Li Shang is the captain who guides Mulan and her band of misfits in the Disney animated feature, Mulan.
Mulan is a young woman who disguises herself as a man to prevent her elderly father from being conscripted into the Army.
For much of the story, Li Shang does not know that Mulan is a woman; however, he still forms a very close bond with her. Li Shang’s bond seems more than friendly, especially considering how quickly he falls in love with Mulan once her gender is revealed.
This bi icon of our childhood was not featured in the recent live-action movie of the same story. The producer, Jason Reed, says that,
I think particularly in the time of the #MeToo movement, having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn’t think it was appropriate.[1]
You can
find an entry about this show in our Bi Media section.