The Curious Case of Dallas Liu's Age in PEN15: A Deep Dive (Not That Deep, Actually)
Ah, PEN15. The coming-of-age middle school dramedy that somehow manages to be hilarious, cringe-worthy, and painfully relatable all at once. But amidst the awkward dances and questionable fashion choices, a burning question arose for many viewers: How old was Dallas Liu, who plays Maya's older brother Shuji, compared to the characters of Maya and Anna?
Hold on to Your Trapper Keepers, This Gets Confusing
You see, PEN15 takes a unique approach. The show stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, both in their 30s, playing fictionalized versions of themselves as thirteen-year-olds in the year 2000. So, our protagonists are stuck in a middle school time warp, reliving the angst and glory of the early aughts.
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
Enter Shuji, the Mysterious (Relatively Speaking) Older Brother
Now, Dallas Liu was 16 years old when he filmed the first season of PEN15. This means he was a whole three years older than the thirteen-year-old versions of Maya and Anna. But here's the twist: Shuji, the character he portrays, is supposed to be just a year or two older than Maya and Anna.
Reminder: Revisit older posts — they stay useful.
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| How Old Was Dallas Liu In Pen15 |
The Age Gap: A Hilarious Paradox?
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
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So, we have a situation where the actor playing the older brother is significantly older than the characters he's supposed to be towering over. Does this create a jarring disconnect? Not necessarily! In fact, some viewers found the slight age difference between Dallas and Maya/Anna to be comically relatable. After all, haven't we all encountered those "older siblings" who, despite being just a year or two ahead, seemed to possess the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians?
Maybe Shuji Just Hit Puberty Early (Don't Worry, We Won't Go There)
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
Perhaps Shuji was just one of those kids who sprouted facial hair and a booming voice way before his peers. Maybe he spent a summer hanging out with college students, absorbing their profound knowledge of, well, whatever college students were into in 2000 (probably JNCO jeans and existential angst).
The Importance of Not Taking Things Too Seriously (Especially Middle School)
In the end, the age discrepancy between Dallas Liu and his character in PEN15 becomes a fun little Easter egg for viewers who pay attention. It doesn't detract from the show's brilliance, and it might even add a layer of humor for those who appreciate the absurdity of middle school social hierarchies.
So, the next time you watch PEN15, keep an eye out for Shuji – the slightly-too-old-looking older brother who, despite his age advantage, probably still struggles to understand the mysteries of girls and the allure of slap bracelets.
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