- List of Kung Fu Panda characters
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The following is a list of characters from DreamWorks animated film media franchise Kung Fu Panda, with their shorts and specials Secrets of the Furious Five, Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, and Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters, as well as the video games and TV show Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.
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Po
Po Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Jack Black (Films, TV Series, Video Games)
Liam Knight (Cub)Information Species Giant Panda Combat Style Improvised and Panda Kung Fu Master Po is the titular protagonist of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. In a fantasized version of ancient China populated by anthropomorphized animals, he is a giant panda who is improbably chosen as the Dragon Warrior, champion of the Valley of Peace in the first movie. He is the adoptive son of Mr. Ping and one of Master Shifu's students. Po is also the prophesied Dragon Warrior, as well as the "warrior of black and white".
Po lived in a village of Giant Pandas, until Lord Shen had it destroyed as part of his campaign to exterminate the species, trying to avert the prophecy that a "warrior of black and white" would one day defeat him. On the command of Po's father, who stayed to defend the village, Po's mother fled with her infant son in attempt to save him. Eventually, Po's mother managed to temporarily elude the wolves and found a crate of radishes in which she hid her son. She then sacrificed herself to lure Shen's forces away from her son. The crate was eventually shipped across China to a village in the Valley of Peace, where the owner of a noodle shop, Mr. Ping, found the panda cub. Mr. Ping decided to raise him as his son, giving him the name Po. With no conscious memories of his past life, Po grew up under the care of Mr. Ping and became a studious apprentice in his foster father's restaurant trade. Though Po's real passion was for kung fu, he was reluctant to disappoint his father by revealing it. Despite having a mild and friendly personality, Po also developed a severe self-loathing, believing himself a failure for being both obese (when in reality he is of a healthy weight for his species) and of a species not known for a warrior tradition. When upset, he usually gorges on food to dull the pain.
His main interest lies in Kung Fu, of which he has developed an encyclopedic knowledge of the lore of warriors, famous combat moves, dates and historic artifacts. Furthermore, his deep appreciation of the martial arts extends into its philosophical aspects, enabling to him to sometimes achieve insights of which even deeply respected masters like Shifu cannot conceive.
Apparently by accident, he is dubbed the Dragon Warrior by Master Oogway (who proclaims that "there are no accidents"), over Po's and his fellow masters' protests. During the subsequent training, Master Shifu and the Furious Five make no secret of their disdain for him, making their rough physical activities with him tantamount to torture in order to discourage him. However, with Master Oogway's encouragement, Po endures their abuse without complaint in the personal hope that they could eventually change him into someone he himself can respect. This display of indomitable tenacity, although frustrating to Shifu, soon impresses most of the Furious Five, who warm to the affable intruder whom they also find, to their delight at mealtime, is an excellent cook. Eventually, Shifu discovers that Po can perform considerable physical feats when motivated by food and uses this to train him with a custom regime. At the end of the training, during a chopstick-sparring match over dumplings, Po demonstrates not only considerable skill in combat, which includes innovative moves using his bulk to his advantage, but also some emotional maturity that allows him to somewhat reduce his emotional dependence on food. Now convinced of Po's worthiness, Shifu presents the legendary Dragon Scroll to Po, only find it is a blank reflective surface. In despair, Shifu orders Po and the Furious Five to help the villagers escape while Shifu buys some time for them to escape by engaging Tai Lung in a fight to the death. As Po helps his father escape, Mr. Ping reveals that the secret ingredient of his Secret Ingredient Soup is nothing; people only had to believe it was special. With this advice, Po realized the scroll's true empowering symbolic value. Po is then able to challenge Tai Lung in a climactic battle and defeat him with an improvised combat style, using his body fat not only to shield his nerves from ch'i strikes but also for deflecting attacks. Since the events of the first film, Po divided his time between practice, working at his father's noodle shop and teaching children martial arts. The latter duty has shown Po to be exceptionally skilled in teaching not only the subject's physical elements, but its intellectual side as well.
Po has also improved his physical health, as demonstrated in Secrets of the Furious Five when he runs alongside Shifu at an amazing pace and, upon stopping, needs much less time than before to catch his breath.
In the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, Po is appointed host of the kung fu masters' Winter Feast at the Jade Palace. Although Po successfully makes the arrangements with considerable difficulty, he decides being with his father for the holiday is more important and joins him at the restaurant. However, all the masters, deeply moved by Po's loyalty, come as well. After this episode, Po moved out to focus on his duties as the Dragon Warrior with the reassurance that his father is at peace with his calling.
In Kung Fu Panda 2, when Lord Shen's wolf forces performed a raid for refined metal for the peacock's cannons, Po's attempt to stop them with the Furious Five was thwarted by seeing the fealty symbol of the head Wolf of the raid, bringing Po's traumatic memories to the surface of the attack on his village and freezing him. This is when Po finally realizes he was adopted by Mr. Ping, who cannot tell him anything from before the time he found the infant panda behind his restaurant. When Po was sent with the Five on a mission to stop Lord Shen's attempt to conquer China with his cannons, he was plagued with disturbing dreams about his parents that he was reticent to talk about, even to Tigress who has grown to be his confidant in the Five. More seriously, Po was still hampered with his paralyzing memory flashbacks, especially at the sight of that same symbol on Lord Shen's plumage, creating a subsequent obsession to question him that almost gets him killed. With the help of the Soothsayer, Po eventually was able to recall all his childhood memories of being orphaned and come to some degree of peace with them in light of additional recalling of the happy and fulfilling life with his loved ones in the Valley of Peace. By achieving that tranquility, Po defeats Lord Shen's fleet - to everyone's astonishment - by using an empty-handed martial arts technique that manages to be a powerful counter to even cannon fire. In doing so, Po not only saves China, but proves to the world that Kung Fu is still an undeniably relevant skill of war. Afterwards, Po comes to see that Mr. Ping is his father for having adopted him, but is unaware that his biological father is still alive and now finally senses his son is alive as well.
Masters of the Jade Palace
The following are the martial experts of the Jade Palace, who have dedicated their lives to Kung Fu and the defense of the Valley of Peace.
Master Shifu
Master Shifu Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Dustin Hoffman (films)
Fred Tatasciore (video games and TV series)Information Species Red Panda Combat style Unspecified and Red Panda Kung Fu Master Shifu is the student of Oogway and trainer of the Furious Five, as well as Tai Lung. Shifu once loved Tai Lung like a son after he was abandoned at his doorstep as a very young cub. He tried to subdue him after Tai Lung attacked the Valley and made a bid to take the Dragon Scroll by force, but froze, unable to destroy what he created through love, and failed. In Secrets of the Furious Five, it is revealed that he is Tigress' adoptive father as well. He taught her how to control her own fury by playing a game of dominoes with her and later adopted her as his own daughter from an orphanage despite all the other adults' fear of adopting her. His experience with Tai Lung otherwise stiffened him, unfortunately, causing him to train Tigress and the Furious Five in a harsher and more critical manner than he used with Tai Lung.
He is at first unwilling to train Po, not believing he has what it takes to defeat Tai Lung; he therefore tries to make the training unbearable to force Po to give up. As such, Shifu is greatly annoyed at how Po embraces and endures all his attempts. Shifu also voices his contempt of Po by referring to him as "Panda" rather than his name. After much convincing from Oogway as well as his new responsibility as the guardian of the Valley of Peace after Oogway's ascension into the Heavens, Shifu agrees to seriously train Po until he is ready to face Tai Lung.
This proves much more a challenge than he anticipated when Po, in addition to his apparent physical limitations, confesses a deep self-loathing that the monk felt powerless to counter. However, when Shifu discovers Po's considerable latent strengths when motivated by food, the monk fashions a personal training regime that enables the panda to quickly become a formidable warrior. Po's throwing back the dumpling they fought over in Po's final test is an even more encouraging sign that his student has improved his strength of spirit as well, an essential element of a warrior.
However, all his efforts seem to have been in vain when the Dragon Scroll proved to be nothing but a blank reflective surface. With all hope lost, Shifu ordered his students to evacuate the Valley while he stays to delay Tai Lung for as long as he can, feeling his probable death would be a just fate for creating the murderer. When Tai Lung returns to the Valley to enact his revenge, Shifu is nearly killed in the battle that ensues until Po arrives to save him. Po's defeat of Tai Lung fulfills Master Oogway's prophecy, bringing him inner peace and forever breaking down the barriers over his heart.
