Shuri

Origin

Shuri is T’Chaka‘s youngest child, only daughter, and the only biological child of his second wife, Ramonda (Queen Mother). She is the half-sister of T’Challa and the heir to the Wakandan throne. She has dedicated and trained all her life to becoming the Black Panther.

Upon her father’s death, her uncle (S’yan), became Black Panther because she, nor T’Challa, was of age to do so. As the years progressed, she swore to become Panther and attempted to enter into the once-a-year Wakandan ritual that allowed anyone of the royal bloodline to become Panther by defeating the ruling Black Panther in hand to hand combat.

The day of ritual, she was forbidden to enter by her. She rebelled against her mother’s wishes and managed to sneak into ritual, but by the time she was able to make her way to the ring, a masked fighter had already defeated S’yan. When the victor removed his mask, it was revealed to be none other than her older brother, T’Challa.

When a dutch scientist (Klaw) and his mercenaries attacked Wakanda, Shuri managed to kill the mercenary Igor Stancheck (Radioactive Man). She took her first kill hard, but was comforted by T’Challa’s promise to personally train her. He prepared her for the role of Black Panther, in case there were ever a day to which she would be needed to lead Wakanda. It would be years before she would actually get the chance to, but when the opportunity came, she was prepared.

Character Creation

In Marvel Mangaverse #3, Ben Dunn created a sister of T’Challa/Black Panther, called T’Channa, she becomes Victor Von Doom‘s successor in Latveria. In Black Panther Vol. 3 issue 2 in (2005) written by Reginald Hudlin, appears Shuri, T’Challa’s never-before-shown sister.

Major Story Arcs

Deadliest of The Species

During the events of Dark Reign, Shuri was nominated to take up the mantle as Black Panther, as her brother laid comatose from an assassination attempt by Doctor Doom. She successfully completed a series of the trials and rituals that granted her the right to consume the ceremonial Heart-shaped Herd, giving her spiritual access to the Panther God.

However, instead of granting her access to the powers of her heritage, the Panther God furiously scolded her. She was told that her jealousy towards her brother and arrogance in her God’s presence, costed her the title of Black Panther. Nevertheless, when Wakanda faced complete annihilation at the hands of Morlun, a powerful Wakandan sorcerer, (Zawavari) informed Shuri that Wakanda had just one possible chance of survival.

T’Challa’s soul had been trapped in Limbo after Dr. Doom’s assassination attempt. Zawavri came up with a plan to switch T’Chall’s soul with Morlun in Limbo. He also explained that Wakanda relied too much on modern technology, forgetting their ancient mystic roots. With the plan in motion, Shuri took off to face Morlun.

Their battle led to Zawavari’s sanctum, where the witch doctor used his mystical powers to transport Morlun to Limbo, where his soul-saturated essence proved irresistible to Death’s touch. In turn, Death released T’Challa’s souls, in exchange for Morlun’s. It is later revealed that, through her self-sacrificing act to save Wakanda, Shuri had earned the title of Black Panther. She was then spiritually linked to the Panther God. T’Challa awoke from his coma to find that Wakanda had been attacked by Morlun. He began training his body to fight Doom. Despite being a man of science, he turned to magic to help enhance himself for war. While he prepared his body, Shuri became the Queen of Wakanda.

Doomwar

In the epilogue of Dark Reign, Shuri teamed with her brother, as well as a few X-Men (Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus) to lead an army of Dora Milaje in an assault on the Desturi, who managed to dethrone her in an elaborate a coup d’etat. The coup was funded by Dr. Doom, who managed to infiltrate Wakanda and apprehend a large amount of vibranium, fulfilling his scheme to conquer the world.

Allied with the Fantastic Four, Storm, T’Challa, and the remaining Dora Milaje, Shuri traveled and coordinated attacks all over the world in an attempt to destroy Doom’s vast criminal network. While they were able to neutralize Doom’s networks, empty his bank accounts, and recover small portions of vibranium, the losses suffered were extensive. To make matters worse, the vibranium enhanced doombots, that they fended off during the war, continuously adapted to the their attacks.

War Machine came to their aid, at the secret request of Reed Richards, and provided a life saving assist to Shuri and her squad of Dora Milaje. Unfortunately, they were unable to stop Doom from accessing the mystical properties of vibranium. He became supremely powerful and took control of every object and structure across the world that contained vibranium, using them to attack cities all over the globe.

