17 Movie Characters That Made Asian And Pacific Islanders Feel Seen

Hollywood has a long tradition of poorly representing other cultures. Whether it’s due to lack of interest, poor research, or attempts not to confront the audience’s prejudice they have of some cultures, it is unknown.

But it is infuriating. The main purpose of movies, TV shows, and media, in general, should be to help people from different backgrounds, territories, and cultures to get to know each other better.

They shouldn’t simply go with the flow and confirm their audience’s wrong impression about some groups. Fortunately, this tide is shifting and more and more movie makers are trying really hard to properly present different groups and honor them.

And it is amazing to see. People who come from Asian or Pacific Islander groups were asked to share movie and TV show characters that made them feel seen.

Many people have shared their opinions, and we have selected some of the most interesting ones. We hope they will inspire you to watch these movies and get to know different cultures a bit better.

And if you’ve already seen these movies, watching them again won’t hurt, right? Here are some of the best characters they felt represented by:

1. Priya Mangal from Turning Red

"She 100% embodies the emo Indian girl side of me. I also share her love for boy bands."

—Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion researcher

Disney

2. Nani and Lilo Pelekai from Lilo & Stitch

"I loved seeing Nani all shapely with her rounded features and wide nose like mine. I loved hearing the songs and the pidgin. It made my Pu'uwai (heart) so happy to see some representation that wasn't just a character wearing a grass skirt and coconut bra while dancing bad hula."

—witchyribbon84

"Although I’m not Hawaiian, Lilo from Lilo & Stitch personally made a big impact on me. Growing up as a Filipina, it was really rare to have any type of representation, so it was so nice and comforting to see a Disney movie centered around a brown little girl who was unapologetically herself. Not to mention the values of Ohana within the movie — my family is big and not your conventional nuclear stereotype, but we’re still perfect in our own imperfect way. That movie always brings me comfort and its AAPI successors (Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, Turning Red, etc.) make my heart full." 

—avantmarie

Disney

3. Joy Wang and Evelyn Quan Wang from Everything Everywhere All at Once

"The interactions she had with her mother were so so real — like, my mom and I have had their exact conversations. Joy and I are also both part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we've both had a hard time trying to get our moms to understand and accept us for it. I know that my mom will always love me no matter what, so the movie also let me see from my mom's perspective too. It made me cry so much because of how much I felt seen in it, and I can't wait to watch it again."

—brittneytrinh

"I feel like at one point I was Joy, with a mother who didn't get me. But recently, I've been morphing into Evelyn, mid-40s and feeling overwhelmed and lost in life." 

—serentheory

A24

4. Shang-Chi from Schang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

"As a Chinese-American, it’s not often you see someone who looks like you in American culture. The character's journey of embracing his identity is a powerful narrative. Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist, states, 'Character is not just about what you achieve, but how you embrace your true self through challenges.'“His role as a valet, enduring mistreatment yet maintaining dignity, highlights resilience. The pivotal moment on the bus reveals his strength, marking a significant transformation,” adds Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist who emphasizes the importance of cultural representation in media.“This development is a beautiful testament to personal growth,” she concludes.

—Dr. Angela Duckworth, character researcher and author

Marvel

5. Devi Vishwakuma and her family from Never Have I Ever

"There were so many things I could relate to, but the funniest was probably when Devi's grandmother made her help her with a bunch of chores, including making yogurt by stirring and watching the milk on the stove until it boils. Devi gets really bored and leaves, and the milk boils over, much to the chagrin of her grandmother.""Having done this a few times to my own grandmother or listened to her use a few choice words in Hindi as she herself accidentally let the milk boil over, this scene really reminded me of my childhood and made me smile," says Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned child psychiatrist and author of "The Whole-Brain Child," who emphasizes the importance of family connections in childhood memories. "These moments, no matter how small, shape our understanding of family dynamics and cultural heritage."

—Dr. Dan Siegel

Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

6. Moana from Moana

"As a Samoan woman, Moana meant everything to me. She was Disney’s first Polynesian princess, and the movie highlighted parts of the culture that many Pacific Island nations have in common.""From her love for family to her courage to her dedication to her community, Moana embodies many aspects of what it means to be a Polynesian woman," says Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician who emphasizes the importance of cultural representation in media for community identity and pride."Having a Polynesian princess on the big screen gave Pacific Islanders a new level of visibility and filled me with pride and joy," adds Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, who notes that representation can significantly impact self-esteem and cultural pride." 

