DreamWorks Animation

Freshly plucked from his duties as apprentice noodle maker at his dad’s shop, Po is now the legendary Dragon Warrior. But despite all the adulation, Po is the same humble panda. Ever the fan boy, he is just as likely to stare slack-jawed at his fellow Furious Five’s Kung Fu moves, as he is to dish out some himself. Though he is living out his dreams fighting alongside the stars of the Kung Fu world, Po’s journey is not complete. The role of Dragon Warrior comes with new challenges and responsibilities Po must face on his way to becoming the best Kung Fu warrior he can be.

Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy and study kung fu alongside his idols the Furious Five, Po begins training under Master Shifu. But it is soon apparent that the traditional styles of kung fu aren’t a good fit for a six-foot-two-inch, 260-pound panda. Shifu discovers that for Po to become the Dragon Warrior, he must embrace Po’s inherent panda nature and exploit his physical attributes…including his generous belly and rear end. In the end, Po creates his own style that uses his perceived weaknesses as his strengths.

Tigress is the strongest and boldest of the Kung Fu masters. Basically, she’s everything you’d want in a hero: over-achieving, brave, fearless and, well, heroic…she’d do anything to save the day. She is unwaveringly loyal to Po and what he represents as the Dragon Warrior. But underneath her stoic, iron-jawed exterior is a warm compassion that others seldom see.

The traditional Tiger style is powerful, strong, firm, and aggressive. Tigeress strikes directly without hesitation, utilizing speed, agility, and power to shatter opponents’ defenses. Like a traditional tiger fighter, Tigress stays close to the ground; she is agile, acrobatic, elegant, fighting honorably and never using her claws.

Crane is the pragmatist of the group. Reluctant to resort to violence, he’s a think first, punch second kind of bird. Sometimes a well placed quip is the strongest technique. He’ll try to avoid a fight, if at all possible… but if he can’t avoid it, he’ll do everything he can to win it. The safety of his fellow Kung Fu-ers is his first priority. He’s willing to risk his life to protect them.

The traditional Crane style is natural, graceful, effortless, fluid, and balanced. In traditional crane style, the fighter poses his striking hand similar to the long pointed beak of the bird. Crane does not use his beak, but instead, he utilizes his wings for big, circular sweeping movements designed to exploit his wingspan; by enlarging the strike zone, he diffuses his opponents’ energy—using four ounces of energy to deflect one thousand tons of pressure.

Mantis may be the smallest of the five, but he’d never admit it. The little guy has a textbook Napoleon complex: strong, fast and tiny, he possesses a mean temper and is ready to ‘throw down’ at the slightest insult. Nothing can strike fear into his brave little heart…except a female mantis. (Check with an entomologist—you’ll understand why.)

The traditional Mantis style is quick, calculating, responsive, and precise. Mantis’ small size and incredible speed make him nearly invisible to opponents, an advantage that he uses to great effect. In addition, Mantis also possesses enormous strength, far more than his tiny size would imply. His powerful, high leaping rear legs and raptorial forelegs (or as Po calls them, his “thingies”) are used as defensive weapons.

Viper is the ‘mother hen’ of the group. It takes a cool head and a warm heart to manage the sometimes conflicting personalities of the Furious Five. But don’t let her gentle nature fool you. Viper is a lightning fast warrior capable of taking down the most intimidating foe. Her power lies in her strength, her sinuous nature, her precision…oh, and then there’s that deadly strike of hers.

The traditional Snake style is flexible, fluid, moldable, elastic and explosive. Viper’s ability to contort into any shape makes her nearly impossible to hit. She uses her lightning-fast reflexes to avoid blows before she counterstrikes—then, by wrapping her body around opponents’ limbs, uses the opponents’ energy to counter strike with deadly efficiency.

Mischievous, playful and enthusiastic, Master Monkey likes a good joke, but his easy-going attitude masks a cunning martial arts ability. More street smart than the rest of The Five, Master Monkey knows his way around the sometimes less than honorable world outside the Valley of Peace.

The traditional Monkey style is acrobatic, playful, comical, unpredictable, quick, and energetic. Monkey is the only one of the Five to fight with an apparatus, mainly a staff—a well-known weapon of the Shaolin temple monks. Monkey confuses his enemy striking at will from any position with speed, deception, agility, and emotion, with blows from his hands, feet and tail that seem to come from everywhere all at once.

Lord Shen is hyper intelligent, supremely lethal, and burns with ambition. It’s a combustible combination. His past has forged in him the notion that he’s been wronged and that the world owes him something. He intends to do everything in his power to take it, which includes inventing a weapon unlike anything the world has ever seen. He’s intent on wiping out kung fu and taking over China. That puts him on a collision course with Po and The Five.

Though Shen is an accomplished martial artist, he relies more on weapons and cunning. He excels in sword combat and hides an armory of blades in his robes, which he can unleash with lighting speed. In battle, his beautiful tail becomes another limb, which he can shape and use to attack or defend. His fighting style is both graceful and lethal.

Even though he has been elevated to Oogway’s position as spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, Shifu is a few steps shy of enlightenment. Though he tries his best, he strains under the pressure and responsibilities of stepping into such big shoes. Some times…all right most times, Po’s antics can still send his old master searching for calm in a cup of hot tea and a meditative chant of “Inner peace… Inner peace…”

Master Shifu is trainer to all the great kung fu warriors in the land, including the Furious Five. Though small, Shifu is a powerhouse, exerting maximum force with minimal effort, exemplified by his signature move, the Wuxi Finger Hold, which overpowers an opponent with the touch of a finger. Shifu’s elusiveness borders on the mystical. He’s capable of appearing where he’s least expected within the blink of an eye.

