Mulan is a Disney character inspired by a well-known (fictional) historical figure. This character is featured in a self-titled movie 'Mulan' animated in 1998. Mulan is based around 'Hua Mulan' who was a female warrior in the Southern and Northern dynasties. The time setting of Mulan is believed to be from 386 CE to 534 CE according to Ancient Standard. Mulan is known for being described as a 'legendary' woman of Ancient China and a supreme warrior.
The legend of Mulan appears in the Ballad of Mulan, an ancient Chinese text which is primarily regarded as fiction. Thus Mulan is referred to as a legend rather than a historical person.
Mulan is culturally significant because she is known to be the only Chinese Disney princess and to take it further, she's not only a princess but a female warrior which we don't often see in the characteristics of Disney Princesses. This breaks the stereotypes of the average 'Disney Princess' as they are often seen as a damsel in distress. In addition, Mulan doesn't need a man to fight for her, she's independent and a warrior in her own right. She's seen as an inspiration due to the fact she was a minority taking a huge role.
- The first Disney animated film to openly deal with warfare.
- When Mulan sings "Reflection" in her father's shrine, the writing on the temple stones is the names of the Disney animators who worked on the film, written in ancient Chinese.
- Mulan took five years to complete.
- The directors, Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, made a cameo towards the end of the film.