Editing Mulan (Disney character) (section)

==Reception and legacy==

=== Critical response ===
Reception towards Mulan's personality and characterization have been generally positive. ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' hailed Mulan as "A feisty young go-getter [who] rises above the male-dominated world in which she lives."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.timeout.com/london/film/mulan|title = Mulan|website = Time Out|access-date = February 25, 2014|last = A|first = D|year = 1998|archive-date = February 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140228200741/http://www.timeout.com/london/film/mulan|url-status = live}}</ref> Ken Fox of ''[[TV Guide (magazine)|TV Guide]]'' wrote, "Intelligent and fiercely independent, Mulan&nbsp;... runs afoul of social expectations that a woman will be always obedient and duty-bound to her husband." Bridget Byrne of ''[[Boxoffice (magazine)|Boxoffice]]'' wrote that "Mulan&nbsp;... has pride, charm, spirit and aesthetic appeal which prevents her from being upstaged by the vigorous and exciting action in which she participates."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.boxoffice.com/reviews/theatrical/2008-08-mulan|title = Mulan|website = Boxoffice|date = June 19, 1998|publisher = BOXOFFICE Media, LLC|access-date = February 25, 2014|last = Byrne|first = Bridget|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302090622/http://www.boxoffice.com/reviews/theatrical/2008-08-mulan|archive-date = March 2, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''<nowiki/>'s [[Todd McCarthy]] praised the character for inspiring "a turn of the circle from such age-old Disney classics&nbsp;... in which passive heroines were rescued by blandly noble princes." McCarthy continued, "Here, it's the girl who does the rescuing, saving not only the prince but the emperor himself from oblivion, and this in a distant culture where women were expected to obey strictly prescribed rules."<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url = https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/mulan-mulan-blazes-new-femme-territory-1200454130/|title = Review: 'Mulan – 'Mulan' Blazes New Femme Territory'|website = Variety|last = McCarthy|first = Todd|publisher = Variety Media, LLC|date = June 8, 1998|access-date = February 25, 2014|archive-date = March 7, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140307173540/http://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/mulan-mulan-blazes-new-femme-territory-1200454130/|url-status = live}}</ref> Similarly, Margaret A. McGurk of ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' lauded Mulan for "solv[ing] her ''[[G.I. Jane]]'' dilemma by proving that brains can do more than brawn."<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/movies/mcgurk/mulan.html|title = Magic of 'Mulan'|access-date = February 25, 2014|website = The Cincinnati Enquirer|date = June 19, 1998|last = McGurk|first = Margaret A.|agency = news.cincinnati.com|archive-date = October 20, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061020184508/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/movies/mcgurk/mulan.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> Hailing the character as "Among the strongest heroines in [[Disney canon|Walt's cartoon canon]]," [[Ian Freer]] of ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' enthused, "Mulan's engaging mixture of vulnerability and derring-do becomes incredibly easy to root for."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=10319|title = Mulan|access-date = February 26, 2014|website = Empire|last = Freer|first = Ian|year = 1998|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302055026/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=10319|archive-date = March 2, 2014}}</ref> Hollis Chacona of ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' dubbed Mulan a "winning [[protagonist]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/1998-06-19/mulan/|title = Mulan|website = The Austin Chronicle|date = June 19, 1998|access-date = February 26, 2014|last = Chacona|first = Hollis|archive-date = March 4, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140304124039/http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/1998-06-19/mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Likewise, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''<nowiki/>' [[Kenneth Turan]] wrote, "As a vivacious rebel who has to be true to herself no matter what, Mulan is an excellent heroine, perfect for the young female demographic the studio is most anxious to attract", additionally calling her a "more likable and resourceful role model than [[Pocahontas (character)|Pocahontas]]".<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-19-ca-61328-story.html|title = 'Mulan': Formula With a New Flavor|date = June 19, 1998|work = Los Angeles Times|last = Turan|first = Kenneth|access-date = March 10, 2014|archive-date = March 7, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140307171207/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jun/19/entertainment/ca-61328|url-status = live}}</ref>

