Top 23 Most Popular Turning Red Characters

Meilin "Mei" Lee is the dynamic protagonist of "Turning Red." As an ambitious preteen, she strives to fulfill her mother's high expectations while trying to navigate the challenges of adolescence and discover her own identity.

Meilin is a vibrant and charming character whose life takes an extraordinary turn when she gains the unique ability to transform into a giant red panda whenever her emotions become overwhelming.

Audiences find Mei relatable and endearing as she balances school pressures, family relationships, and the surprising power she must learn to control.

Her journey is one of self-discovery, highlighting universal themes such as fitting in, growing up, and embracing your true self even in the face of unusual circumstances.

Meilin's story resonates with viewers because of her authenticity, resilience, and the heartfelt emotional adventure she experiences throughout the film.

Ming Lee serves as the deuteragonist in "Turning Red." She is often seen as a classic Tiger Mom, fiercely protective and deeply invested in her daughter Mei's life.

As Mei's mother, Ming is fully aware of Mei's ability to transform into a red panda but unaware of Mei's secret plan to attend a boy band concert she disapproves of.

Proud and devoted, Ming's love for her family sometimes makes her strict and overwhelming, not just with Mei but even with others—often unintentionally overstepping boundaries.

Her relationship with Mei faces tension as her daughter grows into adolescence and begins exploring interests that conflict with Ming's expectations.

Ming's worries are rooted in her own struggles with the red panda transformation and the relentless pressure she experienced to be a perfect daughter for her own family.

In her efforts to protect Mei, Ming sometimes repeats her own mother's mistakes, creating distance between her and Mei. Despite her flaws, her actions are fueled by genuine love and concern for her child's well-being.

Miriam Mendelsohn is one of Mei Lee's closest friends in Turning Red. Affectionately known as Mir, she comes across as a tomboy at first glance.

Miriam is easily recognized by her signature green ensemble—leaf green trousers, a pale green t-shirt, and a plaid green shirt draped on top.

She wears her auburn hair in two neat braids. Beyond her style, Mir is the most nurturing and supportive member within her group of friends.

She’s quick to sense when someone is stressed and often breaks the tension with a well-timed joke, spreading positivity among her friends.

Mir is especially caring toward Mei after she transforms into a red panda. Miriam Mendelsohn is portrayed by Ava Morse, an American actress from Chicago.

Priya Mangal is a confident and creative 13-year-old Indian-Canadian, and one of Mei Lee's closest friends in the 2022 Disney and Pixar film Turning Red. She captivates audiences with her sharp wit, artistic talent, and steadfast loyalty to her friends.

With a fascination for the macabre, Priya enjoys exploring themes of darkness and horror through her imaginative stories and inventive projects. Interestingly, she contrasts this interest by donning bright yellow and grey baggy clothes that reflect her unique sense of style.

Priya’s unwavering loyalty shines as she consistently supports Mei, Miriam, and Abby through every challenge. She not only encourages her friends but also fiercely stands up to protect them whenever they need her.

The character of Priya is brought to life by the talented Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

Abby Park is Mei's third best friend, completing their tight-knit quartet. As a Korean-Canadian, she brings her own flair and vibrant energy to the group dynamic.

Petite and chubby, Abby’s bold personality shines through her aggressive, passionate, and excitable demeanor. Despite her tough attitude, she is always enthusiastic and ready for whatever comes her way.

Fearless and spirited, Abby never backs down from a challenge and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She balances her fierce side with a genuine love for fun and adventure.

Abby's signature style features a love of purple and glitter, often wearing pink and purple outfits adorned with sparkling earrings and a glittery headband. These touches reflect her playful, girly side.

She adores all things cute and fluffy—especially Mei in her red panda form, embracing her softness and cuddliness.

Voiced by Hyein Park, a Korean-Canadian artist, Abby stands out as the group's most fun-loving, outspoken, and dynamic member.

Jin Lee is Mei's father and serves as the steady anchor for the family amidst the passionate Ming and their dynamic preteen daughter, Mei. He provides unwavering support and helps maintain balance during challenging moments.

Quiet and industrious, Jin rarely expresses his emotions openly. However, his silent presence often offers the reassurance and stability his family needs most.

Jin finds joy in life's simple pleasures—like cooking, gardening, and snacking with his loved ones. When Mei's panda transformation is revealed, he listens patiently to Ming, offering his calm support as they navigate this new challenge.

Although Ming's panda form frightens him, Jin empathizes with her concerns and makes every effort to comfort her. He is brought to life by the voice talents of Orion Lee.

In the post-credits scene, we also learn that Jin is secretly a fan of 4*Town’s music, adding an endearing touch to his character.

Grandma Wu is Ming's mother and Mei's grandmother, playing a pivotal role in their family's story. It's easy to see where Ming inherited her strong perfectionist tendencies after meeting Grandma Wu.

Known for her strict discipline and traditional values, Grandma Wu is both exacting and controlling. She expects nothing short of excellence from her family and can be quite overbearing in her pursuit of perfection.

