Fa Zhou

Fa Zhou, voiced by Soon-Tek Oh, is a character from the 1998 film Mulan.

Background
Fa Zhou is the father of Mulan. He was a war hero of a previous, unnamed conflict, known to the extent that Shang mentioned his name with awe when looking at the Fa family's conscription notice. At the time of the film, he is at least middle-aged, and limps using a crutch due to a leg injury sustained from that war. He is shown as being fairly traditional, putting family honor before many other things, including his own health, which strains his relationship with Mulan.

Mulan
Fa Zhou is shown praying to his ancestors to aid Mulan during her trip to the Matchmaker. When Mulan fails, he is saddened, but comforts her while sitting underneath a cherry blossom tree, drawing a comparison between Mulan and a late bloom on the tree.

When Chi Fu, the emperor's consul, arrives to distribute conscription notices, Fa Zhou, as the only man in the family, puts aside his crutch and walks to accept the scroll. Out of stubborn pride he doesn't take up the crutch again, and attempts to practice with his old sword in preparation for war. However, it quickly becomes apparent that he will die if he goes, due to his age and injuries. Mulan argues with him, stating it is unfair that he has to die for honor. Fa Zhou angrily yells at her that Mulan needs to learn her place, as he learned his.

When Mulan steals both the conscription notices and his armor to join the army in his place, Fa Zhou attempts to follow her, but collapses. Fa Li asks him to go after Mulan, as she could be killed in the war. He sadly notes that if Mulan is revealed as a woman, she will be killed, as Chinese law states that women are forbidden to serve in the army.

Fa Zhou does not appear again until the end of the film. he is seen sitting under the cherry blossom tree, when Mulan returns home after the war. Mulan presents him with Shan Yu's sword and the emperor's crest, as both an apology and a gift to honor the family. Fa Zhou shocks Mulan when he sets them aside, proclaiming Mulan to be his greatest gift and honor. He speaks briefly with Shang, when the captain attempts to see Mulan under guise of returning a helmet. With Fa Zhou's approval, Mulan invites Shang to dinner.

Mulan II
Fa Zhou reappears in this film, but plays a minor role. When Mulan and Shang are called to perform a task for the Emperor, he advises them that they must work together like sun and rain.