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Out of all the televised spinoffs set in the Kung Fu Panda universe, The Paws of Destiny is a non-canonical spinoff that sees four kids–Nu Hai, Jing, Bao, and Fan Tong–take on the title. It’s deserves to be part of the cinematic universe for other reasons I’ll explain later. This instalment takes place after the events of the third film, where this team has to continue protect their Panda village. After Jindaio, there’ll be other invaders.
Although this review is many years late, it seems what I posted back when it was fresh disappeared; I’ve dug up my draft and updated it with a few new thoughts after a rewatch, and editing this document for flow. As full disclosure: what’s written predates knowing anything regarding part four.
In this spinoff, an evil force is after an energy that’s been buried a long time ago. But because these cubs found the source well before he did, the powers they absorbed made them into strong little warriors. Not only does Po have to give them some lessons in how to control their newfound powers, but also, they’ll have to learn responsibility and be like Power Rangers. Since Po’s father is no longer around to be the village elder, it’s assumed they are holding the fort while he’s gone. As these younglings are quite powerful and have the strength of the “constellations,” I feel they can do the job.
Technically, the figures are meant to represent the elements. The Black Tortoise and Red Phoenix are the planetary symbols rather than star alignments. The former represents Mercury (the water element) and the latter is Mars ( fire). As for the Blue Dragon, which is Jupiter (Wood) and White Tiger for Venus (Metal), I wondered if someone from marketing got the terminology mixed up when writing up the series synopsis?
This series had one season, and I’m glad it concluded after 26 episodes. What makes this film a delight is in how it shifts focus away from Po and gives this ragtag team of protectors their time to shine. Aside from protecting the Panda Village, they also have to realise they may be the last of their kind in this anthropological world of Ancient China.
The story is a lot more intense than what a cinematic take might offer. It’d be impossible to compress or delete some moments from this series to form a theatrical presentation, and I would not skip any episode! Every moment is akin to Po’s own story in the televised front. But unlike the hijinx from Legends of Awesomeness, what’s presented here feels much more serious.
Although some episodes are an obvious play on well-known films from Hollywood, like “A Fistful of Herbs,” “Big Trouble in Panda Village,” and “House of Flying Pandas,” the stories are not complete parodies. The series is enjoyable, and to see four kid pandas get wild with their fighting style got me grinning. Back when I first saw this series, I knew this franchise is not always going to be about Po.
It’s inevitable that he’ll no longer be the Dragon Master at some point, as the latest film shows. Either he’ll lose the title through some misdeed or that it’s not a role he can continue for life. Whichever the case, I feel this series is a step in the right direction to show that Kung Fu Panda isn’t about one particular character, and it should be a title that needs to be earned! That’s why the word Panda is used over Po, and who knows, maybe one of the kids might take on the title after he passes to signal the changing of the guard.
4 Stars out of 5
Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny Trailer
