Croc

## Master Croc

**Master Croc** is a master of kung fu. He was the former leader of the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits, now having turned over a new leaf as a member of the Kung Fu Council.

## Biography

### **Earlier years**

Croc's origins are currently unknown. However, it is known that he was once the head of the infamous Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits of Crocodile Island, a gang of criminals noted to be "unmatched in their mischief" and known for their skill in trap-setting.

It is also known that Croc eventually crossed paths with Master Thundering Rhino, whose kung fu was proven superior in their battle on the shores of the Wa Su Li River. Beaten, Croc prepared himself for death, but the fatal blow never came. Thundering Rhino instead asked Croc to use his kung fu skills for doing good. Croc was so moved by Master Rhino's compassion that he immediately quit his criminal ways. He then traveled across kung fu panda wall, following Rhino's advice to use his kung fu for good by righting wrongs and protecting the weak. Croc gained fame for his victorious deeds during this time. One such victory was his silencing of the Badger Bandits, who insulted Croc by talking about his mother.

### **In *Secrets of the Masters***

An alternate backstory for Croc detailed him as a kung fu warrior who spent his days street-fighting in his pursuit of fame, using his impenetrable hide to aid him in his battles. One day, Croc partook in a three-way-fight with Storming Ox and Thundering Rhino, a battle which ended in a complete standstill. The scene was witnessed by Master Oogway, who was unimpressed but soon found an opportunity for the three warriors to change for the better when the Wu Sisters escaped from a nearby prison.

After the fight, the warriors were given a single coin for their three-way-tie, which led to an argument between the three that nearly ended in another battle. Fortunately, Oogway soon appeared before they started fighting. Croc initially mistook Oogway for a fan and even prepared to sign a piece of paper he was holding, only to see that it is a wanted poster of the Wu Sisters. Oogway gave them the offer to journey to Wu Fortress and recapture the sisters using their special skills. However, the trio refused to join him unless they gained something in return. When Oogway's suggestions of using their skills for honorable reasons did not move the trio, the tortoise was forced to claim that they would be rewarded with a "wealth of riches". Seeing an opportunity to gain great fame, Croc finally agreed along with Ox and Rhino.

And so the three set off with Oogway towards the fortress, passing through various obstacles as they went. During the journey, Croc attempted to bargain with Oogway to dump the other two warriors and split the profits themselves. However, Ox and Rhino were doing the same thing, but Oogway ignored their offers. While surrounding a campfire one night, Croc made clear his selfish plans to buy a castle with his riches, where he can wave to his fans wearing all his capes. After listening to the trio and learning of their respective desires, Oogway gave them some cryptic advice; that when the path one takes always leads back to themselves, they will never get anywhere unless they "change course". Croc claimed that it was the worst "campfire story" he had ever heard. Before they could settle for the night, Oogway received news that the Wu Sisters were plotting to unify the gang leaders, and the group set out in order to reach the fortress as soon as possible.

To encourage them to change their ways, Oogway secretly led the trio into an extremely dangerous path called the Bridge of Mists. When the three inquired as to how they would get across, Oogway replied by flinging all three of them into the bridge, forcing them to prop themselves between the two pillars. Oogway then taught them all an important lesson about cooperation, by having crossing the makeshift bridge the three made up, pulling up Rhino as he did so, and then having them all make it across the bridge to the other side, pulling each other up as they went.

Later during the day, the trio and Oogway were climbing up the side of Wu Fortress, where they finally learned that Oogway was being metaphorical about his promised riches. Rhino's protests accidentally got them trapped on a river of lava when his heavy footsteps caused the ledge they were standing on to break away. Oogway managed to get them to safe ground, but fell to his apparent death, leaving them with only the advice "Remember the path." to guide them now.

Dispirited at their loss, the trio tried to find their way home. However, they encountered a village devastated by the Wu sisters' forces, and its citizens desperately attempted to hire them for protection. Moved by the villagers' plight, the trio declined the fee and resolved to stop the Wu sisters for the sake of a higher ideal.

