A 13-year-old girl of Chinese descent living in Toronto, Mei Lee, is navigating the complexities of adolescence with the added pressures of her overprotective mother and the weight of cultural expectations. She is an obedient daughter by day and an avid fan of boy bands by night, trying to balance her own desires with her family's traditions. As she struggles with her identity and independence, Mei Lee experiences an unexpected and bewildering transformation: whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she turns into a giant red panda.

The red panda transformation, a family secret inherited through the women in her lineage, represents Mei Lee's burgeoning emotions and hormonal changes. While initially mortified by her new condition, Mei Lee gradually discovers the power and freedom it brings. With the support of her understanding friends, she learns to embrace her two natures. However, this acceptance is not without its challenges, as it threatens to strain her relationship with her mother, who has always cautioned her to keep her emotions in check to avoid unleashing the panda—a strict adherence to tradition that now seems more restrictive than ever.