In the Mind of Lord Shen: The Tragedy of Family Rejection

In this entry we’ll be taking a closer look at the mind of Lord Shen from Kung Fu Panda 2.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any feedback or suggestions feel free to let me know below!

#kungfupanda #dreamworksanimation #garyoldman

[Green-Hybrid]

A child who isn’t loved by the village, will burn it down for its warm embrace. That quote perfectly describes lord Shen. 😢

[silverstarlightproductions]

This movie also reinforces Oogway's saying in the first film: "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." As you mentioned in your video, Lord Shen tried to change his destiny by killing the pandas, but ends up fulfilling it by setting Po up to become the Dragon Warrior.

[biocaster]

In the end, he did find inner peace...in his death.
As his cannon fell on him, he didn't scream, he didn't flich, he just...slowly close his eyes and let it happen. Maybe because he's somewhat glad that he'd die in his term, and not by propercy. (Or so he thought, since "Warrior of Black and White" can also be applied to himself.)
Great video, but I think his very death deserve more attention to detail.

[speedracer]

Ultimately, Shen’s reason for remaining evil was pride. He couldn’t accept that the atrocities he committed were for nothing. He continued down his path, because he couldn’t accept the reality of how fruitless it was and wanted to gain more in order to justify it.

[michaelsong]

If you look at Shen's death scene (when the cannon falls on him), Shen actually opens his arms and WELCOMES it. The dude was a death seeker by that time, as he's lost everything, with nothing else to live for. He just wanted the pain to end.

[t.o.toonstubetwo.]

Fun fact there’s an old DreamWorks website that says the soothsayer also used to be Shens nanny

[speedracer]

Lord Shen is the darkest Kung Fu Panda villain ever.

[Anis-jh]

Lord shen is really the best villain, not just in kung-fu panda, he's dreamworks's best antagonist ever

[phoenixflame]

Tai Lung is also a great tragic villain. He was told his entire life that he was destined to be the Dragon Warrior and was pushed to the point where his bones cracked from constant training only to be told that all his hard work was for nothing and worse of all, the person who raised him and put him through all of it in the first place did nothing in his defense.

[KusariGama]

In truth, shen is one of my favourite villians because of how well he is created, his story, his actions not only that they got the perfect actor for him too imo.

[e-psi]

KUNG FU PANDA 4 SPOILERS:



Some fans say Shen's spirit bowing to Po out of respect was a character derailment, but in hindsight, Shen's worst nightmare had been met. His life had ended and in his final moments, he found peace with it. I also like how Po's actions in that film in front of Shen demonstrate his contrast with his demons of abandonment, Po forgave and supported Zhen despite her actions and took her down the right path. While it's a shame Shen got no voice lines to express it, I feel like similar to Tai Lung, it was the point Shen truly realised that Po wasn't just some tragically niave simpleton but had genuine light to him. All the villains were gave up on and disowned by those they held close, but Po wasn't like that, he wanted to get them out of it, even if they only realised that AFTER they had met their end.

Hell Shen and Zhen, it's a one letter difference. Zhen is the same lost child gaining darkness as Shen, but her soul was saved before it was too late.

[SUPAREALcutechickdGaming]

Shen is definitely a favorite of mine, and I like making jokes how he’s Peacock Dio because indeed, it’s funny to see other characters with his abilities and concepts like Dio and Sakuya throwing knives like him.
This opened my eyes to how his own and parent’s actions led up to his present state where his goal for conquest couldn’t be escaped from due to his pride.

[SirToaster]

I hate it when people say he's a villain with no depth or he's pure evil, he's probably Dreamworks most sympathetic villain

[nicksmyth]

I mean you know you have a good villain when he’s voiced by Dracula

[leonpepi]

Holy damn, this is one of the best character analysis videos I've seen, great work!

[Al-cfqi]

Your channel is underrated mate, you deserve more subs

[AH-isyg]

Shen is one of my favorite characters. I like his fighting style.

[yourrandomperson]

I might be late but I just wanted to say, great analysis! Shen’s probably one of my favourite animated villains of all time, easily the best in the Kung Fu Panda trilogy in my opinion.
What’s also worth mentioning, we can guess that Shen’s a leucistic peacock from his colour of feathers. Athough I’m not a specialist, a did a little research and it turned out that this ‘condition’ can have an impact on his health (to be more precise, mostly on condition of his feathers). It may make them more fragile and brittle. It basically means that if he hadn’t been born into a royal family, he probably wouldn’t have survived, also due to other potential health complications. (If someone happens to know more about this conditon, please confirm it.)
Also, I found info on Kung Fu Panda wiki that his condition was supposed to play a bigger role. I can’t access the site now (so I can’t really confirm it), but in my opinion, it would make a lot of sense. Apparently, in his ‘original’ backstory, his parents would consider him too weak to be a future ruler. I think that perspective makes him an even deeper character — after all, his parents weren’t supposed to be ‘saints’ in this scenario. Plus, it would explain his ambition and inferiority complex.
As much as I love the Shen we got, I can’t stop thinking how different he could've been. Or even how different we would’ve seen him with this very sad backstory...

[Rckj]

Shen looks amazing and i also found him very intimidating.

[jammygamer]

You mention how Shen doesn't give a second thought to the lives he destroyed yet he tried to take on the first three Kung Fu Masters in a none lethal fight. Only until he found that wasn't possible he went for the lethal option. And then he imprisoned the two survivors despite them attacking him first and the risk they pose if they happen to escape especially if unnoticed.

Also is making gunpowder and cannons a evil act by itself? I think not, what make Shen bad here was his use of it.

I think it being that Shen thinks his parents hate him solely because of banishment would be a bit stupid. Personally I think there's more to it. Like why would Shen be so fond of the Soothsayer to the point she's almost like a third parent to him?

I don't think Shen was trying to take China because of his parents. After what Shen did he full on ruined his and the lives of the wolves. At the start of the film we see them living alone on a snowy mountain and then later raiding a village for its metal. Because of what he's done its not like he can move to a new city or even trade with one without causing himself problems. So his only real option of getting a new life at this point is to take over China