Although largely well-liked, Mulan's characterization has drawn some mild criticism and speculation, inspiring a series of generally mixed to positive reviews from some film critics. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<nowiki/>'s [[Owen Gleiberman]] wrote, "Far more than ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' or the stolidly virtuous ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]'', ''Mulan'' showcases a girl who gets to use her ''wits'' ...&nbsp;a testament to the power of mind over brawn." However, Gleiberman continued, "''Mulan'' finally falls a notch short of Disney's best&nbsp;... because the [[feminism|heroine's empowerment]] remains&nbsp;... an emotionally isolated quest."<ref name=":9">{{Cite magazine|url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,283718,00.html|title = Mulan (1998)|magazine = Entertainment Weekly|date = June 19, 1998|access-date = February 26, 2014|last = Gleiberman|first = Owen|archive-date = February 27, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227204348/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,283718,00.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> Similarly, Moira Macdonald of ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' hailed Mulan as "a strong, engaging character who, unlike many of her Disney counterparts, needs no one to rescue her from danger," while questioning her personality, asking, "was it really necessary to bestow Mulan with self-esteem problems? Because she seems so confident and intelligent, her sad statement that she wants to 'see something worthwhile' in the mirror comes as a bit of a shock."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980619/2756869/disneys-mulan-surprising-words-and-scenes---and-visual-beauty-too|title = Disney's 'Mulan': Surprising Words And Scenes – And Visual Beauty, Too|website = The Seattle Times|date = June 19, 1998|access-date = February 25, 2014|last = Macdonald|first = Moira|archive-date = October 5, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131005235350/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?slug=2756869&date=19980619|url-status = live}}</ref>

Critics were not unanimous in their praise. ''[[The Phoenix Nest|The Phoenix]]''<nowiki/>'s Jeffrey Gantz felt that character was unoriginal, inaccurate and [[Westernized]], writing, "[her] costumes (particularly the [[kimono]] and [[obi (sash)|obi]] Mulan wears to the Matchmaker) and hairdos look Japanese&nbsp;... Give Mulan [[Native American peoples|Native American]] features and you have Pocahontas."<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url = http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archives/1998/documents/00525230.htm|title = Romance takes a back seat to action in Mulan|date = June 18, 1998|website = The Phoenix|access-date = February 25, 2014|last = Gantz|first = Jeffrey|location = Boston MA|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141029080946/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archives/1998/documents/00525230.htm|archive-date = October 29, 2014}}</ref> Similarly, [[James Berardinelli]] of ''[[ReelViews]]'' felt that the character's depiction was too "familiar," reviewing, "Although she looks different from [[Ariel (The Little Mermaid)|Ariel]], [[Belle (Disney character)|Belle]], [[Jasmine (Aladdin)|Jasmine]], and Pocahontas, Mulan is very much the same type of individual: a woman with a strong, independent streak who is unwilling to bend to the customs of her culture, which decree that the role of the female is to be ornamental. The film isn't very subtle in reinforcing the idea of equality between the sexes".<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url = http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/m/mulan.html|title = Mulan|website = ReelViews|access-date = February 25, 2014|publisher = James Berardinelli|year = 1998|archive-date = March 27, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190327035054/http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/m/mulan.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Additionally, some critics, such as [[Alex von Tunzelmann]] of ''[[The Guardian (newspaper)|The Guardian]]'', have criticized Mulan for her violence, writing, "Disney struggles to make Mulan both a killer and a heroine&nbsp;... Gingerly, the film attempts to tread a middle path, implying that Mulan annihilates most of the Hun army by causing an avalanche, and having her dispatch Shan Yu with a load of fireworks. Very pretty. But still technically killing."  However, von Tunzelmann did conclude more positively, "as Disney heroines go, Mulan herself is a clear improvement on the standard-issue drippy princess."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/sep/09/mulan-disney-reel-history|title = Disney's Mulan takes a hammer to a Chinese puzzle|website = The Guardian|date = September 9, 2010|access-date = March 9, 2014|last = von Tunzelmann|first = Alex|archive-date = March 9, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140309222041/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/sep/09/mulan-disney-reel-history|url-status = live}}</ref>

