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“ | One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it... | „ |
~ Master Oogway to Shifu while seeing Tai Lung escaping prison |
“ | There are no accidents. | „ |
~ Oogway to Shifu about his decision of choosing Po as the Dragon Warrior |
“ | Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. | „ |
~ Oogway to Po under the Peach Tree |
Grand Master Oogway (also known as Master Oogway or more simply Oogway) is the overarching protagonist of the Kung Fu Panda franchise.
He was an elderly Galápagos tortoise and the previous senior master of the Jade Palace. He is credited as the founder of the Valley of Peace, the creator of Kung Fu, and the developer of the Dragon Warrior legend.
Highly venerated for his wisdom, knowledge and experience, Oogway was considered by many to be a sage. He was greatly respected by Shifu, the Furious Five, Po, the entire Valley of Peace, and all of China. He was known as the greatest Kung Fu master in history, having no other reputation surpass his (other than the legend of the Dragon Warrior). He spent his life dedicated to preserving the art of Kung Fu as a force for good, and passed on this and many of his other teachings to his students. In the small remainder of his life, he had the chance to finally locate the Dragon Warrior before he ascended into the Heavens. However, even while dead, Oogway helped Po and warned him about various threats.
He is voiced by Randall Duk Kim.
Biography[]
Earlier years[]
Not much is revealed about Oogway's past life. However, it is known that he made his departure from his home in the Galápagos Islands on a journey of discovery almost a thousand years ago, traveling all around the world and visiting every country until he arrived in China. Oogway stood on a hill overlooking the land that would later become known as the Valley of Peace and knew that he had found the place he would call home for the rest of his life. To commemorate the moment, Oogway planted the seed of his favorite tree on the hill, which would eventually grow into the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom.
After learning that Master Jindiao had become evil, Oogway ordered his friend the potter Bunnidharma to make a spirit urn to lure Jindiao's soul there, however, because Bunnidharma fell asleep, Jindiao was never defeated.
Some time in his youth, a dangerous tribe of Underworld Demons took up residence in the valley, terrorizing its citizens and laying waste to the settlement, gleefully destroying all who attempted to escape or enter. The peaceful villagers fled for their lives amidst the onslaught, but Master Oogway stood against the otherworldly menace, using his fighting skills in conjunction with the Hero's Chi, a power gifted from Heaven that dwelt within the tortoise's body. Using this mystic life energy to fuel his abilities, Oogway drove the demons back from whence they came, the demonic hordes fleeing back to the underworld through a crater atop Jade Mountain. He used the Hero's Chi in order to seal the entrance preventing their return, but one more demon remained at large. Faster and stronger than his dark brethren, the Demon King Ke-Pa appeared before the kung fu master in the form of a giant dragon, taking advantage of Oogway's exhausted and weakened state to finish him off. Defenseless against the monster's onslaught, the tortoise collapsed at the foot of the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. Since Oogway had protected the Valley of Peace, the tree, in turn, chose to protect him, using the powers to Heaven and Earth to re-energize the injured master, enabling him to defeat Ke-Pa. Oogway used his Hero's Chi to trap the dragon-like demon in the body of a mortal pig, rendering him powerless so long as the peach tree lived.
Though it is unknown exactly when, Oogway eventually admitted Shifu, who had departed from his family to commit himself entirely to the training and duties of Kung Fu at the Jade Palace. Through the red panda's hard work and determination, Shifu eventually elevated to the rank of Master. Oogway had accomplished many things after this—such include the creation and perfection of Kung Fu, the development of the Dragon Warrior legend and creation of the Dragon Scroll, the peace-sustaining in the Valley of Peace, and the assisting of others outside the valley.
In Legends of Awesomeness[]
In the episode "Scorpion's Sting", Shifu told Po and the Furious Five of Oogway's involvement with Scorpion's history. Being the celebrated healer in the Valley of Peace, Scorpion one day came across a hypnotic elixir, which warped her body and mind upon injection. This corrupted Scorpion used her new power to brainwash the citizens of the Valley of Peace and launch an assault on the Jade Palace. Oogway protected the Palace, having used two things to his advantage: the villagers' loyalty, which he used to free them from their mind control; and his hard shell, which shattered Scorpion's stinger when she attempted to sting him. After Scorpion was defeated, Oogway exiled her from the Valley of Peace.
In "Sticky Situation", Taotie shared with his son his past training with Shifu under Oogway. In "Sight for Sore Eyes" it was revealed that Junjie was also one of Oogway's students, but that his anger prompted Oogway to choose Shifu to oversee the Jade Palace instead.
In "Owl Be Back", Oogway trained Fenghuang, who was a member of the prior Furious Five, and became the most powerful under Oogway's tutelage. She turned dark, desiring to rule the Jade Palace herself and challenged Oogway. The old turtle had foreseen Fenghuang's fall from grace and had crafted an owl-shaped inescapable cage to imprison her. They fought fiercely but the owl could not defeat Oogway, and so fled the palace before she could be captured.