Bringing the fight directly to him, Shuri lead the heroes in a final assault against Doom and his forces. With the team holding their own, T’Challa executed his master plan, a ploy that simultaneously neutralized all of the processed vibranium on the planet and Doom’s vastly enhanced power, making the metal inert and useless. The heroes and Shuri later returned to Wakanda with the remaining portions of pure vibranium. All throughout the events of Doomwar, Shuri wore a high-tech power suit, similar to the Iron Man armors.

Klaws of The Panther

After the events of Doomwar, Shuri ventured to the Savage Land to meet with Ka-zar about obtaining a stock of vibranium, to help replenish Wakanda’s debilitated amount. Upon her arrival, she was approached by Shanna, who escorted her Ka-zar’s home. There, they found Ka-zar missing. After searching his home, they found a highly advanced device that emitted a high pitched sound. Shanna destroyed the device and the two set out to find Ka-zar. When they found him, he had been captured by A.I.M., who were excavating a vibranium volcano mound. After freeing Ka-zar, they were suddenly attacked by Ulysses Klaw (self-styled Master of Sound). Shuri engaged Klaw in a direct assault, but was unsuccessful and he managed to escape after one of the AIM agents started a timer on a bomb. With seconds left on the timer, Storm arrived at the scene and used her powers to stop it. However, Klaw managed to detonate it anyway, causing the volcano to erupt, flooding the vibranium mound.

Several days later, Shuri ran into Wolverine in Madripoor. She explained that she was there, investigating a potential black market vibranium monopoly scheme by A.I.M. She and Wolverine went on to track down A.I.M., that resulted in the two of them getting attacked by Klaw. She later tracked a vibranium stockpile to New York. When she arrived in New York, she teamed up with Spider Man, (intending to team up with the Avengers) to track down a vibranium stockpile.

Upon arriving locating the stockpile, they encountered a cadre of A.I.M operatives. Through interrogation, they discovered that Klaw had turned an A.I.M. agent’s daughter into a powerful weapon called “M.U.S.I.C.” (Multiframe Universal Sonic Integration Codec). He was planning to use communication satellites to deploy a powerful sonic wave that would turn people into slaves. They later went on to track down Klaw, but was to late, as he had already launched the “Scream Generator” into space.

Spider-Man made a call to Steve Rogers (Captain America), who in turn, called Black Widow. Shuri and Black Widow teamed and made their way to the Wakandan Space Station. They immediately headed toward Klaw’s space station. They both go on to successfully infiltrate the space station, but not before Klaw unleashed the powerful scream, which began to immediately effect minds across the planet. Shuri and Black Widow attempted to attack Klaw but were unsuccessful, as he had amplified his sound-based attacks with power from M.U.S.I.C. However, Black Widow managed to engage Klaw for a brief moment, which allowed Shuri enough time to reach M.U.S.I.C. Shuri convinces the child to turn her scream powers on Klaw, and seemingly destroyed him. Throughout her multiple team ups, Shuri was given advice about from Storm, Wolverine, Spider-Man and Natasha about how they control their anger.

Shuri was later killed by Proxima Midnight during an invasion by the Cabal.

Djalia

After Shuri’s death, T’Challa resumed his role as the one true Black Panther and ruler of Wakanda. He preserved Shuri’s corpse in hopes of finding a way to return her to life, but was met with repeated failure. Shuri’s spirit ended up in the Djalia, a spiritual plane where she was mentored by a griot spirit. T’Challa and the Avenger known as Manifold were eventually able to resurrect her by using the former’s technology and the latter’s reality-warping powers, but Shuri returned deeply changed. No longer a Black Panther, she instead gained new set of abilities similar to those wielded by the griot spirit.

Donning a new costume, Shuri aided her brother in ending a rebellion led by Tetu and Zenzi. This rebelion was seemingly tearing the country in two, and a civil war seemed likely. With the crisis averted, Shuri joined the new council that had been established by T’Challa.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

After digesting the Heart Shaped Herb, Shuri has gained a superhuman sense of sight, smell, and hearing. The herb also heightened her formidable strength, speed, agility, and endurance to the peak of human possibility.Upon becoming Queen of Wakanda, she earned the crown title of Black Panther and now shares a spiritual connection with the Panther God (Bast).

Djalia Enhancements

As a result of her time spent in Djalia, Shuri has returned with a new set of abilities as a result of her training with a griot spirit. Her new powers include animorphism, super speed, and a stone form. The animorphism ability allows Shuri to transform into a flock of blackbirds or a single giant blackbird. She has also gained an enhanced degree of super speed. Her limits are not yet known. Shuri can also adopt an organic stone form that grants her a degree of invulnerability and super strength. When she takes her stone form, her clothes transform with her, and she has been shown to deflect bullets.

