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Literally taking the world of Kung Fu Panda to a whole new level of existence in the third film, the art team designed the Spirit Realm, where in the battle between good and evil continues.
The Art of Kung Fu Panda 3, p. 149

The Spirit Realm (also called the Spirit World) is the name of the world where "kung fu masters go in the afterlife." It is a plane of existence described as "an undefined world, an alternate reality where perspective is skewed."[1] Oogway resides in this realm, as well as several other spirits.[2]

The realm was first featured in Kung Fu Panda 3, where Kai stole the chi of all its kung fu master residents (including Oogway), and where he was later defeated by Po. The realm was also featured in the theme park ride Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest, as well as a playable level in Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends.

Description[]

KFP3-Po-yinyang

Po after defeating Kai in the Spirit Realm

Referring to the location of the Spirit Realm, Kung Fu Panda 3 head of layout Damon O'Beirne notes that it is "more of a world that exists in a separate plane into the other side; it's not up or down, the way we imagine heaven and earth." Co-producer Jeff Hermann adds that the realm is established not as a religious place, but rather somewhere that is simply "out of the earthly plane of existence."[1]

The appearance of the Spirit Realm directly relates to the spirit energy of the strongest presence currently residing in it. Kai's battle with Oogway reflects hues of jade green, and after his defeat, the realm takes on a solid golden tone, mimicking Po's arrival as the Dragon Warrior and subsequent victory over Kai. Green and gold are the contrasting and main thematic colors of the film, representing the chi of the antagonist and protagonist respectively.[2]

Similarly, the amount of chaos in the realm is reflective of the current balance of yin and yang. "In its most chaotic existence, namely when Kai is in control, the terrain appears the most damaged, with a variety of debris floating every which way." In contrast to peaceful times, "the terrain of the Spirit Realm appears more stable," displaying visual elements like "a chi lake with ripples, where peach blossom petals drift by" and movements that "[echo] the circularity of yin and yang, and the energy of chi circles."[3]

Residents[]

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Current[]

Former[]

  • Po (returned to mortal realm)


Visitors[]

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History[]

In Kung Fu Panda[]

The realm isn't directly seen or mentioned. However, Oogway greatly sensed his time has come, and handed Shifu his staff, before turning into a swirling cloud of peach blossoms as he ascended into the Spirit Realm, successfully passing away in the mortal world.

During the film's events, Po used the Wuxi Finger Hold on Tai Lung, sending him to the Spirit Realm.

In Kung Fu Panda 3[]

Oogway catches Kai's Blade

Oogway catching one of Kai's blades before they duel

Long before the film, it is known that Kai was banished to the Spirit Realm "for all eternity" after taking chi from others. In the film, he has broken free from this realm and has returned to earth after defeating Oogway and taking his chi to add to the ones he had already stolen.

To save his friends and family from having their chi stolen by Kai, Po jumped on Kai himself around the villain in a headlock and used the Wuxi Finger Hold on himself, as the technique only works on mortals, not a Spirit Warrior like Kai, sending them both into the Spirit Realm. They fight again, but Kai overpowers Po and prepares to steal his chi. Using what they learned from Po and about who they are, Li, Tigress, Mr. Ping and the pandas are able to use their chi to save him. Po, with the chi flow, suddenly generates a golden dragon-shaped avatar around him and destroys Kai by overloading him with his chi, freeing all of the Kung Fu masters in the process.

In an ethereal golden pond, Po met with Oogway, who remarked on how much the Dragon Warrior had grown, revealing that he was the one who sent the message to his father Li that Po was alive. Additionally, he revealed that the reason why he chose him as the Dragon Warrior was because he was reminded of his panda ancestors, and his embodiment of the yin-yang. Oogway passed Po a jade staff with the yin-yang symbol at its end, acknowledging the panda as his true successor, which Po used to return to the mortal realm.

In Showdown of Legendary Legends[]

The Spirit Realm is featured as a downloadable level in the game.