Since then, Shifu continues to be surprised by Po, such as being a more effective teacher than he expected in Secrets of the Furious Five, and underestimating Po's love and compassion in Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special not only to his father, but to himself as well. In the latter, Shifu confesses to Po, "What goes on in your head I really don't always understand, but what goes on in your heart will never let us down." Furthermore, he is as astonished as his comrades seeing Po counter cannon fire with only an empty hand technique, showing to all that the Panda is a mighty warrior of legend.
His sense of humor, before being cynical and sarcastic, is also shown returning during the end credits when he is seen laughing at Tigress, who has apparently tried some of Po's noodles, with one hanging above her lips in the same comical fashion as Po's earlier in the film. The second film also shows him carrying himself with more grace as noted by his improved posture and his more serene demeanor. He enjoys playing his bamboo flute and is also able to use it as a striking and throwing weapon.
Despite his age and limping on his left leg, which Tai Lung broke in their first battle, Shifu can move faster than any opponent. He is so strong and powerful that one or even all of the Furious Five combined cannot make him break a sweat.[1] However, just like them, he is also defeated by Tai Lung in the movie before Po arrives to save him.
He is voiced by Dustin Hoffman in the movies and by Fred Tatasciore in the video games and TV series.
Grand Master Oogway
Grand Master Oogway Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Randall Duk Kim (film)
Greg Baldwin (video game)Information Species Giant Tortoise Combat style Unspecified and Tai Chi Chuan Grand Master Oogway was an elderly tortoise and the previous senior master of the Jade Palace.[2] In the film's fictional universe, he is the founder of kung fu itself.
Not much is revealed about Grand Master Oogway's past life. However, it is implied that he was probably full of questions as a youth, which led to his departure from his home in the Galápagos Islands on a journey of discovery almost a thousand years ago, traveling all around the world and visiting every country until he arrived in China. Grand Master Oogway stood on a hill overlooking the land that would later become known as the Valley of Peace and knew that he had found the place he would call home for the rest of his life.
Highly venerated for his wisdom, knowledge and experience, Grand Master Oogway was considered to be a sage. It is also apparent that he seemed to be reckoned as a god in the art of Kung Fu, as he was greatly respected by Shifu, the Furious Five, Po, the entire Valley of Peace, and all of China. He is wise and possesses considerable physical skill. He's the only one that Tai Lung could not defeat, instantly paralyzing him with a lighting fast series of nerve strikes. Also, he proved skillful in his battle with Monkey, and encouraged him to use compassion towards others after deducing why Monkey played tricks on everyone. His selection of Po as the Dragon Warrior is strongly doubted by all, especially Po himself, but he stands by his decision, which proves to be the correct one. After convincing Shifu to train Po, Grand Master Oogway ascends to the Heavens in the midst of dozens of peach blossom petals floating away in the cold night breeze as he disappears. Among all the proverbs he recites, his most recurring is "There are no accidents."
He makes a cameo in the second film's opening, in place of the moon boy in the DreamWorks logo.
"Oogway" is the English approximation of the Chinese word for "turtle" (simplified Chinese: 乌龟; traditional Chinese: 烏龜; pinyin: wūguī).
He was voiced by Randall Duk Kim in the first film and by Greg Baldwin in the original video game.
The Furious Five
The Furious Five are, with the exception of Oogway, Shifu, Po and Tai Lung, the most skilled warriors in China. Given that Shifu referred to Po by his species name while and before training him, it is hinted that each member of the Furious Five have or had their own individual names before training to become kung fu warriors. The Five were all trained by Shifu, each of them attaining the rank of master. The Furious Five are homages to the Crane, Snake, Monkey, Praying Mantis, and Tiger styles of Chinese martial arts.[3] All of them refused to believe that Po was the Dragon Warrior, but that majority grew to respect his courage and tenacity. Furthermore, when Po defeated Tai Lung in single combat when they couldn't together, they were convinced that he was worthy all along.
Since the events of the first film, Po has become fast friends with the Five and regularly fights alongside them and they have incorporated their group tactics with him to become an even more formidable fighting force. Discussing Po's new placement with the Furious Five in Kung Fu Panda 2, Jack Black has regarded Po as the "technical leader" of the quintet. However, because he is "still finding his way" through his insecurities and clumsiness, the group doesn't become the "Furious Six", but rather "The Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior" — with Master Tigress as the "real" leader according to Black.
Master Tigress
Tigress Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Angelina Jolie (films)
Tara Strong (young)
Erin Torpey (Kung Fu Panda video game)
Kari Wahlgren (TV series)Information Species South China Tiger Combat style Tiger Kung Fu Master Tigress is the strongest and boldest of the Furious Five. She is generally friendly but the least sociable of the five. In many scenes in which the other four of the Furious Five and/or Po were joking or having fun, Tigress would often remain quiet and withdrawn. It was strongly believed, by Shifu and herself, that Oogway was about to choose her as the Dragon Warrior before Po's entrance, despite Oogway's statements to the contrary. Tigress bitterly resents Po for thwarting her dream, and is the most vocal of the Five in her contempt for the panda and his perceived lack of respect for kung fu, even while her comrades grow to respect him, they still believed she was the true Dragon Warrior.
Upon hearing Po protesting to Master Shifu that he will never be able to defeat Tai Lung even if Shifu changed him, Master Tigress, feeling that she could defeat Tai Lung instead of Po, took it upon herself to intercept the incoming villain along with the rest of the Five, who came with her. However, they were all defeated by Tai Lung's superior martial skill and nerve attack. When Po defeats Tai Lung, Tigress is deeply impressed, and she is the first to acknowledge Po as the true Dragon Warrior, and as a master of kung fu, giving him a sweet smile as she does so.
In Secrets of the Furious Five, Tigress was revealed to be an orphan living in the Bao Gu Orphanage where she was greatly feared by the other children and the matron due to her destructively lacking control of her great temper, strength, fangs, and claws. Left alone and isolated in her room for the safety of the other children, she soon began to see herself as a monster, as everyone else did. Then Shifu, at the request of the orphanage, came to render some assistance. Shifu taught her to control herself by playing dominoes, which requires not only discipline, grace, and precision but a delicacy of the hand and a steady heart that Tigress struggled to gain at first. Eventually, after months of training, she learned to control both her anger and her movements and became friends with the other orphans.
Although she was still feared by all potential parents who visited the orphanage to adopt the other children, Shifu soon adopted her and he took her in as his foster daughter, giving a small but genuinely sweet smile to her as they walked towards Tigress' new home. However, Shifu still carried the emotional scars of previous events, and thus was somewhat more strict and distant in her upbringing. The older Tigress in the main film explains to Po that Shifu loved Tai Lung like no other person before or since, including her.
According to the filmmakers' commentary on the DVD, Tigress is Po's favorite of the Furious Five despite the fact that Tigress shows considerable disrespect and disgust at him throughout most of the main film.[4]
Tigress possess a deep and complex personality, which may be explained by her tortuous childhood and life as Shifu's apprentice. In spite of her temperate, introspective and sometimes cold attitude, Tigress is probably the most loyal of the Furious, extremely dedicated to the well-being of her friends. The "leader" of the group, Tigress holds an enormous sense of responsibility and she often takes the group's failures as hers: when Po is chosen "Dragon Warrior", she apologizes to Shifu for the Five's "failure". After defeated by Tai Lung, Tigress seems to be deeply ashamed, much more than her friends. She is also extremely polite and methodical and, though aware of her vast skills in kung fu, she is a humble character with no greater ambition than the one of protecting the Valley of Peace and perfecting her own skills. Tigress frequently hides strong emotions, such as joy or sadness, from the others in order to keep the composure of a perfect warrior, even after being "softened" by Po's friendship. In the original film, for example, while the others laugh when Po imitates Shifu, she keeps staring at her meal, not having much to offer to the fun. In "Kung Fu Panda 2", when she is about to answer Po's comment in the ship, she abruptly shuts up when the other Furious appear, remaining mute while they discuss. When Po hugs her after defeating Lord Shen, she freezes and at first does not know what to make of it, but then smiles and watch the fireworks alongside her friends with visible happiness.
However, the efforts of keeping such seemingly perfect appearance do not hide some of her personal issues. Tigress is well aware of how people see her - a tough, strong, responsible warrior, but through Po's single comment in the second film, that she's so hardcore she "can't feel anything" she begins to feel uncomfortable of the vibe she sets off to others. She is shown to be Po's superior in both strength and skill, but her well-rounded ability to conceal her true feelings makes her slightly inadequate in her battles. But through her experiences with Po, he unknowingly teaches her the power of emotions and knowing the right time to be in touch with them.
