Villains Wiki

Hi. This is Thesecret1070. I am an admin of this site. Edit as much as you wish, but one little thing... If you are going to edit a lot, then make yourself a user and login. Other than that, enjoy Villains Wiki!!!

READ MORE

Villains Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Stop hand

Riddler8

This Article Contains Spoilers - WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all.

Villain Overview

KAI HAS RETURNED!
~ Kai announcing his return; also his most famous quote
I will show you the true power of chi, brother.
~ Kai before destroying the Jade Palace by swinging Oogway's statue into it
It took me 500 years to take Oogway's chi. I will have yours if it takes me 500 more!
~ Kai to Po before being defeated

General Kai, also known to all as Kai the Collector, is the main antagonist of DreamWorks' 32nd full-length animated feature film Kung Fu Panda 3, the third installment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and a supporting character in Kung Fu Panda 4.

He is a supernatural bull who was the former brother-in-arms-turned-archenemy of Master Oogway and later, (upon his return to the mortal realm), he becomes a powerful evil Spirit Warrior. Thus, he can steal chi from Kung Fu warriors and turn them into Jade Zombies (or Jombies, as Monkey and Po call them). His scheme is to defeat every Kung Fu master and become all powerful.

He is voiced by J.K. Simmons, who also played Alexander Rausch in Homicide: Life on the Street, Vernon Schillinger in Oz, General Wade Eiling in Justice League Unlimited, Skip in Aliens in the Attic, Cave Johnson in the Portal video game series, Terence Fletcher in Whiplash, Captain Matt McKenna in 21 Bridges, Omni-Man in Invincible, Ivo Shandor in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Captain Putty in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers and Ketheric Thorm in Baldur's Gate 3.

Appearance[]

Kai is a large, muscular light gray supernatural bull with glowing green eyes, long black hair, a helmet, two enormous horns that are shaped like flames and they're very thick, a green pendant of collected chi, a brown loincloth made of layered leather, and muscular arms with brown bracers.

History[]

Backstory[]

Shifu: "I was an ambitious young warrior…"
Oogway: "…leading a great army. Fighting by my side was Kai, my closest friend. One day, we were ambushed. I was badly wounded. My friend carried me for days looking for help, until we came to a secret village high in the mountains. An ancient place of healing. A village of
pandas."
Everybody: *gasps*
Po: "Pandas?!"
Oogway: "Yes, pandas! Pandas who used the power of chi to heal me. They taught me how to give chi. But Kai wanted the power all to himself. He saw that what could be given could also be taken. I had to stop him. Our battle shook the earth, until, finally, I banished Kai to the Spirit Realm. Should he ever return to the mortal realm, he can only be stopped…"
Shifu: "…by a true master of chi."
~ Po, Shifu and the Furious Five read about Kai's story as told by Oogway
Oogway-kai-scroll-pg9

Kai attacking the panda village in the past

Many years ago, Kai and Oogway fought together as brothers-in-arms, and they were close friends. One day, during an ambush, Oogway was gravely wounded, and Kai carried him for days, searching for help, until they came upon a secret panda village, where the pandas used the power of their chi to heal Oogway instantly. Oogway was fascinated by the power and the pandas taught him how to utilize it. However, Kai became extremely jealous, selfish and possessive, as he wanted the power all for himself. He decided to take chi from others rather than give it. Seeing the damage Kai's obsession would cause, Oogway confronted him in a fierce battle that shook the earth, until finally, Oogway triumphed, banishing Kai's body and soul to the Spirit realm, hopefully forever. However, Oogway feared Kai would somehow return to the mortal world and finish his evil plan and the only one could stop him would have to be a true master of chi.

