Marvel Doesn't Know How To Handle Its Asian Characters | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Marvel Doesn't Know How To Handle Its Asian Characters

Sidekicks, comic relief, guys in the chair. Marvel's fallen into a trend that's plagued Hollywood for years.

101
Marvel Doesn't Know How To Handle Its Asian Characters
Donald Tong, Pexels

Marvel's excessively anticipated "Infinity War" event is just around the corner. 10 years in the making, every installment into the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe has led to this. The titan Thanos is finally making his entrance, and based on the trailers and teasers Marvel has tickled us with, it's sure to be a spectacle.

And while I may not have tickets to see a midnight showing, I'll be one of those who sees it again and again and again.

While I've never hid my love of Marvel's many cash cows, one thing I have shied away from is sharing my growing dissatisfaction that's been festering. Marvel has a serious problem with Asians.

I've touched on this before in my article praising "Black Panther," but I haven't gone into much detail. It's also worth disclaiming here that blaming Marvel for these issues isn't entirely fair, as much of this critique falls on the shoulders of Hollywood as a whole.

I've spent a lot of time trying to think of heroes or characters in the MCU that are Asian, and no I'm not counting "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (sorry Ming-Na Wen). I've struggled to come up with many, and those that are relevant are relegated to sidekick status or are under-utilized.

"Infinity War" will feature Mantis from the "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise and it seems like Wong from "Doctor Strange" will at least have a small role to play in the film, but one character might be accidentally racist and the other doesn't receive the full hero treatment.

And don't worry, I didn't forget about Ned from "Spider-Man" either. His go-to guy in the chair portrayed by Jacob Batalon is a wonderful point of levity and I'm glad he'll be there too.

But with each installment into the MCU, it seems more and more like Asians aren't expected to play leading roles. "Big Hero 6," the Disney Animated film was the closest we came, but the film was heavily Americanized being set in the fictional San Fransokyo, a bastardization of San Francisco and Tokyo.

Now I'm not saying that Marvel is the only studio to blame for this, and this concept of Asian Erasure is nothing new.

Just look at the backlash surrounding films like "Ghost In The Shell" or Netflix's "The Outsider" Hell, just Google searching 'Hollywood'+'Whitewashing' yields a nearly endless amount of examples to pick from.

So be it comic relief, sidekicks, guys in the chair, or disposable extras, it seems that Asians are certainly allowed a place in the MCU. It's just not that visible. This is an extension of a problem plaguing Hollywood as a whole, but a studio with as much power and influence as Marvel has the opportunity to change it.

I still love Marvel movies and will continue to see them. I'm not even mad about any of the above, but I and many others recognize a problematic trend that Marvel's fallen into. With their power and influence, they have the ability to change it.

I hope they do.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends

Here you will find a list of many of the people you will come across in your life, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to give a name to all these characters that you hopefully see day to day. Don't take these friends for granted because they all add a little something to your life, and if you can't name all of them to your personal friends, chances are it might be you...

Keep Reading...Show less
gossip girl

On the Upper East Side, Blair Waldorf is an icon. She's what every girl aspires to be. She's beautiful, confident, and can handle any obstacle that life throws at her. Sure, she may just be a television character. But for me, she's a role model and theres a lot that can be learned from Queen B.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Perks of Being a Girl

“I just want you to know that you’re very special… and the only reason I’m telling you is that I don’t know if anyone else ever has.”

1201
girl

As frustrating and annoying as it can be, being a girl is really awesome. We are beautiful inside and out. Not a lot of people may see that, but girls have a ton of amazing qualities.

We have unique flirting skills.

Us girls have a significant way to flirt with other people. Even when we say the most random or awkward things, we have a way of making everything sound cute and planned. It’s just a gift; we’re good like that.

Keep Reading...Show less
gossip girl

Us college students know all about the struggle of spending the day in the library. Whether you are writing a ten-page paper, studying for a biology exam, or struggling through math homework, you somehow find the strength to get to the library to get it all done. Let's just say you have a lot of different thoughts that run through your head during the many hours you spend in the lovely library.

Keep Reading...Show less
female tv characters
We Heart It

Over the past decade, television has undergone a very crucial transition: the incorporation of female lead characters. Since it's a known fact that girls actually do run the world (Beyonce said so herself), it's time for the leading ladies of the small screen to get some credit. Without these characters, women would still be sitting in the background of our favorite shows. These women are not only trailblazers for female empowerment, but role models for women worldwide. With that, here are 15 of the smartest, sassiest ladies gracing our screens that remind us that women do, indeed, rule:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments