Okoye

"Wakanda forever!"

- Okoye

Okoye is the general of the Dora Milaje and the head of Wakanda's armed forces and intel. Witnessing T'Challa's coronation, she joins him in tracking down Ulysses Klaue. After Erik Killmonger overthrew T'Challa, Okoye found herself conflicted between her friendship with T'Challa, or her duty to her new king, Erik Killmonger.

Serving for the King
On orders of King T'Chaka, Okoye was sent with T'Challa when he went to save Wakandan hostages from Zanda and Douglas Scott, to report back to the King on T'Challa's progress as the "Black Panther".

Following Terrorists
Saving the hostages while Black Panther distracted the mercenaries, Okoye ended up confronted by Douglas Scott. After the hostages escaped, and the police stormed the building, the mercenaries fled, and Black Panther made Okoye return to their aircraft to follow them.

Following them to a yacht, Black Panther and Okoye took out the mercenaries and then confronted Zanda and Scott. Okoye fought Scott again, but was almost killed by a surprise attack, spared only when Black Panther dropped a metal bar on Scott's hands.

Upon returning to Wakanda, Okoye told T'Chaka how T'Challa proved himself in the field, though left out how she assisted him in her report, despite T'Chaka deducing her part in the rescue mission.

Rescue of Nakia
One week after the arrest of Helmut Zemo, Okoye and T'Challa flew a Royal Talon Flyer to Nigeria to rescue Nakia from her undercover assignment with a group of terrorists. T'Challa told Okoye that she did not need her help but when a gunman held a woman hostage, Okoye stabbed the man from behind, saving T'Challa from a tough situation and ending the battle.

Returning to Wakanda
Okoye flew the Royal Talon Flyer back to Wakanda and were greeted by Queen Ramonda and Shuri, T'Challa's sister.

Personality
"Guns. So primitive."

- Okoye Okoye is a fiercely loyal protector of Wakanda who isn't afraid to question her king, but would defend him with her life. A staunch traditionalist who is as formidable with her spear as she is with her tongue, Okoye finds herself torn between her allegiance to her country and her king when T'Challa begins to challenge ancient Wakandan rules.

Abilities

 * Master Martial Artist: Okoye is the General of the Dora Milaje thus, is extensively trained in various forms of combat but most noticeably her spear with which she is able to almost effortlessly incapacitate multiple foes at once during the casino fight. She is also an expert marksman, able to throw her spear through the car of one of Klaue's goons. It is suggested throughout the Black Panther movie that she is the greatest martial artist in Wakanda.

"Does she speak English?" "When she wants to."

- Everett Ross and Okoye
 * Multilingualism: Okoye is fluent in her native language, Xhosa, as well as English.

Equipment

 * Spear: Okoye's spear has been used to electrocute an enemy during the casino fight. In the same fight the spear was seen being extended from a handle for concealment. The spear is strong enough to pierce a Vibranium car during the car chase and was able to stop a car after Okoye through it through one of Klaue's goons' cars. Her spear along with others have been shown to be able to interact with technology by striking the ground with the blunt end. The Dora Milaje used this to shut down power inside N'jobu's apartment and to activate the drainage system for warrior falls.
 * Kimoyo Beads: Okoye uses these to project images to the leaders of Wakanda and to control the Talon fighter . She also video calls T'challa and her most likely ex-lover W'kabi using these.

Allies

 * Wakandan Royal Family
 * T'Chaka † - Former King
 * T'Challa/Black Panther - King
 * Shuri
 * Ramonda - Queen Mother
 * War Dogs
 * Nakia
 * Dora Milaje
 * Ayo
 * Xoliswa
 * M'Baku
 * Everett Ross

Enemies

 * Zanda †
 * Douglas Scott
 * Ulysses Klaue †
 * Linda †
 * Limbani †
 * Erik Killmonger † - Situational Ally turned Enemy and Attempted Killer
 * Border Tribe
 * W'Kabi - Lover turned Enemy

Trivia

 * In the comics, Okoye was a member of the Dora Milaje who assisted T'Challa during his coma.

Behind the Scenes

 * Janeshia Adams-Ginyard and Keisha Tucker were stunt doubles for Danai Gurira in the role of Okoye.
 * Regarding Okoye's stoic demeanour, Danai Gurira stated that "she can be serious, but she also has an unexpected sense of humour. She has a heart, but for her country and for her people. She’s not a person who doesn’t connect to human beings as a result of what she does."