Proof that the remaining 10% is worth getting skadooshed for here.
These are recommendations made by tropers for the Kung Fu Panda Fan Fics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.
You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.
Authors, and Websites
- Recommended by AnythingGoes
- Comments: A writer who is fluidly poetic, has a wide vocabulary range that he's not afraid to use, and is sometimes melodramatic but works in generating much Angst. His portfolio contains stories and oneshots that span both movies, most of which are powerful while touching all at the same time.
- Recommended by AnythingGoes
- Comments: Already rather established in the fandom, as evidenced by her near Doorstopper-length fics, this author can really write. Many of her chapters read almost like actual novels, keep the characters beautifully in-character, and show just how much dedication and effort she puts into her work.
- Recommended by KaoruSailorZ
- Comments: This author is highly recommended for her stories and like Luna, she can write. Most of her fics are mostly Shen-centric but believable and realistic. All the characters are in-character, even showing a side that is implied. She shows a lot of work and dedication to make it the best she can.
Secret of The Secrets
by M4dG4rl
- Recommended by hebira15
- Status : Completed
- Synopsis : He has always been watching her, dreaming of being her friend since he was a kid. But he is nothing while she is something special. As she's being helpless, he is the only one to be her helper. A few hours pass, leaving a beautiful memory they will never forget until they're on the same level. [A collab with 3431jess, #KFPFRIEND 16]
- Comments : One of few Kung Fu Panda fanfics that revolves around young Tigress and young Po up that's inspired from its short film The Secret of The Scroll.
That's Why They Call It The Present by Luna Goldsun (minor sexual themes, violence)
- Now has a page on this wiki: That's Why They Call It the Present.
- Recommended by Gattsuru
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Fairly long Fix Fic set after the events of the film, bringing back and giving a Heel–Face Turn to Tai Lung, just in time to fight off an attacking horde lead by the man who made Tai Lung a Doorstop Baby and sliced apart Tai Lung's father.
- Comments: Completed story. Shipping content features in some chapters, mostly between canon/non-canon characters or Snake/Crane, but is not focus of stories. Slightly Dark Fic, or at least Darker and Edgier than the original Never Say "Die" storyline. Falls into a lot of common fanfic traps, like adding a wide variety of satellite characters, pulling extra legendary warrior statuses out of thin air, having Heel Face Turned characters accepted a bit too easily, and 'borrowing' well-established jokes. Some Rape as Drama meets Prison Rape meets
Unfortunate Implications, too. All that said, it provides an incredible deconstruction of Tai Lung's motivation and what would had happened if he were made the Dragon Warrior (as well as Master Shifu's), keeps each character's tone of voice similar to the film, and has some rather artful moments that make it well worth reading.- One thing to note: while it may seem like pulling legendary warrior statuses out of thin air, the author has actually done her research well: the Dragon and the Phoenix have always been traditionally paired in Chinese mythology, and in fact are used to symbolize the Emperor and the Empire respectively. With Tai Lung's knowledge of the scrolls and his overall prowess as a warrior, it makes a lot of sense he would earn this position, particularly with all the ways he acts as a Foil to Po. Even if this seems like a bit too much to swallow for the snow leopard, it would not surprise this troper at all to see a warrior status like this appearing in one of the movie's sequels (obviously as someone else). The author has also finished a sequel, "Soaring Dragon, Dancing Phoenix" which is doing an admirable job of both explaining the warrior's powers and role and also making it seem much less like a random Rule of Cool insertion.
Memoirs Of A Master by Luna Goldsun. Violence, minor sexual themes.
- Recommended by Sithking Zero, Keshia
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: From FF.net: "Months after Tai Lung's defeat, Shifu has been shutting himself away. When Po and the Five investigate, they discover more about their beloved master than they ever thought possible."
- Pairing(s): Shifu/OC, OC/OC, Po/Tigress. This is not a shipping fic, though, so if you don't like those, then don't worry, it's not the main focus.
- Comments: Exactly what it says on the tin, the story revolves around Master Shifu's memoirs. They find his memoirs and begin to take turns reading them out loud as a group, which reveals Shifu's entire life, starting from his original home with his two brothers, his grandmother, and his parents. I could not put this story down, and I loved it to death. That's not to say that this is, in fact, a happy story, far from it. It's far darker than the movie upon which it is based, going into topics such as the Mongols and their invasions, the attitude towards women in ancient China, and political upheaval. Flushes out the KFP universe quite nicely, with depth and drama and storytelling that puts her previous work, That's Why They Call It The Present to shame. It is a rare author that can make one care for an OC, but this story makes you like Shifu's comrades and friends. Also, if you don't cry when Yeying dies, you have no soul. Also explains the origins of pretty much everything in the KFP universe, another plus. In short, one of the best KFP stories out there, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.
