1998 was a turning point for Asian Pacifics in American toys as Disney's release of Mulan introduced a whole line of Asian characters. The animated interpretation of an ancient Chinese poem about a woman warrior spawned action figures, dolls, beanies and Happy Meal toys.
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Secret Hero Mulan
Mulan 12" Doll series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure
From the company that brings us Barbie comes this Barbie-esque Mulan. While Mulan was a story about a woman who proved that she could be every bit as good as a man, Mattel thought it would be good to revert her to the classic Asian doll stereotype. You can cut her hair and change her fashion says the box. It's a nice looking doll...but one has to wonder what this has to do with Mulan.
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Captain Li Shang
Mulan 12" Doll series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure
Li Shang is the captain of the squad that Mulan joins. He is the love interest in the movie, but what's great is that they earn their respect for each other before the romance begins. It's unconventional and a really a nice touch.
So, again, it's kind of strange what Mattel decided to do with their doll line -- going back to convention. To go with the Barbie-esque Mulan comes a Ken like Li Shang. Actually, this figure looks better than Ken and almost like the actual animated character. Again, though, I have to wonder why they make a point of calling him "Captain" Li Shang, but yet, he's wearing dressy robes. I'm not for little girls mimicking boys, but let's get a clue.
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Warrior Mulan
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure with miniature Mushu
The action figure line that Mattel put out, however, is much nicer and much truer to the animated film than the doll line. This figure is Mulan in removable armor. It comes with some training props and a miniature Mushu.
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Maiden Mulan
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure with Cri-Kee and cage
To match the Warrior Mulan comes the Maiden Mulan. This is as Mulan was before her transformation to Warrior. This is a nice set that comes with a cage and removable Cri-Kee.
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Captain Li Shang
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure
A nicely done action figure that comes with removable armor. Li Shang also comes with two dragon cannons, the same cannons that brought the attention of the Huns in the animated film.
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Yao and Ling
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
2-Figure Pack
Yao and Ling are two of the friends that Mulan makes when she joins the Emperor's army. While she gets off to a rocky start with the boys, she earns their respect when she is able to climb the pole with the stone discs tied to her arms. Yao, voiced by Harvey Fierstein, is the macho "King of the Hill" and undeniably the boss of the group. Ling, voiced by Gedde Watanabe, is Yao's side kick who first approaches Mulan as a friend.
This 2-figure set is as nice as the rest of the action figure line. The two come with sword, bo staff and a wood plank that can be chopped in half.
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Chien-Po
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure
Chien-Po is the other member of the gang of three friends that Mulan makes. He is the kind and gentle one who meditates for inner peace. The Chien-Po figure is very nice and comes with a bucket so that kids can recreate the training sequence where the recruits had to dodge stones with a bucket of water on their heads.
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Shan-Yu
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Individual Figure
Shan-Yu is the evil leader of the Huns who are going to invade the Forbidden City. He is perhaps one of the most evil of Disney villains because they allude to his actually killing a child. The figure is nice and comes with his pet falcon and a sword.
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Mulan Matchmaker Playset
Mulan Action Figure series
1998, Mattel
Mulan
Playset that includes Mulan and Granny Fa figures
When the film opens, we find Mulan preparing to meet the matchmaker. She doesn't feel like a bride, but she is bound by tradition to preserve her family honor. This playset allows kids to relive Mulan's going to the matchmaker, with the help of her grandmother. Comes with tub, bucket, mirror, changing screen and other accessories.
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Mulan
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Figure
The Mulan Happy Meal Toy is very similar to the action figure, except, in this case, both Warrior and Maiden are one figure. You can either have Mulan dressed in armor or remove the armor and put the dress on her. This Happy Meal Toy line was actually a really nicely done line for McDonald's as they were very playable toys.
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Captain Li Shang
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Figure
The Li-Shang Happy Meal Toy is a fully poseable toy that functions very similarly to an action figure. A really nicely done figure.
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Mushu
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Figure
Mushu was sent by the ancestors to guard over Mulan. Actually, he wasn't really sent, but went after he broke the Great Stone Dragon (the guardian of choice) and decided to go to promote his status as a demoted family guardian. Before then, his role was to wake the ancestors by playing a gong. This Happy Meal Toy has him playing a little gong. A nicely done toy.
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Cri-Kee
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Figure
Cri-Kee is the good luck charm for Mulan, even though he ends up causing some troubles for her. This cute little toy allows Cri-Kee to chirp by twisting his wings.
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Yao, Ling and Chien-Po
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
3-figure toy
Again, Yao, Ling and Chien-Po are the three pals of Mulan. This toy has Yao being pulled by Chien-Po. Ling sits on Chien-Po's shoulders. It's a fun concept.
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Little Brother
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Figure
Little Brother is the Fa family dog. While he's not in the movie for very long, he is one of the most loved characters in the movie...evident by all the toys that came out in his image. This toy is very simple. Wind it up and he jumps.
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Khan
Mulan Happy Meal Toy series
1998, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Figure
Khan is Mulan's faithful horse. This Happy Meal Toy is a wind up toy that allows Khan to move. You can also sit Mulan or Li Shang on top of him.
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Yao
Mulan Happy Meal Toy Top series
1999, McDonald's
Mulan
Individual Toy
This Yao Happy Meal Toy Top comes from the Happy Meal Toy line that was released when Mulan was released on video. It's a very simple toy, but nicely done.
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Mushu
Mulan Beanie
1998, Applause
Mulan
Individual Figure
This Beanie of Mushu was released by the Applause company. It's not the official Disney Beanie, but I think it's much nicer because it looks more like the animated character. Where the official Beanie is chubby, this Mushu Beanie is thin and slinky.
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Wish List for Mulan
The following are items I still need to complete the set. If you notice any other items that should be added, please e-mail me.
- Matchmaker Magic Mulan 12" doll
- Hearts Of Honor (Mulan & Li Shang) 12" dolls
- Imperial Beauty Mulan doll
- Real Riding Mulan and Khan doll set
- Deluxe Warrior Training Set (with Mulan, Li-Shang, Chien-Po, Yao, Ling and Mushu)
- Mulan Fearless Rider Gift Set (with Mulan and Khan)
- Li-Shang Fearless Rider Gift Set (with Li-Shang and Horse)
- Warrior Mulan Beanie
- Mulan Beanie
- Li Shang Beanie
- Khan Beanie
- Little Brother Beanie
- Cri Kee Beanie
- Mulan Top Happy Meal Toy
- Li-Shang Top Happy Meal Toy
- Shan Yu Top Happy Meal Toy
- Chien-Po Top Happy Meal Toy
- Chirping Cri-Kee
- Talking Mushu Disney Beanie
- Non-Talking Mushu Disney Beanie
- 18" Bendable Mushu (Applause)
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