Thus motivated, the trio interrupted the sisters' summit. When the former street-fighters revealed that they were doing this for honor, they intimidated the various visiting gangs into retreating while the sisters fought alone. Although the sisters proved too much to fight alone, as Croc discovered when he was sent flying back by a hail of small rocks, Rhino, Ox and Croc managed to combine their talents to defeat them in a coordinated attack. After Ox deduced that the tail knot at the center of the vortex was their weakness, Croc charged at the vortex and brought it to a halt with his tough hide. Though the intense friction caused him pain, Croc was able to position the vortex enough for Rhino to charge through the knot and break the sisters apart. The trio then worked together to defeat the separated sisters, eventually trapping them beneath a large statue head.

Thus motivated, the trio interrupted the sisters' summit. When the former street-fighters revealed that they were doing this for honor, they intimidated the various visiting gangs into retreating while the sisters fought alone. Although the sisters proved too much to fight alone, as Croc discovered when he was sent flying back by a hail of small rocks, Rhino, Ox and Croc managed to combine their talents to defeat them in a coordinated attack. After Ox deduced that the tail knot at the center of the vortex was their weakness, Croc charged at the vortex and brought it to a halt with his tough hide. Though the intense friction caused him pain, Croc was able to position the vortex enough for Rhino to charge through the knot and break the sisters apart. The trio then worked together to defeat the separated sisters, eventually trapping them beneath a large statue head.

At the moment of their victory, Oogway reappeared, having captured the rest of the gangs, and praised Rhino, Ox, and Croc for being worthy warriors who had found a higher purpose to fight.

According to Po, after these events Oogway set Croc and his fellow warriors on a journey which eventually led them to Gongmen City where they formed the Masters Council.

### **In *Kung Fu Panda Issue 1***

In the story "173 Assassins", it was told by Po how the island of Chen Wei was nearly invaded by hundreds of assassins, who came traveling by boat in an attempt to kidnap the leader, Guru Llama. Seeing them approach, the small guru proclaimed that the assassins wouldn't cross the borders, and that there was no need to flee to safety. He was proven right as Master Croc then arose from the waters and attacked the boats, using his kung fu skills, his mace tail, and delivering quips to his opponents as the llama folk watched in amazement.

Guru Llama was impressed by the crocodile warrior's "awe-inspiring, aquatic arsenal of excellence", and declared that Croc had defeated a number of one-hundred and seventy-three of the assassins. The crocodile himself remarked it wasn't a bad number, and Guru Llama light-heartedly told him that humility was as important to practice as kung fu. Croc replied to the guru that his victory on Chen Wei should nevertheless be remembered and retold. Later, two young llama children were seen burying another, unwilling child on the beach. They discover a boat on the shore and they run away in fright after seeing it was empty, while Croc was seen swimming away. And so another legend was born from Croc's adventure, and lived on through the children of the island, the legend that one of the "ghost ships" of Chen Wei would visit them if they misbehaved.

### **In *Back to the beginning,first part***

Croc is first in the film when he is at the ceremony of Daniel and Elida and he brags to one of the masters that he has taught them everything they can (but really it was both he and the other masters who did it). Later he is seen during the song "I just can not wait to be king". After Master Knut's death, Croc is as sad as the others. When Bear takes over the Jade Palace, Croc agrees that the Valley of Peace will fall into darkness and destruction. He helps the other masters to look for Daniel and Elida who are the only ones who can get life back to the valley again.

### **In *Daniel's big adventure***

Croc is seen in Daniel's memories as he teaches Daniel to swim. and playing with him in the water.

### **In *Back to the beginning, final part***

Croc and the other masters have given up the search for Daniel and Elida. Croc suggests that they might move to Gongmen City. Then Oogway tells him and the others that Daniel and Elida are alive and that the time has come. Croc is later picked up by Elida along with all the other kung fu masters in the wall and joins the big fight for the Jade Palace. After the rain extinguished the fire and Daniel goes up to Jade Palace to take his place as leader over the valley, he roars a mighty lion roar across the valley. Croc takes a chi-orb and a blue crocodile comes out of his body and roars along with the others with his animal sound.

