Introduction Released on June 19, 1998, during the tail end of the Disney Renaissance (1989–1999), Mulan was a bold departure for the studio. Unlike the European fairy tales and American folklore that preceded it, Mulan drew from an ancient Chinese ballad, "The Ballad of Mulan" (Ode to Mulan), dating back to the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). The film was groundbreaking for its time, offering a heroine whose journey wasn't about finding a prince, but about discovering her own strength, honor, and identity.