Liu's portrayal as Mulan in the [[Mulan (2020 film)|2020 film]] was generally well received by critics. [[Richard Roeper]] of ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' described Liu's performance as "star-turning" as well as "a boundaries-shattering, stereotype-defying hero-warrior for her time and for ours."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roeper |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Dazzling 'Mulan' comes to life with flying colors |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2020/9/3/21418468/mulan-review-disney-disney-movie-yifei-liu-remake |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903220602/https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2020/9/3/21418468/mulan-review-disney-disney-movie-yifei-liu-remake |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> Writing for ''[[IndieWire]]'', Kate Erbland found Liu, "engaging" as Mulan and adding, "she delivers, easily inhabiting both the reticent, shy Mulan and her bombastic evolution into unmitigated badass."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erbland |first=Kate |date=September 3, 2020 |title='Mulan' Review: Niki Caro's Sweeping Live-Action Disney Epic Reimagines a Heroine Worth Fighting for |work=[[IndieWire]] |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/mulan-review-disney-live-action-1234583522/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910191754/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/mulan-review-disney-live-action-1234583522/ |archive-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref> Mick LaSalle of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote, "Liu is so strong in the role of Mulan that it's only later that you might realize that you were not watching Mulan herself, but someone giving an exceptional performance in a difficult part. In addition to the challenge of portraying Mulan's journey from insecurity to glorious attainment, there were the physical rigors, which Liu had to accomplish with balletic grace."<ref>{{Cite web |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Review: Disney's 'Mulan,' visually rich and beautifully acted, has everything |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/review-disneys-mulan-visually-rich-and-beautifully-acted-has-everything |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2020 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116202510/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/review-disneys-mulan-visually-rich-and-beautifully-acted-has-everything }}</ref> In her review for ''[[London Evening Standard]]'', Charlotte O'Sullivan said Liu played, "a Mulan whose fighting skills — and emotional life — dazzle. Liu often looks 13, but is actually 33. She has the kind of face you never get bored of. There's something [[Meryl Streep]]-y about her soulfulness and all her moves are magical."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/mulan-review-disneys-smart-update-is-an-ass-kicking-triumph-a4540096.html|title = Mulan review: Disney's smart update is an ass-kicking triumph|website = London Evening Standard|date = September 3, 2020|access-date = January 12, 2021|last = O'Sullivan|first = Charlotte|archive-date = January 14, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114102733/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/mulan-review-disneys-smart-update-is-an-ass-kicking-triumph-a4540096.html|url-status = live}}</ref> While [[Christy Lemire]] of ''[[RogerEbert.com]]'' wrote, "Liu's performance might have been more powerful if she'd been a bit more emotive", she still overall described it as "lovely" and that "the steeliness and physicality she displays make her a convincing fighter."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mulan-movie-review-2020|title = Reviews: Mulan|website = RogerEbert.com|date = September 3, 2020|access-date = January 12, 2021|last = Lemire|first = Christy|archive-date = September 8, 2020|archive-url = https://archive.today/20200908102318/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mulan-movie-review-2020|url-status = live}}</ref>

==== Relationship with Shang ====
Unlike the generally positive reviews received by Mulan, critical reception towards the character's romantic relationship with [[Li Shang (Mulan character)|Li Shang]] has been largely negative, drawing much speculation from critics who accused ''Mulan'' of having "a typical girl-hooks-up-with-boy ending."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ram.org/ramblings/movies/mulan.html|title = Mulan|access-date = March 9, 2014|last = Samudrala|first = Ram|year = 1998|archive-date = March 9, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140309113819/http://www.ram.org/ramblings/movies/mulan.html|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' observed, "The message here is standard feminist empowerment: Defy the matchmaker, dress as a boy, and choose your own career. But ''Mulan'' has it both ways, since inevitably Mulan's heart goes pitty-pat over Shang, the handsome young captain she's assigned to serve under. The movie breaks with the tradition in which the male hero rescues the heroine, but is still totally sold on the Western idea of romantic love."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mulan-1998|title = Mulan|work = RogerEbert.com|access-date = February 25, 2014|publisher = Ebert Digital LLC|last = Ebert|first = Roger|year = 1998|archive-date = March 5, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305100421/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mulan-1998|url-status = live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]''' [[Janet Maslin]] negatively opined, "For all of Mulan's courage and independence in rebelling against the matchmakers, this is still enough of a fairy tale to need Mr. Right."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C00E3D91E3DF93AA25755C0A96E958260&partner=Rotten%2520Tomatoes|title = Mulan (1998) FILM REVIEW; A Warrior, She Takes on Huns and Stereotypes|website = The New York Times|date = June 19, 1998|access-date = February 25, 2014|last = Maslin|first = Janet|archive-date = July 8, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180708194608/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/19/movies/film-review-a-warrior-she-takes-on-huns-and-stereotypes.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

Citing Mulan's relationship with Shang as an example of [[sexism]], a film critic writing for ''[[Teen Ink]]'' wrote:

