MeiMing

MeiMing is the family ship between Meilin Lee and Ming Lee from the Turning Red fandom.

Canon
The photos shown in the film's opening reveal that Mei and Ming have a close relationship, and how they have done many things together. Like sports, make up and other mother-daughter activities. Mei's opening intro having her state that her family's number one rule is honouring them, before explaining why that is and that she doesn't have a problem of forgetting to honour herself. Even though she does from doing whatever it takes to keep her mother as her perfect little Mei Mei from keeping her grades up at school to assisting Ming with caring for their family's temple. Knowing what Ming will disprove of forces Mei to keep half of her teen interests, like boys, load music and other things that her friends got her into a secret from her mother, who already sees Mei's friends as a bad influence. When Ming's overprotective side embarrasses Mei after seeing her daughter's sexy drawings of a boy and subsequently confronting him in front of Mei's friends and enemies, Mei kept her true thoughts on the sense of her mother a secret. From not having the heart to hurt her feelings and ends up blaming herself for what happened. Devoting herself as her mother's pride and joy has kept Mei from truly thinking about what she wants.

Ming had told Mei things about their ancestor, Sun Yee as part of their family history, and when they are telling visitors to their temple about her love for red pandas. So Mei would be prepared for when the magical puberty of their family arrives. Believing that watching Mei like a hawk would help Ming spot the signs and get things ready for it, while thinking that she had enough time before she can inform her about it. Because Ming waited too long and still wasn't ready for when Mei is no longer her little girl anymore, however, Mei was left wondering why she woke up as a giant red panda. Along with Mei not wanting her mother to see her as a "gross red monster." That is why Mei makes Ming think that the "red peony" had bloomed which Ming was prepared for and tries to help Mei with it, while having no idea that Mei's red panda was what truly bloomed. Until Ming trying to give Mei the pads she forgot to pack caused Mei to break her calm and transforms for Ming to see.

At Mei was upset that Ming didn't tell her of their family's indecision blessing, until Ming explains that she had gone through the same thing and that there is cure to rid herself of the panda and the struggles it comes with. With the next red moon a whole month away, Ming promises Mei that they'll wait it out together and that her room's new arrangement is only temporary.

Fanon
Even though many people from the West weren't very sure of their mother-daughter bond, as one group of people began to compare Ming with Alma Madrigal from Encanto, there are those who like to think of them as the second Merida and Elinor. From how Turning Red is also a mother-daughter story created by Pixar and has members from the film's main family be turned into a type of animal. After the relationship Ming had with her own mother was revealed and that see too tried to be perfect for her, some people gained an understanding why she ended up doing the same thing to Mei. Since some mothers end up raising their the children in the same way they were raised, along with Ming not wanting to recreate the rift she made with her mother.

Some people like the way that parts of Mei and Ming's relationship is based on the experiences that the creators of the film have from being mothers themselves, the times they spent with their kids and the relationships they have with their mothers during their teen years. Creating some authenticity for the film and helping the audience feel a connection with Mei and Ming.

Fandom
FAN FICTION