Po’s New Title & Dragon Warrior Replacement

Warning: This post contains major spoilers for Kung Fu Panda 4

Kung Fu Panda 4 sees the end of Po’s journey as the Dragon Warrior. Jack Black returns to voice the beloved titular panda in the fourth animated outing in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, which has received mostly positive reviews from critics. At the end of Kung Fu Panda 4, Po is locked up by Zhen, who steals his staff of knowledge to give to Chameleon. The shape-shifting villain uses it to open the spirit world, calling on Tai Lung and other Kung Fu masters so she can steal their skills and use them to conquer other cities and regions.

Zhen decides to help Po defeat Chameleon. Zhen recruits the Den of Thieves to aid in battle, and they willingly help. With the Den of Thieves distracting Chameleon’s army, Zhen and Po are able to best her with the staff of knowledge, with Po delivering the final blow after Chameleon transformed and channeled all the Kung Fu masters at once. Once the staff returns the Kung Fu masters’ abilities, they all return to the spirit realm with Chameleon in tow. Po thereafter announced Zhen as his successor, while he finally became the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

The Chameleon’s Defeat & Why The Villains Return To The Spirit Realm

Po Defeats The Chameleon For Good

After stealing all of the Kung Fu masters’ skills, the Chameleon becomes nearly unstoppable. But one thing the villain wasn’t betting on was Zhen turning on her and helping Po fight her. Chameleon was too far gone in her obsession with power, and her ego too big to foresee her defeat. The villain truly believed she would be undefeated, but Chameleon ultimately underestimated Po as the Dragon Warrior, who had trained for a long time in Kung Fu, while the skills were stolen by Chameleon and therefore unearned.

Po was able to return Tai Lung and the other Kung Fu masters’ abilities, but the villains returned to the spirit realm because they knew it was the right thing to do. Just because they were pulled from that world didn’t mean they could return to their former glory. Tai Lung especially realized that the staff of knowledge and the Valley of Peace were in good hands with Po as their protector. It would’ve been easy for the Kung Fu Panda villains to exact revenge on Po, but they all knew the spirit realm is where they now belonged.

Why The Former Villains Bow To Po In The End

It’s A Sign Of Respect

A rather pivotal moment happens in the end as Tai Lung, Lord Shen, Kai, and more bow to Po. The move is a sign of respect on the part of the powerful Kung Fu Panda villains and a major change in their views of Po. The reason why the villains now come to respect Po is mostly tied to defeating The Chameleon. The returned Tai Lung mentions that Oogway may have been right about Po all along, implying that the panda was actually the best choice to be the Dragon Warrior.

Once Tai Lung bows to Po, Lord Shen, Kai, and other former masters from the Spirit Realm follow his lead. This is a small part of the film’s final scenes, but it marks Po’s transformation. He is no longer someone who is doubted as the Dragon Warrior, but he has now even earned the respect of former masters and villains. The elevation of his status in the eyes of experts in kung fu becomes another example that Po is ready to move beyond this current title and take his place as the new Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

Why Po Doesn’t Want To Become Spiritual Leader Of The Valley Of Peace

He Doubts His Abilities

When Shifu told Po that he had to move on to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, Po rejected it — he wanted to remain the Dragon Warrior forever. Po’s hesitation wasn’t just born out of fear of change, which was a part of it, but a lack of confidence in his ability to pass along wisdom. Po had come so far in his journey as Dragon Warrior that he didn’t want to give it up; it was his identity. It was something he knew he was good at, whereas being a spiritual leader was uncharted territory.

It would force him to learn new things he wasn’t entirely comfortable with, at least not at the start of Kung Fu Panda 4. Po was also hesitant to adapt to such a major change. He was comfortable as the Dragon Warrior; giving advice and knowledge to others was not something he’d really anticipated doing. But Po underestimated himself — he was better at being a spiritual leader than he initially believed. Crucially, Po had to learn that change was a good thing, and it allowed him to become an even better version of himself than he could’ve previously imagined.

Zhen Becomes The New Dragon Warrior In Kung Fu Panda

Po Picks Her As His Replacement

After defeating Chameleon, Zhen was prepared to return to jail, but Po saw something greater in her. Po took Zhen to the jade palace, declaring her his successor as the new Dragon Warrior. Shifu told Po that he’d just know who the next Dragon Warrior would be and, after a journey that tested them both, Po was more confident than ever that the fox was worthy of carrying on the mantle. Zhen becoming the Dragon Warrior was the second time the title was given to someone who didn’t particularly fit the stereotype of what a warrior looked or acted like.

