Kung Fu Panda: 20 Strongest Characters, Ranked

Highlights

• 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 April 1, 2024, by Jake Fillery: Throughout movies and TV, Po has shown the world that he is the Dragon Warrior, and Kung Fu Panda often adventures against or with some incredibly powerful characters, exhibiting strength through cunning or kung-fu mastery in many different forms. At the height of his power, Kung Fu Panda 4 sees the Dragon Warrior on a quest to find a successor, and in that journey, he may just find a few more strong allies and foes to add to his chronicle, bringing forth yet another story in his legend of awesomeness.

This article contains spoilers for Kung Fu Panda 4

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 of 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 to 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 as 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.

4 The Chameleon

Noted For: Shapeshifting & Stealing Chi To Mimic Abilities

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda 4

Ridiculed in her youth for her size, the Chameleon’s aspirations to be a kung fu master were thwarted, and she allowed her hate to manifest until she sought power above all else, vowing to become the greatest of them all. To do that, Chameleon would not only build an army, but she would steal the chi of other powerful masters and channel that energy to mimic their abilities and absorb what made them amazing.

This powerful shapeshifting sorceress managed to steal chi from some truly powerful characters, like Tai Lung, and as a crime boss, she was able to take over Juniper City. With a tragic past that forged a true villain, if Chameleon was to absorb the kung fu of every master, the world would be doomed under her grip.

3 Zhen

Noted For: Being A Master Thief & The Next Dragon Warrior

• Featured In: Kung Fu Panda 4

Po found his successor in Zhen, a former thief, and a character with grand ambition and a big heart. Po had a positive effect on Zhen, who began her journey as a criminal, and someone who saw nothing but blind loyalty for The Chameleon. With a change of heart, and her abilities in combat trained from Chameleon herself, Zhen was able to prove herself as a capable warrior in both her actions and her heart.

Despite being crafty and quick-witted, Zhen is still a student. Her manipulation of Chi and swiftness in combat makes her a fierce combatant, but one that needs the training of the Dragon Warrior to truly battle it out among the strongest Kung Fu Panda characters.

2 Master Oogway

Noted For: Being Self-Taught In Kung Fu

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

As an elderly tortoise, Oogway has seen a lot of challenges before his death in old age. Master Oogway was the founder of the Valley of Peace and the senior master of the Jade Palace. Without Oogway, there would be no Dragon Warrior legend. A veteran of wisdom, knowledge, and experience, Oogway deserved the utmost respect of all warriors.

Oogway spent his life dedicated to the art and teachings of kung fu as a force for good. He passed his teachings to many, before ascending to the Spirit Realm. Oogway’s death is highly emotional, and his presence is missed by the characters. If only he could be cloned.

1 Po Ping

Noted For: Being The Dragon Warrior

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

As the inventor of his kung fu style, Po created the Panda Style and has used it to great acclaim. Po was prophesied by Oogway as the Dragon Warrior, and despite failing many times, he has always come out stronger, and better for it. Po proved to everyone, even himself, that he is a great hero and the strongest Kung Fu Panda character.

Po is fun and lovable, but above all else, he is courageous and mature. It’s one of the many reasons why he is the strongest character in Kung Fu Panda. His character development across the Kung Fu Panda franchise is what makes him the strongest. He is always eager to learn the newest skill, to remain the very best, and Kung Fu Panda’s strongest character.