Kung Fu Panda 3[]

Rematch with Oogway[]

500 years after his banishment to the Spirit Realm, Kai has grown much stronger in his power. In the Spirit Realm, he finds Oogway and challenges him to a rematch. The two of them fight and Oogway tells Kai he's grown stronger. He comments that it's because he has taken and absorbed the chi of all the kung fu masters there and now he has them on his belt as amulets and he says he will soon have Oogway's chi, too. Though, the two are nearly equal in skill and power, soon, Oogway realizes he can't defeat Kai and he willingly allows him to take his chi. Kai throws out two jade blades, wraps their chains around Oogway, and pulls Oogway over to him so he can steal his chi. Kai says that with Oogway's chi, he can finally return to the mortal world and carry out his plans and this time, Oogway will not able to stop him. As Kai turns Oogway into an amulet, Oogway tells Kai it was never his mission to stop him and that he has somebody else on that path. After Kai has stolen Oogway's chi and turned him into an amulet, he vows to defeat this other warrior and take his chi too, then he uses Oogway's chi to return to the mortal world.

The Return of Kai[]

Kai-0

After re-emerging back into the mortal world, Kai encounters a rabbit and a goose, who are scared by him. He asks them where he is, and the goose answers his question that it's his brother's farm. Kai then treats them if they would die if he stepped on them. They answer yes. Kai understand he has returned to the mortal realm and shouts his return. The two are confused by who he is. Kai tells them a lot of himself, and they are still confused. Then Kai mentions he used to work with Oogway, which delights the two. Kai then tells them to stop talking and takes his amulets off his back and throws them on the ground where they grow big and become the Kung Fu masters Kai defeated in the Spirit Realm. Kai then orders his minions to find Oogway's students and bring them to him.

Kai's message[]

Kai-Oogway-statue

Kai destroying Oogway's statue

The jade statues attack the Valley of Peace and fight against Po, Shifu, and the Furious Five. Po notices that some of the jade statues resemble past Kung Fu masters. After Po and his friends defeat the Jade minions, Kai sends a message through them, telling Po and his friends how their chi will soon be his. Mantis and Po think it's the jombies talking, till Kai tells them "It's not them talking! You idiots! It's me talking through them, Kai!" The team is confused and Kai summons his minions back to him. After Po and the others learn about Kai and his plan through Oogway's scroll, and that the only way they can defeat Kai, is if Po learns how to channel chi himself, Po's birth father Li (who has arrived looking for his son), offers to take Po to the secret panda village and teach him.

Kai vs Crane[]

After Po and Li leave, Shifu sends Crane and Mantis to find Kai, but he warns them not to engage him. Crane and Mantis join with Master Bear, Master Croc, and Master Chicken to confront Kai, but one by one Bear, Croc, and Chicken are all easily defeated and have their chi stolen. When Mantis goes to help them, his chi is taken too. When Crane enters, he discovers Kai behind him, and he sees that he has captured Mantis. When Crane tries to fly away, Kai wraps the jade chains around him, pulls him back in, and takes his chi.

Attack on the Jade Palace[]

Then Kai arrives at the Jade Palace where he and his two minions - The Now Jombified Crane and Mantis - fight Shifu, Monkey, Viper, and Tigress. When Tigress kicks Kai, a yellow light echoes out of him. Shifu is about to deliver a punch to Kai when he sees Oogway under his neck. Shifu, shocked seeing an amulet of Oogway, gives up his defense and Kai knocks him to the ground. Then Kai orders Crane and Mantis to bring Monkey and Viper to him. They obey, bring their friends to their new master and Kai steals Monkey and Viper's chi. Afterwards, he wraps his chains around Oogway's statue, rips off its stand and hurls it at the Jade Palace, destroying it. Then he approaches Shifu who says that Po will stop him in his plans. However, Kai says he doubts that, and takes Shifu's chi, while Tigress escapes to find Po.

