Ao Guang

**Ao Guang**, better known as **The Dragon King**, is a supporting character in the original series *American Born Chinese* portrayed by Jimmy O. Yang.

## Background

Ao Guang was said to have originally been a fish that willed himself into being a dragon, later ruling over everything. In the original tellings, Ao Guang used his Ruyi Jingu Bang (magic pole) to hold measure the oceans. Sun Wukong later took the pole, as the object itself claimed him the rightful owner, and Ao Guang complied. He has since become an ally of sorts to Wukong and his friends.

### Personality

Ao Guang gives the impression that he is a regal and powerful being, which he is, but is later revealed to be bored and tired over being seen as an almighty being, preferring to have a private life and not interact with anyone. Upon hearing Sun Wukong speak bluntly about how he views the other Gods and Celestials, Ao is bemused and agreeing, revealing himself to be a very honest and understanding person and not materialistic like the other powerful entities.

### Physical appearance

Ao Guang is portrayed as a green skinned, scaly being with long white facial hair, long orange hair and antlers. His usual attire is a green and blue scaly robe with large black spiky shoulder pads. When away from the public, it is revealed that his hair and horns are fake and he is naturally bald.

### Powers and abilities

Ao Guang is the ruler of the seas and therefore it is heavily implied that he has powers that relate to this, though this has yet to be shown. Being a fish that has turned into a dragon, he is in constant need of having to be moisturized with water.

## History

### Season 1

In Make a Splash, Ao Guang is in attendance of the Heavenly Peach Banquet, a party for all the major Gods and Demons to celebrate the last year of Ao Guang, the Dragon King, being a Great Sage. Inside, Sun Wukong entices Niu Mowang to have a meeting with Guang so that he can pitch his idea for a journey to the west to acquire the sutras from India. While waiting around, the two of them meet Princess Iron Fan and Princess Jade Face. Mowang tells Iron Fan his dream and she becomes smitten with him. When Guang passes through the party, Iron Fan uses her magic fan so that Wukong and Mowang can follow Guang. The Dragon King privately undresses so that he can be bathed and Mowang uses the opportunity to pitch his idea to him. However, his low mumbling ends up putting Guang to sleep and he returns to Wukong dejected. Wukong uses his powers to make a fake Jingu Bang while he steals the real one from Guang. When Guang returns to the party, Wukong urges Mowang to go up and speak, but he gets stage fright and simply chants a song before getting booted off stage. When the Queen Mother, wife of the Jade Emperor, announces the final award to Guang, with a giant heavenly peach being the reward, Wukong whisks the fake Jingu Bang away and takes the stage. Wukong proceeds to mock and criticize everyone at the party for being phonies and for patting themselves on the back and destroys the peach. Guang is impressed with Wukong's honesty and admits that he too hates these kinds of parties. He announces his intent to have Wukong be the new Great Sage (and not Ji Gong, despite Wukong not really wanting the position, and he reluctantly accepts.

## Trivia

* In original graphic novel, Ao Guang plans to have Sun Wukong executed for ruining his party, only to find that this is impossible. When he refuses to acknowledge Wukong as a great being, Wukong increases in size and stomps on him. Ao Guang, along with the rest of the Gods, demand from the emissaries of Buddha to do something about him.
* While the character is often associated with *Journey to the West*, Ao Guang is also known for his appearance in another classic Chinese novel *Investiture of the Gods*, where he is portrayed as a ruthless being that received no repercussions for his actions. It is not until the arrival of Nezha that he is finally put in his place.

## Appearances:2/8

* What Guy Are You
* Make a Splash