In Kung Fu Panda 2, Tigress is shown to be less "hard-core," (as Po continuously gushes), than the others think. In fact, she has grown to become a close friend to Po, who not only now better understands his foibles, but also fights most closely with the Panda using tandem combat techniques they have developed together. She is shown to care about him greatly, and even at one point refuses to let him fight because she "can't watch (her) friend be killed." This concern for his safety goes as far as to push him out of the way when Lord Shen fires the Weapon at him. Po is the only character in the series to who Tigress has shown intimacy, as she talks to him about some events in her past and comforts him when he is troubled. Furthermore, when Po and his comrades are left floating stunned in Gongman City's harbor after Lord Shen blasts his fleet free of the urban river, Po swims directly for Tigress alone, concerned for her well being, before then departing to make his stand against the would-be conqueror. After Po's single-handed defeat of the peacock, Tigress reciprocates that gesture by coming to help him out of the water before warmly complimenting him for his astounding mastery of martial arts, which Po silently answers with a hug.
Tigress also displays a caring personality towards infants. At the end of the original film, when Tai Lung is defeated, she is seen holding a rabbit child and protecting it from the blast's shockwave. In Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, she playfully feeds one of the village piglets during the festival.
In "Legends of Awesomeness", DreamWorks' television series for the "Kung Fu Panda" franchise, the contradictions between Tigress and Po's personalities are further explored. In the episode "Chain Reaction", the two characters have a mission together and Tigress is frequently annoyed by the panda's expansive, talkative mood. Tigress' over-calculative and analytical personality becomes explicit, as everything she does is minutely planned or follows a strict protocol, much for Po's distaste. While undoubtedly making her a great warrior, these characteristics contribute to her social awkwardness: when Tigress makes a funny joke and is congratulated by Po, she then explains the very meanings of the joke, ruining the fun of it. When Po confronts Tigress after being insulted by her, stating that she "stinks at friendship and funship", she is shown to be consumed by regret. In the episode "Sticky Situation", while Mantis' grieves after being dumped by his girlfriend, Tigress comments that she avoids romantic relationships in order to avoid emotional turmoils, for Monkey sarcastically responds: "Yeah, that's the reason...".
Master Monkey
Monkey Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Jackie Chan (films)
Jaycee Chan (young)
James Sie (video games and TV series)Information Species Gee's Golden Langur Combat style Monkey Kung Fu Master Monkey is the friendliest and most approachable of the Five. Monkey was the first of the five to recognize Po's determination and is the only member of the Furious Five who refers to Po by name. He also seems to harbor the strongest sense of humor within the Five as well, responding most strongly to Po's sense of comedy. Unlike the others, Master Monkey prefers to use a weapon in combat. He uses a staff, a traditional weapon used in Kung Fu and other martial arts.
Before he became a kung fu warrior, it is known in the Secrets of the Furious Five that Monkey was the village trickster when he was a teenager, often making people slip on banana peels (from bananas that he would eat) and/or pantsing them in revenge for an incident in his youth that resulted in becoming the laughingstock of a few other children in the town. The townspeople sent many powerful warriors, including rhinoceros guards from Chorh-Gom Prison, to force him out of town dead or alive, but Monkey humiliated each and every one of them (by swiping their belts off, resulting in their pants falling down). Monkey was finally subdued by Master Oogway, who, aside from wearing no pants, also used his shell to hide from Monkey's attacks. Oogway taught Monkey compassion by saving him from a falling beam, which led Monkey to develop into the warrior he is today.[5] Monkey is also the only character to be voiced by both Jackie Chan and his son Jaycee Chan.
In Kung Fu Panda 2, Monkey continues to provide much of the humor. When they break into the prison to free Master Ox and Master Croc, he offers to stand watch and make crane noises if the guards come into view—insulting Crane, who asks indignantly when he's ever made such noises.
Monkey is also the first to try to rally the Furious Five after Po seemingly dies and the group is in chains, heading for execution. He turns to Tigress in this time, and seems to look to her for reassurance.
Master Mantis
Mantis Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Seth Rogen (films)
Max Koch (young and TV series)
Brian T. Delaney (video games)Information Species Chinese Mantis Combat style Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu Master Mantis is the smallest of the Five, but he is obviously the strongest proportional to his size. He can perform such feats as throwing Po and single-handedly holding up a severed rope bridge burdened by most of his comrades and Tai Lung and still have the strength to snap the bridge when needed. He is also a skilled acupuncturist, although his success does depend on the type of body he is working with; a body like that of Po or Viper can sometimes give him problems until he familiarizes himself with the particular anatomy. Pragmatic and open minded with a dry sense of humor, Mantis was the first of the five to develop acceptance and liking of Po as a person, alongside the factor of Po's girth, declaring size did little to define a warrior and could actually be used as an advantage no matter what style one practices. An unused line from the movie is Mantis saying, "I've got to admit, that panda has a lot of heart. And he's incredibly fun to watch bounce."
When he was a few years younger (in Secrets of the Furious Five), Mantis was extremely impatient, feeling that the world was too slow for him and he was too fast for the world. On a mission to retrieve wool coats back from the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits (it is unknown if he met Master Croc back then), he was captured due to his overconfidence and lack of listening skills when one of the sheep villagers tried to warn him of the bandits' traps. Mantis was locked in a cage for days and forced to sit and wait for something to happen, and he entered a trance that allowed him to survey the world moving faster than he did. This allowed him to develop the patience needed to devise a plan of escape, playing dead to trick the crocodiles into opening his cage and defeat them.[6]
In the sequel, Mantis' background is further revealed. When the group interrupts Po and Tigress in an effort to give "emotional support," Mantis says wistfully that he never got to know his father, because his mother ate his father's head. Later, when it seems as if they are about to die, Mantis sighs that he always expected to settle down with "a nice girl who would later eat my head."
Mantis is also shown to be able to move at inhuman speeds and break metal with his super strength.
Master Viper
Master Viper Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Lucy Liu (films and TV series)
Jessica DiCicco (young)
Kath Soucie (video games)Information Species Green Tree Viper Combat style Snake Kung Fu Master Viper is a green snake with two small lotus flowers on top of her head. Although she has a serious birth defect for her species, being born with barely visible venomous fangs, she compensates with her strength, sinuous nature, beauty, and precision. In defiance of the villainous stereotype of snakes, Viper is the most charming, kind, compassionate and sweetest of the Five as demonstrated with her quickly developing empathy for Po as his indomitable tenacity became obvious and being the only one who didn't mock him in any way.
In Secrets of the Furious Five, Viper was born the loved daughter of Great Master Viper, protector of the village where she lived who relied on his venomous fangs to fell his enemies (referred to by Po, and later on by the Great Master as the awe-inspiring awesomeness of his "Poison Fang Technique", said to fell 15 gorilla warriors and a mid-size crocodile in one strike), and his beautiful wife. The Great Master hoped she would carry on his legacy once she was born, but she was without fangs and never developed them as she grew up, much to the dismay of her father. To make her father feel better, Viper took up ribbon dancing at age six, blossoming into the best dancer in the village. During one Autumn Moon Festival, Viper was too timid to attend the festival and stayed home with her mother. But when her father fought against a gorilla bandit who attacked the village and used venom-proof armor to shatter the Great Master's poison fangs, Viper, seeing him in trouble, mustered the courage she needed to defeat the gorilla by confusing him with her dancing skills and tying him up with her ribbon. Thus her father's legacy was secure with his daughter becoming a mighty warrior on her own terms.
In Kung Fu Panda Holiday, it is revealed that Viper has sisters whom she loved to cook with during the Winter Feast, but in Secrets of the Furious Five, she is shown as an only child; it may be possible that Viper is merely the firstborn in her family and her sisters could all be younger siblings, though this remains unconfirmed.[7]
In Kung Fu Panda 2, Viper is shown to be the most transparent in her feelings and the most openly compassionate. When the group, hidden inside a Chinese dragon costume, witness the wolves' brutal treatment of the peasants of Gongmen City, Viper's face is shown to be openly horrified. She is also shown to be able to pick locks with her tail.