Master Thundering Rhino, wielder of the legendary Cloud Hammer, is the benevolent leader of the Kung Fu Council, which protects the vast metropolis of Gongmen City. Thundering Rhino is descended from a long line of masters. He trained under his father, Master Flying Rhino, and became legendary in his own right by slaying the Ten Thousand Serpents in the Valley of Woe. As head of the Kung Fu Council, he is revered for his wisdom, kind humor, and good deeds.

Master Thundering Rhino is the most revered amongst all of the masters on the Kung Fu Council. Using the unbeatable attack of the legendary Cloud Hammer, Master Thundering Rhino is able to take on huge numbers of attackers and emerge victorious. Master Rhino also has Unstoppable Force. When he starts running- nothing can stop him. When not engaged in battle or leading the Kung Fu Council, Master Thundering Rhino can be humorous and a great resource of wisdom.

Master Storming Ox is Master Thundering Rhino’s greatest pupil. As a youngster he skipped his chores, sneaking through Gongmen City into the palace to watch Master Rhino spar. Master Rhino rewarded the young Ox’s enthusiasm by training him in kung fu. Master Ox went on to prove his skill and bravery by taking on the seventy-two bandits of the Wing Cho province with naught but his bare horns. Often hotheaded, favoring action over contemplation, Ox is a constant challenge for his old Master. But he is also a loyal friend and trusted member of the Kung Fu Council, which protects the citizens of peaceful Gongmen City.

Ox is a Master strategist. Able to deduce his opponent’s weak spot to take him down. The horns of Master Storming Ox are his most deadly weapons, and he wields them with skill and bravery, able to handle dozens of attackers at once. Often quick to action, Master Ox balances his impulsiveness with loyalty to his teacher Master Thundering Rhino. Together they sit on the Kung Fu Council, using their deadly kung fu to protect the weak.

Master Croc was once the head of the infamous Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits of Crocodile Island – a gang of criminals unmatched in their mischief. Anyone foolish enough to stand in Croc’s way was dispatched with his Legendary Lashing Tail of Terror technique - until the day Croc crossed paths with Master Thundering Rhino, whose kung fu was proven superior in their epic battle on the shores of the Wa Su Li River. Beaten, Master Croc prepared himself for death, but the fatal blow never came. Master Rhino asked Croc to use his kung fu excellence for good. Croc was so moved by Master Rhino’s compassion that he quit his criminal ways then and there. He roamed China, righting wrongs and protecting the weak - and eventually came to sit at Rhino’s side as a member of the Kung Fu Council. Croc, as strong as an ox and as wily as a fox, is famous for his many victories, not the least of which was his silencing of the Badger Bandits who talked about his Mom.

The legend of Master Croc was established with his devastating use of the Lashing Tail of Terror Technique, which no opponent was able to withstand. That, in combination with his strong as steel Impenetrable Hide, kept Master Croc unbeaten in battle, until he challenged Master Thundering Rhino and lost. Still renowned for his many victories, Master Croc turned to the path of good, using his kung fu to help the weak. As a member of the Kung Fu Council Master Croc is a revered and respected kung fu master.

Mr. Ping may have lost his best, and only, employee to kung fu greatness, but he couldn’t be more proud of his panda son. In fact, Mr. Ping has decked out the noodle shop in honor of Po’s epic exploits. But like any parent left at home, Dad worries about being forgotten. Therefore he makes sure to always have extra helpings of bean buns ready to feed the Dragon Warrior whenever he stops by.

Mr. Ping doesn’t fight, but he makes a mean noodle soup and has finally realized a life long dream of selling tofu at his shop, newly named “Dragon Warrior Noodles and Tofu.” Mr. Ping loves three things more than anything in the world; Po, noodles, and selling noodles. The fact that his son is now the famous Dragon Warrior allows Mr. Ping to celebrate the three things he loves most. By turning them into a wonderful merchandising opportunity.

The Wolf Boss and his pack were once guards in Gongmen City’s royal palace. The only member of the royal family ever to befriend him was Shen, the albino heir to Gongmen City’s throne. The Wolf Boss swore his allegiance to the young prince. He is Shen’s most loyal servant, military strategist and trusted right paw.

The Wolf Boss makes up for his lack of kung fu skill with brute strength and superior weaponry. He’s both feared and respected by the wolf army under his command. He’s not afraid to lay down some smack if the occasion calls for it, especially if his opponent is weaker and vastly outnumbered.

The Gorillas are the muscle in Lord Shen’s army. If his evil schemes require any heavy lifting, they’ll be the ones doing it. Shen’s personal guard is made up entirely of these powerful (and powerfully large) brutes, who are honor bound to their master.

The Gorillas are familiar with kung fu and skilled with weaponry, but they rarely need either. So ferocious and intimidating, they strike such fear in opponents that a battle is often over before it begins. Impossibly strong and amazingly agile, the Gorillas are equally dexterous with both hands and feet and are extremely tough to take down.

The aged Soothsayer has been advisor to the Peacocks, rulers of Gongmen City, her entire life. She is wise and gifted with knowledge of the future. She speaks in riddles and nonsense, which can be easily (and foolishly) dismissed by those who do not realize her power. She has lived with the burden of a dark prediction she made years ago. Her redemption lies in a warrior of black and white - Po.

Like Mr. Ping, the Soothsayer doesn’t fight. She wins over opponents with love and a good sense of humor. Her extraordinary gift of second sight gives her insight in the true nature of any and all that she encounters.