Sesame Street, known for breaking boundaries, approaching big topics like racism, vaccination, addiction, incarceration, race, homelessness, and more. As well as, introducing young children to people from all races, walks of life. And now they’re ready for their next big moment by introducing Ji-Young, the first Asian-American Muppet!

With the help of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star, Simu Liu, Sesame Street will debut Ji-Young on See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special. Along with Liu, the special will also feature celebrity guests including Anna Cathcart (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), DC Comics Jim Lee, and more! Alan Muraoka, the Japanese American actor who was the first Asian-American to join the series in 1998, also helped write the upcoming special.

“It’s a powerful thing when kids see people like themselves represented on screen and in stories. It supports them as they figure out who they are and who they want to be.”

– Alan Muraoka, Actor/Writer

What is See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special About?

The special follows all your favorite Sesame Street characters as they celebrate “Neighbor Day”, including Ji-Young (Performed by Kathleen Kim). As part of Sesame Workshop’s “Coming Together” initiative, the special is an opportunity to talk about anti-Asian racism. Ji-Young and another child experience being told to “go home” off-screen. After the incident, Ji-Young seeks out friends and trusted grown-ups to help her know she’s right where she belongs. 

In a statement from the Sesame Workshop’s Executive Vice President of Creative and Production, Kay Wilson said:

“Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Today, we uphold that mission by empowering children and families of all races, ethnicities, and cultures to value their unique identities. See Us Coming Together continues Sesame Street’s proud legacy of representation. Along with an engaging story that encourages empathy and acceptance and uplifts Asian and Pacific Islander communities.”

-Kay Wilson, Sesame Workshop’s Executive Vice President of Creative and Production

The See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special debuts on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25. You can watch it on HBO Max, PBS Kids, and Sesame Street‘s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

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