Editing Mulan (Disney character) (section)

==Development==
=== Conception and writing ===
''Mulan'' was originally conceived as an [[Animated cartoon|animated short]] in 1994, in which a miserable Chinese girl elopes to the West to be with a British prince.<ref name=":16">{{Cite book|title = Discovering the Magic Kingdom: An Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide|last = Shaffer|first = Joshua C.|publisher = AuthorHouse|isbn = 978-1-4520-6312-6|location = United States|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=cV50CpKZ4YEC&q=china+doll+mulan&pg=PA52|date = September 22, 2010|access-date = March 11, 2014|chapter = Mulan}}</ref> While developing a series of [[Film treatment|treatments]] based on traditional stories and folk tales, [[children's book]] author [[Robert D. San Souci]] discovered the ''[[Ballad of Mulan]]'', an ancient Chinese poem about [[Hua Mulan]] – a Chinese woman who replaces her ailing father in the army by disguising herself as a man. Fascinated by Hua Mulan's story,<ref name=":2" /> San Souci suggested the poem to Disney;<ref name=":16" /> the studio hired San Souci himself to write the [[film treatment|film's treatment]] and story.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Frame by Frame Three|publisher = Indiana University Press|year = 2007|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=z5qmplifVDIC&q=robert+d.+san+souci+mulan+interview&pg=PA509|editor-last = McCluskey|editor-first = Audrey T|access-date = February 25, 2014|page = 509|location = United States|isbn = 978-0253348296}}</ref>

''Mulan'' explores the age-old theme of remaining true to oneself,<ref name=":0" /> with co-director [[Tony Bancroft]] summarizing the character's role in the film as "the story of a girl who can't help who she is but she exists in a different society that tells her who she is supposed to be."<ref name=":0" /> Because the ''Ballad of Mulan'' is such a beloved and well-known story, San Souci longed to maintain the character's integrity.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url = https://www.angelfire.com/az/linasia/famulan.html|title = Linasia's Exclusive Interview with Robert D. San Souci|website = Angelfire|access-date = February 23, 2013|archive-date = February 15, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130215061415/http://www.angelfire.com/az/linasia/famulan.html|url-status = live}}</ref> However, certain creative liberties were taken with the story in regards to Mulan's role, such as the character neglecting to ask her parents' permission prior to enlisting herself in the army.<ref name=":2" /> Mulan's surname was rendered as the [[Yue Chinese]] (aka Cantonese) "Fa", though this was to pay respect to the poem being originally written in that language.<ref name=":3" /> Finally, Mulan's true identity is discovered much earlier in the film, soon after the army's initial encounter with the enemy, whereas her comrades remain ignorant throughout their entire 12 years at war until after Mulan has returned home.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|url = http://www.oocities.org/hollywood/5082/mulanfaq.html#q12|title = The Mulan FAQ – How was the story changed?|website = OoCities|access-date = March 11, 2014|last = Kuo|first = Angela|publisher = Angela Kuo|date = October 2009|archive-date = March 11, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140311092431/http://www.oocities.org/hollywood/5082/mulanfaq.html#q12|url-status = live}}</ref>

Unlike preceding traditional Disney animated feature films, the developing romantic relationship between Mulan and [[Li Shang (Mulan character)|Li Shang]] is treated as more of a [[subplot]] as opposed to a traditional central plot, as observed by film critic Andy Klein of [[Animation World Network]]. Klein commented, "Mulan isn't waiting for [[Someday My Prince Will Come|her prince to someday come]]; when he does arrive, having known her primarily as a man, and having learned to admire her for her deeper qualities, the romance is muted and subtle."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.4/3.4pages/3.4kleinmulannotmp.html|title = Disney's Mulan: A More Modern Heroine|date = July 1998|publisher = Animation World Network|access-date = February 23, 2014|last = Klein|first = Andy|archive-date = February 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140228135307/http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.4/3.4pages/3.4kleinmulannotmp.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Throughout the movie they are constantly working towards helping each other change into better and truer versions of themselves in order to achieve their true potential.

