#Emperor Yao

[pitch-and-moan]

Gun-Me?! No, Gun-Yu!

A poorly-considered slapstick retelling of the Great Flood myth of China in the third or second millennium BCE.

[seyaryminamoto]

My latest completed commission may have been a bit ambitious... because I went wild with it. But I certainly relished in doing so :') Combining my favorite ship with my favorite-ever Disney movie is, uh... a dangerous concoction :'D

The commissioner specifically requested for Azula as Mulan, Sokka as Shang, and Xin Long (my OC dragon from Gladiator) as Mushu. The rest of the cast was up to me to choose, and I pretty much went wild rewatching this movie and picking out some of my favorite moments to recreate them in my style, with these characters. I came up with a lot of correlating characters between both ATLA and 1998's Mulan, but I couldn't hope to draw EVERYTHING, unfortunately. Still, if you want my reasoning for the cast correlation... check out the Read More! Beyond that, feel free to reach out to me if you'd like to commission me, or if you want to join my Patreon!

The Herbalist as Mulan's grandmother might feel arbitrary but she honestly felt like the ATLA elderly lady with the most similar personality to Grandma Fa. Fickle, with a unique connection with a seemingly perfectly ordinary animal, old and sassy? Figured it fit! So for once, the Herbalist is Azula's grandma! xD strange notion, I know, Azulon/Herbalist is not a ship I ever thought I'd accidentally put out in the world but there have been wilder ships than that in this fandom...

Momo became Cri-Kee, I wasn't 100% sold on it but when I considered that Avatar features soooo many hybrid animals... I figured he could be a hybrid cricket-lemur. Weird, I know, but eh? Better than nothing xD

Aang as Chien-Po was a no-brainer. He's the only character I settled on instantly, never even considered anyone else for the role. Their personalities line up really well, and Chien-Po's tendency to be OP and resolve things that are outside of other people's reach sounded like he was prime Avatar material! So, while their dietary preferences are an obvious difference between them, I decided to go for it nonetheless considering all their other similarities!

Kino (another Gladiator OC) is Ling, and he actually did give me a ton of trouble to choose. I considered many characters for the role right up until I realized that Kino's personality actually lines up fairly well with Ling's, down to being a class clown type (who ABSOLUTELY would have cut gym class!) and breaking out in song about the hypothetical woman he'd like to fight for? Yeeeeah that's right up his alley xD but there's another reason why I picked Kino...

... And that is my likely unexpected choice for Yao:

ZUKO.

ZUKO IS YAO.

YES.

I'M NOT EVEN SORRY.

(For the uninitiated, Aang, Zuko and Kino are best friends in Gladiator, very often together, and they make a really good team, so that's the extra reason why Kino became the obvious choice for Ling aside from having really similar personalities, definitely closer personalities than, say, Jet, for instance.)

People have likened Zuko to Shang a LOT since ATLA aired. This is the main reason why I'm even making this huge note! I suspect it's primarily because of the aesthetic, let's be real here, and because he becomes Aang's teacher, but people have exaggerated Zuko's alleged similarities with Shang, or taken them out of proportion, in many ways. I actually remember an AMV ages ago with "Be a Man" and it was Zuko "training the Gaang"?? It... didn't feel right to me. Obviously, someone might rebuff with "well, how does Sokka make MORE sense than that, though?" And believe it or not, I have arguments for that... (when do I not...?)

Not only is this what the commissioner specifically requested (and it obviously lines up with the ship we love!), but let's examine the actual reasons why Sokka as Shang adds up:

Sokka actually had to train a bunch of toddlers who weren't paying any attention to him. You know. Kind of how Shang had to train the unruly soldiers who weren't getting anything right. Sokka has a positive relationship with his dad (Zuko, ofc, does not). Shang also has a positive relationship with his dad! And not only this, but there's a military component to both relationships, specifically with Shang wanting to follow on his father's footsteps and aid him in the war... so much like someone else I know, who jumped at every opportunity to rejoin his father in the war, even wishing to join him as a child until Hakoda tasked him with protecting their Tribe instead (kinda like Shang is tasked with training soldiers rather than joining a battlefield).