Abilities

Shuri is a rigorously trained acrobatic and martial artist, having been trained by T’Challa and Aneka (Dora Milaje sensei). She is well versed in the use of Wakanda’s vastly advanced weaponry and technology. Despite being a skilled martial artist, she often prefers armed combatant, using a wide plethora of tactical gadgets, spears, and swords instead of hand to hand combat. Shuri is also a skilled tactician and war strategist.

After her experience in the Djalia, Shuri was imbued with the ability to transform her body into a durable, stone-like material. She has also gained the ability to transform herself into a bird or flock of birds.

Weapons and Equipment

Dissimilar to her brother, Shuri appears to prefer more technological based weaponry and combat. She uses an assortment of Wakandan made technologies. A few of them are recurring weapons/gadgets.

Gadgets

• Truncheon: a collapsible baton/nightstick capable of administrating an electric shock to stun foe.
• Shock Nets: electric based netting used to stun and capture foe.
• Snake Bites: pellets used to immobilize foe by releasing knockout gas upon impact.
• Desert Sand: microscopic sand-like devices that release an EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse). They are used to defunct electronics.
• Claws: Shuri’s claws were explained to be made of vibranium shells encased by adamantium.
• Spear(s): standard Wakandan made spears. A Wakandan spear is Shuri’s default weapon of choice in armed combat situations. She appears to now wield Zuri‘s Spear of Bashenga, which belonged to the the founder, and first king, of Wakanda.

Panther Habit (Vibranium Suit)

Shuri’s panther garb functions similar to her brother’s. Upon becoming chief of the Wakandan Panther Clan, she was crowned with regalia in the form of a vibranium laced panther uniform. It has the ability to negate and/or lessen powerful kinetic based attacks such as: bullets shots, penetrating blades, and crushing blows. Dissimilar to T’Challa, Shuri’s standard panther suit appears to be more tech savvy.

Panther BattleArmor

During the events of DoomWar, Shuri wore a battle-mech armor set, that further amplified her strength, endurance and durability to superhuman levels. The battle-suit also had considerable weapons and sensory arrays that made her an even more formidable adversary.

Character Profile

• Height: 5′ 10″
• Weight: 145 lbs
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Black
• Citizenship: Wakandan
• Place of Birth: Wakanda
• Marital Status: Single
• Occupation: Black Panther, Princess, Regent, Queen
• Known Relatives: T’Chaka (father, deceased), Ramonda (mother), T’Challa (half-brother), Jakarra (half-brother), Hunter (adopted brother), Ororo Munroe (ex sister-in-law)

Alternate Realities

Earth-2301

In this reality Shuri (who was named T’Channa in this reality) turned her back on the Wakandan people and became the apprentice of the Latverian Dictator known as Victor Von Doom, after learning all she could from Victor she slayed him, took on the mantle of Doctor Doom and became Latveria‘s new ruler. When T’Channa attacked The U.N. and killed Captain America (U.S. President Steve Rogers) along with Hawkeye and The Vision she was hunted down by her older brother T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Tigra and The Scarlet Witch.

Her identity was revealed when T’Challa ripped her iron mask off during combat and her older brother was needless to say shocked beyond all belief. T’Channa took advantage of his shock and beat T’Challa down, what she failed to realize was that The Scarlet Witch had her Doombringer sword and the next thing T’Channa knew the sword was driven directly through her heart. She died in The Scarlet Witch’s arms shortly afterward. Appearance wise this version of Shuri was several years older than her mainstream counterpart and had a long scar (like Victor Von Doom’s) running across her face.

In Other Media

Television

Black Panther

Shuri appeared in the Black Panther animated series for the BET. She was voiced by Kerry Washington, best known for her role as Olivia Pope in Scandal.

Avengers Assemble

Shuri appears in the episode “The Eye of Agamotto: Part 1,” voiced by Kimberly Brooks. She tracks down T’Challa and admonishes him for neglecting Wakanda, but ends up helping her brother and Captain America defeat Baron Mordo. She returns as a major character in Season 5 (dubbed “Black Panther’s Quest“), now voiced by Daisy Lightfoot. Much like in the movies, she helps T’Challa during his adventures, and is portrayed as a genius inventor.

What If…?

A young Shuri appears in the episode “What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?” voiced by Ozioma Akagha.