- The epilogue to this fic is the icing on the cake. It's short and comprehensive, and the many letters from friends past and present left this reader feeling very wholesome.
- Sithking Zero: A quick note, this story HAS been rendered AU due to Kung Fu Panda 2 and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. It's still really good, though.
The Next Dragon Warrior Trilogy by Joe 'Po' Navark
- Recommended by Snapzter.
- Status: Completed
- The Next Dragon Warrior
- Synopsis: A shy lonely badger named Jo longs to be like his idol, Po, while he strives to make friends at a Kung Fu camp at the Jade Palace.
- Comments: Among themes of loneliness and self-doubt, friendship remains a strong theme throughout the coming-of-age story as it explores the bonding between the OC and Master Po.
- The third chapter is meant to be the Kung Fu Panda short "The Secrets of the Furious Five" from the OC's point of view as a bachground character unseen in the short.
- Jo, the badger, has quickly become one of the most popular OC's of the fandom being used in several other different authors' stories.
- Making the Cut
- Synopsis: One year after he is blessed with the title of being the second Dragon Warrior, Jo is finding his training with the Masters getting more difficult. But after a fight with Shifu, Jo is faced with a new test that went unplanned by everyone and losing the fight means losing his life. He has his work cut out.
- The Eyes of the Wolverine
- When Jo is invited on his first group mission with the masters to take down an undefeated kung fu warrior he's enthralled, especially when he encounters his first experience with romance. But Jo finds that he's being shadowed by a mysterious wolverine of unknown origins and intentions. Jo begins to believe that the wolverine seeks to protect him. But will this wolverine help Jo when he becomes the next target for this warrior?
A Different Lesson by Nievelion (sexual themes, violence, gore and horror imagery)
- Has a page on this wiki: A Different Lesson.
- Recommended by RemTar85
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Easily the longest (but no less interesting) Kung Fu Panda fanfic out there. Set immediately after the first film, it deals with a Heel–Face Turn for Tai Lung and all that comes with it, including friendship, romance, hardships, and dangerous new villains, even going into supernatural territory, both in light and dark ways. Pairings include Tai Lung/Tigress, Crane/Mei Ling, and a surprise one at the end, but the plot deals just as much with action, suspense, mystery, and the consequences of redeeming a terrifying villain. No Get Out of Jail Free card here!
- Comments: Completed story. This one is epic, often very much Darker and Edgier then the movie ever was, and though it's long enough to pretty much make a novel of it, and one might not agree with some of the happenings and sometimes falling into occasional fanfic traps, it never stops being interesting and does things very smartly. Tai Lung's Heel–Face Turn is realistically treated in making it a slow and steady, and sometimes quite difficult, process. The main villain provides a feeling of dread and danger, and the addition of known characters such as Mei Ling is most welcome, especially in how the author effectively uses the Wu Sisters (canon characters unused in the film) in his own way. There is also plenty of well-executed humor, believable character interaction, and admirable research of China by the author. A long read, no doubt, but it makes up for it by being one of the best and smartest Kung Fu Panda fanfics around.
- Ingonyama: As a decidedly non-Tai Lung fan, I have to say I was extremely skeptical about this one. But reading over it, once you penetrate the somewhat thick prose, it turns into an insightful redemption story that does a good job of making him into something forgivable, and even likable. The Wu Sisters are very obviously Expies of "Ozai's Angels", but they work very well with the story's Anachronism Stew...which in itself isn't nearly as bad as it has been in other KFP fics. There's comedy (keep an eye out for a subtle Deconstruction of most "Taigress" fic), horror, tragedy (the death of a fan-made character has never hit me this hard), and of course, loads and loads of action. Not to mention a long, long list of those things that make fiction go 'round.
Bamboo: Wounds Heal, But Scars Won't by Herehopelies
- Recommended by Tora Yakari and Domenic
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: First in a series of KFP one-shots. Shen doesn't care what scars do...