And the final cherry-on-top that I'd loooove to hear Zuko fans try to argue against... is sexism :') didn't Sokka get characterized as a sexist guy for four episodes, which made people decide that this was his main character trait even if it went away that quickly? Um, yes, that happened. Shang literally sings the memorable song that's a crazy ode to masculinity, including the rather sexist line of "did they send me daughters when I asked for sons". Shang outright abandons Mulan once they discover that she was a woman all along (while, admittedly, choosing to abandon her rather than KILL HER, which as we saw from Chi-Fu, he was NOT supposed to spare her!)...

So, is this REALLY what Zuko fans, who willfully believe their boy is a feminist king (... why? beats me...) are trying to compare their unproblematic blorbo to? :'D Me? I have no problem linking Sokka with Shang due to Sokka's beginnings and due to the fact that both Shang and Sokka have similar growth when it comes to accepting femininity is as valid as masculinity, and as they both learn to respect women as fighters and potential heroes! (I simply do not believe Sokka's ENTIRE tenure in ATLA was about that, though, and that's what I continue to clash with the fandom over...) So... all this is why I've reasoned that Sokka is a VERY solid choice for Shang, in fact, better than Zuko could hope to be.

... but this isn't all.

Maybe some might accept my arguments for Sokka-Shang. And then, they might ask:

WHY ZUKO AS YAO, THO??

... And the truth is it took me long to see it, myself, but HOLY SHIT, DOES IT FIT!

What is the primary thing we remember about Yao in Mulan? This guy is constantly itching for a fight, to prove himself, surely riddled with insecurities that he exteriorizes through overcompensation of masculinity. He's funny as fuck, but he's taking himself 100% seriously as a manly man all the time, and he's always ready for violence. But there's one more thing...

He treats Mulan as his RIVAL.

And more often than not? SHE SCREWS HIM OVER. Intentionally or not.

What does that sound like? Why, yes, it sounds a LOT like Azula and Zuko's sibling relationship!

The fact that Yao is a temperamental dude who lashes out easily at things (oh, something he has in common with Zuko!), that he specifically resents Mulan (in this case, Azula, just as Zuko does!) and is either constantly looking to defeat her and prove his superiority over her (... wait, just as Zuko with Azula??), that he has a black eye perpetually across the movie, and it's his LEFT EYE (just as Zuko's scar is on his left eye! :'D), that he's friends with a pacifist he has basically nothing in common with, personality-wise (just like Zuko and Aang!), and that he pretty much has a REDEMPTION ARC in which he goes from a bitter, asshole rival to Mulan to treating her as a friend and ally, to the point where he was disappointed to leave her behind and THEN joined her at once when she says she has a plan? :') I have always been critical of Zuko's redemption arc, goes without saying. But if ANY of these characters redeemed himself in any significant way, it certainly seems to be Yao to me, and with people gushing NON-STOP about Zuko's redemption? Why, he ought to be the character who goes from bitter rival to loyal friend, right?

So. I'm not even sorry. Zuko is Yao. And I'd dare say that he should be flattered by the comparison, even, because Yao ends up being cool as FUCK!

I don't really talk about this much nowadays, but Mulan was my favorite Disney movie growing up, it ABSOLUTELY had a formative influence on me as a little girl, and Mulan was my favorite female character for a looooong time. Thus, any excuse to rewatch this movie makes me happy as heck. With the wisdom of age I know, of course, that it's not perfect, it's not what China wants, it's not the most thoughtful depiction of Chinese culture or the most faithful adaptation of Mulan's poem (... but I'd also dare bring up that the 2009 Chinese adaptation ISN'T all that faithful either...), but it has a kind of magic in it, a solid storytelling flow, so many memorable moments one after the next, that I could hardly choose which scenes to depict... Disney has never again seen the storytelling heights it reached with Mulan in 1998. I don't even care if that's a controversial opinion in any way... this is their best animated feature for me, and nobody can change my mind.