Arrival at the Village[]

Kung Fu Panda 3 27

After a while, Kai arrives at the panda village and sees Po, who had been waiting for him. Kai orders his minions to capture Po and the others and then he throws them into the air and whacks them towards Po with the Jade Blade, but the pandas manage to fight back as Po has taught them Kung Fu. This is so they can distract Kai, while Po gets close enough to him, so, that he can use the Wuxi finger hold on him and send him back to the Spirit Realm. At first, he plan works and Po reaches Kai, but when he tries to use the Wuxi finger hold on Kai, nothing happens (even though it worked when Po used it on Tai Lung). Kai tells Po that the Wuxi finger hold only works on mortals, and that he is not a mortal, but a spirit warrior. Kai gains the upper hand in their fight and fights Po, kicking him back up to the village. Then he arrives there and prepares to take Po, Tigress and the other pandas's chi. However, when he taunts Po for trying to send him back to the Spirit Realm, Po realizes that if he can't send Kai there, he can take him there himself. Po jumps on Kai, grabs him around the neck and uses the Wuxi finger hold again, this time, on himself, sending them both to the Spirit Realm.

The Final Battle with Po and Defeat[]

Kai-sword2

Po and Kai's final battle in the Spirit Realm

Po and Kai arrive in the Spirit Realm. Kai is angered that Po has sent him back to the Spirit Realm. Then Kai fights Po and gains the upper hand over him again. Kai wraps his chains around Po and begins to steal his chi, but before the process could be completed, Li, Tigress, Mr. Ping, and all the pandas use their own chi to save Po. Then Po breaks free of the chains and forms his own chi in the shape of a dragon and fights back against Kai. Po gains the upper hand and destroys one of Kai's blades. After Po drags Kai with the other blade and smashes him against rocks, Kai tells Po that he will have his chi, even if it will take him another 500 years. Po just mocks him of his talkativeness, which angers Kai and makes him lunge at him. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity for him to attack, Po willingly infuses all his chi right into Kai, who is delighted of having finally obtained the power for himself. However, yellow lights start glowing out of Kai and overloading his body against his will, making Kai realize in horror that Po's chi is too powerful for him to control. Unable to stop it, the abundance of energy became so great that Kai screams as he explodes into a bright golden light.

After Kai's defeat, all the masters he had absorbed over the years were finally released from his control and all the still living ones returned back to the mortal world.

Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny[]

Even after Kai's evil spirit was vanquished, he still left an impression in the mortal world, which he would've been glad, where he was mentioned by Li Shan to motivate the villagers to become the Panda Warriors they originally were. And by defeating Kai, Po officially became the Dragon Master, to which he tries to mentor 4 panda children, Nui Hai, Bao, Jing and Fan Tong, who absorbed the chi of the original Four Constellations.

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight[]

Kai acted as one of Po's opponents in the master dragon story.

Kung Fu Panda 4[]

Kai was summoned from the Spirit Realm by the Chameleon like the rest of Po's adversaries. He was stripped of his kung fu until Po defeated the Chameleon. He then returned to the Spirit Realm along with all of the other summoned kung fu masters.

Personality[]

Long ago, Kai was young and ambitious, but still vigorous, honorable, and intrepid, fighting side-by-side with with his best friend and comrade, Oogway in defending China from the enemies. He also displayed great loyalty to those close to him, having carried Oogway for days on in until finally finding what was needed to save his life.

However, after learning about the power of chi, Kai's ambition began to consume him, transforming him into a fearsome, destructive, obsessed, tenacious, power-hungry and envious warmonger who desired to take chi from others for himself. Despite this, he seemed shocked that Oogway chose to stand in his way, indicating that he probably expected Oogway to join him in his conquest, but had no qualms with having to fight him when he did. After being in the Spirit Realm for 500 years, Kai and his appetite for power and revenge had only grown stronger.

There is currently little known about Kai's personality, though he is described as being an "evil spirit". He hates to be interrupted when he is talking, as seen when he got very annoyed when Po wasn't willing to listen and continuously butted in with "chit-chat". While he is a vindictive and destructive warrior, he does occasionally spare a fair bit of humor, albeit being rather grim and menacing as well.

