Jean, depending on the situation, adores Wolverine and Cyclops equally.
Cyclops wants to punch Logan, and the feeling’s mutual.
For those familiar with FX’sShogunseries, the answer’s in the name.
Image via Jefferson Chacon
Who Is Mariko Yashida in X-Men?
For thisBack Issueinterview, John Byrne revealed Mariko Yashida’s origins.
An elegant and refined woman,Mariko is the head of Clan Yashida in her father Shingen’s absence.
Based on the 1982 comic event “Wolverine,” The Wolverine takes place after X-Men: The Last Stand and follows Logan on a journey to Japan at the behest of a former acquaintance. Living in isolation after the world-changing events in the prior movie and haunted by the death of the woman he loved, Logan is found and asked to travel to Japan to meet with a man named Ichiro, who he had saved during World War II. At the end of his life, Ichiro offers Logan a chance to free himself of his healing abilities to finally die by taking them for himself. However, Logan soon learns that Ichiro’s intentions for immortality are far less honorable than he had expected, leading him to struggle to face off with a former ally.
She’s intelligent, empathetic, and reserved, making her similarities toShogun’s Lady Mariko clear.
Before then, Logan and Mariko feel an instant spark.
She draws a surprising gentleness from him, a demeanor his teammates notice.
Logan even gifts Mariko with a white chrysanthemum before leaving Japan.
How Do Wolverine and Mariko Yashida Fall in Love?
Their tentative courtship progresses when they accidentally cross paths in New York.
Once they’re separated again, they keep their long-distance relationship active by exchanging love letters.
Then, Mariko’s father, Shingen, reappears.
How Claremont and Byrne present their Mariko also demonstrates her differences from theShoguntext.
The former isn’t as deeply drawn even compared to James Clavell’s Eurocentric and Orientalist novel.
Chris Claremont elaborated:
“We wanted to do something that played against pop in.
[…] What kind of girlfriend would he have?
John Byrne added, “I know she got quite a bit tougher after I left.
How Is Mariko Yashida Different From Shoguns Mariko?
Still, Mariko shows flashes of complexity beyond the stereotypes.
Image via Marvel Comics
The father who returned isn’t the man she fondly remembers.
Still, with her family’s legacy at stake, Mariko hesitates.
“I mean, I didn’t expect to come back after dying as Jean Grey.”
Mariko defying Shingen frees her to marry Wolverine almost.
It’s part of a larger plot to demolish the X-Men.
The guise fails, leaving Mariko devastated but vowing to redeem the Yashida legacy.
Image via 20th Century Studios
Only once she’s atoned for their sins canthe marriage proceed.
It’s a long wait, but Logan’s devoted patience endures.
Ultimately, the Hand tires of her interference and assassinates Mariko with tetrodotoxin.Logan mercy kills his belovedat her request.
Her goals belong to her.
She doesn’t die, either; their break-up is regretful but mutual.
And who plays Mariko’s father, you ask?Hiroyuki Sanada, the modernShogun’s Lord Toranaga.
For a time, Jean Grey’s death was permanent.
They introduced Mariko as a romantic option for Wolverine just likeMadelyne Pryor emergedas Scott Summers’s new love interest.
“Then [Jean] came back and things got complicated again,” Claremont aptly summarized.
Not because hes doing anything horrible or mean or bullying anyone.
Byrne’s contributions in particular saved Wolverine from irrelevancy.
And so I made him mine.”
The rest is history (or days of future past).
20th Century Fox’sX-Menfranchisemade Wolverine’s scruffy profile inseparable fromX-Menmedia andkickstarted Hugh Jackman’s career.
As of 2024’s upcomingDeadpool & Wolverine, Jackman has played the part eight times, minus cameos.
The Wolverineis available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
Watch on Disney+
