“ | Principal: So you're a teacher? Ip: I am a teacher. I teach Chinese kung-fu. Principal: Like a gymnast? Ip: Yes, something like that. |
„ |
~ Ip talking to an American school principal in Ip Man 4: The Finale |
“ | Nothing is more important than being around your loved ones. | „ |
~ Ip Man |
Ip Man is a martial arts master in the Ip Man film series. Ip Man is based on Yip Man/Ye Wen (One is Cantonese, the other is Mandarin), a master teacher of Wing Chun noted for being the teacher of Bruce Lee.
Contents
Personality
In the first film he is very distant from his family and doesn't take in any disciples during the time. After the Japanese invaded China, He is much more close with his family and is working hard for them.
Ip Man (2008)
Recognition
Foshan in 1930s China is a place renowned for the number of martial arts schools in it, with the exception of the titular hero who wishes not to take in any disciples. When a troupe of upstart Northerners successfully beats up the other masters, though, it falls on Ip Man to defend Foshan's honour.
World War II
Fast forward to 1937, when the Japanese invade China. His mansion confiscated by the Japanese, Ip Man is forced to shovel coal to feed his family and learns of matches the Japanese are staging between their karate exponents and Foshan's former martial arts masters. When a friend's failure costs him his life, Ip Man's vengeful demolishing of ten Japanese pugilists draws the attention of the Japanese General Miura, leading via a run-in with bandits threatening a friend's factory to a final confrontation.
General Miura
After being captured by Japanese soldiers, Ip was forced to duel with Miura. If he wins, he can be set free, but if he loses, he must become the soldiers' martial arts teacher for the Japanese military. The next day, Ip beats the general, who supposedly dies, but it is unknown. Ip gets gunned down but was able to pull through as he, his wife, Wing Sing, and son successfully escaped to Hong Kong.
Ip Man 2
Arrival
Fast-forwarding to 1950, Ip opens his own Wing Chun school but has no luck with recruiting disciples, that is, until a young man and his 3 friends arrive at his school and challenge him. Ip easily beats them harmlessly and the boys become Ip's first few students. However, back at home, Wing Sing becomes pregnant and Ip's family is near bankruptcy.
Rivalry
After a few more weeks, a group of students from another class come along and beat up one of Ip's students and kidnap him to a fish-market. Ip arrives to the rescue and fights his way out of the market. He and his student gets arrested but was able to get out. The next day, Ip goes to a martial arts school where other teachers from other schools are there to challenge each other on a table-top fight. After defeating 2 masters, He faces Master Hung and the two fought in equal terms.
Twister
Ip Man and the 4 Heavenly Kings
Ip Man 3
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Abilities
Ip Man is considered to be the best marital art master in Foshan due to his incredible skill in Wing Chun. He tends to be extraordinary swift in his fighting style which proves useful although his attacks aren't very strong and is easily prone to being damaged by heavier and more physically built opponents.
- Male
- Honorable
- Live Action Heroes
- Fictionalized
- Movie Heroes
- Action Movie Heroes
- Martial Artists
- Fighters
- Historical Heroes
- Symbolic
- Deceased
- The Hero
- Titular
- Martyr
- Lawful Good
- Tragic
- Wrathful
- Big Good
- Chopsocky Heroes
- Selfless
- Loyal
- Failure-Intolerant
- Good Vs. Good
- Thrill-Seekers
- Deal Makers
- Lethal
- Protector of Innocence
- Heroic Disciplinarians
- Sophisticated
- Adventurers
- Wise
- Honest
- Benefactors
- Merciful
- Sympathetic
- Strong-Willed
- Warriors
- Charismatic
- Chaste
- One-Man Army
- Dreaded
- Elementals
- Vigilante
- Patriots
- Protectors
- Mentor
- Rivals
- Scapegoat
- Successful
- Status Dependent on Version