Film

Black Panther (2018)

Shuri appears in the live-action Black Panther film, portrayed by Letitia Wright. In a departure from the original comics, Shuri is depicted as a gifted technological genius who runs the Wakandan Design Group despite only being a teenager. She also designs T’Challa’s new nanite-laced costume, which allows him to change into the suit at a moment’s notice. When the American mercenary Erik Killmonger leads a coup and takes over as the king of Wakanda, Shuri and Nakia help fight back to reclaim their country. Using a pair of vibranium gauntlets that fire energy blasts, Shuri briefly fights Killmonger on her own, but ends up being overpowered. At the end of the film, it is revealed that Shuri had been working to undo the HYDRA brainwashing implanted in Bucky Barnes‘ mind (after Barnes had previously been placed in cryogenic stasis at the end of Captain America: Civil War).

She became somewhat of a break-out star when the movie hit theaters, with her popularity unexpectedly rising. Letitia Wright received much acclaim for her acting, and even won the BAFTA Rising Star Award for her performance.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Letitia Wright reprised her role in Avengers: Infinity War. After Vision is badly wounded in a surprise attack by the Black Order, the Avengers bring him to Wakanda to see if there is a way to safely remove the Mind Stone from his forehead. Shuri works to remove the Stone so that the Avengers can destroy it before Thanos can claim it, but is interrupted when Corvus Glaive attacks her lab in order to capture Vision. Shuri fights back using her gauntlets, but is knocked unconscious. After Thanos claims the Mind Stone and uses the Infinity Gauntlet to wipe out half of all life in the universe, Shuri is one of the many heroes who perishes.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Letitia Wright once again reprises her role in Avengers: Endgame. After the Hulk uses the Infinity Stones to resurrect Thanos’ victims, Shuri, her brother, and Okoye take part during the final battle against Thanos’ army. Shuri briefly teams up with Rescue, Valkyrie, Wasp and other female heroes to run interference while Captain Marvel takes the Infinity Gauntlet. At the very end of the film, Shuri and T’Challa are seen joyously reuniting with their mother in Wakanda.

Video Games

Marvel Heroes

Shuri is playable as an Enhanced Costume for her older brother, T’Challa. She possesses all of his moves and attributes.

Lego Marvel’s Avengers

Shuri is playable in the Black Panther DLC set.

Marvel: War of Heroes

Shuri appears in several cards in the mobile card game Marvel: War of Heroes. Her cards are:

• [Queen of Wakanda] Shuri

Marvel Future Fight

Shuri is a playable character in the game. She is a speed type.

She has several costumes:

• Shuri: Marvel Legacy
• Shuri: Black Panther

Marvel Avenger Academy

Shuri is a playable character in the game. She was released during the Black Panter Event.

Marvel Puzzle Quest

Shuri is a playable character in the game.

Her bio in the game says: As the head of the Wakandan Design Group, Shuri designs and builds futuristic tech, such as the Black Panther suit, with Vibranium mined from the Great Mound. She is an innovator, intelligent beyond her years, and always ready to give her big brother, T’Challa, a hard time.

Marvel Strike Force

Shuri is a playable character in the mobile RPG game. She is at the center of the “Princess and the Symbiote” event, where she teams up with Spider-Man to stop Ultimus after the Kree villain weaponizes the Carnage symbiote.

Marvel’s Avengers

Shuri appears as a supporting character in the Avengers: War for Wakanda DLC expansion pack from Square Enix. She is voiced by Erica Luttrell.

Merchandise

• Hasbro released a Marvel Legends figure of Shuri as part of a two-pack with Klaw. The figure was based on her time as the new Black Panther.
• A 6-inch Shuri figure bearing Letitia Wright’s likeness was released as part of Hasbro’s line for the live-action Black Panther movie.
• Shuri appeared in the “Corvus Glaive Thresher Attack” Lego kit.
• Shuri was featured in Funko’s Pop! line of bobbleheads.
• Hasbro also released a Nerf blaster toy based on Shuri’s gauntlets from the film.
• Hot Toys released a Shuri figure.
• Shuri was featured in the Minimates line from Diamond Select.
• Eaglemoss Publications released a lead Shuri figurine as part of the Marvel Movie Collection.
• A Shuri doll aimed at young girls was released as a Disney Store product.
• Diamond Select released a Shuri PVC statue.
• Shuri was included in Hasbro’s Marvel Legends a second time in the Professor Hulk Build-a-Figure wave, which was released to coincide with Avengers: Endgame.