### **In** ***The Comet Chase***

Croc is first mentioned by Peng says that he has seen Croc with Ox and Rhino who have been in the observatory to see the comet. Later, Croc is seen trying to save Tigress from a huge meat plant: Angostura. They are unable to save her because of the plant's tentacles, whilst Po tries to persuade TIgress, Croc, Peng, Ox and Rhino tries to distract the plant. After Po had cut off the tentacles on the Angostura, Croc and Ox presented Rhino by singing his song. Po becomes eager to meet Croc and the other great masters and tell great things they did in the Big War.

Croc joins Po, Peng, the Furious Five, Ox and Rhino back to the Peace Valley, on the way they meet Mr. Ping. They use Peng's tent as a glider to get to the Jade Palace where Croc, Ox and Rhino are reunited with Daniel, Elida, Olivia and Shifu. Croc helps the others pack things from the palace down to Cran's cave to cover the comet chase. When the comet arrives, it does not crash down and it pulls up into space again. When the sea returns, Croc bathes right on the shore.

### **In *Kung Fu Panda 2***

Croc was first seen at Gongmen City's palace training with Storming Ox, both being instructed by their mentor Master Thundering Rhino, when they were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Lord Shen, returned after several years of exile. When Shen demanded that they leave the palace, Croc and his allies made it clear that they would not give up the city. At this, Shen's wolves brought in a large wooden box, which Shen explained contained a "parting gift", one that would literally part them. The angered Croc and Ox attacked the peacock, who quickly defeated them with his weapons and swift movements. Shen then turned his attention to Thundering Rhino, who fought Shen and was ultimately killed by the "parting gift", revealed to be a cannon. Under threat of the cannons being turned on the city, Croc and Ox reluctantly surrendered the city and were imprisoned in Gongmen Jail.

Croc and Storming Ox were held captive in the jail until Po and the Furious Five arrived to enlist their help in retaking the city and stopping Shen and The Unknown Enemy. While they still wished to save the city, Croc and Ox had come to the belief that kung fu was dead and Unknown Enemy has won, and refused to leave their cell. Po and the Five were unable to convince them to help, and eventually had to leave in a hurry when Boss Wolf and his soldiers discovered them.

That evening, Croc and Ox were alerted to the sound of hundreds of wolves all over the city. When Po and the Five returned to the jail to hide, Croc and Ox demanded to know what they had done to cause this chaos, though they were ultimately ignored as Tigress confronted Po over his letting Shen and The Unknown Enemy escape. When Po refused to answer, Tigress decided to leave him in the jail, where Croc and Ox said they would keep him far from danger. Croc and Ox witnessed the sparring match that followed, and the former visibly winced as Po was subdued. Po eventually revealed the truth, and though empathetic, Tigress told him to stay behind anyway and soon left with the Five. As the Five left, Croc and Ox attempted to reassure Po that he would be alright in the jail, but it is unknown how they reacted when Po went after Shen anyway.

Croc and Ox remained in Gongmen Jail until the night Shen was about to begin his conquest of kung fu panda wall, taking his armada to the harbor. In the meantime, Master Shifu, Daniel, Elida and Olivia had made his way to Gongmen City, and Croc and Ox unexpectedly arrived to help Po and the Five defeat Shen and The Unknown Enemy after their persuading. Croc and his allies fought valiantly, determined to take back their city, until he and the others were blasted into the water by Shen's cannon. Everyone but Po was too badly injured to fight from that point on. Croc was among the many who witnessed Po use inner peace to evade, deflect and reflect Shen's cannonfire back at his own fleet, destroying it in the process.

After Po defeated Shen, Croc was just as shocked as the other masters as he watched Po hug Tigress. However, he watched the fireworks display that resulted from Shen's destroyed Ship with considerable happiness, as Gongmen City celebrated the kung fu warriors' victory.

After Lord Shen's defeat, Croc presumably returned to his position in the Kung Fu Council ruling over Gongmen City, along with Master Storming Ox.