=== Voice ===
[[File:Ming-Na Wen by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|Actress [[Ming-Na Wen]] voiced Mulan in both animated films.|alt=A close-up portrait of Mulan's voice actress, Ming-Na Wen, at a conference.]]
Mulan's speaking voice is provided by actress [[Ming-Na Wen]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/27/14-disney-princesses-and-the-actresses-who-voiced-them/photo/mulan/|title = 13 Disney Princesses – and the Actresses Who Voiced Them|date = November 27, 2013|magazine = Time|access-date = March 10, 2014|last = Mayer|first = Jeffrey|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310084558/http://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/27/14-disney-princesses-and-the-actresses-who-voiced-them/photo/mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Because the character "represented [traditional] Chinese values" and is depicted as being "dramatic ... close to her father, very respectful," Bancroft believed that Wen possessed the "perfect" voice for Mulan, which he additionally described as "very Chinese."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://animatedviews.com/2008/tony-bancroft-balances-the-yin-and-the-yang-in-directing-mulan/|title = Tony Bancroft balances the yin and the yang in directing Mulan|publisher = Animated Views|access-date = February 24, 2014|date = August 14, 2008|last = Noyer|first = Jérémie|archive-date = February 27, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227144729/http://animatedviews.com/2008/tony-bancroft-balances-the-yin-and-the-yang-in-directing-mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Born and raised in [[Macau, China]], Wen was familiar with both the legend of Hua Mulan and the ''Ballad of Mulan ''at the time of her audition for the role, having grown up being read the poem by her mother. Wen explained, "I think every Chinese kid grows up with this story," additionally likening the poem's popularity in China to that of the Western [[Parson Weems]] fable in which American president [[George Washington]] [[Mason Locke Weems#Cherry-tree anecdote|chops down his father's beloved cherry tree]].<ref name=":5" />

Mulan served as Wen's first voice-acting role. In an interview with [[IGN]], the actress elaborated on the recording process, specifically the fact that she was required to record the majority of the character's dialogue in isolation, saying, "I just loved the story so much and identified so much with the character of Mulan it was easy for me. I loved using my imagination. I felt like I was a little kid again, being silly with an imaginary sword and riding on an imaginary horse and talking to an imaginary dragon. So it was a lot of fun for me."<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url = http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/10/27/an-interview-with-ming-na|title = An Interview with Ming-Na|date = October 27, 2004|website = IGN|last = Patrizio|first = Andy|access-date = February 24, 2014|archive-date = February 24, 2014|archive-url = https://archive.today/20140224060012/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/10/27/an-interview-with-ming-na|url-status = live}}</ref> In spite of the fact that, throughout the film, Mulan shares multiple scenes with her guardian, a miniature [[Chinese dragon]] named [[Mushu (Mulan)|Mushu]] who is voiced by American actor and comedian [[Eddie Murphy]], Wen and her co-star never actually encountered each other while working on ''Mulan ''due to the fact that they recorded their respective dialogue at separate times in separate locations.<ref name=":5" />