- Comments: A very sad but beautiful, extremely well-written one-shot about Shen's childhood and what drove him to massacre the Panda village, aside from just the prophecy. One of the most interesting things about this story is how much of is through the perspective of his parents, so you get some real insight into what they really felt and thought about their poor, sickly son. The author has promised to update this story with different themed one-shots in the future, so here's hoping the later additions are as great as the first.
Funeral of A Madman by Eldritch Hunter
- Recommended by Ian-MacLeod
- Status: Dead (last updated January 2018)
- Synopsis: When supernatural events start massacring villages in China, the main characters are targeted by the next wave of bloodthirsty hostiles of unnatural villainy.
- Comments: A real chilling thriller of horror and supernatural involved, which happens shortly after KFP 2 and Legends of Awesomeness. Fan characters are portrayed realistically while main and supporting characters have close brushes with death, a real thriller worth looking for if you're into dark and twisted stuff, some of you that like Stephen King-styled stories, this is one similar to that. Though the story isn't high on favs or follows, which for some reason have sporadically gone back and forth between the number 20 and 25 before settling on (as of current date) 21 favs and 23 follows, the story is very well-written, with errors ranging from little to nonexistent as well as a intriguing plot. Truly a Dark Fic that is Darker and Edgier than other Kung Fu Panda fanfic in existence; death, violence, and strong language occur occasionally. M rated in rank as some sexual themes are hinted at strongly. Are you brave enough to read this (and kind enough to raise the favorites bar?).
The Life and Times of Lord Shen by Domenic
- Recommended by Kchishol
- Status: Dead (last updated May 2012)
- Synopsis: The story of Lord Shen from his childhood to his death at the semi-hands of Po the Dragon Warrior.
- Comments: An intriguingly elaborate and heartbreaking story about the Peacock villain that takes maximum advantage of known backstory information. In doing so, we have a tragic story about a sickly prince's Start of Darkness trying so hard to connect with his parents until his determination drives him to do the unthinkable.
- Recommended by Jack O Crow
- Status: Dead (last updated April 2012)
- Synopsis: Set two years after a decidedly dark alternate ending to Kung Fu Panda 2, which involves the cast being killed off, with Tigress returning from the grave to avenge them.
- Comments: Something of a Dark Fic, it contains slightly morbid humour, a gritty feel to it, and decent action. Certainly worth a read.
Gongmen City: Shifu's Arrival by FyreDragon5
- Recommended by bookwormgal
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Did anyone wonder how Shifu arrived at Gongmen City so quickly? How did he react to the oppressed citizens? And how did he convince Ox and Croc to join him against Lord Shen?
- Comments: A nice glimpse of the red panda's thoughts and reactions when he arrives in the city, learns of the Furious Five being captured and Po's "death", and how he persuaded Master Ox and Master Croc to leave their prison near the end of "Kung Fu Panda 2."
- Recommended by Nausicaa of the Spirits
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Green was a beautiful, natural color. Plenty eyes in the city were green. Red was abnormal; it meant darkness. He meant darkness. This cub meant purity. Set before the events of KFP 2.
- Comments: Kind of a little what-if story involving Shen and his parents visiting the panda village and Shen meeting baby!Po months before the massacre of the pandas. There's a companion story, The Misadventures of Lord Shen And Baby Po, that picks up where the prologue leaves off.
A Turn For the Worse by The.anti.Kira 36
- Recommended by Nausicaa of the Spirits
- Status: Dead (last updated August 2011)
- Synopsis: Shen kidnaps Po and has a wicked plot in store for our hero. Will the Five be able to rescue him in time?
- Comments: This story takes place during the Zen Ball Master scene and deviates from the outcome.
- Sithking Zero: Yeah... I'd give this one a pass. The grammar is poor and the story moves way too fast. Characters also feel... out of character, not a lot, but just enough to be noticeable.
Extermination by White Trenchcoat
- Recommended by Nausicaa of the Spirits
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Spoilers for second film. Hearing a worrying prophecy, the young Lord Shen sets out to change his destiny, and destroy a village of pandas. However, it won't be that easy.
- Comments: Takes place during the panda massacre, Shen getting exiled after the massacre, and that sad scene where Po's mother hides her baby and sacrifices herself.
- Recommended by Much Ado About Nonny
- Status: Completed
- Pairings: Po/Tigress
- Synopsis: Po is a superhero with a problem. A brilliant, gorgeous problem that has a knack for making him look stupid.
