In Disney’s 1998 animated film Mulan, the tiny cricket given to Mulan by her grandmother is named Cri-Kee.
Grandmother Fa presents Cri-Kee as a lucky cricket before Mulan leaves for her appointment with the Matchmaker. The insect becomes a recurring comic character and later travels with Mulan after she joins the army. Cri-Kee cannot speak, but his movements and reactions help communicate the family’s hopes, fears, and excitement.
Cri-Kee is often confused with Mushu because both are small companions who accompany Mulan. They are different species and different characters: Mushu is a talking dragon and former family guardian, while Cri-Kee is a cricket associated with luck. The name is stylized with a hyphen in the film’s official character listings. Cri-Kee’s presence also connects the movie’s comedy to the traditional cultural association between crickets and good fortune.