In 2018, Shuri’s character became the feisty counterpart to her often stern brother T’Challa. The brightest person in the Marvel universe, who will be given the most prominence in Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveralso proved to be a loyal citizen of Wakanda and a highly skilled warrior. Something that became clear Avengers: Infinity War, when he unsuccessfully tried to save Vision’s life and dealt as best he could with Thanos’s attack. Finally, we saw her for a few brief minutes in Avengers: Endgameafter coming back to life thanks to the blip.
The princess of Wakanda has a new place in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, from Ryan Coogler, is not only the sequel to the iconic 2018 film, it is also a stylish and well-constructed journey through the context of Wakanda as a nation. At the same time, it explores the kingdom’s power relations with its neighbors and even enemies. But it also does something else. It clearly shows the role of the royal family of the fictional country. Especially, that of Queen Ramonda and her daughter Shuri.
In particular, the role of the heir to the throne — and the Black Panther suit — after her brother’s unexpected death. Coogler decided to incorporate the tragic event of the death of actor Chadwick Boseman into the plot of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which provides second and third interpretations to its absence. So Shuri’s position (again played by Letitia Wright) is of greater importance and relevance than ever.
However, it is not the first time that the role of the princess of Wakanda becomes important in the history of the fictional kingdom. In the comics, the character evolved from being just a minor figure in the royal court to having her own story arc. We tell you the most relevant events that you should know about Shuri before seeing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
A long history of power, envy and redemption
The first time the princess of Wakanda made her appearance in the world of comics was in Black Panther vol. 4, #2 of 2005. Its creators, Reginald Hudlin and John Romita Jr., insisted that the kingdom of Wakanda needed “another point of view”. Which included an heiress in succession and, furthermore, capable of being the head of the technological world in Wakanda.
But Shuri is much more than a secondary figure of considerable value at critical moments.. The character, in fact, came to the throne room of the kingdom as a legitimate monarch. During the events narrated in Black Panther: Doomwarde, by Jonathan Maberry and Reginald Hudlin from 2017, the princess faced the responsibility of reigning. But, more than that, to make decisions of fundamental importance for Wakanda as a country and as a point of enormous interest in Marvel mythology.
According to the comic, Doctor Doom — the traditional enemy of the Fantastic Four — began a campaign of aggressive conquest against Wakanda. The reason? Get as much vibranium as possible to carry out your strategy for world domination. But before delving into the evil character’s plans, the comic focuses on Shuri. Specifically, in her transition from T’Challa’s shadow successor to full-fledged heiress.
Made queen while T’Challa sought allies against Doom—and thus counter the villain’s influence against the Wakandan populace—Shuri proved her worth. She not only managed to dismantle the way her enemy controlled the Wakandans. At the same time, she took it upon herself to track down the criminal network that surrounded and protected the villain. From the throne and demonstrating an amazing technological ability, Shuri became one of the most important characters in the universe associated with Black Panther.
A historical duty on Shuri’s shoulders
In the comics, Shuri played the role of Black Panther for a short but intense period of time. In the Black Panther comic vol. 5 of 2009, it is related how during a painful illness of the king, she must assume the responsibility of her as a hero. But it is then that the character shows her multiple facets and also the darkness that makes her a sometimes unclassifiable figure.
In the original story arc it is told that, since her childhood, the princess had coveted the costume of the local hero. In the story, in fact, Shuri maintains a more or less direct rivalry with T’Challa. So much so that his envy and resentment are predominant elements of his character. Finally, when her brother is injured, she must face the duty of being Black Panther.
But the Panther goddess rejects her: the ritual is incomplete and Shuri is only able to wear the suit, without the powers associated with honor.. Which results in him having to make a sacrifice for the collective benefit — a common theme in Wakandan mythology — to deserve the claws. Shuri, then and after a long painful journey in terms of her emotions and character, finds redemption.
After the incident, T’Challa regains his health and also the investiture of the black mask. But something is clear. Her younger sister was no longer just a rival or, in the best of cases, a relevant figure in the landscape of the kingdom. Now she’s also her equal and a point of considerable interest in understanding the full length of Black Panther’s story.
Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverShuri on the big screen
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ryan Coogler managed to get the script to pay more or less obvious homage to the comic and Shuri’s story. Not only is she T’Challa’s heir in much the same way as the comic book, but she also has to face similar dilemmas as the paper version of her.
the shuri of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever She must make a decision about her succession to the throne and her duty as claw-bearer. And if that wasn’t enough, at the same time, face a concrete vision between revenge and justice. A recurring theme in Black Panther as a story and the sequel to the 2018 hit takes it to a new level of depth and development.
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Is Shuri worthy to bear the claws of Black Panther? The question is repeated from the comic and reaches the cinema with a heartbreaking symbolic power. Perhaps, one of the most elaborate and well-constructed points of the new film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.