{{Blockquote|text = "Mulan has been hailed as a feminist Disney movie because it showcases a young woman who leads China to victory using her quick wit, pride, and a strong sense of family honor—all while masquerading as a man named Ping. Even though Mulan (as Ping) gains the respect of the army commander and her comrades, once they discover that she is a woman, her army commander and potential love-interest, Shang, loses respect for her and even hates her. "Ping" had been doing an even better job than Shang, but when Shang finds out Ping is a woman, his stupid male ego breaks on impact. Mulan is sentenced to death, and Shang, the macho man of the film, ultimately gets to decide her fate. The only reason she survives is because Shang decides he'd rather just send her home. Wow. To add insult to injury, at the end of the film, Shang fixes up his shattered ego by claiming Mulan as a suitor. Even as Mulan is being praised and cheered in the Forbidden City after she almost single-handedly saves China (this time, as a woman), at the end of the film, the audience is reminded that Mulan is really just another woman looking for a man. Mulan's real victory isn't saving her country from invasion. No, it's marrying Shang."|sign = ''[[Teen Ink]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Mulan: Just Another Princess|url=http://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/pride_prejudice/article/289610/Mulan-Just-Another-Princess/|work=Teen Ink|access-date=March 9, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310072032/http://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/pride_prejudice/article/289610/Mulan-Just-Another-Princess/|url-status=live}}</ref> }}