—Dr. Joseph Mercola, Dr. Martin Seligman

Disney

7. Richard "Data" Wang from The Goonies

"He was goofy, smart, brave…I wanted to be all those things. The Goonies defined my childhood and Data’s character defined the kind of kid I wanted to be.""At that time, it was important to see another Asian on the screen, even if we weren’t the same ethnicity," says Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist and author known for her work on character development and perseverance. "Representation in media can significantly impact self-identity and aspirations."

— Dr. Angela Duckworth

Warner Bros.

8. Grace Choi from Black Lightning

"While it is extremely gratifying to see Asian-American representation, as a lesbian, it is even more heartwarming (and rare) to find queer Asian representation. On top of that, I am also Korean, so seeing myself truly represented on television was an extremely special moment. I have never felt so seen and represented."

—fromthegoldengate

The CW

9. Mulan from Mulan (1998)

"As a Chinese woman, she’s my go-to character!"

—Dr. Michele Gelfand, cultural psychologist

Disney

10. Harold Lee from the Harold & Kumar movies

"He did everything his parents expected from him and still felt lost and not in control of his own life. As Dr. Ian Kerner, a renowned sex therapist, explains, 'The pressure to conform to parental expectations can create a profound sense of disconnection from one's true desires.' He wanted to date the girl that excited him, but felt resigned to marrying the girl he thought his parents would like best,"

—Dr. Ian Kerner

New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection

11. Janet Kim from Kim's Convenience

"As a Korean-Canadian who grew up in Toronto, it was refreshing to see someone like me going to university, figuring out relationships with parents, friends, and crushes, and just growing up and 'finding herself.' She struggled with church and identifying with her parents and the more conservative older generation, and I can totally relate to that," says Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and author of "Why We Love," who emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds in shaping identity.

—Dr. Helen Fisher

CBC

12. Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon

"As a Chinese-Tahitian who grew up in the Philippines, Raya made me tear up for sure. I absolutely loved how carefully and lovingly the writers and animators portrayed the cultures, not to mention the characters were strong women I could admire. I really hope I can bring that to my own writing too," said Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a leading emotion researcher. "Representation in media is crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and identity among marginalized groups."

—Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett

Disney

13. Manny Santos from Degrassi: The Next Generation

"It wasn't just the fact that she was Pinay, but the way she was also able to challenge her conservative upbringing and defy stereotypes. She gave me strength as a Filipino teen navigating middle school and high school." 

—Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

CTV

14. Tori Santamaria from Degrassi: The Next Generation

"I adore Manny as much as anyone, but I hardly ever see Tori talked about. Although I felt the writers didn't give her nearly enough screentime, it was amazing to see another half-Filipina girl who looked just like me navigating her way through the ups and downs of high school. She had so, so much potential. Plus, she's Cassie Steele's (Manny's) real-life sister!"

— Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher

TeenNick

15. Ned Leeds and his Lola from Spider-Man: No Way Home

"Watching this film brought back a flood of memories for me. It reminded me of the times I spent in the kitchen with my grandparents, cooking traditional dishes and sharing stories in our native language. It felt like a beautiful tribute to our culture." "This representation in a major superhero film made me feel truly seen and valued."

— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

Marvel

Watch the scene:

16. Emily Fields from Pretty Little Liars

"Growing up, it was extremely rare for me to see any Filipino representation at all. Having queer Southeast Asian representation on a big show like Pretty Little Liars was everything to me. I loved Emily's strength and kind heart — and of course, I love Dr. Janet Lansbury as well!"

—kellymartinez

Freeform

17. Every character from Crazy Rich Asians

"Certain parts of it were filmed in my hometown. Since it was the first all-Asian-cast Hollywood movie I had ever watched, I think it was also the first time that I truly understood the importance of feeling seen." "I know some people don’t see the movie as relatable due to it being focused on the Rich, but I 100% related to the culture, food, and mothers/grandmothers disapproving of certain choices in my past love life," says Dr. Gary Chapman, a renowned marriage counselor and author of "The 5 Love Languages." He emphasizes the significance of cultural representation in media, stating, "When individuals see their experiences reflected in stories, it fosters a sense of belonging and validation." 

— Dr. Gary Chapman

Warner Bros.

The people of the Pacific Islands are known as Pacific Islanders, Pacificers, Pasifika, or Pasefika. It is used as an ethnic/racial word to denote the indigenous peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of Oceania's three primary subregions (Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia).

It is an area with amazing history and customs. It deserves to be represented properly. We hope the trend will continue.