- Comments: AU, obviously. The plot basically revolves around Superhero!Po's somewhat complicated relationship with the beautiful Tigress, his co-worker at the Jade Law Firm who moonlights as a tightly-clad criminal. Also features Hungover!Tai Lung, who acts as Po's Vitriolic Best Bud as per the requisite Superman/Batman parallels for such a story as this. This work is a masterpiece; it is drop-dead hilarious, portrays the characters' canon personalities to nigh perfect detail, and somehow manages to be one of the most excellently written superhero parody fanfics out there in this troper's humble opinion. A must-read.
- Recommended by Gannetwhale and Much Ado About Nonny
- Status: Dead (last updated January 2012)
- Synopsis: After Shen's death, spirits of the previously departed help him find inner peace.
- Comments: Brilliant. Shen's characterisation at first seems more positive than the movie's, but don't let that fool you (and well, he found inner peace in his death, remember? ), as his interactions with the spiritual guides are believable and rather cleverly written. Overall, one of the best fanfics I have read in a while.
- Seconded. This is basically The Five People You Meet In Heaven, Shen-style. Beautifully written, heartbreakingly poignant at times, and a wonderful read.
Kung Fu Panda 3: The Temple of Heroes by Empressimperia
- Recommended by Berserker 88
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Just mere months after accepting Mr. Ping as his father, Po discovers that his biological father is still alive! The unexpected family reunion is short lived when a ruthless treasure hunter sets his sights on an ancient artifact hidden in a temple located right beneath the pandas' hideout, and Po and the Furious Five must race to stop a second panda genocide. Po X OC and Crane X Viper.
- Comments: People making their own versions of Kung Fu Panda 3 is usually a big pet peeve of mine, but this is so well-written that I don't mind. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if most of this fic's major plot points actually happen in the canonical third film, such as the conflict between Po's two fathers and his panda Love Interest. It should be noted that this fic makes references to events from Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and the author's previous crossovers with The Hangover (yes, you read that right), but it is still perfectly comprehensible if you're not familiar with them.
- Recommended by Berserker 88
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: The disgraced prince plots his course: He seeks the throne, revenge, restored dignity, all those sweet broken things. He will claim all of China, as is his birth right. But for this, he will need more allies. He will start with one; a warrior.
- Comments: As interesting and unique as the author's OC is, this fic is just as much about Lord Shen and it's one of the few I've seen that covers what he was up to during his exile.
- Recommended by Berserker 88
- Status: Dead (last updated September 2015)
- Synopsis: The path taken to harness one's instincts can be harrowing indeed, but Po finds that with a tiger by his side, it may not be quite as difficult as either of them expected. KFP world backstory included, free of charge.
- Comments: Essentially one big Furry Reminder. It's pretty clear that the author has done her research about the natural instincts of each animal, including several that you've probably never heard of. It's also one of the better Po/Tigress fics out there. Nothing explicit though, despite the obvious potential for it (and a rather unwarranted M rating).
Kung Fu Panda: Book of Changes by Ilien
- Recommended by melodenesa, N8han11
- Status: Dormant (last updated July 2017; in a note passed on from the author*, despite a large number of things going wrong in her life, she insists she will finish the fic)
- Synopsis: The Dragon Warrior learns who he is, Tigress learns who she isn't, Tai Lung learns who he should have been, and Mr. Ping makes noodles. A lot of noodles.
- Comments: Basically, this is another Tai Lung redemption fic. An exceptionally good one that is severely underrated due to what I suspect to be a lack of shipping (though if you insist there be some, Viper did muse on the potential of a relationship between Tigress and Po for a paragraph in one of the later chapters, also a couple friendshippy moments Tai Lung and Viper). The main plot builds around Po's hope in Tai Lung's redemption after he found and befriended him after he realized Tai Lung mellowed out while being on the run for two years after his escape from prison while everyone thought he was dead, Tai Lung coming to terms with what he has done wrong, facing the consequences and finding something new to live for, all while teaming up with Commander Vachir and his army to try and stop a foreign threat that is planning to take over China. What I love about this fic is it takes the time to explore the relationship between almost everyone of the main characters, and keeping them believable (my favourite interactions are between Tai Lung and Commander Vachir). So yeah, this fic feels so under-appreciated. Go give it some love!
Silence of the Hare by Mind Jack
- Recommended by Berserker 88
- Status: Dead (last updated December 2016)
- Synopsis: After a group of bandits, including one who calls himself her brother, murder her parents in cold blood, a young snow hare named Yin Bei vows revenge. Her shy, timid disposition prevents her from communicating with anyone other than her Master and three reformed criminals turned Kung Fu Masters. Can she defeat these adversaries, and find the secret of her father's past?