Master Crane
Master Crane Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by David Cross (films)
Drew Massey (video games)
Amir Talai (TV series)Information Species Black-necked Crane Combat style Fujian White Crane Kung Fu Crane is the most patient of the Five and one of the most sarcastic, and considered to be the "mother hen" of the group despite being male. He will always try to avoid and defuse conflicts between his comrades, whose differing personalities often conflict. During combat situations, especially in dangerous locations where fatal falls are possible, Crane will fly around the combat zone, surveying the area as a scout for tactical advantage as well as catching any of his comrades if they do fall. If necessary, he is strong enough to carry all of the Five in the air, but this very taxing for him. He was the first of the Five to hold a conversation with Po, albeit it being quite awkward. Nonetheless, touched by Po's dedication and admiration of the Five led Crane to have some respect for Po.
In Secrets of The Furious Five,Crane was the slave-like janitor at the Lee Da Kung Fu Academy, where everybody looked down upon him, even the strict teacher of the academy, due to his particularly skinny build. However the top student, named Mei Ling, saw the skills which Crane used to tidy up the place every night, and convinced Crane to try out for the school. Though his nerve faltered at first, Crane accidentally wandered into the obstacle course and quickly found the confidence to surpass it, and passed with flying colors.[8]
In Kung Fu Panda 2, Crane is shown to be the one responsible for carrying Po around. Unlike Tigress, Viper, Monkey, and Mantis, the panda is unable to fall from great heights and land safely on his feet, so Crane basically breaks his fall when needed. He is shown to be insulted when Po and Monkey insinuate that the noise "Caw-Caw, Kee-Kee," are Crane noises, asking when he's ever made any noises like that. Ironically proving he does make these noises when he performs 'Wings of Justice' during the attempt to blockade Shens fleet.
When Tigress forces Po to stay behind on the basis that she "can't watch my friend be killed." Crane asks hopefully "Hey, uh...maybe you can't watch ME be killed?" to which she tells him to stop being a wimp.
Master Council of Gongmen City
Master Thundering Rhino
Master Thundering Rhino Kung Fu Panda 2 character Voiced by Victor Garber Information Species Javan Rhinoceros Master Thundering Rhino is shown to be the leader of the Kung Fu Council that protects the metropolis of Gongman City. He is strong, fast, and said to have an "impenetrable horn defense." He wields a battle hammer called the Cloud Hammer and uses it easily. His father is said to be the "Legendary Master Flying Rhino."
He was first seen training with Master Storming Ox and Master Croc when Lord Shen arrives telling them to leave. Master Thundering Rhino objected to this and he alongside Master Storming Ox and Master Croc ended up fighting Lord Shen. When Master Storming Ox and Master Croc were defeated, Lord Shen's weapons were broken by Thundering Rhino, whom he called a show-off. When Thundering Rhino refused to surrender, Shen said he was glad he felt that way revealing his great cannon weapon which killed Thundering Rhino. Thundering Rhino's Cloud Hammer was left mounted in the palace's center square by Lord Shen as both a warning to anyone who opposes him and as a victory trophy. The Furious Five, Po, and Master Shifu receive word that he is dead and travel to Gongmen City to stop Lord Shen.
Master Storming Ox
Master Storming Ox Kung Fu Panda 2 character Voiced by Dennis Haysbert (film)
Phil LaMarr (video game)Information Species Ox Master Storming Ox is one of the Masters of Gongmen City and a councilor as well. When he was young, he was trained in the art of Kung Fu by Master Thundering Rhino who found him having snuck into the Royal Palace. It was mentioned by Po that he once fought two hundred rat bandits in the rice fields of the Wing Cho province. When he was training with Master Thundering Rhino and Master Croc, Lord Shen told them to leave. The three objected to this and ended up attacking Lord Shen only for Storming Ox and Croc to be defeated. When the Furious Five and Po travel to Gongmen City, they find him and Master Croc still alive and imprisoned in the Gongmen City Jail.
However, Master Storming Ox refuses to join them saying that if he does, Lord Shen will use the Weapon on the city and kill everyone and that Kung Fu is dead. He later changes his mind and joins them for the last battle saying that "their friend (who later turns out to be Master Shifu) is very persuasive."
He has his own section in the KFP comic "Kung Fu Panda: Art of Balance chapter One Set of Horns."
In the Kung Fu Panda 2 video game, Master Storming Ox is the one who tells Po about the Komodo Dragons that one attacked Gongman City when one of them is sighted in the sewers.
Master Storming Ox is an expert strategist with the ability to pinpoint an enemy's weakspot. His horns can penetrate anything.
Master Croc
Master Croc Kung Fu Panda 2 character Voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme (film)
Unknown (video game)Information Species Crocodile Master Croc is one of the Masters of Gongmen City and member of the Kung Fu Council. He is a crocodile with a spiked metal ball on the tip of his tail and extreme fighting skills both in and out of water. He was once the head of the infamous Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits of Crocodile Island (the very same bandits Mantis encountered in his youth) until he crossed paths with Master Thundering Rhino. After the fight, inspired by the master sparing him, he gave up on being a bandit and eventually came to sit at Thundering Rhino's side as a member of the Kung Fu Council.
When he was training with Master Thundering Rhino and Master Storming Ox, Lord Shen told them to leave. The three objected to this and ended up attacking Lord Shen only for Storming Ox and Croc to be defeated. He too gives up after being defeated by the Weapon, but unlike Master Storming Ox, who is visibly angry at Po's insistence that they fight, Croc is more resigned.
He is obviously less aggressive than Master Thundering Rhino, and visibly winces when Tigress rebuffs every single one of Po's attempts to leave the jail when she tells him to stay behind. He also joins in the final fight after Shifu's persuading.
Other masters
The following were featured or mentioned in Secrets of the Furious Five, and Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special.
Great Master Viper
Great Master Viper Secrets of the Furious Five character Voiced by James Sie Information Species Green Tree Viper Combat style Snake Kung Fu Great Master Viper is the father of Master Viper and the last known leader of the Viper Clan. Not much is known about Great Master Viper's past before the birth of his daughter Viper (who dances with a kind of ribbon without fangs). What is known about him, according to Po, is that he was the greatest known leader and warrior of the Viper Clan, as well as the sole protector of Viper's home village, highly dependent on his "Poison Fang Technique," with which he used his venomous fangs to fell his enemies. Given that his venom was deadly enough to fell fifteen gorilla warriors and a mid-sized crocodile (according to Po), he quickly built up his legacy and became greatly feared by his enemies.
Master Rhino
Master Rhino Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special character Voiced by Jonathan Groff Information Species Javan Rhinoceros Master Rhino was among the twenty-nine representatives at the Jade Palace's formal Winter Feast dinner from one of the unnamed Kung Fu schools in China to which he is the master over. Out of the twenty-nine representatives present, he and Master Sheep were the only ones named. He has relations to Master Flying Rhino or Master Thundering Rhino.
Master Sheep
Master Sheep Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special character Voiced by None Information Species Sheep Master Sheep was among the twenty-nine representatives at the Jade Palace's formal Winter Feast dinner from one of the unnamed Kung Fu schools in China to which he is the master over. Out of the twenty-nine representatives present, only he and Master Rhino were the only ones names.
Villains
Tai Lung
Tai Lung Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Ian McShane (films)
Riley Osborne (young)
Les MacWilliams (video games and TV series)Information Species Snow Leopard Combat style Leopard Kung Fu Tai Lung (Chinese for "Great Dragon") was a snow leopard and the adoptive son and (first) devoted pupil of Master Shifu, and showed more skill in Kung Fu than any other of his students: he himself remarks Shifu taught him skills in kung fu he never shared with even the Furious Five. In fact, Tai Lung was the only one (second to Oogway) to know the Nerve Attack. He believed that he was destined to become the Dragon Warrior, and made it his aim in life. However, as Tai Lung improved his fighting skills, his pride grew overwhelming due to believing that he was to become the Dragon Warrior. It was this overgrowing pride that alerted Oogway of darkness in Tai Lung's heart despite the love that Shifu gave him, and refused him the title. Tai Lung's bitterness and anger were only intensified when Shifu did nothing to defend him. Disappointed and outraged with his master's seeming betrayal, Tai Lung's pride turned into corruption as he rampaged throughout the valley, taking out his rage against the villagers. He fought his way to the Jade Palace, seeking to take the Dragon Scroll by force: Shifu could not bring himself to harm his adoptive son and was crippled by Tai Lung. The leopard though was no match for Master Oogway, who hit him with a lighting fast series of nerve attacks, paralyzing and defeating him. Following his defeat, Tai Lung was sent to Chorh-Gom Prison, a maximum-security institution, for his crimes against the valley until his escape two decades later.