So... depicting Azula, my beloved, in all these scenarios as this character I adored and idolized as a child, was so damn fulfilling for me. While some might think that, personality-wise, these two ladies don't have much in common, the fact that Mulan is sent to a matchmaker who basically tells her she looks good but is going to be the worst wife ever...? Our girl Azula, with all those insecurities about being unloveable and a monster, probably would relate big time to that.

Mulan is also an INTELLIGENT soldier rather than a brawny one, which is how she starts to make progress in the army, it's how she manages to overcome the huns with that avalanche... and Azula's primary difference with most other antagonists in ATLA is that she's smart as fuck. She is very strong, no doubt, but a LOT of that strength comes from her intelligence, from assessing situations in unique ways, from planning and strategizing. The way Mulan finds the most unexpected solutions that still pay off reminds me a lot of how Azula achieves unexpected feats through rather unorthodox means, capable of taking over a city with basically no bloodshed while her nation has spent 100 years trying and failing to do so through major army incursions and who knows how much senseless violence. Obviously, I'm not saying what Azula did is GOOD and it's kind of dumb that we always have to point that out... I'm merely comparing the magnitude of the feats, and the fact that they both come from ladies who use strategy and intelligence to achieve their goals rather than muscle and physical power.

And while anyone would rage at me for the comparison between Fa Zhou (her dad) and Ozai, the truth is the dynamic between them CAN be compared, if loosely: Mulan literally goes to war to keep her father safe. Azula goes to war under her father's orders. Hell, she makes herself BAIT in the Eclipse to make sure the Gaang won't get to her dad?? While it's very much possible to say that both characters have different personalities and attitudes in life... I'd also bring up that their contexts are evidently completely different. I wouldn't say for certain that Azula, had she been raised outside a Royal Family, would be EXACTLY like Mulan... but they might have more similar traits than one might expect. Ultimately, though... I love them both. And this opportunity to swap their places was pretty much a dream come true!

Alright, that was plenty of rambling xD ultimately, I had a blast doing this commission, as I'm sure is obvious by now. So! If anyone wants to commission me, feel free to check out my prices right here and hit me up if you're interested!

[forsoobado137]

it's me again after a long time,so,I watched the last emperor last night,and made me think about how China (or Yao) would react to the empress Ci Xi choosing Pu Yi,a 5 year old child at the time,to be emperor (plus in real life,Pu Yi started screaming for help and crying at seeing Ci Xi for the first time,she tried offering sweets but that made him more terrified)

Lmao I don't think he was all that phased since he's had child emperors before. He probably found it both amusing and also frustrating because he technically has to do everything this child says. So if Puyi asked him to dance or swallow dirt, he would have to obey him. China was basically like a tormented babysitter.

(also after seeing Cixi's face, I don't blame Puyi for crying.)

[humming-fly]

I saw some what I think is official art of Greedling with BIG VAMPIRE CHOMPERS and I am convinced he would snack on those mannequins like that. I mean out of context I'm sure people would think he's a vampire. I also headcanon that because the homununculization process violently breaks down and reconstructs the body; Ling still has some physical traces of it even after Greed's passing like noticeably sharper teeth.

Oh Yeah I am a firm believer that even after greed left ling's body is Weird now - like for sure with the sharper teeth but even more damningly with the slit irises- like even without being lit up by all the dead souls flitting around in there that shit Ain't Normal and I think that's Great

[kattythingz]

I had a MIGHTY NEED to revamp my ye old art of Ed in a hanfu. So I goddamn did. EVERYONE LOOK AT MY PRETTY SON RIGHT NOW.

Also a bonus Live Ling Reaction:

Close-ups under the cut because I poured way too many details into this ✌️✨

I couldn't get a proper zoom-in of it, but Trust that Ed's engagement ring is a snake with rubies for eyes. Take careful note of his and Ling's matching earrings as well ;) Black diamonds... Don't see that just anywhere, huh? Black carbon,,,,,,

I wonder why they chose that :)

Also literally nobody asked, but Ed's pants outfit was designed to be androgynous! He's got the tight collar and the over-the-breasts wrap style seen in women's chinese fashion, and the elbow-length sleeves seen in men's! Edward Elric is the most Gender if I've ever seen it, ofc his outfits must reflect that!!

