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the-monkey-ruler · 3 months

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Why is Wujing the most wishy washy when interpreting his design?

I think that in most cases he is both the easiest, and can be the hardest to interpret. Technically speaking, he is built like a man with mostly human features and can be interpreted as a normal human with the occasion of red hair and tinted skin but otherwise doesn’t need prosthetics like Bajie or faux fur like Wukong. Not to mention that because Wujing has the one of the least impact characteristic he is the most likely to be changed in personality depending on the medium. I have seen him being portrayed as a Gentle Giant with not much to say but always has a big heart, to a Raging Brute with a short temper but while emotional still tries to never give up, to even a Quiet Genius where his quiet nature comes from more of a quizzical point of view. Wujing in the story is shown to be thoughtful, caring, and ruthless, so any of these depictions wouldn't be inaccurate but rather a highlight of only one of these traits.

But design-wise, he could be considered the hardest as if accurately portrayed he would be nearly 12 feet tall, completely blue, and have a full red beard. None of these can be practically done and so most people settle with just making him a normal man with perhaps some monstrous features. I have seen the most in Japanese media that he is portrayed often as a kappa because these are popular river spirits and Wujing is a river spirit himself.

It really just depends if you’re watching a live-action TV show, which is more likely to use the more practical design, or if you’re watching a cartoon or animation that would benefit from the unique indifferent character choices. Depending on what the director wishes to portray Wujing will heavily influence his design. If he is to be seen as a Gentle Giant he might be given a more soft look, allowing the audience (perhaps aimed for children) to be more sympathetic. If he is seen as a Raging Brute he would be more intimidating in appearance whether human or demon. And if he were to be a Quiet Genius they would give him a more noble bearing like a scholar. You have to think more like a producer or a costume designer for a movie when it comes to where you want to put most of your effort into the prosthetics and fur costumes and at least have two characters with simple designs.

You see more in most cases for more long-running tv series or for more domestic movies there are human Wukong designs, mostly inspired by the beloved 1987. There are cases that which most of the cast can look more human as well, making Wujing stand out less. Some of these looks range from hiring tough intimidating men to older more soft spoken men depending on the character.

With Xiyouji movies there is a higher chance of Wujing being more detailed since it is a one-time production compared to TV shows where it has to be consistent. These are either full face makeup or full body paint and you have to see the dedication when it comes to putting on such details. A good example is how the 2014 Monkey King Wukong looks the most human out of the four as he is to be seen as a Gentle Giant, while in the second picture, Marble Mountain 2022 Wujing is given striking fish scale prosthetics as he is a Raging Brute in this movie. Demon Strike Back Wujing leans more to Raging Brute with his such temper hence his intimidating eyes and fish prosthetics, but he said the role by proving himself to be one of the most insightful and thoughtful characters in the movie as he is able to analyze his journeymen emotionally and mentally, giving sight of that Quiet Genius.

While in cartoon movies or television can be inspired by the live action, or wish to portray him more accurately. Even in animation, the 1986 is so popular that even when they can use a more accurate design, his human design is still seen! I believe this is because this is the softest version of Wujing that would give children that Gentle Giant persona that is most likely being portrayed.

But personally, I enjoy when production allows him to have a more monstrous form and allows him to finally look like a demon. We see this only in a few movies and shows but surprisingly it is increasingly popular in comics and video games. This could be allowing Wujing to be more of his Raging Brute persona but surprisingly many of these examples are Quiet Genius as well with Monkey King Reborn 2021, Saiyuki 2001, and Adventure through China Wujing all being seen as Geniuese in their own right despite their monstrous appearances. I would say this is a clever contradictory visualization to have their largest and most-human but still not member to be one of the smartest rather than having him play a Brute.

In any case, there are a lot of ways that people can utilize the beloved Wujing as because his character is one of the most subdued he is easy to play with. We have seen him from Gentle Giant to Ranging Brute to Quiet Genius to anything in between. Whether he is quizzical or thoughtful or just doesn't have anything to say at all he is always a delight to see and given the time he deserves to be fleshed out. I think that the greatest design for a Wujing would allow him to show his Gentle nature without erasing his Rage either. He is a man who is haunted by his past of having a single mistake ruining his life, and pushing to perform cannibalism to survive. But he is a kind man at heart and is shown to be a Thoughtful and Clever individual when he is given the spotlight allowing him to move past his rage and self-hatred to show his earnest feelings of wanting to be a better man. In any case a Wujing is loyal, earnest, and honest to a fault and those are consistent qualities that make him wonderful. Wujing isn't given a lot of screen time but I think that he has so much to offer from anguish, comfort, and philosophical discussions.

#anon ask #anonymous #anon #jttw #journey to the west #xiyouji #ask #sha wujing #I love this man #sorry if this got a little bit long-winded #just love Wujing so much #he essentially plays the straight man in the gangs dynamics between the comical duo that is Wukong and Bajie #he isn’t the most outspoken but that cause he speak when he wants not cause he will be pressured into it #he is fucking funny though #he pulled JOKES #Gave Bajie such shit and he is always funny for it #these are my pilgrims of love

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