Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness explained

Runtime:23 minutes
Developer:Peter Hastings
Voices:
Composer:
Producer:
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:80
List Episodes:List of Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness episodes

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness is an American animated comedy spin-off television series co-produced by DreamWorks Animation and Nickelodeon Animation Studio based on DreamWorks's Kung Fu Panda films. First released in 2011, the show serves as a bridge between the first and second films, showing Po's training to becoming a successful Dragon Warrior, whereas the second film is, according to the series' developer Peter Hastings, "not unlike a very long, super-deluxe 3-D version of one of our episodes."[1]

Released

The series was originally set to air on Nickelodeon in 2010,[2] but it was pushed back to 2011 instead. The series premiered with a special preview on September 19, 2011, and began airing regularly on November 7.[3] Three seasons were produced. Airing ceased in the United States partway through season 3. Before finishing up in the United States, all the episodes had aired already in other countries, for example on Nicktoons in Germany from 2014–15[4] [5] and then on YTV in Canada from 2015–16.[6] In 2016, Nicktoons in the United States began running ads announcing the airing of new episodes; it was subsequently revealed that five of the ten unaired episodes would play from February 15 through February 19.[7] As a result, the final episode aired on June 29, 2016.

Cast

Besides Lucy Liu and James Hong, who reprise their film roles as Viper and Mr. Ping, the cast features new voice actors for the characters of Po (Mick Wingert), Master Shifu (Fred Willard), Tigress (Kari Wahlgren), Crane (Amir Talai), Monkey (James Sie), and Mantis (Max Koch).

Netflix commissioned a successor series, titled , in 2022. Peter Hastings, the developer of Legends of Awesomeness, returned as an executive producer. Unlike the said show, however, Jack Black reprised his role as Po from the films.[8]

Synopsis

Po and the Furious Five defend the Valley of Peace from villains of different kinds. All the while, Po makes accidents, learns lessons, learns more about the history of kung fu, and meets other famous kung fu masters.

Episodes

See main article: List of Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness episodes.

Voice cast

See main article: List of Kung Fu Panda characters.

Development

The series was DreamWorks Animation's second co-production with Nickelodeon.[9] The two companies previously partnered on The Penguins of Madagascar.

The show's musical score is done by the Track Team, most Chinese musical instruments including erhu, zhonghu, gaohu, bawu, hulusi, xiao, dizi, guqin, sanxian, suona, guanzi, xun etc. by well-known multi-instrumentalist Hong Wang.[10] In addition, Sifu Kisu was the martial arts consultant for the show as he was on the series.[11]

Media

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness took part in Nickelodeon's revamp to their cartoon season on TV. As an early promotion, Po was featured in a Nickelodeon bumper alongside other characters.[12] On July 23, an exclusive sneak peek of the show was shown at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con, with producers and members of the voice cast present at the panel.[13] A sneak peek episode was released for the DVD / Blu-ray release for Kung Fu Panda 2 on December 13, 2011.[14] In addition, two sneak preview episodes aired (one on September 19, 2011 and another on October 21, 2011) before the official premiere of the show. In June 2018, it was announced that the series will stream on Hulu.[15]

Other dubbed versions

In 2021, Bangladeshi television channel Duronto started to broadcast a Bengali dubbed version of this show as part of the channel's 15th season.[16]