As Ming's mother, she placed immense pressure on her, believing Jin was unworthy of her daughter. This tension led to a dramatic encounter, where Ming's red panda form lashed out and left a scar on Grandma Wu's forehead.

Grandma Wu views the red panda as a curse and is determined to remove its influence from her family. Despite her stern exterior, she deeply loves her children and only wishes to protect them from the hardships she once endured.

Tyler Nguyen-Baker is portrayed as a privileged preteen whose wealthy upbringing has left him somewhat spoiled. Eager for acceptance, he believes mocking and embarrassing Mei and her friends will boost his popularity among classmates.

Tyler is passionate about sports, particularly basketball, though his actual skill remains ambiguous. His actions often take the form of bullying, showing a determination to make Mei the target of his schemes.

One example is when Tyler secretly follows Mei to Devon’s workplace and documents the encounter, later using posters to publicly embarrass her in school.

Beneath Tyler’s bravado, however, lies an insecure boy longing for real friendships. This vulnerability shows when he pays Mei $200 to have her perform as a panda at his birthday party.

A lovable aspect of Tyler is his secret admiration for 4*Town—a passion he shares with Mei and her friends. Despite acting tough at school, he keeps this softer side hidden from others.

At the concert, Tyler’s true character emerges as he helps bring the band to assist Mei’s mother, revealing his friendly and supportive nature.

Tristan Allerick Chen voices the role of Tyler in the film.

Auntie Chen is Mei Lee’s aunt and the elder sister of Ming. Like the other women in the Lee family, Auntie Chen also possesses a red panda spirit, which she keeps sealed within a brooch.

She is easily identifiable by her long face, short black hair, and the notable wart on her forehead. Among the aunts, she is also the shortest in stature.

Known for her cynical and skeptical outlook, Auntie Chen often appears distrustful. As a grandmother, she feels obliged to question and correct her sister and their family, believing this to be her responsibility.

This approach can sometimes seem blunt and lacking in tact. However, her age has provided her with significant emotional maturity and strong control over her red panda spirit.

Her composure proves invaluable when Ming loses control of her own red panda and becomes aggressive.

Lily is an important part of Mei's extended family, serving as Mei’s cousin and the daughter of Auntie Ping.

Although Lily is technically Mei's cousin, she is often grouped with the aunties because she is significantly older than Mei. Lily has a daughter named Vivian, adding to her familial role.

As the youngest of the aunties, Lily is generally more understanding and supportive of Mei. She stands out as the second tallest and arguably the most fun-loving member of the group.

Lily brings a positive energy to the aunties' circle, and is more emotionally balanced than Ming. Since she belongs to the same generation as Mei, she empathizes with Mei’s desire for independence and self-expression.

However, Lily is not without flaws. She can lose her temper at times and, like the others, also possesses her own red panda form.

Helen is a key member of Ming’s extended family, known for being Grandma Wu’s niece and the daughter of Ming’s first cousin. Despite these connections, she maintains a sense of individuality within the close-knit group.

Although technically Mei’s cousin, Helen is affectionately called Auntie Helen on account of her age. She shares a demeanor similar to Lily, demonstrating greater emotional stability than both Ming and Mei.

Standing as the second shortest family member, Helen is recognized for her smart fashion sense—black jeans, a bluish-jade shirt, a leather jacket, and signature Ugg Boots highlight her style.

She keeps her red panda sealed within a hair comb, which she uses to tie up her long black hair, blending tradition with practicality.

Most likely the daughter of one of Grandma Wu’s sisters or cousins, Helen steps in without hesitation to help address Mei’s red panda dilemma, fiercely protecting the family’s secret.

Auntie Ping is the eldest daughter of Grandma Wu, making her the older sister to Chen and Ming, and the mother of Lily.

Notably taller and larger than the other family members, Auntie Ping stands out for her commanding presence. She is known as the most responsible and nurturing aunt, displaying remarkable patience and a steady calmness in various situations.

Owing to the Lee family's strong traditional values, Auntie Ping's seniority gives her significant authority within the group. Her opinions are respected, and her words often carry considerable influence, which sometimes leads her to be the dominant voice in family decisions.

Following in her mother Wu's footsteps, Auntie Ping firmly believes that the red panda inside Mei should be sealed away, viewing it as potentially dangerous.

With this conviction, Auntie Ping tries to persuade Mei to go through the ritual to contain her red panda, though Mei has other ideas about embracing that side of herself.

4*Town is a fictional boy band featured in the movie "Turning Red." The group plays a pivotal role in the story, serving as a catalyst for the main conflicts, the deepening of friendships, and the eventual resolution.

One of the central conflicts arises when Ming Lee disapproves of the band and forbids her daughter Mei from attending their concert. This prohibition sparks Mei’s rebellion and prompts her to stand up to her mother.

Mei and her close friends—Abby, Priya, Miriam, and eventually Tyler—share a strong bond over their mutual love for 4*Town. Their enthusiasm for the band strengthens their friendship and creates new alliances.

During a crucial moment, Tyler persuades the band members to participate in a ritual by singing. Their involvement helps contain Ming’s red panda spirit, thus bringing harmony back to Mei’s family.