After his escape, Tai Lung returned to the Valley of Peace for the Dragon Scroll. The Scroll was said to grant its wielder limitless power. He headed straight for the Valley, stopping briefly to engage and defeat the Furious Five. At the temple, Master Shifu battled him while Po was supposedly evacuating with the rest of the villagers and the Furious Five. Tai Lung unleashed all his rage and hatred during their battle and gravely wounded Shifu. He blamed his adoptive father for his incarceration and failure to become the Dragon Warrior, furiously demanding to know if Shifu was satisfied with turning Tai Lung into the monster he had become. It was then Shifu told that his pride for Tai Lung blinded him to see what his adopted son was becoming, and apologized. Although Tai Lung showed some concern for him, he was still only interested in gaining the Dragon Scroll (saying "I don't want your apology, I want my scroll!"). When he finally saw that it was missing, he nearly killed Shifu until Po came in and stopped him.
Although Tai Lung scoffed that an obese panda couldn't possibly be the Dragon Warrior, Po proved to be an unexpectedly formidable opponent. His considerable cunning, skill and strength made Tai Lung think only possible through the Dragon Scroll. After a protracted battle throughout the village, Tai Lung finally managed to obtain the Dragon Scroll, but his impatience caused him to not understand its symbolism: the scroll is actually a blank reflective foil, meaning the power has always been buried deep within the person. Po, on the other hand, understood it very well, and used the symbolism to counterattack several of Tai Lung's moves. Tai Lung was ultimately defeated when Po utilized the Wuxi Finger Hold. Before Po does so, Tai Lung asks Po if Shifu taught him the Wuxi Finger Hold, to which Po replies he learned it on his own. Po vanquishes Tai Lung in a brilliant, rippling flash.[9]
Tai Lung is shown to be an exceptionally deadly fighter, able to hold his own against a thousand guards in Chorh-Gom Prison, as well as the Furious Five. He is also shown to be very resourceful, for example using a feather to escape his shackles he picked up with his tail and using spears launched at him from crossbows to allow him to escape as well as using them for leverage to achieve upward mobility. He also has a special nerve attack taught to him by Shifu which completely paralyzes the victim. However, Po, being too fat for the strikes to reach the correct points, is resistant to the technique, finding it very ticklish when it was used.
In the video game Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors, Tai Lung had survived his encounter with Po and plans his revenge on him by capturing the Furious Five. He is defeated once again.
Tai Lung additionally appears at the beginning of the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special as part of Mr. Ping's "Noodle Dream" where he fights Po. Po states he thought Tai Lung was dead, though this statement is cut short when Tai Lung attacks him.
Shen
Shen Kung Fu Panda 2 character Voiced by Gary Oldman (film) Information Species Indian Peafowl (leucistic) Sword combat and Cai Li Fo, a Chinese martial art that uses a metal fan Lord Shen was an old leuscistic peacock, who was half mad and desperate to regain happiness by conquering all of China and the main antagonist of Kung Fu Panda 2.
Before the start of Kung Fu Panda 2, Shen was the prince of Gongmen City, who poured his heart and soul into his family's tradition / creation of fireworks. Shen became obsessed with the power of the rockets, wondering if they could be used for more than celebrations, particularly as warfare. His loving parents grew worried. They asked the Soothsayer what his future held (unaware that Shen was overhearing this), and she proclaimed that, if he continued with his goals to use fireworks as warfare, his supposed destiny would be destroyed by "a warrior of black-and-white". Shen assumed that the warrior would be a giant panda. Rather than thinking about his goals, Shen instead decides to destroy all obstacles against them and leads his wolf guards to attack various villages and kill all the panda families that lived there.
During the winter raid, one of the farmers struck Shen and knocked him into a cooking fire, burning his feet. To hide the burn scars on his feet, Shen wears metal talons that protect his feet and serve as formidable weapons. Regardless of the resistance, Shen massacred as many of the pandas possible, including personally participating in extended pursuits of survivors young and old to ensure the genocide was thorough. Upon becoming satisfied that he achieved his objective, he returned to his family palace in self-perceived triumph. However, he was confronted by his parents, who were horrified by his atrocity and they immediately exiled him as punishment. Feeling profoundly wronged for this treatment because of what he considered an act of self-defense, Shen angrily vowed he would return one day to claim his inheritance. Unknown to him, the seeds of his destruction were laid as the apparent sole survivor, Po, was inadvertently transported to the Valley of Peace where he became the prophesied Dragon Warrior, a powerful master of kung fu destined to fight for justice and peace.
In his years of bitter exile, Shen continued in his weapons experiments of gunpowder, creating the first cannon which shoots a combination of fire and metal in the process. With that weapon class developed, Shen and his wolf minions built a whole arsenal, ordering raids to supply the required refined metal. When satisfied that he was ready for war, Lord Shen marched upon Gongmen City and challenged the current regents, the Kung Fu Councillors Masters Thundering Rhino, Storming Ox and Croc. Swiftly killing Rhino with a cannon shot, Shen imprisoned the demoralized remaining masters and seized control of the city, keeping only the Soothsayer in his court for her skills.
Shortly afterward, Shen's wolf army captured the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five trying to break into the city to stop him. Any alarm upon learning that the current Dragon Warrior, Po, who had already made a name for himself defeating the supposedly unstoppable renegade Tai Lung in single combat, is a Giant Panda is assuaged by the fact that he seemed a flighty simpleton, and doesn't know about his past. However, when he tried to kill the warriors with an ornate model of his cannon, they immediately broke free as arranged and they destroyed the cannon, mistakenly thinking it was the only one. However, taking advantage of Po's sudden flashback upon seeing his clan symbol on his plumage, Shen managed to escape to a secondary tower where he ordered a team of cannoneers to bring down the palace to kill the warriors.
However, the warriors escaped and later attempted to destroy the cannon foundry to stop production. Unfortunately, the Dragon Warrior unintentionally interfered with the attempt when he broke in on his own to confront the peacock about his suspicions concerning his involvement with his parents. At that, Shen falsely claimed Po's parents hated him and abandoned him merely to save themselves, distracting him long enough to arm a large cannon and seemingly kill the panda by blasting him into the river.
With that, Shen eventually captured the Furious Five and planned to kill them once his fleet reaches open water as a demonstration of his power. However, the Dragon Warrior reappeared to confront him again, having survived the blast and being nursed back to health by the Soothsayer before gaining his inner peace. Now even more formidable with his spirit reconciled with his past, Po freed his comrades and were joined by his fellow masters including Master Shifu in a furious melee to stop the fleet's departure. Shen's increasing rage at this opposition drove him to kill his most trusted lieutenant when he refused to fire on his own troops to kill the masters. Eventually, Shen still managed to blast his opposition with the head cannon and exit the harbor.
As it looks like that the kung fu masters are now helpless against Shen's fleet, the Dragon Warrior incomprehensibly swam out to a piece of floating wreckage and stood his ground against Shen's fleet. Assured of an easy kill, Shen orders his fleet to fire their cannons on the Giant Panda. However, Po started to dodge the shots, and then used his inner peace martial arts technique to redirect them away. Frustrated, Shen ordered that the barrage be maintained, failing to realize that the Dragon Warrior was refining his technique until he is able to use the cannonballs to attack the ships with devastating effectiveness. Finally, the Panda was able to destroy his own ship's cannon and Shen is stunned at finding his fleet irretrievably crippled by that single warrior.
At that, Po boards Shen's flagship and confronts the worn-out Shen, who is flabbergasted as to how Po could attain such a controlled peace despite his atrocities against him, which he expected would merit revenge. Po tells him that he rejects letting his past dominate his present and pleads with the peacock to let go of his past resentments, saying that the only thing that matters now is the path he chooses. Even though Shen agrees of choosing his own path, he refuses to let go of the past, as he is despairing over the destruction of his dream. Shen attacks the Dragon Warrior until the melee topples the wreckage of the cannon. Standing right in the path of the falling mass, Shen accepts his fate and is killed upon impact.
Despite his reliance of cannons, Shen is also a deadly fighter with blades, several of which are of different sizes he hides in his feathers. Shen's fighting style shares similar qualities with "Cai Li Fo", a Chinese martial art that uses a metal fan for defensive and distraction purposes. These qualities are represented in the movie by Shen's use of his tail feathers and his agile, circular movements.
Boss Wolf
Boss Wolf Kung Fu Panda 2 character Voiced by Danny McBride (film)
Unknown (video game)Information Species Wolf Combat style Wields a war maul Boss Wolf was Shen's second-in-command. He leads an army of wolves working for Shen, the Wolf Boss possesses only one eye and is the first to spot Po, as well as the one to inform Shen that there is still a panda who is alive. He is seen engaging Po in combat several times, though their fighting in Gongmen City can be interpreted as comic relief. For example, both Po and the Wolf Boss get hit by the wooden signs while moving forward.