### **In *Kung Fu Panda 3***

Some time after Lord Shen, The Unknown Enemy and Zhou Dan had threatened to take over Kung Fu Panda Wall, Master Croc's village was attacked by the resurrected General Kai's Jombies. With that, Croc left Gongmen behind, with Masters Bear and Chicken at his side, to track the jade zombies, who had headed out miles away from anywhere, in the Tavern River Bed, where a ship lay, long since run aground. At this time, Masters Crane and Mantis had met up with the three warriors and found the ship, derelict and deserted. Bear, brandishing his axes and roaring loudly, rushed into the old ship first, followed by Croc, who swung his sword and shouted a battle cry. Both warriors, followed by Chicken, Mantis and Crane respectively, were all captured by Kai and transfigured into more of his jade slaves.

Further on, Croc and the other masters were released as jombies by Kai, with the instructions given by the yak general to round up all pandas in a panda village. In the ensuing chase, Croc, in his zombified form, attempted twice to seize Po, who had gone to look for the pandas, in his jaws. During the battle that resulted, Croc and Tigress battled on, at first Tigress hit him several times until he catches her in a headlock but gets stricken in the face by Lei Lei. Towards the end of the battle, Kai called back all his jade slaves, including Croc, sending them back into their dormant amulet forms.

Along with all other living masters, Croc was freed from his enslavement once Kai had been vanquished. Following his release, he, along with Masters Bear and Chicken, learned how to give chi, taught by Po.

## Personality

As a member of the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits of Crocodile Island, Croc was ruthless and evil. However, after he lost his fight with Master Thundering Rhino, he became thoroughly humbled and decided to turn over a new leaf, using his kung fu for the benefit of others.

Serving with the Kung Fu Council under Thundering Rhino, Croc was a devoted and loyal warrior to his master and fellow apprentice Storming Ox, but his spirits were crushed by the death of his master at the hand of Shen and his unstoppable weapon. Even so, he and Ox were convinced by Shifu to continue to fight the good fight, and aid the Dragon Warrior and Furious Five against Lord Shen.

Similarly to Po, he often speaks in an overly dramatic fashion, but he can also be dry and sarcastic. He is shown to be a lot less aggressive than his fellow apprentice and friend Storming Ox, and usually rather quiet and keeps a cool head.

However, he was also shown as a conceited and loud street-fighter who dreamed of having a castle with a balcony, where he could wave to his "adoring fans". He seemed to grow out of this behavior when he learned of fighting for a higher purpose after meeting Rhino, Ox, and Oogway and stopping the Wu Sisters.

## 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. That, in combination with his strong-as-steel Impenetrable Hide, kept Master Croc unbeaten in battle, until he challenged Master Thundering Rhino and lost. Still renowned for his many victories, 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.
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Due to his reptilian physiology, Croc is a phenomenal swimmer and will attack from the water when he can. This was shown in the final battle against Shen's fleet where he burst from the water and started to tear his way through Shen's wolf army. He used his physical strength and resilience in addition to the club attached to the end of his tail to overwhelm his opponents easily. Croc is known to have nearly-impenetrable skin as well as any reptile he can quickly regenerate from injuries and even amputated limbs.

Whilst sparring with Storming Ox and battling wolves, Croc was shown to be skilled with acrobatics and swordsmanship, wielding his sword against Lord Shen, deflecting Shen's blades when the peacock threw them at him. However Shen proved superior, not only fending off Croc but also holding his own against Storming Ox at the same time. He was also seen throwing his tail strikes rapidly between sword slashes.

## Relationships

### **The Kung Fu Council**

#### **Thundering Rhino**

Croc turned away from his old life of crime with the Wool Stealing Crocodile Bandits, with help from Master Thundering Rhino. Having crossed paths as the trouble-making criminal one day, the two fought in an epic kung fu battle on the shores of the Wa Su Li River. Eventually, Thundering Rhino's kung fu proved superior over Croc's. The defeated Croc waited for the fatal blow to end his life, but Thundering Rhino never delivered it; he instead asked Croc to use his kung fu for good. Moved by the master's compassion, Croc did indeed decide from then on to use his kung fu to right wrongs and protect the weak.

