Shere Khan

Shere Khan (better known as Old Stripes) is the main antagonist of both Disney's 1967 hit The Jungle Book and its sequel, and later an anti-hero in both its television series TaleSpin and Jungle Cubs. A powerful, suave tiger, Shere Khan has nothing but disdain for his victims. His reputation is such that he need only show himself to intimidate the inhabitants of the jungle. His only fear is fire, which the man-cub Mowgli uses to his advantage in the film's climactic battle.

History
As a cub, Shere Khan was best friends with Baloo, Bagheera, King Louie, Hathi and even Kaa. The group went on many adventures. At some undetermined time, Shere Khan became what he truly is, a vicious predator. Shere Khan lost his friends who ended up becoming his arch enemies. Shere Khan's family was killed by man using fire. Due to the tragedy, Shere Khan grown a fear of fire. Shere Khan vowed to kill any human that enters his jungle leading up to the main plot of the original film.

Personality
Shere Khan is very similar to fellow Disney villain Scar. He is civilized, sophisticated and proper. He is also dangerous and a very feared predator in the jungle. When an animal in the jungle hears his name, they usually scream it in fear. Shere Khan's only fear was fire. He overcame this fear in the sequel where the final battle takes place in ruins filled with fire and lava.

The Jungle Book
In the film, Shere Khan's not introduced until the middle of the film, however, he is alluded to throughout the film, mostly by other animals who rightfully fear him as a danger. Shere Khan's reappearance in the jungle is the impetus for the wolf pack sending Mowgli away; the pack leader, Akela, notes that the strength of the entire pack could not match Shere Khan. It is revealed that Shere Khan has sworn to kill Mowgli, because Shere Khan hates man and thus refuses to allow Mowgli to grow up and become one. Though Mowgli intially believes that he could explain that he would never hunt the jungle animals, Bagheera notes that no one explains to Shere Khan. Later on, the danger that Shere Khan presents is what makes Baloo decide to return Mowgli to the man village.

Shere Khan's first live appearance is when he is seen stalking a deer. The deer is driven away due to the arrival of Colonel Hathi and the jungle patrol. As Bagheera and Colonel Hathi speak of Mowgli's disappearance, Shere Khan hides nearby and overhears the entire conversation. Ironically, Bagheera mentions Shere Khan as a danger to the lost Mowgli, but Hathi believes that Shere Khan wasn't within miles of the area, much to the tiger's amusement. Shere Khan then goes off to search for Mowgli himself. He confronts Kaa, who he thinks knows where Mowgli might be located. Kaa is able to hide Mowgli, but the tiger is still suspicious. He threatens Kaa, insisting that Kaa inform him of any information regarding Mowgli. He then continues his search to find Mowgli, eventually locating the boy in a wasteland alongside some vultures. Mowgli shows no fear of Shere Khan, so the tiger decides to give him a "sporting chance." Shere Khan gives Mowgli a head start but quickly corners the boy, but doesn't kill him thanks to the interference of Baloo. A climactic battle follows between Mowgli, Shere Khan and Baloo. In the ensuing battle, Mowgli is taken to safety by the vultures, but Baloo is knocked unconscious by Shere Khan. A blot of lightning hits a dead tree, setting the branches on fire. The vultures note that Shere Khan fears fire. Mowgli then ties a burning branch onto Shere Khan's tail and he runs away.

The Jungle Book 2
Shere Khan returns once again as the film's main antagonist. Furious at his defeat, he seeks revenge on Mowgli for humiliating him and making him the laughingstock of the jungle and searches for the boy. One night, he goes to the village, hoping to find Mowgli, but the boy is taken away by Baloo. Shere Khan then interrogates Kaa again, but Kaa fools him into going to the swamp. There, Shere Khan gets answers out of a new vulture named Lucky. Shere Khan finds Mowgli along with Shanti and Ranjan. Yet another climactic battle takes place with Mowgli, Shanti, and Baloo against Shere Khan. Shere Khan falls down a lava filled ditch and lands on a small piece of rock and ends up trapped and then Lucky the vulture shows up and pestures Shere Khan.

TaleSpin
Shere Khan appeared, in a more anthropomorphic form, in the television series TaleSpin. His character, while still villainous, had taken on a more corporate identity.

Depicted as stereotypical businessman that owns his business that includes a fleet of plans and even his own navy, Shere Khan is extremely ruthless and willing to do most anything to make money. None the less, he does have a sense morals and believes in aiding those who have helped him. Despite his threatening presence, he far more frequently appeared as an ally then an antagonist.

This version of Shere Khan also makes a cameo on a mugshot in Bonkers.

Jungle Cubs
Shere Khan appears as a young cub in the animated series Jungle Cubs. In the this series it shows that Shere Khan was originally friends with Baloo, Bagheera and others. Shere Khan was more of a bully and cocky in the series rather than a dangerous predetor. Shere Khan tags along with Baloo and friends on many adventures.

House of Mouse
Shere Khan makes numerous appearances in the animated series Disney's House of Mouse.

The Jungle Book
Shere Khan appears as the final boss in the Virgin Studios video game adaptation of The Jungle Book.

The Jungle Book: Rhythm N'Groove
Shere Khan also appears in The Jungle Book: Rhythm N'Groove PlayStation 2 game.

Trivia

 * The Nostalgia Critic listed Shere Khan as Number 8 on his "Top 11 Disney Villains" list.
 * In the second film, it is revealed that Shere Khan now knows Mowgli's name. It is unknown how he learned this, although it could be that he heard Baloo mentioning Mowgli's name in the final battle scene in the first film.
 * In the original stories by Rudyard Kipling, Shere Khan had a crippled leg and was killed by a stampede of cattle organized by Mowgli and his wolf brothers.