by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
Although the 87th Academy Awards were criticized for being the “whitest” Oscars since 1998, Asian Americans held their breath and cheered as they watched Disney’s Big Hero 6 win Best Animated Feature on Sunday night.
Set in the fictional metropolis of San Fransokyo, Big Hero 6 tells the story of a hapa Asian American teen prodigy and his marshmallow-like robot, Baymax. The animated film not only features multicultural characters but also a multiracial cast, including the voices of Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney and Jamie Chung.
While casting Asian Americans in animated films is nothing new to Disney, it’s an open secret that Hollywood has a long history of casting Caucasian actors in Asian roles. This includes live action films, such as Dragonball: Evolution, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the upcoming Ghost in the Shell film adaptation.
So, when the envelope was opened and Big Hero 6 was named Best Animated Feature of 2015, Asian Americans took to Twitter to celebrate the film’s win and bring attention to Hollywood’s lack of diversity.
Congrats to #BigHero6 on the #Oscar win. Here's why that movie is a big deal for young Asian Americans: http://t.co/j3lCgp83V8
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) February 23, 2015
A multiracial, multicultural cast won big at last night's #Oscars. Really. http://t.co/qYYEXb9hGO pic.twitter.com/P8SMe7Qi9B
— NBC Asian America (@NBCAsianAmerica) February 23, 2015
And now…we are satisfied with our care…and our OSCAR WIN!! So proud to be a part of this groundbreaking film…#BigHero6 #Oscar2015
— Daniel Henney (@danielhenney) February 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/jamiechung1/status/569719671332732928
Big Hero 6 is the CLOSEST thing to Asian American representation at #Oscars2015. #SpotTheAsian
— Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) February 23, 2015
Congrats to #BigHero6 and all the future animated films w/ Asian characters who hopefully get voiced by Asian actors. #Oscars2015
— ʜᴀɴᴋ ᴄʜᴇɴ (@Hanksterchen) February 23, 2015
BIg Hero 6 wins for Best Animated Feature. The shot of Hiro and Baymax is the going to be the lone Asian representation tonight. #oscars
— Phil Yu (@angryasianman) February 23, 2015
Okay so #BigHero6 deserved to win because its only real competition was not nominated. #TheLegoMovie
— Jeff Yang 🫶 FOLLOW ME @ORIGINALSPIN ON THREADS/IG (@originalspin) February 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/DRZZL/status/531929184202133504/
Congrats to The Big Hero 6 Team!! Big Hero 6 WON Best Animated Feature… #Oscars2015 #Oscars #BigHero6 pic.twitter.com/FERHc1FHsV
— Disney Big Hero 6 ⚽️ (@DisneysBigHero6) February 23, 2015
Big Hero 6 will release on DVD/Blu-ray on Feb. 24, 2015.
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Recommended Reading:
“Voices of Asian American Talent Featured in Disney’s Big Hero 6” by KoreAm Journal
“Big Hero 6 Animators Discuss Their Creative Process” by KoreAm Journal
“[VIDEO] Audrey Magazine Interviews Daniel Henney & Ryan Potter” by Audrey Magazine
“Film Review: Big Hero 6 Charms in Predictably Disney Fashion” by KoreAm Journal
“Big Hero 6‘s Ryan Potter Discusses Playing Hiro, Why He Wants to Be Nightwing” by ComicBook.com
Featured image via Greek Fire/Twitter