Upon being cast as Mulan's speaking voice, Wen was informed by Disney that she would not be providing the character's singing voice. She took no offense to this decision, commenting jokingly "I don't blame them."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.grouchoreviews.com/interviews/54|title = Ming-Na—Mulan—02/18/05|website = Groucho Reviews|publisher = Peter Canavese|date = May 18, 2002|access-date = February 24, 2014|last = Canavese|first = Peter|archive-date = March 2, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302084921/http://www.grouchoreviews.com/interviews/54|url-status = live}}</ref> The directors hired Filipina singer and actress [[Lea Salonga]] to provide Mulan's singing voice, heard in the film's songs "[[Reflection (Mulan song)|Reflection]]", "[[I'll Make a Man Out of You]]" and "[[Mulan (1998 soundtrack)|A Girl Worth Fighting For]]".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/mulan-mw0000040235|title = Original Soundtrack – Mulan|access-date = March 11, 2014|website = AllMusic|last = Erlewine|first = Stephen|archive-date = September 25, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925024103/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mulan-mw0000040235|url-status = live}}</ref> According to Thomas S. Hischak, author of the book ''[[Disney Voice Actors: a Biographical Dictionary|Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary]]'', Salonga was originally cast to provide both Mulan's speaking and singing voices.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary|last = Hischak|first = Thomas S.|publisher = McFarland & Company|isbn = 978-0-7864-6271-1|location = United States|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=e1RTP8thtR0C&pg=PA186|page = 186|access-date = February 24, 2014|publication-date = November 19, 2011|chapter = Salonga, Lea|date = 2011-09-21}}</ref> However, the directors eventually felt that her attempt at impersonating a man in the form of Mulan's male alter-ego "Ping" was rather unconvincing, and ultimately replacing Salonga with Wen.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/10/01/disney-53-mulan/|title = Disney 53: Mulan|date = October 1, 2013|website = The Hollywood News|access-date = March 10, 2014|last = Burch|first = Richard|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310133709/http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/10/01/disney-53-mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Six years prior to ''Mulan'', Salonga provided the singing voice of [[Jasmine (Aladdin)|Jasmine]] in Disney's ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' (1992) on behalf of American actress [[Linda Larkin]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.backstage.com/interview/lea-salonga-her-own-rules/|title = Lea Salonga: Her Own Rules|website = Backstage|date = October 24, 2001|access-date = February 27, 2014|last = Talley|first = Lori|archive-date = August 14, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160814112331/http://www.backstage.com/interview/lea-salonga-her-own-rules/|url-status = live}}</ref> While auditioning for Mulan, Salonga asked jokingly, "Why do I have to audition? ... I was already a princess before. Wasn't that enough?"<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2004/11/23/Analysis-Avoiding-Hollywood-stereotypes/UPI-95011101225643/|title = Analysis: Avoiding Hollywood stereotypes|website = United Press International|date = November 23, 2004|access-date = February 24, 2014|last = Nason|first = Pat|archive-date = August 27, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160827121320/http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2004/11/23/Analysis-Avoiding-Hollywood-stereotypes/UPI-95011101225643/|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Characterization and design ===
The film's [[screenplay]] was constantly being revised and re-written. Naturally, so was Mulan's characterization and role in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2013/03/interview-tom-bancroft-of-mulan.html|title = Interview: Tom Bancroft of "Mulan"|last = Minow|first = Nell|publisher = Beliefnet|access-date = February 23, 2014|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140301034012/http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2013/03/interview-tom-bancroft-of-mulan.html|archive-date = March 1, 2014}}</ref> The writers wanted Mulan to represent a "different kind of Disney heroine," specifically described as one who "didn't need a [[tiara]], but was still just as much as graceful, strong, and courageous."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://www.5minutesformom.com/73682/mulan-and-mulan-ii-an-interview-with-tom-and-tony-bancroft/|title = Mulan and Mulan II – An Interview with Tom and Tony Bancroft|website = 5 Minutes for Mom|last = Sikora|first = Jennifer|date = 7 March 2013|access-date = 21 November 2013|archive-date = 27 February 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227134232/http://www.5minutesformom.com/73682/mulan-and-mulan-ii-an-interview-with-tom-and-tony-bancroft/|url-status = live}}</ref> Between the two, Bancroft and his twin brother Tom, an animator who also worked on ''Mulan'', have a total of seven daughters.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://adventuresofacouponista.com/an-interview-with-tony-and-tom-bancroft-director-and-animator-of-disneys-mulan-disneyozevent-mulan/|title = An Interview with Tony and Tom Bancroft – Director and Animator of Disney's Mulan #DisneyOzEvent #Mulan|website = Adventures of a Couponista|date = March 12, 2013|access-date = February 23, 2014|last = Smith|first = Kristy|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227033306/http://adventuresofacouponista.com/an-interview-with-tony-and-tom-bancroft-director-and-animator-of-disneys-mulan-disneyozevent-mulan/|archive-date = February 27, 2014}}</ref> This further inspired the filmmakers to portray Mulan as a unique heroine who is "not another [[damsel in distress]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.trippinwithtara.com/mulan-animators-tony-tom-bancroft-interview-disneyozevent-mulan/|title = MULAN Animators Tony & Tom Bancroft interview #DisneyOzEvent #Mulan|website = Trippin With Tara|publisher = Genesis Framework|date = March 12, 2013|access-date = February 23, 2014|last = Salinas|first = Tara|archive-date = March 18, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130318004523/http://www.trippinwithtara.com/mulan-animators-tony-tom-bancroft-interview-disneyozevent-mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> in favor of having her resemble "a strong female Disney character who would truly be the heroine of her own story"<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://kidstvmovies.about.com/b/2013/03/12/mulan-easter-eggs-and-fun-facts.htm|title = Mulan Easter Eggs and Fun Facts|date = March 12, 2013|last = Bryson|first = Carey|publisher = About.com|access-date = February 23, 2014|archive-date = February 27, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227140257/http://kidstvmovies.about.com/b/2013/03/12/mulan-easter-eggs-and-fun-facts.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> instead, essentially a "female [[role model]]. The characteristics of strength and courage were a must for Mulan."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.valmg.com/the-making-of-mulan-interview-with-the-bancroft-brothers-disneyozevent-mulan/|title = The Making of Mulan – Interview with the Bancroft Brothers – #DisneyOzEvent #Mulan|date = March 12, 2013|website = Mom Knows It All|access-date = February 24, 2014|archive-date = February 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140228203906/http://www.valmg.com/the-making-of-mulan-interview-with-the-bancroft-brothers-disneyozevent-mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Christian Post]]'', Bancroft elaborated on the way in which he, as the film's director, continued to consider the well-being of his two young daughters while working on ''Mulan'', having "wanted to make a unique heroine that hadn't been seen before" and provide for them "someone who would be strong on her own, without a prince saving her."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/tony-bancroft-on-mulan-i-want-to-bring-christian-based-values-to-all-my-work-90987/|title = Tony Bancroft on 'Mulan': 'I Want to Bring Christian-Based Values to All My Work'|website = The Christian Post|date = March 12, 2013|last = Martin|first = Sami K.|access-date = February 23, 2014|archive-date = February 27, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227034213/http://www.christianpost.com/news/tony-bancroft-on-mulan-i-want-to-bring-christian-based-values-to-all-my-work-90987/|url-status = live}}</ref> Addressing the way in which Mulan differs from traditional Disney heroines and princesses, Bancroft explained, "Most Disney heroines have an outside source that comes in and helps them change. Mulan stays consistent. From the first frame all the way through the end of the movie, her personality, her drive it all stays the same."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://momwitha.com/2013/03/behind-the-creation-of-mulan-with-tom-tony-bancroft-mulan-disneyozevent/|title = Behind the Creation of Mulan with Tom & Tony Bancroft #Mulan #DisneyOzEvent|website = Mom with a Dot Com|date = March 12, 2013|access-date = February 23, 2014|first = Rita|last = Hsiao|archive-date = March 1, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140301124134/http://momwitha.com/2013/03/behind-the-creation-of-mulan-with-tom-tony-bancroft-mulan-disneyozevent/|url-status = dead}}</ref> 
{| class="toccolours" style="float:left; margin-left:1em; margin-right:2em; font-size:85%; background:#eee; color:black; width:30em; max-width:40%;" cellspacing="5"

