From Glen Rhee To Mike Chang, The Writers Did These 16 AAPI Characters Dirty

Of all of the characters in this show, Zach turned out to be my favorite. Zach, hands down, had the most meaningful relationship with Hannah, and Season 2 Episode 6 proves it. We were seriously robbed of major Hannah and Zach moments! Ill-fated romance aside, I had high hopes for Zach, but sadly, Zach’s character took a turn for the worst. He became a completely different person, losing all of the qualities that made him so beloved, and the writers destroyed all of his character development in the final season. Zach could have been the real MVP of the series.

Played by: Ross Butler

I will never understand all of the women in the show obsessing over Archie, especially when you have someone as supportive and attractive as Reggie standing right there. Although he started off as a typical jock, Reggie turned out to be the most level-headed character in this show. I thought Veronica and Reggie made a great pair, and he put her needs before all else. I can’t believe Veronica dropped him as soon as Archie came back. I’d pick Reggie over Archie any day.

Played by: Charles Melton

The visuals for Magnus Bane in this movie were amazing. He rocked that eyeliner, earrings, and no-pants look like no other warlock could. Magnus's charisma was magnetic, and I spent much of my time watching his scenes on repeat. Magnus and Alec (Malec) are also my number one couple from the books, so I was disappointed they had so little screen time. I'm aware the character got a more significant role in the TV adaptation called Shadowhunters, but I would have loved to have seen more of this version of Magnus Bane.

Played by: Godfrey Gao

I was on team Mat and Mariana for most of the series, and I would argue that they had the healthiest relationship out of all the main characters when they first got together. This show had an abundance of toxic male love interests, so seeing Mat being laid back and an all-around good person was honestly so refreshing. However, the writers ruined his character for some reason, and he somehow became just as bad as the other guys. They did Mat so dirty, and it just feels so unwarranted. The writers seriously dropped the ball on this one.

Played by: Jordan Rodrigues

I thought Paxton was for sure the male lead of this series. It turned out he was actually the secondary character, which was surprising since Paxton checked off all the boxes for a typical love interest in a teen romance. While characters like this serve as mere eye candy for audiences, Paxton broke the mold by showing exceptional growth and self-awareness, wanting to be more than just the hot popular guy trope! Alas, the writers butchered his character development in the final season. I’m still upset that he got a subpar ending despite being a great character overall.

Played by: Darren Barnet

This show’s biggest crime is how they mistreated Mohinder’s character. He acts as a narrator for part of the show, so one would think he would be a main character. Unfortunately, the writers struggled to determine what direction to take with Mohinder. After starting out as a complex, reluctant hero trying to investigate his father’s genetic research, Mohinder somehow becomes a lackluster villain and is barely a part of the story in the later seasons. I think a remake is needed to fix the injustice that is Mohinder’s characterization.

Played by: Sendhil Ramamurthy

In a movie series about heists, driving fast cars, and family, Han was the only character that stood out to me. I knew I liked Han when he first showed up chilling and munching on snacks. This guy was a total mood, and I was here for it. Even though I adore Han, I thought his return to the franchise devalued all of the impact he made in the movies. If the franchise really wanted to honor the character, a film focusing on Han’s origin story would be far more rewarding. They gave Hobbs and Shaw a spin-off, so why can’t Han get one too?

Played by: Sung Kang

Liu Kang is the main protagonist in the Mortal Kombat video game series, so to sideline him for a guy who doesn’t exist in the game made zero sense to me. He literally had such a small role that it was insulting. Even in his brief 15 minutes of screentime, Liu Kang proved he was the main character with his fighting skills and epic fire-bending arcana. I hope he reclaims his rightful place as the true male lead in a future Mortal Kombat film.

Played by: Ludi Lin

How is Joe not the male lead? For the life of me, I cannot understand how Georgia is overlooking this gem of a man. Not only does Joe go above and beyond for Georgia and tolerate her wild behavior, but he also serves as a father-like figure for her daughter, Ginny. And amidst all the chaotic drama, Joe stands out for being unproblematic and normal, almost like he's in the wrong show. I’m only watching the show because of Joe, and I will riot if he does not get a happy ending.

Played by: Raymond Ablack

I want to start off by saying that this show was an absolute dumpster fire. Despite this, I can appreciate Henry, who is a saving grace in the second season. He was too perfect to be real. In addition to being undeniably ~fine~, he supported Patty and made her feel safe. He was a walking green flag, unlike Brick, who acted like a wet blanket 90 percent of the time. I still can’t comprehend the show’s decision not to have Henry end up with Patty. The least they could have done was give him a proper send-off.

Played by: Alex Landi

Zi Xin, or Z, was the only good thing in Partner Track. He was loads better than Ingrid's two love interests combined! Seriously, the central love triangle lacked any sort of heat. Z wasn't even considered as a potential suitor, yet the sparks between him and Ingrid are so blatantly obvious it's hard to ignore. He challenged Ingrid's morals as a cutthroat corporate lawyer and ultimately convinced her to embrace the type of person she wanted to be. I'm so bummed the show never got a chance to explore these two together. To whoever thought pairing her with the cocky British dude made more sense, I have some words.

Played by: Desmond Chiam

I can’t even begin to tell you how distraught I was when I witnessed the way Glenn had to die in the show. Glenn was a fan-favorite character, deserving of a heroic death. Instead, they had him hopelessly kneeling on the ground in his final moments. One could argue that the show wanted to stay true to the comics, but given that the showrunners kept Carol alive, who also died in the comics, I find that to be a poor excuse. Imagine if they made an exception for Glenn; he could have co-led his own spin-off show with Maggie.

Played by: Steven Yeun

A skilled pilot who is also a talented swordsman? Um, yes please! Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu was such an underrated character. I was swooning every time he came onto the screen. I knew he was capable of being a leading man when he took over as acting Captain of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: Into Darkness. After having a decent role in the first two films, Sulu is reduced to being a background character in the last movie, which felt like such a waste. Sulu was a bad*ss character worthy of headlining a Star Trek film.

Played by: John Cho

I would never have expected this dim-witted guy from Jacksonville, Florida, to be so loveable. With all of his hilarious one-liners, it’s really difficult not to love Jason. His relationship with Janet was also so endearing and wholesome. I knew he was an incredibly devoted man when he figured out Janet wasn’t his Janet because he knew her so well. Jason was meant to be a character for humor, but he stole the show by being a genuine human being. Raise your hand if you wanted Jason to have a more significant role in the story.

Played by: Manny Jacinto

While everyone else was crushing on Finn, I always had my eyes on Mike Chang. This boy effortlessly danced his way into my high school heart with his puppy-like charms. I will never forget his little duet of “Sing!” with Tina. Mike had so much potential to be a prominent character, and the fact that he never got a significant story arc was utterly unfair. I wouldn’t mind getting a reboot where Mike takes center stage and becomes the new director of New Directions.

Played by: Harry Shum Jr.

Kevin G. was the best character in the entire movie. There, I said it. This captain of The Mathletes was so unapologetically himself and couldn't care less about any of the haters. Kevin G. was the representation all young AAPI Americans needed, challenging all of the common stereotypes about nerdy Asian kids. Giving him such a small role was a huge disservice to this brilliant character. I secretly shipped him with Cady, and I wonder what could have been if the writers explored the possibility of making him a love interest. These sucker MCs (main characters) really got nothing on him.

Played by: Rajiv Surendra