Kung Fu Panda: Strongest Characters

Summary

• Kung Fu Panda features a diverse cast of characters with intense martial arts and mystical abilities.
• The franchise has expanded to include films, TV, and a new Netflix animated show, with the return of Jack Black as Po the Panda.
• The strongest characters in the Kung Fu Panda universe possess unique skills and weapons, such as Master Croc’s impenetrable hide and Master Thundering Rhino’s Cloud Hammer.

In a world filled with animals and kung fu, anything is possible. Kung Fu Panda features a great cast of characters, all in their own right, intensely powerful in martial arts and other mystical abilities. The franchise has existed on film, TV, and now a Netflix animated show, with the return of Jack Black’s Po the Panda.

Throughout the lifespan of the franchise, there have been some powerful characters that have battled against the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior, all of which equate to great power. Kung Fu Panda features some strong characters, but only some can be regarded as the strongest.

Updated on January 6, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: The Kung Fu Panda universe is all about martial arts mastery, diverse personalities, and incredible strength. From the legendary Dragon Warrior, Po to the ancient masters of the Valley of Peace, the series has a cast of characters, either antagonists or protagonists, whose strength and skill will leave viewers in awe.

Each character has a unique blend of physical strength, mental discipline, and spiritual balance, which is the true meaning of kung fu. Whether it is raw power, strategic genius, or an unbreakable will to protect others, these Kung Fu Panda characters are the strongest in their world.

This article contains spoilers for Kung Fu Panda 4

24

Kwan The Unkillable

Noted For: Being Revered By Po

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda: Legend of Awesomeness

Kwan is an expert in kung fu and wrestling but an encounter with Po turned him into a laughing stock and he vowed to restore his reputation by going after him. Po clumsily throws a dumpling at Kwan during a fight and this causes him to lose focus and suffer humiliation from his opponent.

What makes Kwan strong is not only his expertise but also his willingness to engage in a fight. Known as Kwan the unkillable, this snow sheep ram never backs down from a fight, he will use all his strength and skills to defeat his opponent.

23

Lun

Noted For: His Kung Fu Musical Prowess

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda: Legend of Awesomeness

Master Lun is unique in his own way. This pug old man possesses the unique power of manipulating chi energy with sounds, using it to perform musical kung fu. His main weapon/musical instrument is his pipes.

What makes Master Lun strong is his unique ability to perform musical kung fu and his collaborative spirit. Master Lun teamed up with Master Shifu to rescue Po from the musical demons. Together, they used their musical instruments, pipes, and flute respectively, to fight the demons and although they were defeated, they put up a good fight.

22

Junjie

Noted For: Being Shifu’s Rival

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda: Legend of Awesomeness

In as much as Junjie is a villain, he has incredible strength and knowledge of kung fu having trained under Master Oogway alongside Shifu. However, Junjie derailed because Oogway chose Shifu over him as palace master of the Jade Palace and repeatedly tried to take control away from Shifu.

Despite his antagonistic ways, Junjie is quite strong having learned from one of the strongest in the Kung Fu Panda world, Master Oogway. Junjie deeply understands the act of kung fu and he carries out the skill with great accuracy.

21

Temutai

Noted For: His Blows That Can Send His Opponent Flying

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda: Legend of Awesomeness

Temutai is so strong that hearing stories about his unmatched strength in battles sounds like a myth, at least according to Mantis. No surprise that Temutai is proud, has no fear, and can challenge anyone to a fight.

This water buffalo character has not only mastered kung fu skills but he fights like a warrior, using his size and horns to his advantage. With blows powerful enough to send opponents flying and cut them into half, Temutai also has a strong defense as he uses his thick skin to shield himself from blows or harmful impact.

20

Han

Noted For: Leading The Den Of Thieves

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda 4

A new character to the franchise, Han is noted for being the leader of the Den of Thieves, a swift group in Juniper City that is not afraid to swipe away at valuables. They aren’t just cunning thieves, and their work is often for the greater good of their small clan, as Han in particular teaches the art of stealing for survival, like food and money. He’s a noble teacher, if not a tad crafty.

Han isn’t exactly a legendary master of kung fu, but he certainly gets the job done. His animal design certainly aids him in a fight, with the ability to ricochet opponents from his scales, but by no means does that allow him to stand against some truly villainous characters with evil intent.