Kai also holds great hatred for his former friend Oogway, stating that he "loved him like a brother", and believes that Oogway betrayed him, which he is apparently still hurt about, despite that Kai himself is actually the one who betrayed Oogway's trust, becoming a monster harming innocent pandas, which is why Oogway fought him as Kai's ego is too heavy to see it was his own fault Oogway turned against him. This is demonstrated when he destroyed Oogway's statue and brutalized his students. It is also implied that he holds the Pandas responsible for turning Oogway against him.

Powers and Abilities[]

KFP3 Kai1

Po tries to use the Wuxi Finger Hold technique on Kai, but to no avail

  • Master Combatant: Kai is ancient, thus he is one of the oldest veterans of Kung Fu and also has fighting skills that are far greater than the likes of almost every Kung Fu master in history. The use of one of his chain blade swords takes an average warrior decades to fully master, whereas he has mastered the use of two blades without any flaws, thus providing proof of his superior combat abilities.
  • Spirit Warrior Physiology: Kai is described as a "supernatural villain", which indicates that he possesses supernatural powers. It was later revealed that Kai possesses the ability to "steal the powers from every kung fu master he defeats", particularly their chi. After absorbing the chi of someone, the victim in question is transformed into a small jade ornament that Kai wears on his belt, and when needed, he can summon these figures, turning them into jade, statue-like creatures, and see through their eyes. Since he is a "Spirit Warrior", he can't die by natural means nor by most Kung Fu Techniques. However, this does not mean he can't be destroyed. He also has an advanced amount of supernatural strength, speed, stamina, and durability, as well as enhanced healing powers.
  • Genius Level Intelligence: Kai was able to reverse the pattern of giving chi to steal it for himself after observing the pandas healing Oogway, creating a new technique. He is also a master strategist, shown with how he outsmarted Shifu by making him do research on his name, luring Crane to him and analysing his chi to see weaknesses such as the Jade Palace (which he couldn't know about since he was banished before its creation) to use later against Shifu. He is also incredibly proficient at tracking as shown with him tracking the pandas with little difficulty, as well as controlling his minions strategically.

Weapons[]

  • Chain Swords: Kai fights primarily with the swords attached to long chains. He has also been seen wielding axe-like blades, indicating that he is extremely competent and skillful with multiple weapons.

Weaknesses[]

  • Chi: Despite Kai being a seemingly unstoppable force, he is not completely invincible or immortal. Kai is completely invulnerable to age, sickness, and even Lord Shen's super-cannons. However, as a supernatural being, a supernatural force can and must be utilized to hurt him. An example would be how Tigress's chi-infused kick broke through his invulnerability and momentarily stunned him. Another example is how Oogway used Chi to weaken Kai, even though Oogway willingly lost the fight. Po utilized a chi-constructed dragon to cause major damage to Kai; when Po gave Kai all of the Chi Kai ever wanted, he became seemingly authoritative and all-powerful for a few seconds, before "dying" due to an excessive amount of Chi injected into his body.

Quotes[]