Betsy Wallace of [[Common Sense Media]] observed that Mulan "doesn't fit the princess mold, and most moviegoers had never heard of her." Conclusively, Wallace wrote, "it's too bad that in the end she still needs to be married off to a 'Prince Charming' who saves the day."<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url = http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/mulan|title = Mulan|date = August 1, 2005|access-date = March 9, 2014|publisher = Common Sense Media Inc|last = Wallace|first = Betsy|archive-date = September 17, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917215703/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/mulan|url-status = live}}</ref> In contribution to the book ''Beyond Adaptation: Essays on Radical Transformations of Original Works'', Lan Dong wrote, "Even though Mulan achieves success after she resumes her female self&nbsp;... it is compromised by Mulan and Li Shang's potential engagement at the end of the film."<ref name=":15">{{Cite book|title = Beyond Adaptation: Essays on Radical Transformations of Original Works|last = Dong|first = Lan|publisher = McFarland & Company|isbn = 978-0-7864-4223-2|location = United States|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ii6IPUuHThYC&q=the+making+of+mulan+interview&pg=PA159|editor-last = Frus|editor-first = Phyllis|access-date = March 1, 2014|page = 165|publication-date = March 2, 2010|chapter = Mulan: Disney's Hybrid Heroine|date = 2010-03-01|archive-date = March 31, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240331212708/https://books.google.com/books?id=ii6IPUuHThYC&q=the+making+of+mulan+interview&pg=PA159#v=snippet&q=the%20making%20of%20mulan%20interview&f=false|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Cultural significance and accolades ===
Mulan is culturally recognized for her unique role in ''Mulan ''specifically in regards to the character's heroism, ethnicity and disinterest in romance, serving as a departure from traditional Disney heroines and princesses because she "challenged gender stereotypes and offered up an animated Disney experience that isn't princess-centric" as "one of the few strong, self-propelled female characters that Disney has."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3254/mulan_double.html|title = Mulan / Mulan II|date = March 15, 2013|access-date = March 10, 2014|last = Peck|first = Aaron|website = High Def Digest|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310195749/http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3254/mulan_double.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Kenneth Turan of the ''Los Angeles Times ''observed the way in which Mulan's role in the film as "an independent, not completely boy-crazy heroine is somewhat new for Disney."<ref name=":14" /> According to Sara Veal of ''[[The Jakarta Post]]'', Mulan "promotes self-reliance, determination and is uninterested in marriage or romance&nbsp;... the film ends on her saving her country, rather than a romantic resolution."<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url = http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/10/another-year-another-disney-princess.html|title = Another year, another Disney princess|date = January 10, 2010|access-date = March 10, 2014|website = The Jakarta Post|last = Veal|first = Sara|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310073432/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/10/another-year-another-disney-princess.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Succeeding [[non-white]] Disney Princesses Jasmine and Pocahontas, Mulan's characterization as Disney's first East Asian princess assisted in the diversification of the Disney Princess franchise, introducing "Disney princesses&nbsp;... portrayed as [[women of color]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.uic.edu/reimagining-the-look-of-disney-princesses|title = Reimagining the look of Disney princesses|website = University of Illinois at Chicago News Centre|last = Siddiqi|first = Humaa|access-date = March 10, 2014|date = October 22, 2013|archive-date = December 20, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131220172307/http://news.uic.edu/reimagining-the-look-of-disney-princesses|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' commented, "Mulan&nbsp;... makes a feisty [[feminist|prefeminist]]," continuing, "She doesn't swoon over Captain Shang, the hunky officer&nbsp;... which leaves Shang ... frustrated ... Mulan, let the record show, does not put out."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/mulan-19980619|title = Mulan|magazine = Rolling Stone|publisher = Wenner Media LLC|last = Travers|first = Peter|date = June 19, 1998|access-date = March 10, 2014|archive-date = April 17, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140417101425/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/mulan-19980619|url-status = live}}</ref> ''[[PopMatters]]''{{'}} Jesse Hassenger wrote that unlike other Disney films, "Mulan holds the advantage of a smart, strong heroine—not just a superhot princess figure."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.popmatters.com/review/169163-the-hunchback-of-notre-damemulan/|title = 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and 'Mulan' Are from Disney's Artistically Vital Years|website = PopMatters|access-date = March 10, 2014|date = March 14, 2013|last = Hassenger|first = Jesse|archive-date = October 31, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141031180922/http://www.popmatters.com/review/169163-the-hunchback-of-notre-damemulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Ryan Mazie of Box Office Prophets felt that Mulan "might be the most important and forward-thinking Disney Princess movie made up until that point where the female character solely takes control over her own destiny without the aid of a mighty Prince."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=14985|title = Are You With Us? Mulan|date = June 18, 2012|access-date = October 10, 2014|publisher = Box Office Prophets|last = Mazie|first = Ryan|archive-date = October 31, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141031052742/http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=14985|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2012, [[CNN]]'s Stephanie Goldberg recognized Mulan as one of Disney's bravest and most heroic animated heroines to-date in her article "''[[Brave (2012 film)|Brave]]''<nowiki/>'s [[Merida (Brave)|Merida]] and other animated heroines," writing, "Mulan bent traditional gender roles when she took her father's place in the Chinese army."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/22/showbiz/movies/brave-merida-animated-heroines|title = 'Brave's' Merida and other animated heroines|last = Goldberg|first = Stephanie|publisher = CNN|date = June 22, 2012|access-date = March 9, 2014|archive-date = September 21, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055940/http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/22/showbiz/movies/brave-merida-animated-heroines|url-status = live}}</ref> Similarly, in 2013, Mulan was ranked the greatest animated Disney heroine according to a poll conducted by Jim Vejvoda of [[IGN]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/11/27/who-is-your-favorite-disney-animated-movie-heroine|title = Who is Your Favorite Disney Animated Movie Heroine?|date = November 27, 2013|last = Vejvoda|first = Jim|access-date = March 9, 2014|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://archive.today/20140310103835/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/11/27/who-is-your-favorite-disney-animated-movie-heroine|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 1999, ''Mulan''<nowiki/>'s [[theme song]] "[[Reflection (Mulan song)|Reflection]]", performed by Mulan, was nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song]] at the [[56th Golden Globe Awards]], but ultimately lost to [[Celine Dion]] and [[Andrea Bocelli]]'s "[[The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song)|The Prayer]]" from ''[[Quest for Camelot]]'' (1998).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/04/prweb857144.htm|title = Academy Award Nominee Pens song for feature 'Horror in the Wind'|website = PRWeb|date = April 16, 2008|access-date = March 28, 2014|last = Weber|first = Dick|archive-date = June 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140628231648/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/04/prweb857144.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> "Reflection" is often credited with establishing the successful musical career of American recording artist [[Christina Aguilera]], who famously recorded a [[Pop Music/False B-Sides|pop]] [[cover song|rendition]] of the [[ballad]] prior to the release of her platinum-selling [[Christina Aguilera (album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1999, on which the song is featured. Additionally, the song peaked at number nineteen on the ''[[Billboard Adult Contemporary|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Adult Contemporary|Adult Contemporary]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/christina-aguilera/biography|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110919163812/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/christina-aguilera/biography|url-status = dead|archive-date = September 19, 2011|title = Christina Aguilera – Biography|magazine = Rolling Stone|access-date = March 28, 2014|last = Serpick|first = Evan}}</ref> In 2011, Salonga was honored with a [[Disney Legends]] award in commemoration of her role as Mulan's singing voice.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldhaber|first=Mark|title=Disney Legends Class of 2011: Modern princesses, the Muppet master and more|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/destinations/mouseplanet/post/2011/09/Disney-Legends-Class-of--2011-Modern-princesses-the-Muppet-master-and-more/545673/1|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Co. Inc.|access-date=March 14, 2014|date=August 2, 2011|archive-date=November 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101200026/http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/destinations/mouseplanet/post/2011/09/Disney-Legends-Class-of--2011-Modern-princesses-the-Muppet-master-and-more/545673/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, Salonga performed a live rendition of "Reflection" at the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alijunaid|first=Ahsan|title=Lea Salonga becomes a Disney legend|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/10072454-lea-salonga-becomes-a-disney-legend|work=Allvoices|access-date=March 14, 2014|date=August 21, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314193213/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/10072454-lea-salonga-becomes-a-disney-legend|archive-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> [[Ming-Na Wen]] was also named a Disney Legend in 2019 for her role as the speaking voice of Mulan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Abell|first1=Bailee|title=Robert Downey Jr. and James Earl Jones highlight the list of Disney Legends to be honored at D23 Expo 2019|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2019/05/disney-legends-d23-2019-ba1/|access-date=May 17, 2019|work=Inside the Magic|date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517025055/https://insidethemagic.net/2019/05/disney-legends-d23-2019-ba1/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dela Paz|first1=Maggie|title=RDJ, Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones & More to be Honored as Disney Legends|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/1068269-rdj-jon-favreau-james-earl-jones-more-to-be-honored-as-disney-legends|access-date=May 16, 2019|work=Comingsoon.net|date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518153930/https://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/1068269-rdj-jon-favreau-james-earl-jones-more-to-be-honored-as-disney-legends|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Redesign controversy ===

