Jade Emperor (玉皇) , also known as Yudi is a is a supporting character in the Disney+ original series American Born Chinese portrayed by James Hong.
Background[]
In most tellings, Jade Emperor, or Yudi, was born with a heavenly glow and grew up to be a kind and caring individual who tried to help people. Many years ago, the world was a terrible place full of monsters and the Jade Emperor decided to undertake the numerous Taoist teachings. When he was finished, he found that an evil demon had taken over the Heavens and Yudi ascended and managed to defeat him with his new powers. Because of this, combined with him creating the other Gods, Yudi became the Jade Emperor and has since kept a watchful and caring eye over all living things.
Personality[]
Jade Emperor is depicted as being slightly immature, yet easy going. He clearly loves to party as it means having to get a lot of attention. He is also shown to be slightly lecherous as he openly tells his wife that he does not like her and prefers her sister instead, making him a bit of scamp in this incarnation.
Physical appearance[]
Jade Emperor is very elderly in appearance with long grey hair and beard. As suiting to his name, his clothing is green jade colored with some matching black and gold accents.
Powers and abilities[]
Being the leader of all the Gods, it is implied that the Jade Emperor has numerous powers, though what these are have yet to be shown.
History[]
Season 1[]
In Rockstar Status, Niu Mowang, the Bull Demon, appears and asks Guanyin to join him in his war against the Jade Emperor, but she refuses, mocking him by reflecting a small mirror in front of him.
In Make a Splash, at the Heavenly Banquet, the Queen Mother, wife of the Jade Emperor, announces the final award goes to Ao Guang, with a giant heavenly peach being the reward, Sun Wukong whisks the fake Jingu Bang away and takes the stage. The Jade Emperor is one of the many gods and dmeons that is called out by the future Monkey King.
In Abracadabra, The Bull Demon successfully recruits Ji Gong in his war against the Jade Emperor.
In Hot Stuff, Shiji Niangniang, owner of Jewel of the Orient tells Guanyin that her pet Pixiu, was transformed into a dog for pooping in the Jade Emperor's pond and had his butt sealed up.
In Beyond Repair, Niu Mowang tries and is unsuccessful in getting Wei-Chen to join him against the Jade Emperor.
In The Fourth Scroll, once the Bull Demon is stopped by the combined forces of Sun Wukong, his son, Jin Wang and Anuj. The Monkey then takes the Bull Demon to face his punishment from the Jade Emperor.
Trivia[]
- In the original graphic novel, the Jade Emperor refuses to acknowledge Sun Wukong as being a great deity and Wukong responds by beating him up with a magic cudgel. He, along with the rest of the Gods, demand from the emissaries of Buddha to do something about him.
- Jade Emperor's birthday is said to be on the ninth day of the first lunar month.
- There is also a Marvel Comics character named Jade Emperor whose real name is Yu Huang.
Appearances: 2/8[]
References[]
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