In the alternate backstory, Croc initially considered Thundering Rhino as an enemy, having battled him and Storming Ox in a street fight which ended in a standstill. Croc and Rhino were antagonistic towards each other for the first half of the short, up until Oogway taught them cooperation at the Bridge of Mists when Rhino ended up voluntarily pulling Croc up after being pulled up by Oogway. They were eventually able to work as a team in order to defeat the Wu Sisters.

Croc was greatly disheartened by Thundering Rhino's death, but was eventually able to avenge it by battling Shen and his armada along with Ox and the other masters.

#### **Storming Ox**

In his alternate backstory, Croc initially considered Ox as an enemy along with Thundering Rhino, and were antagonistic towards each other for the first half of the short, though they both found that a desire for money was something the two had in common. They eventually began getting along when Oogway taught them cooperation at the Bridge of Mists when Croc voluntarily pulled Ox up after being pulled up by Rhino. They were eventually able to work as a team in order to defeat the Wu Sisters. From then on, Croc and Ox were good friends.

### **Oogway**

Upon first meeting the famous Master Oogway, Croc mistook him for a fan. After Oogway convinced Croc, Ox and Rhino to join him in fighting the Wu Sisters, Croc spent most of the journey greedily trying to persuade Oogway to cut Ox and Rhino out of the deal. Croc was as shocked as the others when Oogway revealed the truth about the "riches" they were due to receive, and was devastated when the tortoise apparently died saving their lives. When Oogway returned alive after the defeat of the Wu Sisters, Croc was overjoyed.

### **Daniel**

Croc's first encounter with Daniel was a duel when champion Knut wanted to use him as a trainer opponent (so that Daniel could learn to fight crocodiles). Croc was very impressed with Daniel's skills but he always got the upper hand over Daniel (because he was intimidated by his jaws).

### **Po**

While Po was excited at meeting Croc and Ox, since they were legendary Kung-fu masters, he was disappointed at their wiliness to surrender to Shen.

Croc was just as annoyed as Ox when Po insisted on trying to get them out of their cell, but was not as aggressive as his fellow warrior. Despite Croc refusing to join the battle, Po was pleased when he and Ox turned up during the battle for Gongmen City, having been persuaded by Shifu, Daniel, Elida and Olivia.

They met again don't directly interact but Po saved him from serving Kai as a jombie. Later on, Croc learned how to utilize Chi from Po's lesson.

### **Shen**

Croc's relationship with Shen was brief, but all through the one encounter they had, he was angered by the peacock's pusher manner and sense of pride. When Storming Ox was fallen by Shen's string attack, Croc tried desperately to stop him. When Shen put his tail up to stop Croc in his tracks, the crocodile wasn't phased by the maneuver and stepped on the bird's tail, and all at once dodging Shen's swift sword attacks. Croc was soon defeated by Shen, and mentioned later in a scene at Gongmen Jail with Po that Shen's weapon was unstoppable.

## Clothing

In *Kung Fu Panda 2*, Croc wears a kilt of brown armor around his waist, supported by a black belt studded with small spikes. He wears two wristbands made of a similar material as his belt, as well as back armor similar to his kilt. He also wears two studded shoulderguards, some strips of fabric wrappings around both his legs, and a spiked metal mace attached to the end of his tail.

Croc wears a similar outfit in *Secrets of the Masters*, but with the addition of a purple cape embroidered with a white emblem.

In *Kung Fu Panda 3*, his mace tail and back armor have more elongated spikes than his previous armor. He also has strong steel pads studded with short spikes to protect his lower body. His belt is also replaced with a red cloth wrapped one.

## Trivia

   Croc's design originally came from an early villain concept for the first film as part of Tai Lung's army.

   In Kung Fu Panda 2, Croc performs a signature move of his voice actor Jean-Claude Van Damme when he leaps out of the water and onto the boat and lands in a wide split position.

   Croc in Kung Fu Panda 3 may have been designed to be a different individual from the Master Croc in Kung Fu Panda 2, due to some notable differences in physical appearance from his concept art. The art shows multiple designs of him with an exceptionally long tongue, beard-like protuberances on his chin and lower jaw, and markings on his body resembling those of pythons.

   In Kung Fu Panda 3, while bathing one of Po's action figures appears to resemble Croc