He can also be seen in the flashback. In it, he loses his eye to Po's father when hit with a hammer, and is seen chasing Po's mother down in the forest. He is shown to be rather savage as he attempts to kill Po, despite him being an innocent baby at the time. It is presumed Wolf Boss may have been the one who killed Po's Mother, if not then Shen.
The symbol on his sleeve—the symbol of Lord Shen distracts Po during their fighting and triggers both Po's memories of his past and his desire to find out who he is. However, they also allow the Wolf Boss an advantage, and while Po is distracted he often runs away or knocks the panda down.
Unlike Shen, Boss Wolf is never shown to be completely evil. Despite being a wolf, he seems to be almost puppy-like at times—talking too much, making Lord Shen angry with his comments, and whimpering when his toe is stomped. Also, he obviously cares for his pack a lot, sharing a code of honor towards them. During the final battle when Lord Shen orders him to fire the Weapon at Po, the Wolf Boss refuses, stating that it would be too risky as there are so many wolves near the fighting panda. Lord Shen, refusing to take any concern of receiving any loss of his own wolf army, still orders him to do it, which then finally causes the Wolf Boss to rebel against Shen. Outraged, Shen stabs the Wolf Boss for his disobedience and fires the Weapon himself.
Wolf Boss's refusal to kill several of his troops shows that while he is still a ruthless warrior, he is nowhere near as evil as Shen. His ultimate fate is unknown, but he is presumed dead, as even if he had survived being stabbed, the destruction of Shen's fleet would have almost certainly killed the remaining wolves.
However, some remnants of his wolf army were seen in the Kung Fu Panda video game.
Kuo
Kuo Art of Balance character Information Species Tibetan Antelope Combat style Unspecified Kuo is the antagonist in the Kung Fu Panda comic "Art of Balance" by Ape Entertainment.
In the comic, Po first meets Kuo while heading for Mr. Ping's restaurant, where Kuo then claims to be a big fan of Mr. Ping; as well as expressing interest in working in his restaurant. Po and Mr. Ping hire Kuo where he shows great skill with cooking knives. He then ask what the secret is to his recepies, only to be stone-walled by the goose chef. Kuo later on searches through Mr. Ping's recepies, but is then caught by Mr. Ping himself. Kuo then threatens him with his knives and holds him hostage. When Po returns later that night, he finds his father tied up on the front counter. Po asks Kuo what he's doing and why, the deranged antelope says that he once owned a restaurant himself but was driven out of business because customers always went to Mr. Ping's instead of his own; he then says that he has debts owed to criminals. He blames Mr. Ping for making him a failure, but Po tells him that he isn't a failure but instead lost his balance. Yet instead of regaining his balance, he let his imbalance control his life. Engraged, Kuo then throws numerous knives at Po, but the panda (remembering his lessons from Master Shifu) leaps on top of the knives and kicks Kuo in the chest. While Po checks on his father, Kuo tries to flee the scene, only to be intercepted by Shifu and is knocked out. He is presumably sent to Chorh-Gom Prison afterwards.
Qinchu
Qinchu Special Delivery character Information Species Tibetan Sand Fox Combat style Unspecified Qinchu is the main villain of the Kung Fu Panda Comic "Special Delivery." Qinchu was presumably the self-elected official of Mount Penglai.
In the comic, he confronted Po after the panda stowed away in a mail cart carried by Qinchu's crow minions. Po found himself in a palace surrounded by similar carts full of undelivered mail, and upon discovering him, Qinchu told the panda he was trespassing. Though Po tried to explain his reasons for being there, the fox would hear none of it, declaring that he had worked hard to create order in the city by keeping outsiders out and residents in. With that, he ordered his crows to throw the panda out, and Po was tossed down Mount Penglai. When he awoke from the painful fall, Po met the former official and his son, who had similarly been thrown down Mount Penglai. Po learned about Qinchu's takeover of the city as well as his goal to find the key to Mount Penglai, which was the reason for the hijacking of so many mail carts, as the key was always passed from one location to another so none could ever know its exact whereabouts. In his quest for a 'paradise' of order and organization, Qinchu aimed to use the key to lock the gates and isolate the city. After hearing this, Po took action and crashed through the roof of the palace. He faced Qinchu in a showy display, and the fox stood before him, unimpressed. After some back-and-forth banter, the two engaged in combat. This resulted in Po kicking Qinchu and throwing him down, where he then trapped the fox in a roll of carpet. He then told Qinchu it was about time he meet his 'public', with the palace door opening to reveal many angry citizens of Mount Penglai, including the former-official and his son. They took Qinchu and carried him away, resolving to have him thrown down the mountain.
Scorpion
Scorpion Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness character Voiced by Lynn Milgrim Information Species Fattail Scorpion Combat style Unspecified Scorpion is a villain confirmed to be appearing in Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.
According to a storyboard clip previewed at the San Diego Comic-Con of 2010, Scorpion is rumored to have the powerful ability of mind control: A highly potent hypnotic influence over multiple individuals' minds. This is observed by Po in the clip when he sees that Monkey has "red and glowing eyes, [is] trying to kill [him], [and is] acting like a zombie."
Long time ago, it was stated that Scorpion was once the Valley of Peace's best healer. One day, she stumbled upon a hypnosis potion and injected herself with it, turning her evil. She had the villagers under her spell until it was broken by Grand Master Oogway. Scorpion was exiled from the Valley of Peace, but stole the last Sun Orchid (which can be made into a tea as a cure for River Fever). Many years later, Scorpion discovers Po and Monkey in her lair looking for the Sun Orchid in order to cure Tigress' River Fever. She manages to capture Monkey and sting him with her hypnosis potion and then sent him to destroy Po. Upon making it into Scorpion's lair, Po tries to get in as Scorpion ends up throwing Monkey a sword. Po soon discovers that Monkey is under Scorpion's control. When Monkey comes into Scorpion's lair with an apparently defeated Po, Scorpion discovers that Po faked his death and broke her control over Monkey. Scorpion ends up attacking them and tries to sting Monkey until Po grabs her tail. Po and Monkey managed to send Scorpion into the wall tail first, trap Scorpion with their trick sneezes, and claim the Sun Orchid.
Fung
Fung Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness character Voiced by John DiMaggio Information Species Crocodile Combat style Unspecified Fung is the leader of an unnamed group of Crocodile Bandits from Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. Fung most often relies on weapons to fight his opponents, but has shown he knows some Kung Fu techniques, mostly in cases of defense. His family apparently makes terracotta warriors as it was once mentioned by Fung that he accidentally got a terracotta soldier glued onto his father's face with it's removal leaving his father with what's left of his mustache on one side. His signature saying, "Darnit," is often muttered when he finds himself defeated.
Gah-ri
Gah-ri Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness character Voiced by Fred Tatasciore Information Species Crocodile Combat style Unspecified Gah-ri is the member of the unnamed group of Crocodile Bandits from Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness whom Fung frequently calls "Gary."
Taotie
Taotie Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness character Voiced by Wallace Shawn Information Species Warthog Combat style Unspecified Taotie is a warthog who is exclusive to Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. He is a mechanic who once built the training hall that the Furious Five train in. He had a disagreement with Master Shifu and Grand Master Oogway about having machines surpass Kung Fu. Taotie and Master Shifu fought in combat up to the point where Master Shifu won and Taotie had the tip of his left tusk broken in combat. Taotie left and vowed to get revenge on Master Shifu one day. Many years later in the episode "Sticky Situation," Po ended up seeking out Taotie in order to repair the training hall that he accidentally broke. Behind Po's back, Taotie reassembled the parts of the training hall into a machine that he uses in his revenge plot on Master Shifu. After the Furious Five were defeated, only Master Shifu was left and Po saved him by clogging the gears of Taotie's machine enough for it to break. Taotie managed to get away.
In "Fluttering Finger Mindslip," Taotie discovers that the Furious Five have lost their memory after being exposed to Po's move. While Po and Master Shifu are away, Taotie took the opportunity to use this to his advantage by having them attack Master Shifu and Po upon their return. When the Furious Five regain their memory, they attacked Taotie causing him to get away again.
Bian Zao
Bian Zao Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness character Voiced by Simon Helberg Information Species Warthog Combat style Unspecified Bian Zao is the son of Taotie. He would reluctantly help his father in his revenge plots on Master Shifu.
