Kung Fu Panda - Stages Of The Hero's Journey

The Ordinary World

Po works at a noodle shop with his dad, and finds his ordinary life in the village boring. He dreams

about being a legendary Kung Fu warrior with the Furious Five.

The Ordinary World

The Call To Adventure

The Call to Adventure

Po is late to the Dragon Warrior festival, and tries to find a way in since the gates were closed. When Po uses the fireworks to go over the walls to the festival, he lands among the Furious Five, who are awaiting the selction of the Dragon Warrior. Master Oogway chooses him as the dragon warrior, despite having no experience with Kung Fu.

Refusal of the Call Part 1

Refusal of The Call pt 1

Master Shifu didn't believe Po was able to be the Dragon Warrior because a panda, and couldn't do kung fu.

Although Po, the hero doesn't refuse the call at this point, Master Shifu's refusal to train him made Po unable to be a hero.

Meeting With the Mentor Part 1

Meeting With the Mentor Pt 1

After talking with Master Oogway, Shifu decides to train Po to become the Dragon Warrior. Master Shifu has learned that food motivates Po, and he uses this to teach Po kung fu, and train him.

Crossing the Threshold

Po crosses the threshold when Master Shifu takes him to the birthplace of kung fu (The Pool of Sacred Tears). There he shows Po his potential as Dragon Warrior, and takes him in as an apprentice. He begins his training as the Dragon Warrior.

Crossing the Threshold

Tests, Allies, Enemies

He must gain the allyship and trust of the warriors in the Furious Five. Mantis, Monkey, Viper and Crane ll befriend Po eventually, but Tigress makes it particularly difficult for him.

When the Furious Five hear about Tai Lung, a powerful criminal has escaped from prison, they go find and fight him without Po.

Refusal of the Call Pt 2

When Po learns they went to fight Tai Lung without him, he doubts his ability to be the Dragon Warrior. He does not think he id good enough because he's a panda.

Meeting With The Mentor Pt 2

Master Oogway meets Po at the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, and asks him why he is upset. Po tells him about how he sucks at fighting, and the Furious Five are too good for him, how Master Shifu wouldn't be able to train him to be the Dragon Warrior, and that he should just quit and go back to the noodle shop. Master Oogway gives Po words of wisdom on being in the present moment.

Meeting With the Mentor Part 2

Approach to the Inmost Cave

Master Shifu trains Po to be a mighty warrior worthy of getting and reading the Scroll. When he does open the Scroll, it is empty, and Po struggles to understand what this means.

Approach to the Inmost Cave

The Supreme Ordeal

Po fights Tai Lung in the village because Tai Lung tries to steal the scroll. The Dragon Warrior is slammed into the ground, and Tai Lung opens the Scroll to find it empty. At this point, Po is okay to fight and defeats Tai Lung by sending him to the Spirit Realm.

Reward

Po has earned the respect of everyone in the village as the offical Dragon Warrior. Tigress, who doubted Po the most also respects Po and they become friends along with the other warriors in the Furious Five.

The Road Home

Po says goodbye to his dad and the noodle shop, and returns to the Jade temple to continue his journey as the Dragon Warrior.

Restoring the World

The village is safe from Tai Lung, and is under the protection of Po, the Dragon Warrior.

Restoring the World