It makes sense that Zhen was chosen considering she had to make a big decision regarding Chameleon, who, despite her nefarious plans, took her in and mentored her for years. Zhen deciding what was right in such a difficult scenario showcased her ability to change and evolve when presented with new information. It also revealed the heart of gold Zhen had underneath all her armor, proving she had what it took to take on such an important role.

What Kung Fu Panda 4’s Director Has Said About Zhen’s Future

By becoming the next Dragon Warrior, Zhen’s future in the franchise looks incredibly bright. Kung Fu Panda 4‘s director Mike Mitchell has teased Zhen’s future under Po’s mentorship already. He teased that there is still much that the fox needs to learn, saying, “She’s not even close to being at the level that Po is at.” He suggests that Zhen will need to learn the ropes and improve through training before she becomes the type of Dragon Warrior that Po was. If she is going to achieve that status, though, it will take Po becoming an even greater teacher than he was a fighter.

Where Are The Furious Five In Kung Fu Panda 4?

They Don’t Appear Until The Credits

The Furious Five are noticeably absent in Kung Fu Panda 4, and Po explains that it’s because they’re each on their own missions. Tiger, Snake, Crane, Monkey, and Mantis’ missions are each shown during a brief montage, but there isn’t much more information given about the details of their whereabouts and why they’re all off separately and at the same time. By Kung Fu Panda 4’s credits scene, the Furious Five have returned to help train Zhen as the next Dragon Warrior.

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Since Po leaves the Valley of Peace behind in Kung Fu Panda 4, it’s possible director Mike Mitchell didn’t see the need for the characters to appear in the movie. The fourth installment also heavily revolves around Po’s journey from Dragon Warrior to mentor to Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. Considering how many new characters he interacts with throughout the film, it would have been difficult to spotlight the Furious Five in the same way. At the very least, Kung Fu Panda 4 reveals why the Furious Five are away rather than ignoring them completely.

Why The Furious Five Weren’t In Kung Fu Panda 4

The reason for the Furious Five not appearing in Kung Fu Panda 4 has been fully explained by Mitchell. There were ideas considered for the story that would give the characters bigger roles, but it was decided that it was better to leave them out and allow other characters to have bigger roles. He explained that the credits scene appearance was meant to promise that Furious Five will return in the franchise and are not going anywhere. But, Kung Fu Panda 4 was not the place for them to have another major role.

How Po & Zhen’s Ending Sets Up Kung Fu Panda 5

Kung Fu Panda 5 Is Not Confirmed

The end of Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Zhen as Po’s successor and training to become the next Dragon Warrior in his place. Meanwhile, Po finally takes up the role of Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. By this point, both characters have helped each other grow, making them ready for the next chapter in their lives. While Kung Fu Panda 4 seems to conclusively end Po’s time as Dragon Warrior, it also sets up a situation that will see Kung Fu Panda 5 explore his new journey as a spiritual leader.

Who Po will give advice to and what exactly this new role pertains could all be further developed. As for Zhen, Kung Fu Panda 4 already showcased the beginning of her training as Dragon Warrior. Kung Fu Panda 5, however, could explore her role in full. Kung Fu Panda 4 set up Zhen’s character to take over Po’s role from the start, so a sequel movie could delve into her first journey as Dragon Warrior, following the ups and downs of her time in the role as she becomes more accustomed to the training and what the role entails.

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What DreamWorks & Jack Black Have Said About Kung Fu Panda 5

Kung Fu Panda 5 hasn’t officially been confirmed, but the possibilities for the story are endless now that Zhen has been introduced. It has already been stated by Stephanie Ma-Stine that Po’s story is not over as she teased Kung Fu Panda 5‘s future. Jack Black has so far not commented on the likelihood of another sequel happening, but he has remained interested in continuing to play the panda. With Kung Fu Panda 4 becoming a major success, there is a much stronger probability that Kung Fu Panda 5 will eventually be confirmed by DreamWorks.

The Real Meaning Of Kung Fu Panda 4’s Ending

The Film Has An Important Message

Kung Fu Panda 4’s ending reveals the power that can come with accepting change, with the message being not to fear it because it’s a natural part of life and one’s personal evolution. Po and Zhen were both afraid of change. They’d become accustomed to their lives being a certain way, but what they were really fearful of was failing to live up to expectations. This was especially the case with Po. What their journeys in Kung Fu Panda 4 showed them was that change was necessary, even if it was uncomfortable, if they wanted to grow and move on.

Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth film in the animated martial arts adventure franchise. The film will see Po leave his home and enter the city to search for his future Dragon Warrior replacement while dealing with a dangerous shapeshifting foe known as The Chameleon.

Director

Mike Mitchell , Stephanie Stine

Release Date

March 8, 2024

Studio(s)

DreamWorks Animation

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

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