Also he still just deserves the prettiest things 😤

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Imagine if Jin Zixuan DID yeet his brother from another mother (🥲) down the stairs.

Meng Yao: I'm your brother. Happy birthday! 🥰

Jin Zixuan: There can only be one. YEET

I am truly sad he didn't; think of the 'No Doubles' memes that we could have had...

[the-pudding-is-a-lie]

I am once again down with a nasty cold but today I felt well enough to colour this one. :)

I was thinking about the background of this one and I think it fits my Imperial AU quite well but can be a stand alone as well. Maybe canon universe, maybe canon divergence where things turn out a lot nicer and better for everyone because I want these two to be happy. That's all. :)

Image description in alt text.

[a-place-to-burn]

would wang baoxiang and meng yao kill each other on sight because of their hatred of self recognition through the other or would they unionise to maximise their joint slay? discuss. they can kiss either way

[peonycats]

Look dude, I was once a preteen/teen who fancied myself a Hetalian who took history *seriously* and *accurately* and showed the real brutality and blood tm of what nations would actually be like, and don't get me wrong, it's still important to strive for accuracy and to consider the sensitive and dark nature of history, but like... at some point, we all need to stop making everyone 2014 edgy sarcastic greyscale scumbags who always have a witty remark to snark back with. We need some levity and whimsy in our scumbags and we need to stop taking ourselves so seriously

[hulijingemperor2]

🌟Huangdi 🌟

[somepsychopomp]

need an Edling royal wedding where Ling's advisors and officials are all begrudgingly holding their tongues as their Emperor marries a peasant boy from a foreign nation. None of them want to lose their jobs or their heads so they do as ling demands up until they have to organize the bride price.

And Ling suddenly has no idea what to do. Sure, his treasury has heaps of gold to give, or incense or spices or silk or whatever in the world he could possibly want to give... but Ed is Ed. He was a gremlin orphan that was homeless by choice and who genuinely doesn't want for much at all. (Aside from the lasting health and happiness of his loved ones, but Ling can't really give that, you know?)

So his officials pick out a lovely bride price to offer to his betrothed's family consisting of all sorts of lavish items and maybe a few swords... only to realize that Ed's father and mother are super dead.

His next brilliant idea?

He'll just make a show of giving Ed's bride price to Alphonse Elric at the wedding! Problem solved! :D Right, Ed?

[kezokinos]

Happy Holidays @scarlett-hofferson from your @fmasecretsanta2023 !!!!!

Ever since I first read "dual emperor Greedling" I was so fascinated by this idea and it was so much fun! Sorry for posting it such a longer time after Christmas and wishing you all the best and a great start to the New Year!!

[janirah]

Hard kitty, cold kitty, Little ball of steel. Evil kitty, angry kitty, Kill, kill, kill.

Do you hear that hssss-s-s-sound?XD

[just-trying-my-best-everyday]

When will someone finally write a post-canon fic where Ling and Lan Fan actually grow closer together after he becomes Emperor because the Court is a den of snakes and they can only trust each other and Lan Fan becomes Ling's ghost advisor and rumours spread that to win the Emperor's favor you must first win over his Shadow?

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: Demon Emperor's Little Matchmaker (2022)

The Demon King comes to the world!#妖皇大人的小红娘 #demonemperorslittlematchmaker #shorts

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SARFaQsVBqs

[kattythingz]

OKAY OKAY everyone hear me out: An edling spy x family au. Starring Ling as Loid, Ed as Yor, and Nina as Anya. And ofc Alexander as Bond. Ling plays the fool just looking to marry so his overbearing father can get off his back, while Ed says it's to soothe his little brother's worries about him being alone forever; Al would believe it if Ed got a queerplatonic partner (aroace ed ftw). And Nina just wants a family. Cue the hijinks.

Al acts as a barrier with less of a brother complex (tho the elrics are still kinda co-dependent) and moreso majorly worried that Ed was forced into amatonormativity. He thinks Ling pressured Ed into this somehow or that Ed's holding some internalized aphobia.

Ling, of course, is too down bad to do any of that. Something that Ed slowly finds himself warming up to.

DO YOU SEE THE VISION???