Mantis Strike

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Master Mantis is a core member of the Furious Five, a group of five students trained by Master Shifu. Seth Rogen provides the voice for Master Mantis, described in the cast list as 'a dry-humored mantis.' The lore establishes that the Furious Five were the intended recipients of the title 'Dragon Warrior' before Po was unexpectedly chosen by Master Oogway. During the conflict with Tai Lung, the entire group, including Mantis, attempted to stop the escaped snow leopard but were unsuccessful. They fell victim to Tai Lung's specific 'paralysing nerve-strike technique,' which incapacitated them and forced Shifu to send Po as the only remaining option to face the villain.

In Their Own Story

The narrative arc involving Mantis begins with the announcement of a tournament in the Valley of Peace, where Master Oogway is set to name one of the Furious Five as the Dragon Warrior. Mantis, along with Tigress, Monkey, Crane, and Viper, prepares for this honor. However, Po's accidental arrival during the ceremony disrupts the proceedings, leading Oogway to select Po instead. Later, when Tai Lung escapes Chorh-Gom Prison and returns to the Valley, Shifu informs Po and the Five of the threat. The Furious Five depart to intercept Tai Lung but are swiftly defeated by his nerve-strike technique. This failure leaves them paralyzed and unable to assist further, highlighting the severity of Tai Lung's power. Mantis remains incapacitated alongside his teammates while Shifu faces the snow leopard alone and is also brutally defeated, setting the stage for Po's intervention.

Reader's Guide

His effectiveness is noted to be limited against Tai Lung, as he was rendered useless by the villain's paralyzing nerve-strike technique. The text does not describe specific weapons like nunchucks or prongs for Mantis, nor does it detail speed or agility metrics beyond his general characterization as a mantis. The only combat instruction mentioned in relation to the group is that they were trained by Shifu and attempted to stop Tai Lung together before failing.

Did You Know?

• Mantis is voiced by Seth Rogen, who provides the voice for a dry-humored mantis.
• The Furious Five includes Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis, all trained by Master Shifu.
• All members of the Furious Five were incapacitated by Tai Lung's paralysing nerve-strike technique during their attempt to stop him.
• Ian McShane voices Tai Lung, who was formerly Shifu's student and foster son before his betrayal.
• Jackie Chan voiced Master Monkey and reprised his role for the film's Chinese dub.

Origins and Production Philosophy

Development for Kung Fu Panda began in October 2004, initially conceived as a parody of martial arts films. Director John Stevenson decided against this direction, opting instead to create an action-comedy wuxia film that incorporated the hero's journey narrative. The project was officially announced in September 2005. To ensure authenticity, production designer Raymond Zibach and art director Tang Heng spent years researching Chinese painting, sculpture, architecture, and kung fu films. They cited influences such as 'Hero,' 'House of Flying Daggers,' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.' The film took four years to make, with Stevenson aiming to create the best-looking DreamWorks film ever.

The Unlikely Dragon Warrior

The story centers on Po, a giant panda and kung fu enthusiast living in the Valley of Peace. He is voiced by Jack Black. Despite his father Mr. Ping's wishes for him to run their noodle restaurant, Po dreams of becoming a master. During the tournament to name the Dragon Warrior among the Furious Five (Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis), Po arrives late but accidentally lands in front of Master Oogway during the ceremony. Oogway unexpectedly declares Po as the Dragon Warrior. Shifu and the Five dismiss him after a rough first day of training, but Po persists with resilience and humor.

The Battle for the Valley

Tai Lung, voiced by Ian McShane, escapes imprisonment and heads to the Valley of Peace to claim the Dragon Scroll. The Furious Five attempt to stop him but are defeated by his paralysing nerve-strike technique. Master Shifu then faces Tai Lung alone and is brutally defeated. Po initially attempts to flee but returns after learning from his father that belief makes things special, realizing this is the message of the blank Dragon Scroll. In the final battle, Tai Lung obtains the scroll but is confused by its emptiness. He nerve-strikes Po, but Po's body fat renders him unaffected. Remembering his training, Po uses the 'Wuxi Finger Hold' technique he taught himself to vanquish Tai Lung.

Cultural Impact and Franchise Legacy

Kung Fu Panda premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2008, and was released theatrically in the United States on June 6 by Paramount Pictures. The film grossed $632 million against a budget of $130 million, making it the third highest-grossing film of 2008 and the highest-grossing animated film of that year. It received positive reviews and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. The success led to three sequels, with 'Kung Fu Panda 2' released in 2011.

The Furious Five Ensemble

The story relies heavily on a diverse ensemble cast known as the 'Furious Five,' each bringing unique personalities to their roles as kung fu masters. Angelina Jolie voices Tigress, the tough and no-nonsense leader who initially struggles with Po's appointment but eventually becomes his ally. Seth Rogen provides the voice for Master Mantis, characterized by his dry humor and small stature despite his formidable skills. Lucy Liu portrays Viper, a sweet and good-natured snake, while David Cross voices Crane, known for his pragmatic and sarcastic demeanor. Completing the group is Jackie Chan as Monkey, an easy-going master who adds warmth to the team dynamic; notably, Chan also reprised his role in the film's Chinese dub. These characters serve as both rivals and mentors to Po, representing traditional martial arts excellence that contrasts with Po's unorthodox approach. Their collective journey from skepticism to acceptance highlights themes of teamwork and the breaking down of rigid hierarchies within the martial arts world.