Interesting finds in Mulan (1998)

[Bobbi]

So something very interesting happened last night (4 Feb 2025). Freeform was showing the animated film Mulan (1998). It's been awhile since I watched and I like this film. Then I realized there was a virtual who's who from Five-O! (You were probably wondering why this thread was placed where it was.)

Some of the cast were way too young, but there were others who visited the islands during those 12 years between 1968 and 1980. Some of the fans here may not have seen the film and that's okay. I'm going to focus on their Five-O appearances.

Starting with one of my favorites, James Hong. He guested four times including:
S02E01 A Thousand Pardons – You're Dead!
S02E12 The Devil and Mr. Frog
S04E07 Air Cargo – Dial For Murder
S07E12 Presenting…In The Center Ring…Murder

Next is Soon-tek Oh (Soon-taik Oh or Soon-taek Oh). He guested the most:
S01E15 Face Of The Dragon
S02E07 Sweet Terror
S04E03 Wednesdays, Ladies Free
S05E05 The Jinn Who Clears The Way
S08E07 The Defector
S10E15 The Silk Trap
S12E06 Image Of Fear

James Shigeta also lent his voice to the film. He guested in S01E11 Deathwatch. It's too bad Five-O didn't use him more. Shigeta appeared on several shows during the 1970s and 80s.

George Takei also guested once. He died a fiery death during S08E05 Death's Name Is Sam where he was in something of a dual role.

Pat Morita voiced the Emperor in Mulan and guested in S06E07 Tricks Are Not Treats

Of all of these episodes, the only real 'bad' one in the bunch is S12's Image of Fear but we all know Season 12 didn't measure up to the rest of the series as a whole. So it wasn't necessarily any guest stars to blame.

Anyway, I found it interesting and had to share.

[ringfire211]

Yep Mulan featured an Asian heroine so a lot of the older supporting cast consisted of stock Asian actors that we all grew up with. I did notice that when I watched it years ago. Not sure I connected it to Five-O specifically since all these actors were staples on just about every show of the 70s and 80s.

[Bobbi]

I know what you mean Ringfire. I was watching and thought, "That sounds like James Shigeta!" Sure enough, I was right. He triggered this whole thing. Thank you, Sir!