The Kung Fu Panda trilogy is one of DreamWorks’ most beloved animated movie series to date. The franchise sees the jovial yet slovenly panda Po unexpectedly become the Dragon Warrior by fate, and start to face trials and tribulations from vengeful spirits to trying to win over his gruff master Shifu during his rigorous training.
Over the three movies, there have been some excellent characters, from heroes appearing in all three movies to one-off villains and supporting characters. With such a range of characters across the trilogy, there is guaranteed to be at least one character to fit each sign of the Western Zodiac.
Aries – Tai Lung
Snow leopard Tai Lung is the first villain of the Kung Fu Panda trilogy. Locked away for twenty years, Tai Lung single-handedly escapes a high-security prison in order to take his place as the Dragon Warrior, a position he believes is rightfully his.
People born under the Aries sign are meant to be driven by emotion, and Tai Lung was mainly driven by his emotions to escape. These emotions were pride and anger at Shifu, whom he considered a father, for turning him away. Furthermore, a quality among Aries is independence, and Tai Lung demonstrates this by escaping the prison and taking down the Furious Five and Shifu without any help.
Taurus – Shifu
Voiced by Dustin Hoffman, Master Shifu is the stern trainer of the Furious Five. Initially, Shifu was extremely unhappy at the idea of the lazy Po being selected as the Dragon Warrior but he soon grew to like the panda and managed to train him successfully using more unconventional methods.
What makes Shifu a good representative of Taurus is his strength, both physical and mental, perseverance, and his practical, down-to-earth nature. However, Taureans can be headstrong when set in their ways, and Shifu initially is extremely stubborn when Po comes in for training.
Gemini – Viper
One member of the Furious Five is the elegant and calm Viper. Although she doesn’t talk as much as her fellow warriors, her unique style of fighting, and her kindness towards Po have made her one of the best snakes in movie history.
Being a snake, Viper is naturally fluid and flexible when fighting, as well as responsive, all traits that are associated with Gemini. But this isn’t just what makes Viper a Gemini. Those born under the Twins sign are kind and clever by nature, both characteristics that Viper has frequently demonstrated.
Cancer – Mr. Ping
The goose Mr. Ping is Po’s loving adoptive father who happily runs the local noodle shop, and is always on hand to make sure Po is well-fed. Providing a number of moments of humor and heart throughout the three movies, it is easy to see why Mr. Ping is one of John James Hong’s best movie roles on IMDb.
Passionate about food and having raised Po from infancy, Mr. Ping is naturally nurturing and protective towards his adoptive son, which makes him a good fit for the Cancer sign. Additionally, Cancers can be defensive, something Mr. Ping demonstrates often when Po’s real father shows up.
Leo – Kai
The villain of Kung Fu Panda 3 is the spirit of legendary warrior Kai (or at least he thinks he’s legendary yet no one except Po knows who he is.) Formally Oogway’s brother in arms, Kai returns from the spirit realm to claim the chi of all the greatest kung fu warriors, dead or alive.
As perhaps the most dramatic and fiery villain in terms of both personality and his actions, Kai makes a good fit for the Leo sign. What’s more, Leos are known for their self-assurance and leadership skills. Kai is self-assured by nature, and because he was a former great warrior, is naturally authoritative.
Virgo – Crane
Another member of the Furious Five is the level-headed Crane. Naturally being a bird, Crane’s ability to fly proves to be extremely useful in battle, scouting, and leading others to safety.
By nature, Virgos are often intelligent and practical, and Crane is perhaps the most practical and clever of the Furious Five. In addition, by being a member of the Furious Five, Crane is naturally loyal to his peers and conscientious, as well as being fairly reserved in personality. These qualities are also all associated with those born under Virgo.
Libra – Oogway
A kung fu master legend, the wise Master Oogway is the one who selected Po to be the Dragon Warrior, having sensed the future of kung fu in the young panda. He is extremely patient and good at heart, even when faced with anger from others or peril.
Libras are diplomatic and well-liked by many, and as the wisest of all of the characters across the trilogy, as well as one of the most likable, Oogway is very apt for representing Libra. Despite his intuition, he is fair-minded towards everyone, be they friend or foe, and uses his judgment before acting and guiding others.
Scorpio – Lord Shen
The exiled peacock prince Lord Shen is the villain of Kung Fu Panda 2 and is ultimately responsible for the death of a number of pandas, including Po’s mother. Unlike Tai Lung and Kai, Lord Shen is cool and calculating yet remains a fearsome leader. It’s little wonder he’s one of DreamWork’s best villains.
Lord Shen demonstrates his intelligence and resourcefulness throughout the movie when he begins to dabble into gunpowder outside of fireworks and sends his armies to steal scrap metal from villages in order to build cannons. It’s because of these characteristics that Shen is befitting of a Scorpio.
Sagittarius – Mantis
Mantis may be the smallest of the Furious Five but he certainly doesn’t let that stop him. In fact, his size often works to his advantage and he still demonstrates incredible feats of strength throughout the trilogy. Mantis easily beating up Po in training still has viewers laughing out loud.
Sagittarians are known for being funny and extroverted, and perhaps due to being voiced by Seth Rogen, Mantis is the most outgoing of the Furious Five, as well as one of the funniest. What’s more, Mantis is adventurous and often honest with his opinions, two more traits of those born under Sagittarius.
Capricorn – Tigress
The most prominent member of the Furious Five is Tigress, voiced by Angelina Jolie in one of her best roles. Of all of the Five, Tigress is the most serious and was the one that took it the hardest when Po was selected to be the Dragon Warrior. However, she has softened over time and become one of Po’s best friends.
Tigress is the most disciplined and focused of the Five, which makes her a great fit for Capricorn. Even when Po cooked a meal for them, Tigress refused and stuck with her strict diet. Also, Capricorns can be wise, and because of her experience, Tigress has also shown to be rather wise and has been on hand to give Po advice.
Aquarius – Monkey
The last kung fu master of the Furious Five is Monkey. Voiced by martial arts acting legend Jackie Chan, Monkey is the most laidback member of the group but that hasn’t stopped him from being a strong and powerful kung fu warrior.
Monkey is not only laidback but he is cool and very friendly, which ties him in with the Aquarius sign. Also, as a kung fu warrior and as an individual, Monkey appears to be very independent by nature, which is another quality associated with Aquarius.
Pisces – Po
The eponymous protagonist of the trilogy is Po, a well-meaning but out-of-shape panda who loves to eat and is a big fan of kung fu, and its history. His life is suddenly turned upside down when he is selected to be the Dragon Warrior.
Pisces are dreamers, and so is Po, who frequently dreamed of being a kung fu legend, and still seems to do so even after becoming one. Furthermore, those born under Pisces are also compassionate and affectionate, both qualities Po has demonstrated towards others, especially those he cares about.
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