In "Ghost of Oogway", it appeared that Oogway returned to the Jade Palace as a ghost to mentor Po. However, this was later revealed to be a shape-shifting trick of Junjie, who had attempted to take over the Jade Palace once again by trying to trick Po and the Furious Five into shirking their training. After the fox was defeated, the real form of Oogway was seen overlooking the Jade Palace from afar. He said what Shifu thought he never would say: "Awesome."
Oogway is later referenced in the episode "Enter the Dragon", in which the Demon King Ke-Pa narrates the story of his defeat at the hands of the old tortoise. Due to the death of the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, Ke-Pa's dark magic returns to him, allowing him to return to his mighty dragon form upon the tree's final demise. After enslaving the citizens of the Valley of Peace and destroying the Jade Palace, the demon finds that Oogway left the Hero's Chi to Po, who uses the mystic power to defeat Ke-Pa just as the tortoise had once done in ages past. While the original peach tree was burned to ashes by the dragon's fire, it is the very sapling that Oogway and Shifu previously planted in the first movie that ultimately provided Po with the energy he needs to defeat Ke-Pa once and for all.
In "Mouth Off" it is revealed that Oogway also mentored Wushen and, due to his chatty nature, suggested that he undertake a vow of silence to improve his skills. A week later, he witnessed as Wushen invented his signature technique: the Silken Moon Touch.
In Art of Balance[]
When Shifu rose to the rank of Master in his youth, he quickly became overwhelmed by a mass of new responsibilities. Unable to cope with the stress, Shifu prepared to quit his Kung Fu life, but Oogway stopped him and taught him hing kung, which involved balancing on leaves. Through Oogway's teachings, Shifu learned to regain internal balance.
In Kung Fu Panda[]
Oogway is first seen in the film's beginning after summoning Shifu. He informs his student that he has had a premonition of Tai Lung's return, inciting Shifu to send Zeng to Chorh-Gom Prison to advise the guards to double their defenses. When Shifu expresses worry over what Tai Lung will do, Oogway assures him that if he allows his mind to settle, the solution will become clear: Someone must receive the Dragon Scroll.
Oogway and Shifu arrange a tournament for the title of Dragon Warrior. The audience watches Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis training in front of Oogway and Shifu. When Oogway notices Po flying through the air, he silences the tournament and decides it is time to choose the Dragon Warrior. Oogway ceremonially walks down the steps and approaches the Furious Five. However, as he is about to point at Tigress, Po lands in front of his pointing claw. Oogway finds this entrance interesting, and chooses the panda as the Dragon Warrior as a result. When Shifu attempts to change his mind, Oogway retorts that there are no accidents and stays with his decision.
He is next seen having a a conversation with Po at the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. When Po talks with him about his first fiasco in Kung-fu ending up in failure, he comforts him by advising him to focus on the present instead of worrying about the past and future.
He later appears in a flashback when Tigress explains Tai Lung's backstory to Po.
He is last seen practicing Tai Chi under the peach tree. When Shifu confirms that his vision had indeed come true and Tai Lung was on his way, Oogway urges him to let go of the Illusion of Control and nurture and believe in Po instead of being spiteful and offering harshness. After receiving a promise from Shifu that he would do this, he notices peach petals surrounding him, meaning his time had come. He bids farewell to Shifu and leaves him with his beloved peach wood staff. With a final message ("You must believe.") Oogway allows himself to become fully surrounded the the petals and peacefully passes away.
In Kung Fu Panda 2[]
Oogway doesn't physically appear in this film as he is already deceased, but makes a few cameos, notably in Po's flashback while achieving inner peace.
In Kung Fu Panda 3[]
Oogway is first seen meditating for inner peace in the Spirit Realm (where he had been residing since the events of the first film) only to be attacked by his old friend (now arch-nemesis) Kai the Collector. The latter announces he is ready for a rematch, which Oogway states has taken long enough. Oogway notes that Kai has grown stronger. When Kai brags about having taken the chi of every Kung-fu master residing in the Spirit Realm, Oogway states that the more Kai takes, the less he will have. Oogway eventually surrenders to Kai in favor of letting Po stop him instead.
He later appears in a flashback learning how to give and use chi, while also explaining Kai's backstory and why he turned evil.
He finally appears after Kai's defeat and tells Po that he had sent Li Shan the message that his son (Po) was still alive. He also explains why he had chosen him as his successor: On the day Po landed in front of his pointing claw, he had seen the future and past of Kung-fu and saw the panda who could unite them both. He declares Po his successor and gives him the Staff of Wisdom, allowing the panda to return to the mortal realm.
In Kung Fu Panda 4[]
Oogway doesn't physically appear due to residing in the Spirit Realm, but is mentioned numerous times by Po, Shifu, and later, Tai Lung.
