Disney - Turning Red, Panda Mei (25cm) | bol (2024)

FAQs

Does Mei Mei actually turn into a red panda? ›

Background. Born in 1989, Mei is a confident, dorky, 13-year-old torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Whenever her emotions get the better of her (whether it be getting too excited or too scared), she turns into a giant red panda and has to calm herself to change back.

The movie is all about symbolism, and so it makes sense if Mei turns into a big red panda, then a bigger red panda may mean those emotions have been lying dormant in a person for some time, just waiting to come surging out in truly unpredictable ways.

After Ming seals away of her panda, she urges Mei to come with her, but Mei refuses by saying she's changing and is keeping the panda. Ming happily accepts this and says she's proud of her and tells her the further she goes, the more prouder she will be.

Rather than letting the unpleasant experiences of family members define her unknown future, Mei decides to embrace the messiness and the unknown. So, while those before her were frightened of what comes along with the panda, Mei sees her panda as an opportunity for growth and, ultimately, strength.

REVIEWED By Kimberley Jones, Fri., Feb. 9, 2024

In the literalizing-our-anxieties sweepstakes, Shi one-upped herself in debut feature Turning Red, wherein 13-year-old Mei Lee's extreme (and extremely relatable) mood swings cause her to morph into a giant, rampaging red panda.

It comes along with unexpected hair growth, body odours, and seeing the colour red in… new places. And that's what Disney Pixar's Turning Red is all about! The latest Pixar movie has many people asking “is turning red a period metaphor?” and the answer is YES!

Ming doesn't like 4★Town because she says they are tacky and glittery delinquents and when Mei asked to go to the concert, Ming's answer was no.

Miriam is one of Mei's oldest and closest friends. When the girls discover the Red Panda for the first time, Miriam instantly orders Abby and Priya to control their excitement.

Set in Toronto, Ontario in 2002, the film follows Meilin "Mei" Lee (Chiang), a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian student who transforms into a giant red panda when she experiences any strong emotion, due to a hereditary curse.

Red pandas are often killed when they get caught in traps meant for other animals such as wild pigs and deer. They are also poached for their distinctive pelts in China and Myanmar. Red panda fur caps or hats have been found for sale in Bhutan.

Is Ming the villain in Turning Red? ›

Type of Villain

Ming Lee is the main antagonist of Pixar's 25th full-length animated feature film Turning Red. She is Mei Lee's overprotective, controlling, overbearing, and strict mother.

Mei is one of Robaire's biggest fans. He first encounters her at the concert in the SkyDome near the front of the stage. Although he doesn't interact with her frequently, he was able to help her with the ritual to save Ming after she caused severe damage in her red panda form.

Priya is an average height, Indian-Canadian, 13-year-old teenage girl with brown skin, brown eyes, and thick eyebrows, with purple-gray shadows under her eyes. She has thick, wavy, dark brown hair that falls right past her shoulders; her bangs are parted and slightly curled.

It represents being angry, being embarrassed or being very lustful for someone,” Shi told The New York Times. In the movie, it is revealed that all the women in Mei's family turn into red pandas every time they are overcome with anger or frustration, and the reason for this family curse is rooted in Mei's ancestry.

Tyler is Blasian, meaning he has Black and Asian descent. Judging by his first surname name, he is half-Vietnamese (from his mother), and judging by his father's accent, he is half-Caribbean.

“Well, this latest Pixar movie, 'Turning Red,' on Disney+ is a family comedy about Mei Mei, a 13-year-old Chinese girl coming of age in Toronto, Canada's Chinatown. You can't miss the Tim Horton's! I was just speaking Canadian-ese.”

In the movie, the main character Meilin turns into an oversized red panda whenever she feels strong anger or frustration. This occurrence is due to her ancestor's prayer of protecting her family in times of dire need, giving the women in her lineage the power to hone in this particular set of emotions.

The story takes place in Toronto in the early 2000's and follows the story of preteen Meilien “Mei” Lee as she traverses eighth grade. On top of navigating eighth grade Mei must also deal with her overbearing mother, and turning into a giant red panda anytime she feels any sort of an extreme emotion.