Kung Fu Panda is one of those rare movies that audiences of all ages can’t help but enjoy watching. By combining slapstick humor, talking animals, plenty of Kung Fu and some awesomeness tossed in for good measure, Kung Fu Panda was well received. So well, in fact, that it spawned a sequel and an upcoming TV show.

The first film was filled with lovable characters like Shifu, the Furious Five, Oogway and Mr. Ping. In Kung Fu Panda 2 a new cast of Kung Fu masters are introduced and each will play a role in Po’s life. Today, thanks to Dreamworks' official Kung Fu Panda website, we have the first pictures of all six new characters, including their background stories and unique fighting styles. We also get our first look at the villain of the film, the albino peacock Lord Shen.

The story of an out of shape and out of place affable panda named Po (Jack Black) who finds that being himself is “the secret ingredient” to becoming the legendary Dragon Warrior resonated with audiences back in 2008 and in May they will get a chance to watch Po continue his journey of self-discovery.

Read through the official synopsis for Kung Fu Panda 2 then take a look at each of the new characters:

Po is now living his dream as the Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, the Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

--

Kung Fu Panda 2 New Characters

The Wolf Boss in Kung Fu Panda 2

Wolf Boss (Voice Unknown)

Story

The Wolf Boss, along with his wolf brothers and sisters, were once guards in the Gongmen City’s royal palace. The only member of the royal family ever to befriend the wolves was Shen, the frail albino heir to Gongmen City’s throne. Shen fed them, played with them and treated them like family. The Wolf Boss is Shen’s most loyal servant, military strategist and trusted right hand.

Fighting Style

The Wolf Boss makes up for lack of a singular Kung Fu style with resourcefulness and clever cunning. Fast, sneaky and always accompanied by plenty of bandit partners, Wolf Boss is a formidable foe for Kung Fu Masters like the Furious Five and Po. Able to take a beating and still keep coming, the Wolf Boss is a loyal defender of Lord Shen and his plan for the domination of China.

-

Meet The Soothsayer...

The Soothsayer in Kung Fu Panda 2

The Soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh)

Story

Blessed with second sight and a generous heart, the Soothsayer is a prisoner of both. Once nanny to a sickly peacock, she found herself giving him what his parents withheld – love. She found that her love tempered the young peacock’s growing ambition – until twenty years ago, when a fortune she told him lead to a horrific chain of events. For years she has lived with the burden of her guilt, tempered by a finely honed fatalistic sense of humor that comforts her as she awaits the events she foretold – events that she hopes will redeem both her adopted child and herself.

Fighting Style

Like Mr. Ping, the Soothsayer doesn’t fight. She wins over opponents with love and a good sense of humor. Her extraordinary gift of second sight gives her insight into the true nature of any and all that she encounters.

-

Meet Master Croc...

Master Croc in Kung Fu Panda 2

Master Croc (Jean-Claude Van Damme)

Story

Master Croc was once the head of the infamous Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits of Crocodile Island – a gang of criminals unmatched in their mischief. Anyone foolish enough to stand in a Croc’s way was dispatched with his Legendary Lashing Tail of Terror technique – until the day Croc crossed paths with master Thundering Rhino, whose Kung Fu was proven superior in their epic battle on the shores of the Wa Su Li River.  Beaten, Master Croc prepared himself for death, but the fatal blow never came. Master Rhino asked Croc to use his Kung Fu excellence for good. Croc was so moved by master Rhino’s compassion that he quit his criminal ways then and there. He roamed China, righting wrongs and protecting the weak – and eventually came to sit at Rhino’s side as a member of the Kung Fu Council. Croc, as strong as an ox and as wily as a fox, is famous for his many victories, not the least of which was his silencing of the Badger Bandits who talked about his Mom.

Fighting Style

The legend of Master Croc was established with his devastating use of the Lashing Tail of Terror Technique, which no opponent was able to withstand. Master Croc was unbeaten, until he challenged Master Thundering Rhino and lost. Still renowned for his many victories, Master Croc turned to the path of good, using his Kung Fu to help the weak. As a member of the Kung Fu Council Master Croc is a revered and respected Kung Fu master.

The Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits of Crocodile Island in Kung Fu Panda 2

-

Meet Master Thundering Rhino...

Master Thundering Rhino in Kung Fu Panda 2

Master Thundering Rhino (Victor Garber)

Story

Master Thundering Rhino, wielder of the legendary Cloud Hammer, is the benevolent leader of the Kung Fu Council, which protects the vast metropolis of Gongmen City. Thundering Rhino is descended from a long line of masters. He trained under his father, Master Flying Rhino, and become legendary in his own right by slaying the Ten Thousands Serpents in the Valley of Woe. As head of the Kung Fu Council, he is revered for his wisdom, kind humor and good deeds.

Fighting Style

Master Thundering Rhino is the most revered amongst all of the masters on the Kung Fu Council. Using the unbeatable attack of the legendary Cloud Hammer, Master Thundering Rhino is able to take on huge numbers of attackers and emerge victorious. When not engaged in battle or leading the Kung Fu Council, Master Thundering Rhino can be humorous and a great resource of wisdom.

-

Meet Master Storming Ox...

Master Storming Ox in Kung Fu Panda 2

Master Storming Ox (Voice Unknown)

Story

Master Storming Ox is Master Thundering Rhino’s greatest pupil. As a youngster he skipped his chores, sneaking through Gongmen City into the palace to watch Master Rhino spar. Master Rhino rewarded the young Ox’s enthusiasm by training him in kung fu. Master Ox went on to prove his skill and bravery by taking on the seventy-two bandits of the Wing Cho province with naught but his bare horns. Often hotheaded, favoring action over contemplation, Ox is a constant challenge for the old Master. But he is also a loyal friend and trusted member of the Kung Fu Council, which protects the citizens of peaceful Gongmen City.

Fighting Style

The horns of Master Storming Ox are his most deadly weapons, and he wields them with skill and bravery, able to handle dozens of attackers at once. Often quick to action, Master Storming Ox balances his impulsiveness with loyalty to his teacher Master Thundering Rhino. Together they sit on the Kung Fu Council, using their deadly kung fu to protect the weak.

-

Meet Lord Shen...

Lord Shen in Kung Fu Panda 2

Lord Shen (Gary Oldman)

Story

Lord Shen has come a long way from the sickly albino peacock whose parents deemed him too weak and pitiful to deserve attention. Vowing to accomplish something so great that the world would never ignore him again, Shen relentlessly pursued his lust for power. Through his devious cleverness and the sheer force of his will, he has, after many years, created the most devastating weapon the world has ever known. Now on the verge of his greatest triumph, he is about to find out that something stands in his way, something he thought he dealt with twenty years ago.

Fighting Style

Even thought Lord Shen is a skilled kung fu fighter, he is more likely to use his cunning or his cannons than his physical prowess. His Funnel Cloud Attack and Feather Attack are daunting and deadly. Lord Shen also has a lethal-looking metal talon.

--

Be sure to check out the teaser trailer and TV spot for Kung Fu Panda 2 that aired before Super Bowl XLV. What do you think about the new characters designs and are you looking forward to seeing this epically awesome sequel?

Kung Fu Panda 2 chops its way into theaters May 27th, 2011.

Follow us on Twitter for TV and Movie News @Walwus and @ScreenRant

Source: Kung Fu Panda