← Head back
← Head back
Overanalyzing Anime
Blog Owner & Lead Writer
Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia is perhaps one of the most interesting characters in Black Panther. As a member of the Hatut Zeraze (Dogs of War) her purview of the world is very different than many other Wakandans; where most wish to keep themselves shielded from the rest of the world, she longs for the veil to be lifted so that they might be able to provide assistance to those who are truly in need of it. In truth, her thought process coincides heavily with Killmonger, albeit to a far less brutal extent - he seeks to wage war, while she seeks to provide aide.
Another interesting aspect about Nakia is the number of skillsets she has at her disposal; whether it’s her talent for infiltration, espionage, or even combat - Nakia proves time & time again that she is a force to be reckoned with. I’ve read a few articles that compared T’Challa to James Bond, but if there’s anyone who emulates that character, it would definitely be Nakia.
More than anything, though, I like the fact that she is her own woman. While she clearly loves T’Challa, she’s not willing to abandon the work she’s doing across the world in order to appease him by becoming a stationary Queen within the borders of Wakanda. She knows that she’s making a difference &, as such, she’s not willing to limit herself in the way that he wants her too.
Instead, she asks that T’Challa gets woke so that they can work together to protect those who are in desperate need of it. At one point he claims that, “if you weren’t so stubborn, you would be a good Queen,” & she responds with one of my favorite lines in the movie, claiming, “I would make a *great Queen* because I am *stubborn.*” And she’s completely right. Her stubbornness - especially in regard to, “fight[ing] for the things [she] loves,” - is an attribute that anyone would be lucky to have in their partner.
One more thing. I literally love the way in which she says her man’s name. She adds a certain inflection to it that no other character does, & it’s honestly so beautiful.
What did you think about her character? Let me know in the comments!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Comments are reviewed before they appear.