| style="text-align: left;" |"When we drew her, we had the opportunity to actually adjust her design a little bit so that when she was disguised as Ping, as a soldier, that she was physically a little different in how we drew her than when she was herself as Mulan&nbsp;... That was something we took advantage of. So, certainly, that was a challenge to have her disguised as a boy whereas she's still a girl who doesn't understand what being a boy is all about or about boys move and act, and that's part of how she learns&nbsp;... that was part of the fun and the challenge of doing Mulan. You have essentially two characters to play with."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |— Henn, on animating Mulan as "Ping".<ref name=":4" />
|}

Visually, the animators were influenced by both traditional Chinese and Japanese artwork. In the specific case of Mulan, "The characters' simple lines ... resemble classic Asian painting".<ref name=":3" /> Chinese artist Chen Yi mentored the animators, "helping [them] to come up with these designs."<ref name=":4" /> [[Mark Henn]] served as Mulan's [[Animation director|supervising animator]]. Animating the character in her male disguise as "Ping" offered an unprecedented challenge for Henn. In order to solve this unique dilemma, Henn was provided with "the opportunity to adjust her design a little bit so that when she was disguised as Ping, as a soldier, that she was physically a little different in how we drew her than when she was herself as Mulan."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url = http://animatedviews.com/2010/the-princess-and-the-frog-supervising-animator-mark-henn-part-3-the-orlando-features/|title = The Princess and the Frog's Supervising Animator Mark Henn – Part 3: The Orlando Features|date = January 22, 2010|website = Animated Views|access-date = February 23, 2014|last = Noyer|first = Jérémie|archive-date = February 9, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140209203525/http://animatedviews.com/2010/the-princess-and-the-frog-supervising-animator-mark-henn-part-3-the-orlando-features/|url-status = live}}</ref> Physically, Mulan was also designed to appear less feminine than preceding traditional Disney animated heroines, specifically [[Pocahontas (character)|Pocahontas]] from ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]'' (1995) and [[Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame)|Esmeralda]] from ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' (1996), because "you can't pass as a man in the army with a [[Barbie doll|Barbie]]-style figure."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.oocities.org/hollywood/5082/characters.html|title = Who's Who in Mulan|website = OoCities|publisher = Geocities|access-date = March 10, 2014|date = October 2009|archive-date = March 11, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140311015513/http://www.oocities.org/hollywood/5082/characters.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