Oogway: Kai, old friend.
Kai: Master Oogway.
Oogway: Our battle ended 500 years ago.
Kai: Well, now I'm ready for a rematch.
Oogway: Took you long enough. (laughs)
~ Kai and Oogway reuniting in the Spirit Realm; also Kai's first words
Oogway: You've grown stronger!
Kai: 500 years in the Spirit Realm. You pick up a thing or two. I have taken the chi of every master here.
Oogway: (gasps) No!
Kai: Yes. And soon, I will have
your power, too!
Oogway: When will you realize? The more you take, the less you have.
~ Kai and Oogway when the former reveals what he has done during his stay in the Spirit Realm
Kai: With your chi, I will finally be able to return to the mortal world. And this time, you won't be there to stop me.
Oogway: Ah... It was never my destiny to stop you. I have set another on that path.
(Oogway petrifies into a green talisman which Kai catches)
Kai: Then I will find him and take
his chi too.
~ Kai defeating Oogway in the Spirit Realm
Kai: KAI HAS RETURNED!
Farmer 1: ...Who?
Kai: Kai. General Kai. Supreme Warlord of all China.
Farmer 1: ...Huh?
Kai: The Jade Slayer. The Master of Pain. You may know me as the Beast of Vengeance. Uh... Maker of Widows?
Farmer 2: ...Eh?
Kai: Okay, I used to work with Oogway.
~ Kai talking to the farmers who encountered him
Kai: (laughs evilly) I see you. Your chi will soon be mine.
Po: Is he talking to me?
Tigress: Which one? They’re all talking.
Po: Whoa, you're right. That's so scary. We should try that, too. Maybe it'd be scary back at them.
Mantis: Okay, but we gotta plan what we're gonna say first. Otherwise, it won't be scary, it'll be just stupid.
Kai: It's not them talking, you idiots! It's me talking through them, Kai!
Po, Shifu, and the Five: [all unison] Who?
Kai: Okay, okay, okay. Enough.
~ Kai talking to Oogway's students through the Jombies
Your chi is strong. Just like your friend, the bug.
~ Kai confronting Crane
Kai: Look at you pathetic fools, grovelling at the feet of Oogway the magnificent!
Tigress: You are not fit to speak his name!
Kai: I am not fit, little kitten?
~ Kai provoking Tigress
I fought by his side. I loved him like a brother. And he... betrayed me. Well, now I will destroy… EVERYTHING HE HAS CREATED!
~ Kai explaining how Oogway betrayed him
Shifu: Oogway, forgive me.
Kai: (laughs evilly) What do you say, Oogway? Do you forgive him?
Shifu: You may have destroyed the Jade Palace, but you will NEVER succeed! There will always be someone to stop you!
Kai: Who? The panda? His chi is strong, but it won't be enough. He will meet the same fate as you.
Shifu: No.
Kai: And so will every panda in that village.
~ Kai mocking Shifu and taking his chi
Kai: You must be the Dragon Warrior!
Po: And you must be Kai... Beast of Vengeance, Maker of Widows!
Kai: Yes! Finally! Thank you! Almost makes me wanna spare your life.
Po: Oh, you wanna spare me? How about you spare the Chit-Chat? Alright? Let's do this.
Kai: I'm going to take your chi and then the chi of every panda in the...
Po: Ugh, chit chat!
Kai: In the...
Po: Chitty, chitty, chat, chat...
Kai: In...
Po: Chat, chat, chat.
Kai: In the...
Po: Chit chat.
~ Kai meeting Po
Round them all up.
~ Kai ordering his minions to gather all the pandas
Oh no! It's working! No, no! (gags, but later chuckles evilly) No, it's not. Did Oogway teach you that little trick? Too bad. It only works on mortals, and I...am a spirit warrior
~ Kai mocking Po when the latter tried to use the Wuxi Finger Hold on him
So, Oogway, this was the one destined to stop me? I will have his chi, and then all of theirs! (looks at Po) And you... (laughs evilly) you really thought you could send me back to the Spirit Realm? (chuckles evilly) You are just a stupid mortal.
~ Kai mocking Po
Kai: Get off me, you... (notices that he is back in the Spirit Realm) You brought me back?!
Po: Don't blame me. I tried to finish this in the regular realm.
Kai: Then we'll finish it here!
~ Kai beginning his fight with Po
Kai: It took me 500 years to take Oogway's chi. I will have yours if it takes me 500 more!
Po: Chitty, chitty, chat chat. Chit. Chat.
(Kai lunges at Po)
Po: You want my chi so bad? Then take it.
(Po infuses his chi directly into Kai)
Kai: YES! The power...is MINE! (notices something is wrong) Wait. No. It's too much. IT'S TOO MUCH! NO! (screaming) NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
~ Kai's last words as Po's powerful chi overwhelms him to his defeat

