Ip Man is a martial arts master and the titular main protagonist in the Ip Man film series. Ip Man is based on Yip Man/Ye Wen (One is Cantonese, the other is Mandarin), a master teacher of Wing Chun noted for being the teacher of Bruce Lee.

He was portrayed by Donnie Yen, who also portrayed Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One and Caine in John Wick.

Personality[]

In the first film, he is very distant from his family and doesn't take in any disciples during the time. After the Japanese invaded China, he is much more close with his family and is working hard for them.

Ip Man (2008)[]

Recognition []

Foshan in 1930s China is a place renowned for the number of martial arts schools in it, with the exception of the titular hero who wishes not to take in any disciples. When a troupe of upstart Northerners successfully beats up the other masters, though, it falls on Ip Man to defend Foshan's honour.

World War II[]

Fast forward to 1937, when the Japanese invade China. His mansion confiscated by the Japanese, Ip Man is forced to shovel coal to feed his family and learns of matches the Japanese are staging between their karate exponents and Foshan's former martial arts masters. When a friend's failure costs him his life, Ip Man's vengeful demolishing of ten Japanese pugilists draws the attention of the Japanese General Miura, leading via a run-in with bandits threatening a friend's factory to a final confrontation.

General Miura[]

After being captured by Japanese soldiers, Ip challenges Miura to a duel; if Ip Man wins he can be set free, but if he loses then Ip Man must become the soldiers' martial arts teacher for the Japanese military on Miura's behalf. The next day, Ip fights Miura in front of everyone and eventually defeats him; Miura supposedly dies, but it is unknown. Ip gets gunned down but was able to pull through as he, his wife, Wing Sing, and son successfully escaped to Hong Kong.

Ip Man 2[]

Arrival[]

Fast-forwarding to 1950, Ip opens his own Wing Chun school but has no luck with recruiting disciples, that is, until a young man and his 3 friends arrive at his school and challenge him. Ip easily beats them harmlessly and the boys become Ip's first few students. However, back at home, Wing Sing becomes pregnant and Ip's family is near bankruptcy. 

Rivalry[]

After a few more weeks, a group of students from another class come along and beat up one of Ip's students and kidnap him to a fish-market. Ip arrives to the rescue and fights his way out of the market. He and his student gets arrested but was able to get out. The next day, Ip goes to a martial arts school where other teachers from other schools are there to challenge each other on a table-top fight. After defeating 2 masters, he faces Master Hung and the two fought in equal terms.

Twister[]

Ip Man and the 4 Heavenly Kings []

Ip Man 3[]

Ip Man 4: The Finale[]

Abilities[]

Ip Man's martial art was Wing Chun, an ancient martial art which was specialized in close combat, using fast rapid punches and kicks, with solid defense and good coordination. He can punch and kick fast enough, so the opponent has no time to parry it. Ip Man also possesses a pressure point combat, witch is also included in Wing Chun. He's not only good with offense, but also good at defense. He can block, dodge and even parry some moves, including Twister, a boxer who fought against Ip Man himself in second movie.

Ip Man has fought so many ordeal who came across against him. Including ten black belt Karate, Chinese masters martial arts and Twister, an arrogant boxer. Also he can easily defeat general Miura. Yet, Ip Man survived a gunshot wound and several heavy punches from Twister. He is also a never give up guy, he got knocked down so many times by Twister and he still got up and fought again. And that's making him an inspirational character to all of Wing Chun practicioners, including Bruce Lee.