Powers & Skills[]
- Grandmaster Martial Artist: As the founder of Kung Fu, Oogway is effectively the greatest master of Kung Fu in history with a vast amount of experience that gave him unmatched knowledge of Kung Fu, mastering every form of Kung Fu and even techniques unknown to most other Kung Fu masters. Many of the students he personally taught became among the greatest masters of Kung Fu. Although he rarely fights, in the few times he fought, Oogway has proven himself to be at a different level even compared to other extremely powerful masters of Kung Fu: he effortlessly defeated Tai Lung with a single Nerve Attack whereas even Shifu and the Furious Five combined were not able to match Tai Lung, he defeated Kai, an extremely powerful warlord and also exceptionally skilled martial artist, whereas all other Kung Fu masters who fought him were no match, and though he lost to him in their rematch, Oogway openly admitted he had held back to allow Kai to defeat him, wanting Po to do it instead so Po could become his true successor and had managed to compete with him before surrendering to Kai.
- Grandmaster Staff-Fighter: Oogway was extremely skilled in using his staff in battle, having broke Kai's spear with it when he defeated him and swiftly struck Tai Lung.
- Genius-Level Intelligence: Due to his advanced longevity, he was extraordinarily wise and intelligent, perhaps the greatest currently known in the entire series, deeply admired by all, even Shifu, for his wisdom and intelligence. Oogway has proven himself to be an extraordinary orator and strategist with vast perception: he had anticipated that Fenghuang had evil intentions to replace him and created a cage to trap her, which effectively kept her from trying to take him on until he died, he turned the cocky street fighters, like Ox, Croc & Rhino into "warriors who fight for honor", he correctly saw that with all of Tai Lung's prodigious Kung Fu skills, his ambition paved way to darkness in his heart, and he easily motivated Po to fulfill his destiny as the Kung Fu master he was meant to be. Oogway's vast lifespan also gave him tremendous knowledge, as he knew of a method to return from the Spirit Realm.
- Tortoise Physiology: His natural physiology has a shell, which makes him heavily armored & almost immune to most forms of physical trauma. He was able to survive an injury for a few days before being "healed" by a Village of Medicinal Pandas. His natural physiology also ages at a very slowed rate, allowing him the longevity that is beyond any beings imagining. Due to immense training his natural physiology is far stronger, faster & more agile than normal members of his species.
- Chi-Based Powers: Oogway is extremely skilled in using Chi, having learned to manipulate it from the Pandas themselves. He is capable of using Chi for levitation, physical enhancements, and blasts of energy. His mastery of Chi is so strong he was able to defeat Kai in battle after he had taken the Chi of several Panda and banish him to the Spirit Realm and though he lost to Kai in their rematch as Kai had become a Spirit Warrior and more powerful, he indicated he had the capability to defeat him but just decided against it.
- Dream Manipulation: Oogway has displayed the ability to converse with others through visions while they are in a dormant state such as meditation, sleep or an unconscious episode.
- Foresight: Oogway could foresee future events with flawless accuracy, as seen in his prediction of the return of Tai Lung, who has been in prison. Oogway had shared this particular vision with his student Shifu, and merely watched as Shifu tried to prevent it by dispatching Zeng to warn the guards at Chorh-Gom Prison, saying to himself, "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." Nevertheless, the wise master let fate play out its cards, and sure enough, it was revealed that one of Zeng's feathers became the "key" that helped Tai Lung escape.
Quotes[]
“ | Oogway: Your mind is like this water my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see, but if you allow it to settle. The answer becomes clear. Shifu: The Dragon Scroll. Oogway: It is time. Shifu: But who? Who is worthy to be trusted with the secret to limitless power? To become the Dragon Warrior? Oogway: … I don't know! |
„ |
~ Oogway and Shifu |
“ | Quit, don't quit. Noodles, don't noodles. You are too concerned with what was, and what will be. There's a saying; yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. | „ |
~ Oogway consoling Po |
“ | You must believe. | „ |
~ Oogway's last words to Shifu before he disappears |
“ | Oogway: You've grown stronger! Kai: 500 years in the Spirit Realm, you pick up a thing or two. I have taken the chi of every master here. Oogway: (gasps) No! Kai: Yes. And soon I will have your power too. Oogway: When will you realize? The more you take, the less you have... |
„ |
~ Oogway facing Kai in the spirit realm. |
“ | On the first day we met, I saw the future of kung fu. And the past. I saw the panda who could unite them both. That is why I chose you, Po. Both sides of the Yin and Yang. And my true successor. | „ |
~ Oogway chosen to Po as the Dragon Warrior before he hands the Staff of Wisdom to Po |
“ | Who knows? I've never tried. | „ |
~ Oogway's last words to Po before he goes to the mortal realm |
External Links[]
- Oogway on the Kung Fu Panda Wiki
- Oogway on the Pure Good Wiki
- Oogway on the DreamWorks Wiki
- Oogway on the Guile Heroes Wiki
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