Let’s get to know the members of this iconic boy band:

Robaire is the charismatic leader of the boy band, hailing from Toronto. As a Black French-Canadian, he brings a unique flair and talent to the group, quickly earning admiration from fans.

Known for his impressive singing and dancing skills, Robaire easily captures attention—especially Mei’s, as she counts him as her favorite. His energetic performances, both on stage and during tour bus jam sessions, showcase his dedication.

While Robaire dreams of pursuing a solo career someday, he values his time with the band and deeply cares for his friends. His protective nature and ambition make him a standout among the Turning Red characters.

Tae Young is cherished by Abby Park and stands out as her favorite member of the group. As the youngest member of the band, he is known for his gentle and sensitive nature.

Passionate about wildlife, Tae Young is always eager to help animals in need and frequently finds opportunities to rescue doves and other small creatures. His love for animals truly defines him as a caring enthusiast.

Recognizable by his blond hair and silver earrings, Tae Young brings a unique style and compassionate spirit to the band.

Jesse is the eldest member of the band, known for his maturity and occasionally coming across as a bit arrogant. Despite this, he genuinely cares for his bandmates and deeply values their friendship and teamwork.

Outside of the band, Jesse enjoys spending quality time playing with his two children. When he feels stressed, he turns to pottery as a creative outlet and has even enrolled in a ceramics course. Among the band members, Jesse is the chosen bias of Priya Mangal.

Aaron Z is admired by Tyler, mainly because they share a passion for athletics. Although Aaron Z tends to be reserved and quiet, he leaves a strong impression with his unique presence.

Renowned as the best dancer in the group, Aaron Z skillfully synchronizes his moves with the band while also standing out with his impressive dance skills.

Preferring to let his talent speak for itself, he relies on his performances to express himself rather than words.

Aaron T stands in stark contrast to Aaron Z. Outgoing and full of energy, he thrives in the spotlight and enjoys making others laugh. Always cheerful, Aaron T brings a playful spirit to every situation with his quick wit and endless supply of jokes.

It's easy to see why Miriam is drawn to Aaron T—they share the same spark. Both are energetic pranksters who light up any room with their vibrant personalities.

Mr. Gao is a beloved neighbor of the Lee family, living close to their temple. He serves as the gardener, caretaker, and a knowledgeable shaman, deeply connected to the community and its traditions.

Frequently, Mr. Gao is seen playing chess with fellow elders in the temple grounds, fostering a spirit of camaraderie. He also safeguards the Lee family's red panda secret, playing a vital role as the secret keeper.

Uniquely, Mr. Gao is the only one capable of accessing the astral realm and conducting the ancient ritual during a red moon, showcasing his essential role in preserving tradition.

A devoted follower of the Lee ancestor Sun Yee, Mr. Gao has dedicated his life to maintaining the temple. With his warm and genial nature, he gently guides Mei through important ceremonies, always watching over the family and their cherished customs.

Sun Yee is the revered ancestor of the Lee family. Renowned as a scholar and poet, she was deeply devoted to her family and cherished the animals that lived near her home.

Among all creatures, red pandas held a special place in her heart. When war threatened her kingdom and the men, including her husband, left to fight, Sun Yee became concerned for her family's safety.

Driven by her fears, Sun Yee prayed to the gods for the power of the red panda, hoping to protect and safeguard her daughters from harm.

This ancient blessing provided safety for her and her family but later became a challenging legacy for her descendants. When the Lee family chose to seal away their red panda spirit, Sun Yee compassionately aided them, ensuring it was contained within a piece of jewelry.

Mr. Kieslowski is the math teacher at Mei’s middle school. Math being Mei’s favorite subject, we get to see him more than the other teachers in the school.

He is a regular meth teacher who is only interested in his subject and not the troubles of his pupils.

Mr. Kieslowski could be described as a patient and hardworking guy. Being a math teacher must be tiring, but he is never shown to lose his temper.

However, Mr. Kieslowski is also not interested in the antics of children. He sees Mei’s talent with the flute, but he is unimpressed. He even calls her mildly annoying.

Devon is a minor character in the grander scheme of the story in Turning Red. However, he unwittingly becomes the reason for a lot of trouble for Mei.

Devon is a seventeen-year-old who works at Daisy Mart, and he is overworked and tired all the time. Throughout most of the movie, Devon is seen with a bored expression that Ming misunderstands as a stoned look.

Mei and her friends have a small crush on Devon and stop by the store to spy on him.

When Ming finds some of the daydreaming dawdles of Mei and Devon, she goes on a rampage and causes a very embarrassing scene at the Daisy Mart that haunts Mei even in her school.

Stacy Frick is another minor character in the movie. She is a classmate of Mei and one of the first people outside her friends group to discover the red panda secret.

However, Stacy is very welcoming and accepting of Mei, which relaxes her and calms her. Stacy is a typical fashionable teen who likes cute, pretty, and trendy stuff.

She is kawaii-obsessed and finds the red panda very cute. Her acceptance propels Mei’s popularity in her school and gives her the idea of collecting money to watch the 4*Town concert.