Henn revealed that he was drawn to "Mulan's story [because it] was so unique and compelling that it just captivated me from the beginning".<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://50mostinfluentialdisneyanimators.wordpress.com/2011/10/01/10-mark-henn/|title = 50mostinfluentialdisneyanimators – 10. Mark Henn|website = 50mostinfluentialdisneyanimators|date = October 2011|access-date = February 24, 2014|publisher = WordPress.com|archive-date = March 7, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140307223451/http://50mostinfluentialdisneyanimators.wordpress.com/2011/10/01/10-mark-henn/|url-status = live}}</ref> Animating the characters' distinct emotions using the traditional Chinese style turned out to be somewhat challenging for Henn.<ref name=":4" /> The animator explained, "We don't create realism in the sense that if you're doing a human character, it's not going to look realistic ... the balance is finding an appealing way of drawing using the visual tools that you have in the design to convey the believable emotions that you want to get across."<ref name=":4" /> In addition to Mulan, Henn was also responsible for animating Fa Zhou, Mulan's elderly father. He described the complex relationship between the two characters as "the emotional heart of the story".<ref name=":4" /> Fathering one daughter himself, Henn drew inspiration from his own emotions as well as past personal experiences while animating several intimate scenes shared by the two characters.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Walt's People: Talking Disney With the Artists Who Knew Him|last = Ghez|first = Didier|publisher = Xlibris Corporation|isbn = 978-1-4257-8314-3|location = United States|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3YmdyNAmh8YC&q=mark+henn+mulan+interview&pg=PA562|access-date = February 25, 2014|chapter = Mark Henn (b. 1958)|page = 578|volume = 5|publication-date = September 30, 2011|date = 2011-09-30}}{{self-published source|date=December 2017}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}}

Several film critics have described Mulan as a [[tomboy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.elle.com/pop-culture/best/shes-a-man-baby-571814-6#slide-6|title = She's a Man, Baby! – Mulan|access-date = March 11, 2014|website = Elle|date = August 11, 2011|archive-date = May 19, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140519022839/http://www.elle.com/pop-culture/best/shes-a-man-baby-571814-6#slide-6|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History|last = Ulrich|first = Laurel Thatcher|publisher = Random House LLC|isbn = 978-1-4000-7527-0|location = United States|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MBHhwNSALHoC&q=mulan+tomboy&pg=PA51|access-date = March 11, 2014|page = 51|publication-date = September 23, 2008|chapter = Amazons|date = 2008-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://fatherhood.about.com/od/disneyprincesses/p/A-Fathers-Guide-To-The-Disney-Princesses-Mulan.htm|title = A Father's Guide to the Disney Princesses – Mulan|publisher = About.com|access-date = March 10, 2014|last = Parker|first = Wayne|archive-date = March 11, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140311023421/http://fatherhood.about.com/od/disneyprincesses/p/A-Fathers-Guide-To-The-Disney-Princesses-Mulan.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> Andy Patrizio of [[IGN]] observed, "In this slightly modernized version of the story, Mulan is something of a rebel and a tomboy. She has no interest in being a good little subservient wife, despite her sighing parents' wishes."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/10/18/mulan-special-edition|title = Mulan: Special Edition|date = October 18, 2004|access-date = March 11, 2014|publisher = IGN Entertainment|last = Patrizio|first = Andy|archive-date = March 11, 2014|archive-url = https://archive.today/20140311055544/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/10/18/mulan-special-edition|url-status = live}}</ref> Jo Johnson, in contribution to the book ''Queers in American Popular Culture Volume 1: Film and Television'', wrote that "Unlike other Disney heroines, Mulan is immediately coded as a tomboy," observing the way in which the character speaks using a full mouth. Johnson additionally noticed several ways in which Mulan's design and personality differ from those typically associated with traditional Disney heroines and princesses, citing the character's clumsy, awkward demeanor; broad shoulders and muscular limbs; unruly single strand of hair; and choice of everyday attire which usually consists of loose, baggy clothing concealing her "traditionally slim Disney waist."<ref>{{Cite book|title = Queers in American Popular Culture Volume 1: Film and television|last = Johnson|first = Jo|publisher = Praeger|year = 2010|isbn = 978-0-313-35459-5|location = United States|pages = 259–261|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qp52mROzDMYC&q=mulan+tomboy&pg=PA259|access-date = March 11, 2014|editor-last = Elledge|editor-first = Jim|volume = 1|chapter = We'll Have a Gay Old Time|archive-date = March 31, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240331212708/https://books.google.com/books?id=qp52mROzDMYC&q=mulan+tomboy&pg=PA259|url-status = live}}</ref> Additionally, Mulan's intelligence has been observed in several professional analyses, with critics often citing the character as "brainy."<ref name=":14" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://skymovies.sky.com/mulan/review|title = Mulan|date = May 2, 2013|website = BSkyB|last = Allen|first = Frank|access-date = March 11, 2014|archive-date = March 11, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140311105246/http://skymovies.sky.com/mulan/review|url-status = live}}</ref>