19

Fenghuang

Noted For: The Best & Most Evil Of The Former Furious Five

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness

Recognized by Master Oogway as a talented fighter, Fenghuang’s natural talents were refined into pure skill, growing her strength and her power until she became the best of the Furious Five. Sadly, Fenghuang’s ambitions would grow to a darker path, and this former member used her swift and graceful fighting style for evil, demanding to challenge her allies and the Jade Temple itself in confidence born from villainy.

As a recurring character, Fenghuang has been thwarted time and again, but her power should not be understated, for she is always able to come back, always able to show off some impressive new moves that even the Dragon Warrior is unaware of. The fact that she can cleanly cut through rocks with her feather blades makes her a sharp opponent. Whilst her resilience should be admired, she is defeated far too often to be considered the strongest.

18

Master Croc

Noted For: Impenetrable Hide

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda 2

What was once the leader of the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits, is now a proud member of the Kung Fu Council. Master Croc is noted not just for his voice performance from Jean-Claude Van Damme, but for having a literal mace attached to his tail, providing him with a weapon atop his kung fu mastery.

Croc isn’t weak in the slightest, but he has been humbled on a few occasions, which actually benefits his personality and his abilities with kung fu. Croc is a great warrior, and he will continue the good fight, against anyone who threatens the innocent.

17

Master Storming Ox

Noted For: Being A Master Strategist

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda 2

A master of kung fu, and a pupil of the deceased Thundering Rhino, Ox cemented himself as a great student of the art of combat, and as a prominent member of the Kung Fu Council. As an enthusiastic student of Thundering Rhino, Ox often skipped chores to watch his future master spar. Ox has proved his strength a few times, including when he managed to break the bar of his own cell, keeping him imprisoned after Shen’s conquer of Gongmen City.

Ox has also proved himself in combat against armies of gorillas and wolves, and his art of strength is mainly within his strategy, deducing weaknesses to take out his foes. Master Storming Ox has used his lessons from Master Thundering Rhino well, and perhaps one day, he will prove himself superior to his fallen master.

16

Master Thundering Rhino

Noted For: Wielding The Cloud Hammer

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda 2

Another member of the Kung Fu Council, Master Thundering Rhino used to be the leader before he was killed. Rhino was in charge of protecting Gogmen City but was defeated in Kung Fu Panda 2, despite his skills with kung fu, and his abilities to defeat others in combat, like Master Croc. Thunder Rhino was beloved for his wisdom and his humor, and he is remembered well after his death.

Thundering Rhino was a revered combatant due to his use of the legendary Cloud Hammer, making him an unstoppable force when his rage leads him into battle. At the end of the day, it was not Shen who killed Rhino in combat, but a powerful canon that instantly killed him, proving that he was killed far too soon.

15

Crane

Noted For: Fighting With Flight

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

A member of the Furious Five, Crane has mastered his own fighting style and often acts as the pragmatist of the group. Crane tries to defuse situations and avoid conflict, when possible, but that does not take away from his talents as a strong fighter.

It is Crane’s compassion for his friends that makes him strong, and his willingness to fight when necessary. One of Crane’s best strengths is his ability to fly, which has saved him and his friends multiple times.

14

Viper

Noted For: Flexible Fighting Style

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

Viper proves her strength by being one of the leading members of the Furious Five. She is the daughter of Great Master Viper and a student of Master Shifu. What makes her so strong is her practice and mastery of the Viper Style of kung fu.

As a talented ribbon dancer, Viper showed an apparent skill in the art form, which allowed her to seamlessly enter kung fu. Her parents were the most impressed, considering Viper was born without fangs, but defied all odds and became one of the best.

13

Mantis

Noted For: Calculating & Precise Strikes

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

As the master of the Mantis Style of kung fu, Mantis proves that size isn’t everything. A member of the Furious Five and a student of Master Shifu, Mantis honed his skills to become the best. Those who come against Mantis’ claw will truly fear the bug.

What makes Mantis so powerful is how he was one of the first to relate to Po. He understood that one should not judge a book by its cover. Mantis exhibits great patience, physical strength, and a kung fu art style.

12

Monkey

Noted For: Playful & Unpredictable Fighting

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

There is no greater master of the Monkey Style than that of Monkey himself. As the third member of the Furious Five, Monkey was trained by both Master Shifu and Master Oogway. He was a troubled youth, who stole from the locals. That was until Oogway bested him, and Monkey decided to forge a new path.

