Warning: This article contains major spoilers Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings
The limited cast of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings provided a set of characters that viewers got to know well. Among these, Shang-Chi and Katy were the main protagonists who were given the most characterizations and whose journey to Ta Lo set the basis for the story.
However, that doesn’t mean they were instantly the most likable people to follow. The movie also gave plenty of reasons to feel close to the other heroes and even the villains. All things considered, it was the characters who felt most relatable that last longer in memory and it’s worth recapping who had the biggest impression on the audience.
Wenwu
As the designated villain, it stands to reason that Wenwu would be the least likable. The only redeeming thing about him was his love for Ying Li and some fans can sympathize with his goal to bring her back. However, he actively attempted to harm Shang-Chi, his own son, and was completely apathetic toward the lives of the people of Ta Lo.
Viewers can see Wenwu as a frustrating individual who refused to realize that he was being manipulated by the Dweller-in-Darkness and even his last act of sacrificing himself for Shang-Chi didn’t really make him all that likable.
Razor Fist
In a change from the norm for the MCU, Razor Fist was a henchman who had more to offer than just a combative challenge for the protagonists. He spent the majority of the movie being a thorn in the heroes’ side, which encouraged viewers to despise him.
This took a turn near the climax when Razor Fist developed a funny side to himself, which signaled his turn toward joining Ta Lo to protect the village. It made the character out to be more than just a side villain as he could be seen as a man of integrity.
Xialing
Xialing is someone who ranks high in brave Shang-Chi characters but her personality was very dark to make her a fun individual. This was justified since she was bitter about Shang-Chi’s abandonment of her, although she didn’t change much even after overcoming her obstacles.
The sequel could show the lighter side of Xialing so that fans can see she’s more than just a fighter. She was still sympathetic enough for viewers to be on her side and root for Xialing to earn the respect she deserved, which made her relatable to an extent.
Ying Nan
Ying Nan’s wisdom made her the source for some of the best quotes in Shang-Chi and the titular hero took her words to heart to embrace the responsibility of protecting Ta Lo. Her role in training Shang-Chi made Ying Nan someone the audience could perceive as a person to rely on and trust.
There wasn’t anything unlikable about Ying Nan but coming in late in the story meant that there wasn’t as much reason to get attached with her. She was also firmly tied toward Shang-Chi’s progression and learning more about Ying Nan herself would have helped in forming a connection to who she is.
Ying Li
The story made Ying Li out to be perfect in every way, being the one responsible for turning a man as power-hungry as Wenwu into a person who experienced true love. She was a noble woman who gave her life for her children and expected nothing in return.
Much like her sister, Ying Nan, Ying Li was also shown in sporadic moments and the lack of following her point of view encourages viewers to relate to the main protagonists more. Still, the point of her being a lovely human being is understood and Ying Li remains a pure soul - even after death.
Shang-Chi
The interesting thing about the protagonist is just how flawed he was, as he did a number of things that should have made him unlikable. This included abandoning his sister as a child and not wanting to initially protect Ta Lo. However, Shang-Chi was also a nice guy by personality who didn’t boast about his abilities and did what was right out of the goodness of his heart.
He was shown to be a funny man who valued his friendships, which was portrayed well since the story was from his point of view. His character development was perhaps the best out of the movie and fans will be interested to see Shang-Chi meet other MCU characters in the future.
Wong
Wong’s cameo appearance was good enough for the MCU to continue portraying him as a funny character who’s entertaining whenever he’s around. Despite beating Abomination in their fight, Wong was generous enough to take Abomination along with him away from the underground fight club.
His likeability factor was bolstered by the ending where he was seen singing karaoke with Shang-Chi and Katy, showing how Wong is someone who likes having fun - even if the situation might be dire. He was shown to be someone who knew when to act when things were tough but remained friendly to accommodate new allies.
Trevor Slattery
An easy contender for the funniest character in Shang-Chi, Trevor realized his full potential in the movie. While he was also pretty likable in Iron Man 3, Trevor was made out to be a reluctant villain back and it was here where he became a trusted ally.
His cowardly moments were played for laughs as he pretended to be dead to avoid fighting but the times he was genuinely helpful stood out as well. Trevor was responsible for taking the group to Ta Lo and his relationship with Morris was innocent in a deep way. Trevor filled the role of the lovable comic relief, which should see him return in the sequel in a similar capacity.
Katy
Katy was, by far, one of the best characters in the movie. Not only was she brave but she was also a reliable friend who brought in big laughs. She is the most relatable protagonist in the movie, as her reactions to things like Shang-Chi’s powers were what viewers would have been thinking as well.
Her knack for pointing out things others overlooked and offering her own pieces of wisdom enabled Shang-Chi and the rest to do better. Katy was treated equally in importance to the story, making her a vital part of the story and the person viewers should get most attached to.