Critical reception

Mary McNamara of Los Angeles Times called Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness "a show that won't drive every adult in earshot absolutely crazy. And these days, that's saying something."[17] Kevin McFarland of The A.V. Club said that the show "rips out the elements that made the original film such a surprise, leaving behind a derivative, cliché-laden children's show that recycles moral platitudes adequately but is otherwise indistinguishable from countless other programs" and "isn't a show that's aiming to be cutting edge or original, just mildly entertaining, which it is....This isn't going to harm any kids, but it's not going to impress them either."[18] Despite the mixed reviews, the show has received four Emmy Awards and nominated for four Annie Awards.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2012Annie Awards[19] Best Television Production Childrenrowspan="5"
Character Animation in a Television ProductionMichael Franceschi
Directing in a Television ProductionGabe Swarr
Editing in a Television ProductionHugo Morales, Davrick Waltjen, Adam Arnold, Otto Ferrene
Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Cartoon
Daytime Emmy Awards[20] [21]
Outstanding Sound Editing – AnimationJoe Pizzulo, Paulette Lifton, James Lifton, Benjamin Wynn, Jeremy Zuckerman, Rob McIntryre, Anna Adams, Jason Stiff, Molly Minus, Matt Hall, Andrew Ing, Roberto Dominguez Alegria, Aran Tanchum, Chris Gresham and Lawrence Reyesrowspan="4"
Outstanding Sound Mixing – AnimationJustin Brinsfield, Matt Corey and Thomas J. Maydeck
Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or SpecialSarah Noonan and Meredith Layne
Outstanding Individual in AnimationJoel Fajnor
British Academy Children's Awards[22] InternationalPeter Hastings, Gabe Swarr, Randy Doormans
2013Annie Awards[23] [24] Storyboarding in an Animated Television or other Broadcast Venue ProductionRyan Kramer, Paul Linsley, Kenji Ono, Le Tang, Alice Herring, Mike Mullen, Aaron Hammersley (for "Enter the Dragon")rowspan="2"
Writing in an Animated Television or other Broadcast Venue ProductionDoug Langdale (for "Kung Fu Day Care")
Editorial in an Animated Television or other Broadcast Venue ProductionHugo Morales, Adam Arnold, Davrick Waltjen, Otto Ferrene (for "Monkey in the Middle")
Hugo Morales, Adam Arnold, Davrick Waltjen, Otto Ferrene (for "Enter the Dragon")
Daytime Emmy Awards[25] [26] Outstanding Children's Animated ProgramPeter Hastings, Bret Haaland, Randy Dormans, Gabe Swarr, Andrew Huebner
Outstanding Directing in an Animated ProgramGabe Swarr, Michael Mullen, Lane Lueras, Juan Meza-Leon, Peter Hastings
Outstanding Individual in AnimationJoel Fajnor (for "Kung Fu Day Care")
Bill Dely (for "Kung Shoes")
Outstanding Writing in AnimationPeter Hastings, Doug Langdale, Gene Grillo, Paul Rugg, Kevin Seccia, Scot Kreamer
Outstanding Sound Editing – AnimationJoe Pizzulo, Gary Falcone, Jeremy Zukerman, Benjamin Wynn, Rob McIntyre, Anna Adams, Marc Schmidt, Andrew Ing, Jeseey Drake, Roberto Dominguez Alegira, Cynthia Merrill
Outstanding Sound Mixing – AnimationJustin Brinsfield, Thomas J Maydeck, Rob McIntyre
Primetime Emmy Awards[27] Outstanding Animated ProgramFor episode: "Enter The Dragon"
British Academy Children's Awards[28] InternationalKung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness
2014Annie Awards[29] Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children's Audience
Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast ProductionKatie Matila
Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast ProductionAdam Arnold, Hugo Morales, Davrick Waltjen
Daytime Emmy Award[30] [31] Outstanding Children's Animated ProgramPeter Hastings, Bret Haaland, Randy Dormans, Gabe Swarr, Joann Estoesta and Andrew Huebner
Outstanding Writing in an Animated ProgramGene Grillo, Peter Hastings, Scott Kreamer, Doug Langdale and Paul Rugg
Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program Aaron Hammersley, Lane Lueras, Michael Mullen and Peter Hastings
Outstanding Sound Mixing – AnimationJustin Brinsfield, Matt Corey, Thomas J. Maydeck and Rob McIntyre
Outstanding Sound Editing – AnimationGary Falcone, Jeremy Zuckerman, Benjamin Wynn, Jessey Drake, Andrew Ing, Anna Adams, Roberto Alegria, Cynthia Merrill, Rob McIntyre and Marc Schmidt
2015Daytime Emmy Award[32] [33] Outstanding Sound Editing – AnimationGary Falcone, Rob McIntyre, Marc Schmidt, Jeremy Zuckerman, Benjamin Wynn, Anna Adams, Andrew Ing, Thomas J. Maydeck, Roberto Dominguez Alegria and Cynthia Merrillrowspan="2"
Outstanding Sound Mixing – AnimationJustin Brinsfield, Matt Corey, Thomas J. Maydeck, Rob McIntyre and Roberto Dominguez Alegria

Home media

+Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness home video releasesSeason Episodes Release dates
Region 1
12011–12 15 (of 26) Kung Fu Panda 2

December 13, 2011
Episode(s): "Has-Been Hero"----Good Croc, Bad Croc: June 18, 2013[34]
Episode(s): "The Princess and the Po" • "Chain Reaction" • "Good Croc, Bad Croc" • "Jailhouse Panda" • "Bad Po" • "Po Fans Out" • "Father Crime"----The Scorpion Sting: October 15, 2013[35]
Episode(s): "Scorpion's Sting" • "Owl Be Back" • "Love Stings" • "Monkey in the Middle"----The Midnight Stranger: March 11, 2014[36]
Episode(s): "Master Ping"----Holiday Hijinks: November 18, 2014 (Redbox exclusive)
Episode(s): "Hometown Hero" • "Hall of Lame"