Others
Mr. Ping
Mr. Ping Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by James Hong (films, TV series, and video games) Information Species Swan Goose[10] Mr. Ping is Po's adoptive father, who runs the most popular noodle shop in the Valley. He considers his work deeply fulfilling, and hopes that his son will continue to operate the shop, wishing to share with him the family's secret recipe to great noodles (which was passed down to him from his father who took it from Mr. Ping's grandfather, who took it from a friend in a game of mahjong). When he believes his son is ready, he informs him that there is actually no secret ingredient, and that things are special if someone believes them to be. This piece of advice leads Po to understand the cryptic message of the Dragon Scroll, which makes him the Dragon Warrior and allows him to fulfill his destiny.
Po and his father share a deep mutual love and respect. This shows in how Po cannot bear to disappoint his father about his differing ambitions while Mr. Ping respects his son's decisions enough to neither protest nor interfere after the panda is dubbed the Dragon Warrior. At Po's triumph over Tai Lung, all of Mr. Ping's doubts of his son's destiny vanish as he proclaims his pride in Po to the world as they embrace.
Furthermore, the end credit graphics indicate that Po keeps closely in touch with his father such as continuing to work at the restaurant. In addition, Ping establishes a friendship with the panda's other father figure and master, Shifu. He is extremely skilled at Chinese chess as shown when he outwits Shifu in a match.
However, the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special shows that Mr. Ping harbors a deep-seated anxiety of Po leaving him in his nightmares. In addition, Ping finds the conflict of his priorities with his son's responsibilities as the Dragon Warrior deeply upsetting, especially since Master Shifu is prone to imperiously draw Po away on these matters at will. This comes to a head when Po is tasked to host the Winter Festival banquet for the Masters, which takes place at the same night as their traditional dinner at the restaurant. Although Po offers to give his father the high honor of cooking for the formal banquet, Ping stubbornly insists that he cannot close the restaurant for that night and forsake the lonely (and profitable) clientele who have nowhere else to celebrate the holiday. As a result, both father and son struggle in their separate culinary tasks, until Po decides he should be with his father and leaves the banquet early. In turn, Mr. Ping, who was struggling with his own preparations at this time, confesses that he was unfair to Po and concedes his larger duties with his martial arts calling. Regardless, the reunited family creates a successful event at the restaurant that not only pleases their usual customers, but also the visiting kung fu masters, who decide to come themselves out of admiration of Po's loyalty and the relaxed atmosphere. As the second feature film indicates, he was then able to accept his son's subsequent departure to follow his calling with some peace, though like any parent, he still worries for his son's safety.
In Kung Fu Panda 2, it was revealed that one day, while gathering the new shipments of vegetables he ordered, Mr. Ping found a baby panda in one of the shipment's radish crates (with the shipment of radishes being eaten). Surprised, he looked around and waited for someone to come find the infant. When no one came, he decided to keep the child until someone came looking for him. Quickly finding out that the infant was too big and heavy to carry in, he led him inside with a trail of vegetables. He bathed him, fed him, and nurtured him until one day, he came to realize that no one was coming for the child. He then made two life-altering decisions: He would never use radishes for noodle soup, and he would keep the child as his own son. It is assumed that around this point, Mr. Ping named the baby panda Po.
Mr. Ping is also shown to be a shrewd, if a bit opportunistic, businessman, despite seeming silly other times. For instance, he has renamed his restaurant as "Mr. Ping's Dragon Warrior and Tofu Emporium," with Po's belongings put on display. When Po comes to visit, he cries, "Free Tofu Desert for everyone," only to add "with purchase," which causes his customers to groan. When Po returns from Gongmen City, Mr. Ping also shows him the posters he made advertising "My Son Saved China-- You Can Save [Money] Too!"
From a behind-the-scenes featurette on the first Kung Fu Panda movie DVD, the filmmakers reveal that (when hearing about James Hong's father having a noodle shop) they brought this to his character Mr. Ping.
He is voiced by James Hong in all of his appearances.
Zeng
Zeng Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Dan Fogler (film)
Unknown (video game)
Mick Wingert (TV series)Information Species Swan Goose[11] Zeng is a palace goose, who acts in the first movie as Master Shifu's messenger and is specifically given the mission to try to double the amount of guards at Chorh-Gom Prison[11] where Tai Lung is held captive, under the orders of Shifu, based on Oogway's vision that Tai Lung will escape. The irony is that, while visiting the prison, one of Zeng's feathers falls near Tai Lung, who uses it to pick the lock on his restraints and escape, echoing one of Oogway's statements that "one often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." In the resulting carnage, Zeng is spared and forced to return to the valley and herald Tai Lung's escape. He is extremely nervous and pessimistic, but is nonetheless willing to fulfill the assignment given to him. During the credits, a picture shows Zeng gluing the Urn of Whispering Warriors, which Po had broken earlier, back together.
In Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, Zeng returns.
Commander Vachir
Commander Vachir Kung Fu Panda character Voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan (film) Information Species Javan Rhinoceros Commander Vachir is the chief of security at Chorh-Gom Prison,[11] and the leader of the Anvil of Heaven, a one thousand-strong army of elite battle rhinos. He was placed in charge of the prison at the recommendation of Master Flying Rhino. Vachir has a golden horn-shaped cap in place of his nose horn, as a decorative prosthetic. Before Tai Lung's incarceration, the Anvil of Heaven opposed tyranny and injustice throughout China, and were notorious for their fearlessness and terrifying fighting skills. Vachir was charged with the construction of Chorh-Gom Prison, and he oversaw Tai Lung's imprisonment for twenty years. Overconfident of the prison's security, Vachir greatly underestimated Tai Lung's potential and failed to stop him from escaping[12] and was caught in an explosion along with many of his troops and is seen falling off a cliff. Although his horn-shaped cap was seen amongst the ruins, it is unknown if Commander Vachir survived or not.
Kung fu panda comic issue 1
Some time after Tai Lung's escape, Chorh-Gom Prison was rebuilt with a variety of new traps. Po and the Furious Five volunteered to test the prison's new security system, and were given a tour by the new warden and vachir successor, who appeared to be just as overconfident as his predecessor.
Mei Ling
Mei Ling Secrets of the Furious Five character Voiced by Stephanie Lemelin Information Species Chinese Mountain Cat Combat style Unspecified Mei Ling is the star student at the Lee Da Kung Fu Academy where Crane worked as a janitor. Upon seeing Crane's graceful movement, she urged him to attempt to enroll into the school as a student. Inspired by her faith in him, Crane agreed to make the attempt and she made sure his application was recognized at the induction challenge. Although Mei Ling felt she unnecessarily exposed Crane to public humiliation when his attempt was mocked, Crane stumbled into the obstacle course challenge for prospective students and performed well in it, leading to his enrollment at the academy.
Wo Hop
Wo Hop Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special character Voiced by Jack McBrayer Information Species Rabbit Wo Hop is a renowned chef who was among the first to audition for the honor to cook for the Kung Fu Masters Winter Festival banquet, which was hosted that year by Po. Unfortunately, Po was unfamiliar with the intricate customs of the selection process and inadvertently disgraced Hop while waving to Monkey. Although Po attempted to immediately undo the error, custom allowed for no flexibility on the matter and the disgrace stood.
Desperate to redeem himself with his death, Wo Hop later attempted to assault Po in the kitchen in hopes that the Dragon Warrior would kill him in self-defense. Not wanting to harm the rabbit, Po was able to easily confine him to a flour pot, but he later escaped and harassed the Panda as part of the overwhelming complications for the banquet preparations. However, Wo Hop's casual observation about the limits of Kung Fu inspired Po to enlist the aid of the Furious Five while offering to kill the rabbit after he helped with the cooking. Wo Hop agreed, but Po still had to continually stop a number of his suicide attempts in the process. Regardless, the meal was successfully prepared with the rabbit's help.
After Po left to work his father at the restaurant for their own Winter Festival occasion, Wo Hop made one last attempt to attack Po. However, Po then presented Wo Hop with the Golden Ladle, the intended honor for the official cook of the Master's formal feast, which restored his honor in his eyes. Furthermore, Po also included the rabbit in the one approved commemorative portrait with all his family and friends as an additional honor.
The Soothsayer
The Soothsayer Kung Fu Panda 2 character Voiced by Michelle Yeoh (film) Information Species Goat The Soothsayer is an elderly goat who was once was Shen's nanny who foretold Shen's doom, the Soothsayer has a strange relationship with the peacock.