The 2013 Disney princess redesigns portrayed Mulan with features that differ from her film appearance. The artwork featured Mulan with blue eyes, bigger lips, noticeably lighter skin, and golden clothing which does not resemble any outfit she has worn in the film. Her new appearance has caused an uproar due to the [[whitewash (censorship)|whitewash]] of her character. This was particularly troubling as Mulan is one of the few [[Person of color|princesses of color]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wong|first=Lindsay|date=March 29, 2021|title=Lack of POC in Disney|url=https://theunreadinitiative.org/2021/03/29/the-lack-of-diversity-in-disney/|website=The Unread Initiative|access-date=October 27, 2021|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027214500/https://theunreadinitiative.org/2021/03/29/the-lack-of-diversity-in-disney/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shavon L. McKinstry of ''SPARK Movement'' writes that Mulan's redesign "seem to be directly counter to her personality and character in her film", and also notes how all the princesses of color have been "noticeably pushed to the back or left out completely" from the new Disney merchandise which featured the redesigns.<ref name="multiple">McKinstry, Shavon L. [http://www.sparksummit.com/2013/04/17/bright-like-a-diamond-white-like-a-princess/ "Bright Like a Diamond, White Like a Princess"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025184147/http://www.sparksummit.com/2013/04/17/bright-like-a-diamond-white-like-a-princess/ |date=2016-10-25 }}, ''SPARK MOVEMENT'', April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2014.</ref>

McKinstry argues that Disney "prefers to portray one demographic of princess, simultaneously alienating so much of their fanbase", pointing out that of the "ten Disney Princesses in the brand, six are white".<ref name="multiple" /> The importance of Mulan and other non-white princesses can be seen in the 2009 study of the effects of children's cartoons on the body image of young girls by doctors Sharon Hayes and Stacey Tantleff-Dunn. The study revealed that in the group of girls ranging from 3 to 6 years old, 30.6% of the group would change their physical appearance if they could. Of these respondents, over half would change their hair and over a quarter would change something about their body, such as skin color. Of all girls surveyed, 8% said they would have to change their hair or skin color to become a princess, stating things like they would "change from brown skin to white skin", for example. The interviewed group was predominantly white.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1348/026151009X424240|title = Am I too fat to be a princess? Examining the effects of popular children's media on young girls' body image| journal=British Journal of Developmental Psychology| volume=28| issue=2| pages=413–426|year = 2010|last1 = Hayes|first1 = Sharon| last2=Tantleff-Dunn| first2=Stacey| pmid=20481395}}</ref>

Disney has since altered the coloration in Mulan's design by changing the blue eye highlight to brown, darkening the color of her skin, and changing her clothing to better resemble her attire in the film.<ref name="multiple" />