22012–13 10 (of 26) The Scorpion Sting: October 15, 2013
Episode(s): "Kung Shoes" • "Crane On A Wire" • "Qilin Time"----The Midnight Stranger: March 11, 2014
Episode(s): "Shifu's Back" • "Terror Cotta" • "The Midnight Stranger" • "Shoot the Messenger" • "Secret Admirer" • "Huge"----Holiday Hijinks: November 18, 2014 (Redbox exclusive)
Episode(s): "Present Tense"
32013–16 2 (of 28) Holiday Hijinks: November 18, 2014 (Redbox exclusive)
Episode(s): "Shifu's Ex" • "Po Picks a Pocket"

Notes and References

  1. News: Zahed. Ramin. Kung Fu Panda Proves His Chops on Nick. August 3, 2014. Animation Magazine. October 7, 2011.
  2. News: Barnes. Brooks. 'Kung Fu Panda' to Become a Series on Nickelodeon . January 11, 2014. The New York Times. May 13, 2009.
  3. News: Megahit Martial Arts Panda is Back as Nickelodeon and Dreamworks Animation Premiere Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, New CG-Animated Series, Monday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 P.M. (ET/PT). October 26, 2011. PR Newswire. October 25, 2011 . this year, has brought in $664 million at the worldwide box office. Kung Fu Panda 2 debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on December 13, 2011. Lucy Liu (Kill Bill) and James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China) reprise their roles as Viper and Mr. Ping
    Kari Wahlgren (Tak and the Power of Juju) as Tigress, Amir Talai (Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay) as Crane, Max Koch (Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five) as Mantis, Fred Tatasciore (Family Guy) as Shifu and James Sie (King of the Hill) as Monkey . 12 November 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111112164538/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/megahit-martial-arts-panda-is-back-as-nickelodeon-and-dreamworks-animation-premiere-kung-fu-panda--legends-of-awesomeness-new-cg-animated-series-monday-nov-7-at-530-pm-etpt-132549638.html . live.
  4. Web site: Kung Fu Panda: Episodenguide. 31 December 2015. de .
    71 3. 19 Die ersten Fünf 29.12.2014 The First Five
    72 3. 20 Im Dienst des Kaisers (1) 06.09.2014 Emperors Rules, Part 1
    73 3. 21 Im Dienst des Kaisers (2) 06.09.2014 Emperors Rules, Part 2
    74 3. 22 Jugend Re-Volte 30.12.2014 Youth In Re-Volt
    75 3. 23 Ohne Tsin und Verstand 31.12.2014 See No Weevil
    76 3. 24 Der greinende Ganter 01.01.2015 Goose Chase
    77 3. 25 Der Angsthasenkrieger 02.01.2015 Face Full Of Fear
    78 3. 26 Die vernachlässigten Fünf 05.01.2015 Training Session 4
    79 3. 27 Camping mit Ping 06.01.2015
    80 3. 28 Po, das Krokodil 07.01.2015.
  5. Web site: Kung Fu Panda Staffel 3 Episodenguide (Seite 2) . FernsehSerien.De . Staffel 3, Folge 3.15–3.28.
  6. Web site: RogersOnDemand.Com . https://web.archive.org/web/20160208114820/http://www.rogersondemand.com/OnDemand/Show/kung_fu_panda?lang=en . Kung Fu Panda . 8 February 2016 .
    EP 65 Emperors Rules (Part 2) Aired on 01/17/16
    EP 64 Emperors Rules (Part 1) Aired on 12/20/15
    EP 31 Shifus Back Aired on 11/22/15.
  7. Web site: All Upcoming Times for Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness . Zap2it.com . 9 February 2016 .
    Youth in Re-Volt Mon 2/15
    Forsaken and Furious Tue 2/16
    Po the Croc Wed 2/17
    Camp Ping Thu 2/18
    Goose Chase Fri 2/19.
  8. Web site: Netflix Orders 'Kung Fu Panda' Animated Series with Jack Black Returning as Po . 16 March 2022 .
  9. Web site: Nickelodeon orders 'Kung Fu Panda: The Series' . . 14 May 2009 .
  10. News: Starting up on "Kung Fu Panda". August 27, 2011. The Track Team. September 16, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110408154705/http://www.thetrackteam.com/news/2010/9/16/starting-up-on-kung-fu-panda.html. April 8, 2011.
  11. News: Post #2 for Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. Kung Fu Magazine Forums. Sifu Kisu. July 29, 2011. September 25, 2011.
  12. News: Nickelodeon asks: Are you ready? TMNT, TUFF Puppy, Fairly OddParents, SpongeBob, Kung-Fu Panda. September 24, 2011. ToonBarn. May 3, 2011. ToonBarn Rob.
  13. News: SDCC 2011: Friday Comic-Con Schedule. September 24, 2011. MovieWeb. July 23, 2011. Timmy. September 11, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110911031257/http://www.movieweb.com/comic-con/2011/news/sdcc-2011-friday-comic-con-schedule. dead.
  14. News: 'Kung Fu Panda 2' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order! . High-Def Digest . 2011-06-26 . 2011-06-27.
  15. Web site: 'Daria,' 'My Super Sweet 16' to Stream Exclusively on Hulu . . June 25, 2018. June 25, 2018. Natalie . Jarvey.
  16. News: Duronto TV's 15th season kicks off. 8 April 2021. 7 July 2021. Dhaka Tribune.
  17. News: McNamara. Mary. Television review: 'Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness'. May 11, 2012. Los Angeles Times. November 7, 2011.
  18. News: McFarland. Kevin. Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness. January 30, 2012. A.V. Club. November 7, 2011. January 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120114092134/http://www.avclub.com/articles/kung-fu-panda-legends-of-awesomeness%2C64678/. dead.
