Turning Red: How Mei Lee's Costume Reveals The Ending
Warning: Spoilers for Turning Red.
The ending of Turning Red is hinted at from the very start of the movie through the colors used in Mei Lee’s costume. Domee Shi’s animated coming-of-age story sees thirteen-year-old Meilin «Mei» Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) navigate teenage life in Toronto while managing the shock of her new ability to turn into a large red panda whenever she feels strong emotions. While Mei is initially upset by her panda form and tries to hide it, she gradually comes to embrace the transformation. Much to the chagrin of her overprotective mother Ming (Sandra Oh) and other female relatives who previously had the same power, Mei decides to keep the red panda at the end of the movie.
The titular color red is particularly symbolic throughout the movie. It is not only the color of red pandas, but also the Canadian flag, along with the film's rather unsubtle metaphor on menstruation, which Turning Red deals with in several scenes. Mei almost always wears red or pink shades throughout Turning Red, reflecting her inner red panda personality. Her cardigan, leggings, and even the hat she wears to conceal her newly reddened hair all share the bold color.
Related: Turning Red Continues Pixar's Major New Tradition Break
Mei’s preference for wearing red suggests that she was going to keep the panda from the start. Her crimson outfit choice contrasts with Mei's formerly red panda mom and other female relatives who wear shades of teal and green, including her aunties and grandma Wu (Wai Ching Ho). These characters influence and advise the protagonist, and Mei’s green hair clip is a subtle indication of the impact that they have on her thoughts and actions. Given that her overbearing mom Ming has “brainwashed” her
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