- Comments: An Elsewhere Fic involving one of the most interesting OC protagonists I've ever seen. For one, Yin Bei is a snow hare, not exactly the species most authors would pick for their heroine. Nonetheless, she has both a unique fighting style and endearing character traits that make her easy to get attached to. But be warned, this thing gets surprisingly dark at points. It's rated M for a reason.
- Now has a page on this wiki. [1]
- Recommended by Olmo JV
- Status: Completed
- Pairing: Shen/OC
- Synopsis: Shen's story began when a swan, Lady Lianne, came to Gongmen City, as his intended bride. When she arrives, things are not as perfect as they seem, however. But for better or for worse, Shen will not be swayed from obtaining what he wants, and Lianne will unknowingly lead him towards his destiny: either into the light of redemption, or further down the path of darkness.
- Comments: This is set before and during Kung Fu Panda 2, with a Love Interest added in Shen's life shortly before his Start of Darkness. Said Love Interest may or may not save him from the fate he was led into in the movie. The story is written well, the characters in focus (both canonical and original) are developed nicely and the plot concerning the movie has believable additions/alterations included. Recommended warmly.
- Has also a trailer.
Can You See The Cracks? by Velorhi
- Recommended by J The Drafter
- Status: Completed
- Pairings: One sided Tigress/Shifu
- Synopsis : Tigress learns just how the Furious Five are seen by the villagers when she eavesdrops on Po talking to Master Shifu late one night, and she reflects on her own desperate need to have Shifu's regard.
- Comments : This is a well-written piece that gives us insight into the minds of both Tigress and the collective villagers of the Valley of Peace.
The Charming Lotus Flower by International-Wonderland
- Recommended by Nausicaa of the Spirits
- Status: Dead (last updated May 2014)
- Pairings: Shen/Viper
- Synopsis: Viper starts to acknowledge plot holes in Shen's current plans that if used against him, will return China's freedom. However, terrible situations befall her when he catches on that she is chosen as the Snake of the Chinese Zodiac to crush his empire.
- Comments: A little bit of a Dark Fic, two recent chapters scream Hot Skitty-on-Wailord Action, but it's quite the read if you like Interspecies Romance.
Ten Thousand Breaths by Kraven Ergeist
- Recommended by Gordhanx
- Status: Completed
- Pairings: Po/Tigress.
- Synopsis : When Po is infected by a rare poison, that will kill him after ten thousand breaths, he and the Furious Five have little time to find and create an antidote. As the journey goes on, Po's grim, possible inevitable death starts to vain on Tigress. Will the master keep her feelings hidden, or will she reveal what she really thinks of her panda friend.
- Comments : A great Ti Po one-shot. Very intense premise, with some great characterization and insight into Po & Tigress and their relationship with one another.
Crossovers
The League of Interdimensional Heroes by The 1597 Faceless Writer
- Recommended by: Nightelf37
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: Artemis Fowl is many things and now he's the leader of an elite group including himself and seven other heroes from seven other alternate dimensions. This group is known as the League of Inter-Dimensional Heroes and they have sworn to protect their worlds from all types of evil. But, now, a new threat is forming and an inevitable battle is waiting over the horizon. Crosses over with Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Spider-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003), Sonic X, and Teen Titans.
The Swan and the Peacock by DONOVAN94
- Crossover with: The Swan Princess
- Recommended by bbb35
- Status: Completed
- Pairing: Shen/Odette
- Synopsis: When Lord Shen unexpectedly finds himself in a strange land, he stumbles across a swan who's beauty enraptures him, but who's secrets intrigue him. But Odette is more than she appears. As these two are forced together, they become entangled in a web of magic, deceit and betrayal. Only death and tragedy will follow. A peacock was never meant to dance with a swan.
Oogway's Little Owl by Nullen Void.
- Crossover with Worm
- Recommended by Aacorn Soup
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: During a meditation session, Oogway has a vision of Earth Bet, witnessing (and interrupting) the Trigger Event of a young girl trapped in a locker. He rescues the girl, bringing her to his world, and turning her into an owl in the process. Now he has a new student, and inadvertently gets the KFP world involved in events on Earth Bet.
- Trivia: If not for the context of being crossover fanart, most of the fanart for this fic would qualify as Original Flavor OC fanart.
