

Then, here comes a cute boy who’s obviously receptive. He’s pretty useless as a soldier, which sucks. But wait- he ends up motivating the others, proves to be someone good enough to be able to remain close to you, even in battle, and it turns you on when he finally manages to kick you in the face (look for that grin. I’m serious.) You see that he cares about you when you discover your father’s died. He risks his life to save yours, and you start giving in. You speak to him (yes, still him) softly when you discover he’s injured. You pace nervously, waiting to hear word of whether he’ll live. The doctor comes out.

WHOOPS, HE’S A GIRL AND IT WAS SOCIALLY OKAY TO HAVE BEEN ATTRACTED TO HER ALL ALONG. LOL SORRY IF YOU STRESSED OVER NOTHING, BRO.

For as un-detailed as they’re drawn, you can see it in Shang’s eyes when he refuses to execute Mulan. He was ready to come to terms with a very difficult love to accept, and that’s not something you easily shake off just because the object of your affection is suddenly an approved opposite gender.

“You said you trusted Ping; why is Mulan any different?” A very, very good question, but I don’t think Mulan would’ve expected the answer.

However, none of this hits you over the head nor sits on your face to say “LOOK! GAY COUPLE!”. Shang is nothing like the usual gay stereotypes, and for that matter, neither is Ping. It’s all subtle and human, and only visible if you’re open to seeing it. I agree with the confessor here. The crew working on Mulan was amazing.