Gedde Watanabe voiced Ling, one of the soldiers in Mulan's unit. Ling trains under Captain Shang alongside Mulan, Chien-Po, and Yao, and remains part of the group as their loyalty and friendship develop.
Ling is characterized as tall, quick-witted, and playful. His humor helps balance the more aggressive Yao and the gentle Chien-Po. Although the soldiers initially treat Mulan as an awkward recruit, Ling eventually accepts her as a trusted comrade after witnessing her courage and determination.
A frequent source of confusion is the film's separate speaking and singing credits. Watanabe provided Ling's speaking voice, while Matthew Wilder supplied Ling's singing voice. The distinction is similar to Mulan's voice arrangement: Ming-Na Wen voiced Mulan, while Lea Salonga performed her songs.
Watanabe's other fellow soldiers were voiced by Jerry Tondo as Chien-Po and Harvey Fierstein as Yao. Together, the trio became some of the film's most recognizable supporting characters, contributing comedy while helping Mulan succeed as a soldier.