  19. News: Beck . Jerry . "Rango" tops Annie Award Winners . February 6, 2012 . Cartoon Brew . February 4, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120603222731/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/top/rango-tops-annie-award-winners.html . June 3, 2012 .
  20. Web site: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award Nominations . National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . May 9, 2012 . May 10, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190121/http://www.emmyonline.tv/mediacenter/_pdf/day_1112_nominees_anounced_v11.pdf . April 2, 2015 .
  21. Web site: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Winners for the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy® Awards . National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . June 17, 2012 . June 18, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095154/http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_pdf/day_1112_creative_arts_winners.pdf . April 2, 2015 .
  22. Web site: Children's in 2012. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 19 February 2023.
  23. Web site: Annie Awards Nominees. International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood. January 31, 2013.
  24. News: Beck. Jerry. Annie Award Winners. February 3, 2013. Cartoon Brew. February 2, 2013.
  25. News: The Nation Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces The 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations . May 3, 2013 . The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . May 1, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130503114448/http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/daytime_40th_nominations.html . May 3, 2013 .
  26. Web site: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Winners for the 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy® Awards. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. June 18, 2013. June 14, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130929182808/http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_pdf/day_1213_creative_arts_winners_v02.pdf. September 29, 2013.
  27. Web site: Outstanding Animated Program. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 18. July 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131228092627/http://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/2013-noms-Press-Release-rev8.pdf. December 28, 2013. dead.
  28. Web site: Children's in 2013. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 19 February 2023.
  29. News: Amidi. Amid. Complete List of 2013 Annie Award Nominations. December 6, 2013. Cartoon Brew. December 2, 2013.
  30. News: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award Nominations. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. May 1, 2014. May 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140705140059/http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_41st_nominations_v03.8.pdf. July 5, 2014. dead.
  31. Web site: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Winners for the 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy® Awards. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. June 21, 2014. June 21, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140705034232/http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_41st_creative_arts_winners.pdf. July 5, 2014. dead.
  32. News: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 42nd Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award Nominations. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. March 31, 2015. March 31, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216141629/http://emmyonline.com/download/42nd%20Daytime%20_nominations_9_21_FINAL%282%29.pdf. February 16, 2016. dead.
  33. Web site: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Winners for the 42nd Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy® Awards. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. April 26, 2015. April 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000918/http://emmyonline.com/download/42nd_Creative_Arts_winners_9_20_FINAL%282%29.pdf. February 4, 2018. dead.
  34. News: Lambert. David. Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness – 'Good Croc, Bad Croc' is a DVD Release of the TV Spin-Off. May 15, 2013. TVShowsOnDVD.com. April 22, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130527001625/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Kung-Fu-Panda-Legends-Awesomeness-Good-Croc-Bad-Croc/18353. May 27, 2013.
  35. News: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment: – "Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness: The Scorpion Sting" on DVD October 15; "Monsters vs Aliens: Cloning Around" on DVD October 15. September 12, 2013. Don411.com. September 10, 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20130912154549/http://don411.com/entry/twentieth-century-fox-home-entertainment-kung-fu-panda-legends-of-awesomeness-the-scorpion-sting-on-dvd-october-15-monsters-vs-aliens-cloning-around-on-dvd-october-15. September 12, 2013.
  36. Web site: Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness: The Midnight Stranger. Fox Connect. December 27, 2013.

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