Po (Kung Fu Panda)

Lore & Background

Po made his debut in Kung Fu Panda (2008) as a rotund giant panda whose dream is to become a martial artist. He must regularly help his father serve noodles in his restaurant. His enthusiasm for kung fu clashes with his personal laziness and slovenliness. He is chosen as the Dragon Warrior by Master Oogway, despite protests from Po and the other masters. During training, Master Shifu and the Furious Five show disdain for Po, but he endures the abuse without complaint. Shifu uses Po's love of food in a custom training regimen, demonstrating Po's skill. Po learns from his adoptive father Mr. Ping that the secret ingredient of his soup is nothing—people only had to believe it was special. Po realizes the Dragon Scroll's true power is that with dedication, someone can make the best version of themselves. He defeats the snow leopard Tai Lung using an improvised combat style.

In subsequent films, Po discovers Mr. Ping is not his birth father, and he learns to find inner peace to defeat Lord Shen. In Kung Fu Panda 3, Po is promoted to teacher, meets his biological father Li, and learns the power of chi to defeat General Kai. In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po is set to become Spiritual Leader and must find his successor, eventually appointing the fox bandit Zhen. Po is voiced by Jack Black in the feature films and by Mick Wingert in television shows and video games.

Reader's Guide

Po is the central character of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, appearing in four feature films, several short films, television series, and video games. His journey from a noodle-serving panda with a dream to a kung fu master and Dragon Warrior embodies themes of self-belief and perseverance. Critics have responded positively to the character and praised Jack Black's vocal performance. Black was drawn to the part by DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who told him to be himself. Black was very physical while voicing the character, often performing kung fu moves and using extreme facial movements. Po's character demonstrates that worthiness comes from dedication rather than innate ability. His legacy includes teaching others about chi and becoming the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. The character has appeared in multiple media, maintaining his role as the franchise's protagonist and symbol of unlikely heroism.

Did You Know?

• Po is voiced by American actor Jack Black in the feature films and by Mick Wingert in related television shows and video games.
• Before voicing Po, Jack Black had previously voiced Zeke in Ice Age (2002) and Lenny in Shark Tale (2004).
• Po's adoptive father Mr. Ping is a Chinese goose, not a panda.
• Po defeats Tai Lung using an improvised combat style, using his body fat as a shield.