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Overanalyzing Anime
Blog Owner & Lead Writer
Of all the characters in Black Panther, Daniel Kaluuya’s W'kabi was by far the most underdeveloped &, as a result, one of the most bothersome characters in the movie. Yes, we know that he leads the Border Tribe, that he is involved with Oyoke, & that he has a personal vendetta against Klaue, but other than that his character lacks any real depth - which makes his complete betrayal at the end of the movie seem like more of a plot device than an actual choice he would consciously make.
At the beginning of the movie we see him have a conversation with the newly appointed King T'challa about keeping refugees out of Wakanda & his willingness to expand their empire, & while that plants the seeds for the eventual development of his character into someone who might become a threat, it’s never given enough sustenance to grow into the full-on betrayal that it eventually becomes.
I can understand that he has an issue with T’Challa not bringing Klaue in - but that wasn’t completely T’Challa’s fault, as Erik was the one who freed Klaue from the CIA hideout. W’Kabi’s unwillingness to even discuss the matter with T’Challa is somewhat frustrating - choosing instead to immediately side with Erik.
My frustration is compounded because he claims to be loyal to Wakanda, but when T’Challa returns to finish the ceremonial battle, he disregards tradition & attacks T’Challa with his tribe, intent on killing him. It doesn’t make sense because up until that point - while it was clear that he was upset with T’Challa - it could be argued that there was still a chance of reconciliation between the two.
All in all, his character would have been much more compelling if he was given more screen time so that we could better understand his ambitions. Because, without it, it just seems as though his feelings were hurt & he decided to lash out. I mean, he even went so far as to draw his blade against his beloved? It just all felt very strange, & it’s perhaps my biggest issue with the movie.
What are your thoughts on his character? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!
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