She also knows what Lord Shen did to Po's village and helps him to stop fighting his memories and achieve inner peace. Her extraordinary gift of second sight gives her insight in the true nature of any and all that she encounters. She is also shown to be an extremely skilled healer. She openly antagonizes him and bites/eats his robes several times, but obviously cares for him. As Lord Shen gradually sinks into madness, she continuously tries to get him to change and reform, telling him that his parents loved him and that they died from grief when he left, while he declares that they wronged him and hated him.
The Soothsayer was present upon Lord Shen's return where he used his cannon to kill Master Thundering Rhino, had Master Storming Ox and Master Croc imprisoned, and even took the Soothsayer with him as his prisoner.
He seems to want her to admit that she was wrong, but does not harm her in any way. When he sets out to conquer China, he tells his guards to release her, not kill her.
The Soothsayer later saves Po's life with acupuncture when she finds him in the river. When he refuses to drink her herbal mixture, she presses his pressure points and forces him to open his mouth and swallow.
After Lord Shen and his armies are defeated, the Soothsayer is last seen enjoying the fireworks with the Gongmen City residents.
Video game characters
Blackhoof Boar Clan
The Blackhoof Boar Clan is a group of boars who are exclusive to the Kung Fu Panda video game. They were one of the bandit groups that join Tai Lung after he escapes from Chor-Gom Prison. The Blackhoof Boar Clan come in different types:
- Thieving Boars - The first type of members of the Blackhoof Boar Clan. They are brown, wear white shirts, and do night fight. But they can steal items from Po.
- Primary Fighting Boars - The second type of members of the Blackhoof Boar Clan. They are the same size and colors of the Thieving Boars, but do not wear white shirts. They wield two axes in battle.
- Secondary Fighting Boars - The third type of members of the Blackhoof Boar Clan and are twice the size as the Primary Fighting Boars. They have gray fur and balding backs. They wield a single mace in battle.
- Blackhoof Boar Clan Leader - The leader of the Blackhoof Boar Clan who is twice the size as the Secondary Fighting Boars. He has purple and gray fur with scars on his back. In Po's dream, he fights with the Sword of Heroes. In the Blackhoof Boar Clan's attack on the Jade Palace, he fights with a metal sword collected from the Jade Palace.
Vultures
Three unnamed Vultures appear as enemies in the Kung Fu Panda video game. They try to catch and eat Zeng (who was on his way back from Chor-Gom Prison) only for the Vultures to be defeated by Master Crane.
Two of the Vultures are voiced by Steven Blum and Andrew Kishino.
Imperial Golden Croc Gang
The Imperial Golden Croc Gang is a group of crocodiles who are exclusive to the Kung Fu Panda video game. It consists of well-armored crocodiles who work for the Queen Crocodile and the Crocodile Sergeant. They were recruited by Tai Lung to serve him after he had escaped from Chor-Gom Prison. Po and Master Crane fight them when they attack the Tortoise Village in the Lake of Tears where the Imperial Golden Croc Gang ends up tormenting the Tortoises and stealing their eggs.
Queen Crocodile
Queen Crocodile Kung Fu Panda: The Video Game character Voiced by Susan Blakeslee Information Species Crocodile The Queen Crocodile is the leader of the Imperial Golden Croc Gang. When Po and Master Crane accidentally awaken her when saving the last Tortoise egg, she sends the Crocodile Sergeant after them.
Crocodile Sergeant
Crocodile Sergeant Kung Fu Panda: The Video Game character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Crocodile The Crocodile Sergeant is a member of the Imperial Golden Croc Gang and servant of the Queen Crocodile. He leads the soldiers of the Imperial Golden Croc Gang into stealing eggs from the Tortoises. When Po is spotted by the Crocodile Sergeant, he sends his soldiers to attack Po. When Po and Master Crane accidentally awakened the Queen Crocodile when saving the last Tortoise egg, she sends the Crocodile Sergeant after them. Po and Master Crane managed to evade the Crocodile Sergeant who ends up falling off the large waterfall.
Great Gorilla
Great Gorilla Kung Fu Panda: The Video Game character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Gorilla The Great Gorilla is a villain who is exclusive to the Kung Fu Panda video game. He and his gorilla minions are hired by Tai Lung to destroy Po. When Po is fighting the Gorillas, Great Gorilla threw boulders at Po. When preventing the Gorillas from destroying a temple, Master Shifu ends up having to protect the relics as well. Great Gorilla is ultimately defeated by Po. Of course the remnants of Great Gorilla's minions were later seen as members of the Lang Shadow Army.
Lang Shadow Army
The Lang Shadow Army is an army that is led by Tai Lung in the Kung Fu Panda video game. It consists of Ninja Wolves and were later joined the remnants of the Great Gorilla's gang and two Ox Bandits. The Lang Shadow Army went into hiding after Tai Lung was imprisoned, but came out of hiding with Tai Lung escaped from Chor-Gom Prison.
Wu Sisters
The Wu Sisters are a trio of Clouded Leopards who are exclusive to the Kung Fu Panda video game. Po ends up stumbling onto their base camp when fleeing with the Dragon Scroll. When he asks them for directions, they mistake him as an enemy spy and attack him. Po managed to defeat them and claim a map that led him back to the Jade Palace.
In Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors, the Wu Sisters return amongst the villains that Tai Lung assembles. and attack the good guys while Tai Lung was targeting Master Crane. They end up defeated again.
The Wu Sisters also appear in the online virtual game Kung Fu Panda World as statues. If clicked upon, the statue will bring up a mini-game called "Legend of the Wu Sisters", where the player must climb up treacherous buildings in order to collect enough keys to release and save one of the captured Wu sisters from Tai Lung
Rat Boss
Rat Boss Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Rat The Rat Boss is a villain who is exclusive to the video game Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors. He is among the villains who are assembled by Tai Lung and is the leader of the Black Moon Scavenger Clan. He and the Black Moon Scavenger Clan attacked the Jade Palace's arena only to be defeated by the player's character.
Great General Ox
Great General Ox Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Ox Great General Ox is a villain who is exclusive to the video game Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors. He is among the villains who are assembled by Tai Lung and is the leader of the Hoof Clan. Great General Ox has the ability to absorb heat and flames and shoot them out. He and the Hoof Clan abducted some villagers and held them captive in the Wu Dang Mountains only to end up defeated by the player's character.
Baboon Boss
Baboon Boss Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Baboon The Baboon Boss is a villain who is exclusive to the video game Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors. He is among the villains who are assembled by Tai Lung and is the leader of a group of Baboons. Baboon Boss and his servants had captured Master Mantis and had taken him to the Old Temple Grounds. He is defeated by the player's character.
Gorilla Boss
Gorilla Boss Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Gorilla The Gorilla Boss is a villain who is exclusive to the video game Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors. He is among the villains who are assembled by Tai Lung and is the leader of a group of Gorillas. Gorilla Boss and his servants had captured Master Viper and had held her captive in the ruins of Chor-Gom Prison. He is defeated by the player's character.
Zhou Dan
Zhou Dan Kung Fu Panda 2: The Video Game character Voiced by Unknown Information Species Komodo dragon Zhou Dan is a villain who is exclusive to the Kung Fu Panda 2 video game. He is the leader of a group of Komodo Dragons.
Following the defeat of Lord Shen, Zhou Dan and the Komodo Dragons resurface and plot to take over Gongman City upon taking advantage of the chaos caused by the remnants of Lord Shen's Wolf Army and Gorilla Army. He is defeated by Po in the Under-City and the remaining Komodo Dragons run away in fear.
References
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Shifu". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site—Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Production - Five Fighting Warriors". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Master Tigress". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Master Monkey". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Master Mantis". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Master Viper". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Master Crane". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Tai Lung". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ Stevenson, John and Mark Osborne (directors) (2008). Kung Fu Panda (DVD). Event occurs at 3.55. "...Po's father is a goose. And he is a goose, he's not a duck..."
- ^ a b c Aibel, Jonathan & Berger, Glenn. Kung Fu Panda script, final draft. 3 June 2008.
- ^ "Kung Fu Panda Official Site - Chor Ghom Prison". http://www.kungfupanda.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
Kung Fu Panda CharactersFilms Kung Fu Panda (2008) · Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)Shorts Secrets of the Furious Five · Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the MastersTelevision Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (episodes) · Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special (2010)Games Soundtracks Kung Fu Panda · Kung Fu Panda 2Categories:- Animated characters
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