Repurposing
Remixing and repurposing has become celebrated by many 21st century hobbyists, musicians, authors and other communities. "Repurposing is the use of a tool being re-channeled into being another tool, usually for a purpose unintended by the original tool-maker". While this is usually best seen physically, Gene Luen Yang uses repurposing in American Born Chinese in a more abstract way, re-channeling themes and characteristics from previous works into his own writing and artwork.
Themes
The theme of being true to ones-self has been repurposed from Journey to the West and is shown throughout American Born Chinese. The same trials and lessons in which the monkey king faced in Journey to the West are not only shown in a new format, but also mirrors Jin's journey within the graphic novel.
Characteristics
American Born Chinese repurposes characteristics from various sources within its characters. Many of the emotional troubles that Jin face reflect the same emotional troubles the Monkey King went through, and they both share the characteristic of transforming into their desired physical forms. Other characteristics from different characters in Journey to the West are also used as Yang remixes the story to better fit Jin's personal narrative.