Monkey appreciates the determination of those who try and has a great sense of humor. Monkey is a great warrior, and with a voice from Jackie Chan, it’s no surprise that fact. Despite being a powerful kung fu master, his weakness is his tail and his almond cookies.

11

Tigress

Noted For: Being The Best Of The Furious Five

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

Tigress believed that she should be the Dragon Warrior for a long time, and resented the choosing of Po the Panda. It wasn’t until she saw him in action, that her compassion for him grew, and now she proudly fights alongside him as a friend. Tigress is a strong combatant in the art of kung fu and easily puts those against her in their place.

She is the master of the Tiger Style and another student of Master Shifu. Tigress received help from Shifu in controlling her great temper and strength, something which she managed to expertly hone to be one of the master kung fu masters.

10

Master Yao

Noted For: Using Kung Fu With His Mind

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness

Master Yao is one of the rare kung fu masters that Master Shifu admires. This character was first seen in the Nickelodeon TV series, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. Yao’s expertise in kung fu is limitless, as he has an outstanding intellect and an understanding of many kung fu forms.

What makes Master Yao so powerful, is his usage of kung fu through the mind. This feat of telekinesis is something that many seem incapable of doing. If someone sees Yao’s eyes glow green, the best thing to do is run the other way, considering the master is about to use his mind for kung fu.

9

Wandering Blade

Noted For: Being A No-Nonsense Knight

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight

One of the newest characters in the Kung Fu Panda franchise is Wandering Blade, also known as Luthera. Wandering Blade was featured in Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight and assisted Po on his adventure across the globe. She makes great use of her stamina, strength, and combat abilities.

As a character who takes her duties very seriously, it’s no surprise that the Wandering Blade is a great fighter with her own mission to accomplish, and will prioritize that mission over other lives. Her use of a sword makes her a more effective fighter too.

8

Lord Shen

Noted For: Using Advanced Cannons

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 4

The greatest weapon of Lord Shen is his mind, and that’s what makes him a very strong character in Kung Fu Panda. Lord Shen is not only one of the best villains of the franchise for his cruelty and intellect, but the power he harbors in his army and his use of gunpowder makes him a dangerous threat.

Lord Shen is strong on his own, but when he has his army of cannons and gunpowder weaponry, he is nigh on unstoppable. Lord Shen’s festering for his past wounds is his weakness, and also the driving force of his strength.

7

Master Shifu

Noted For: Training The Furious Five

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

Master Shifu has trained a lot of powerful warriors. One of his greatest failures, Tai Lung, learned how to be a true threat to the world of kung fu, thanks to Shifu’s teaching. However, Shifu redeemed himself for such a pupil and went on to train the Furious Five, and the Dragon Warrior himself, Po.

Shifu was a student of Master Oogway. Shifu was a highly skilled master, who at first, was stubborn and outraged about the true Dragon Warrior. Yet, he pushed past his pride and trained Po to be the best of all of them. Shifu can hold his own, despite his small size.

6

Tai Lung

Noted For: Being The Dragon Warrior’s Adversary

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 4

As a powerful master of the Leopard Style of kung fu, Tai Lung was a force to be reckoned with. With his training from Master Shifu, Tai Lung became a strong warrior, but for Oogway, not strong enough to be the Dragon Warrior. This resulted in Tai Lung lashing out violently, and being imprisoned in a terrifying location until he managed to free himself from a feather.

Tai Lung showed great skill, strength, and determination, and if he could not be granted the Dragon Warrior title, then he would take it. Despite his power, he is thankfully not as awful as The Homelander. The Furious Five were no match for Tai Lung, and even Shifu struggled against his former pupil.

5

General Kai

Noted For: Stealing Chi Of Other Warriors

• Featured in: Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 4

As a general in an army, Kai is no joke. This great warrior fought alongside his brother-in-arms, Master Oogway until Kai learned how to steal chi from others. After a great battle, Kai was banished to the spirit realm by Oogway, for five hundred years. Despite this, he was able to return as a Spirit Warrior with the determination to steal chi from every kung fu master.

Kai almost succeeded in his goal and became one of the strongest warriors that anyone had ever seen. His jade swords, attached by long chains, were dangerously powerful. Kai was a master at utilizing his weapons to the greatest effect.