Fa Mulan
Mulan is the central character in the film. She is an awkward and confused young woman who comes into her own through the adventure on which she embarks. At the start of the film, Mulan is clumsy and ill-suited for the more feminine expectations placed upon her, eschewing feminine graces and instead taking care of animals and enjoying life at her family's home. Her confusion about how she fits into society and into the standards placed on her is part of what makes her an endearing and relatable protagonist.
When she chooses to go and fight in the army in her father's place, Mulan finds herself in yet another awkward position, trying to fit in in the world of men. However, as she becomes more determined to succeed, she finds that she is a highly capable and impressive soldier, often coming up with brave and ingenious strategies for defeating the Huns. By the end of the film, she proves herself as a strong and inspiring hero to China.
Fa Zhou
Fa Zhou is Mulan's father. He is wise and loving towards Mulan, but also elderly and ailing. He was once a great soldier and is determined to fight for the Emperor when he receives his conscription notice. At the end of the film, he is relieved to have his daughter returned to him, and makes it clear to her that while he is proud of her achievements, he is most proud to call her his daughter. Fa Zhou is defined by his forgiving attitude and his unconditional love.
Mushu
Once disgraced, Mushu is a small dragon who used to be a guardian, but was demoted to gong-ringer after letting an ancestor lose their head in a horrible accident. He is charged with the task of waking up the great stone dragon who will be Mulan's protector while she is in the Army, but he accidentally breaks the stone dragon in the process. As a result, he resolves to protect Mulan himself, in hopes that his success will prove to the ancestors that he is ready to be a guardian again.
Mushu is often inept and clumsy, messing up tasks because of his boisterous and over-the-top personality. As the film progresses, however, he gains some confidence and becomes more competent. He is often a source of comic relief in the film, riffing on various comments other characters make, and by the end of the film, he is once again made a guardian for the ancestors.
Li Shang
Shang comes from a military family, following in the footsteps of his father, General Shang, who is leading the Imperial Army into action in the mountains. Shang is a good leader and adept instructor, turning novices like Mulan into warriors in a short amount of time. He is often frustrated with the incompetence of his troops, particularly because he is such a strong and able-bodied warrior himself. He wants desperately to be made a captain, even though the Emperor's assistant Chi Fu suggests that he is not up to the task.
When he finds out that Mulan is a woman, he is disappointed in her, but spares her life because he cannot forget her heroism. Ultimately, he is forgiving and believes in Mulan. By the end of the film, he even has admitted that he has a soft spot for her, and goes to her family home in hopes of seeing her again.
Shan Yu
Shan Yu is the ruthless and bloodthirsty leader of the Huns. His goal is to take over China by killing the emperor and becoming the new ruler. He seems almost indestructible, surviving both a battle at the encampment and an avalanche. He is never discouraged from pursuing his goal, merely made angrier when he is not able to achieve it right away. Shan Yu is a gifted warrior who prefers hand-to-hand combat over canons or more sophisticated weaponry, and is a quintessential villain.
The Emperor
The Imperial Emperor is an honorable and well-respected man who values service to country above all else. He is also an astute man who recognizes the threat posed by the Huns. At the end, he honors Mulan for her bravery and service, even though she has illegally served as a woman. He also encourages Shang to pursue her romantically, insisting that someone as special as her is rare.