In The Emperor's Quest[]

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The Spirit Realm scene from the attraction

The Spirit Realm is featured as a location in the theme park attraction. In its story, Po arrives at the Emperor's palace with Shifu and Mr. Ping, but they are soon stopped by Kang, who uses the Ming Hammer to send them all into the Spirit Realm. The three battle him and his summoned wolf minions in the realm, pushing and shattering floating debris. Kang eventually corners them, leaving Po to decide between obtaining the Liquid of Ultimate Power or rescuing Mr. Ping, who is helplessly in the projectile path of a large piece of debris. Po doesn't hesitate in choosing his father, to which he secures him and rejoins with Shifu, and then uses the power of his chi staff to return them back to the Emperor.

In The Paws of Destiny[]

In "Enter the Dragon Master", Po is brought to the Spirit Realm by Oogway after being knocked unconscious, and informed that he has been chosen to mentor the new Four Constellations. In "Return of the Four Constellations", Bunnidharma helps Po and his students enter the Spirit Realm to find a means of defeating Jindiao. While the students encounter the original Four Constellations, Po is sent to the Inn of the Never Ending Dumpling where he meets Yaoguai. He is subsequently returned to the mortal realm after his students defeat the original Constellations in a game, in which they learn how to overcome Jindiao.

In "Sacrifice at the Edge of Time", the young Constellations end up in the Spirit Realm again after their failed attempt to trap Jindiao. Jindiao is later brought there by Po utilizing the Wuxi Finger Hold, but leaves Po at the mercy of Yaoguai as he seeks a means of escape. After being saved by his students, Po learns that the rules of the mortal realm do not apply to the Spirit Realm. With this knowledge, he is able to regain his Hero's Chi and assume the form of a dragon in order to pursue Jindiao, while the young Constellations are empowered by the sacrifice of their predecessors. In "End of the Dragon Master", Jindiao and his enemies are able to return to the mortal realm, but Jindiao is later sent back to the Inn of the Never Ending Dumpling trapped in the Spirit Urn.

In Kung Fu Panda 4[]

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In the 4th Movie, The Chameleon summons all of Po's enemies who residing into the Spirit Realm, including Tai Lung, Kai, Lord Shen and more, after, stealing their Chi, she imprison them into some cages in her lair. Later after the Fight between The Chameleon and Po, the Villains are free and make ammends with Po asking him to sent them home. Tai Lung greets Po, finally admiting Po is the one true Dragon Warrior, then takes away the Chameleon with him.

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Trivia[]

  • The Spirit Realm was once called the Celestial Realm, in which it was envisioned with more star fields, galaxies and nebulae, but it was eventually changed due to the realm appearing "more sci-fi and less astronomic."[1]
  • The gravitational cinematic techniques used in scenes of the realm were inspired by the 2013 sci-fi thriller film Gravity.[3]
  • The realm's contrasting green and gold colors were used in accordance with the color language used in the first film,[6] as well as their symbolic forms in Chinese culture. The "knowledge and wisdom" green is associated with health, prosperity, and harmony—reflective of Oogway, whose chi was stolen and distorted by Kai. The "heroic" gold symbolizes brightness, purity, and fulfillment—reflective of Po.[3]

Gallery[]

Stills[]

Concept art[]

Videos[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Miller-Zarneke, Tracey. The Art of Kung Fu Panda 3, p. 149. ISBN: 9781608874941.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Revealed in DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016). Written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger & directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Alessandro Carloni. Distributed by 20th Century Fox.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Miller-Zarneke, Tracey. The Art of Kung Fu Panda 3, p. 150. ISBN: 9781608874941.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revealed in the show featured in the theme park attraction Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest located in Universal Studios Hollywood. Developed by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Creative. Opened on June 15, 2018.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Revealed in "Return of the Four Constellations" from DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny on Amazon Prime Video. Ep. 10, Season 1. Written by Nicole Belisle & directed by Lane Lueras, James Wootton. Released November 16, 2018.
  6. Revealed in the DVD audio commentary of DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda (2008). Narrated by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne (directors).
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