American Born Chinese is an adaptation of Gene Luen Yang’s 2006 graphic novel of the same name. The series revolves around the life of American teenager Jin Wang, who seeks to improve his social standing. However, his plans are disrupted when a new foreign student named Wei-Chen Sun arrives. Little does Jin know that Wei-Chen is the son of the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong, and is on a quest to find the Fourth Scroll to stop the Bull Demon’s uprising. While Wei-Chen enlists Jin’s help, Jin himself undergoes trials of self-discovery.
The finale of “American Born Chinese” ties up many loose ends, but it also raises several unanswered questions. Let’s delve into these questions and explore the mysteries that linger after the battle with the Bull Demon.
Related: ‘American Born Chinese’ Ending Explained: The Mystery of the Fourth Scroll
Wei-Chen and the Fourth Scroll
Wei-Chen’s Quest and the Annihilation Threat
The conclusion of the series sees Wei-Chen successfully completing his quest to find the Fourth Scroll and aiding his father, Wukong, in stopping the Bull Demon’s uprising against heaven. The Fourth Scroll is revealed to be Jin, who possesses the power to halt the destructive blast unleashed by the Monkey King’s stolen staff. This blast would have devastated Jin’s friends, family, and even impacted both heaven and Earth. However, just as the narrative threads seem to come together, Princess Iron Fan appears and holds Jin’s parents hostage, raising the stakes once again.
Princess Iron Fan’s Goals
The Enigmatic Princess
While the series has offered little insight into Princess Iron Fan’s character, it has hinted at her interest in the sutras, including the Fourth Scroll. Flashbacks reveal her fascination with Mowang’s plan to retrieve the sutras and her willingness to assist Wukong and Mowang by securing a guarantee of remembrance. Princess Iron Fan seems to prioritize her own status and is willing to bend the rules to achieve her goals.
Possible Characters in Season 2
“American Born Chinese” has introduced various fascinating characters from the Journey to the West novel. Alongside the Monkey King, Guanyin, and the Bull Demon, other notable figures include Pigsy, Sandy, Ao Guang, and Princess Iron Fan. In the second season, viewers can expect Nezha, as he has been mentioned multiple times by Guanyin and Wei-Chen. Given the connection to reality in the series, non-fantastical characters like Jin’s aunt and his friend Anuj, who possesses knowledge of the mystical world, may also play significant roles.
Jin’s Power and Identity
The revelation about Jin being the Fourth Scroll raises intriguing questions about his power and identity. Mowang and Gong shed some light on the nature of the sutras and their dispersal across the Earth. Jin’s parents, hailing from warring families, were believed to possess the Fourth Scroll in the form of jade necklaces. However, the final painting reveals that Jin himself embodies the Fourth Scroll, symbolizing the harmony created by his parents’ love. According to series creator Kelvin Yu and executive producer Destin Daniel Cretton, Jin’s power lies in his voice—a power he has yet to fully embrace and understand.
Sum It Up!
‘American Born Chinese’ Finale leaves viewers yearning for more, as it successfully ties up numerous narrative threads while introducing new mysteries. To gain further answers, a second season is essential to continue the characters’ journeys and explore the unresolved aspects of this captivating story. With its unique blend of fantasy and reality, “American Born Chinese” has captured the hearts of audiences and promises even more engaging content in the future.