Trivia[]

  • There is a possibility that Kai the Collector was partially based on the Bull King from the 14th-century Chinese classic novel Journey to the West, who is also a supernatural bull and a former brother-in-arm of a protagonist 500 years prior to the when the main conflict between him and the main protagonist takes place.
  • In Chinese, the name "Kai" most often translates to "victory" (traditional Chinese: 凱 simplified Chinese: 凯; pinyin: kǎi) or "open" (traditional Chinese: 開; simplified Chinese: 开; pinyin: kāi).
  • Kai's voice actor, J.K. Simmons said that Kai will be "not happy about life in general", but will have a sense of humor, "even if it is a little bit dark". He added that Kai is also extremely vengeful and treacherous, and a "bitter, bitter guy".
  • Mads Mikkelsen was originally reported to voice Kai the Collector, but Mikkelsen was ultimately dropped from the film because the character was rewritten, leading J.K. Simmons to be cast in his place.
  • He is one of the few demonic villains who appeared in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, alongside Ke-Pa and his demonic army, Jiang Shi, the Mongolian Fist Demon, Jindiao and White Bone Demon.
  • When Kai says that after "500 years in the Spirit Realm, you pick up a thing or two". The line "A thing or two" is a reference to the "Farmers" commercials that his voice actor appeared in.
  • Kai's theme music incorporates a remix of the Imagine Dragons song "I'm So Sorry" with more oriental instruments to fit the Chinese-inspired setting.
  • Kai is a dark parallel to Po's entire journey. In the first movie, both Po and Kai want power, but Po realises self is the true power that is acquired which is done by mastering yourself, not by using force. In the second movie, both Po and Kai can't let go of the past, but Po forgives Shen and finds peace. In the third film, Po and Kai both show feelings of betrayal when Li and Oogway respectively betray their feelings, but Po decides to reconnect with Li while Kai goes for revenge. Had Po not realised self, past and balance, he would have ended up like Kai.
  • Interestingly, the actions Kai performs to absorb the chi of others are the actions the pandas did to give chi in the flashback except done in reverse.
  • In an interview with co-director Stephanie Ma Stine, Kai and Shen were added very late during the production of Kung Fu Panda 4, which is why neither J.K. Simmons nor Gary Oldman returned to voice their respective characters.

External Links[]

Navigation[]

           KungFuPandaTitle Villains

Movies
Kung Fu Panda: Tai Lung | Criminals
Kung Fu Panda 2: Lord Shen | Lord Shen's Wolf Army (Boss Wolf)
Kung Fu Panda 3: Kai the Collector
Kung Fu Panda 4: The Chameleon | Chameleon's Army | Granny Boar | Tai Lung | Lord Shen | Kai the Collector

Short Films
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll: Boar
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters: Wu Sisters

Television
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness: Brotherhood of Malfeasance (Hundun, Taotie, Fung, Gahri, Temutai & Tong Fo) | Fenghuang | Junjie | Scorpion | Bing | Heilang | Bad Po | Bian Zao | Fu-Xi | Ke-Pa | Pang Bing | Alien Rice Weevils | Yaoguai Twins | Crocodile Bandits (Fung, Gahri, Wall Eye, Irwin, Wong, Lidong) | Wu Kong | Tsao, Lao and Bao | General Tsin | Jong Sung
Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny: Jindiao | Jade Tusk | Rooster | Wing & Wong | Yaoguai | Imperial Army (White Bone Demon, Shi Long & General Fang)
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight: Klaus and Veruca Dumont | Alfie | Chuntao | Rukhmini | High Priestess | Jayesh | Zuma | Nian

Video Games
Wu Sisters | Great Gorilla† | Fai Suan | Kuai Xun | Kai | Mao Ren | Mei Ling


Advertisement