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Panda Warriors is the het ship between Kuki Sanban/Numbuh 3 and Wallabee Beatles/Numbuh 4 in the Codename: Kids Next Door fandom.
Canon[]
Wallabee Beetles, codenamed Numbuh 4, and Kuki Sanban, codenamed Numbuh 3, are core members of Sector V in Codename: Kids Next Door. Wally is a brash, impulsive Australian boy who serves as the hand-to-hand combatant, and Kuki is a cheerful, airheaded Japanese-American girl who serves as the medic and diversionary tactician. Their dynamic is a fan-favorite, blending Wally’s tough-guy attitude with Kuki’s bubbly optimism.
It has been hinted throughout the series that they share a subtle but mutual crush throughout the series, despite their contrasting personalities. Wally enjoys stereotypically boyish things like violence, bugs, and video games, while Kuki loves Rainbow Monkeys and all things feminine. Despite this, they still like eachother, and they're the only Sector V members who regularly use each other’s real names instead of codenames.
In the series, Wally often blushes or stumbles when Kuki hugs him, betraying his tough exterior with a clear crush, though he’s too stubborn to admit it. Kuki, oblivious to his feelings, showers him with affection, like in Operation: B.E.A.C.H., where Wally's jealousy flares when she is "courted" by King Sandy. After she was kidnapped, Numbuh 4 went out of his way to save her from King Sandy and the knights under the guise that he is doing it because she owes him a quarter (which she denies).
During Operation: S.L.U.M.B.E.R., Kuki blushes when asked if she “like-likes” Wally in a truth-or-dare game, but Numbuh 86’s scream interrupts before she can answer. In Operation: L.O.V.E., Wally attacks the Delightful Children for trying to kiss Kuki during a school play. He nearly confesses his love but gets flustered, mistaking the audience for his parents. Later, he volunteers to sing a duet with her after ruining the play.
Wally tries to confess his feelings in episodes like Operation: U.N.D.E.R.C.O.V.E.R., Operation: H.O.S.P.I.T.A.L., and Operation: P.L.A.N.E.T., but never quite manages it. Still, Kuki shows she reciprocates, hinting at her own love for him.
In Operation: N.A.U.G.H.T.Y., Kuki says she got Wally the perfect Christmas gift. When she turns evil under Santa’s sleigh’s influence, Wally snaps her out of it with a gift of leftover French fries. Overjoyed, Kuki gives him a huge hug, and they become an official couple. In Operation: Z.E.R.O., they kiss twice—once when senior citi-zombified Kuki transforms Wally with a kiss, and again as Senior Citi-Zombies.
The series finale, OPERATION I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S, confirms they marry as adults, solidifying Panda Warriors and canon.
Quotes[]
- Wallabee – “Kuki? I'm scared, I don't know what to do next”
- Kuki – “Kiss me!”
- Wallabee – “Kiss you? Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no nah ah, ain't gonna hap– okay…”
- Kuki – “Pucker Up!~”
- — Wally and Kuki in OPERATION Z.E.R.O.
- Wallabee – “Uh, numbuh 3, I've always wanted… to tell you something…”
- Kuki – “You don't have to say it, Numbuh 4. I know you really love Rainbow Monkeys, too!”
- — Wally and Kuki in OPERATION B.E.A.C.H.
- Wallabee – “Uh, Numbuh 3… Thanks for saving me and all”
- Kuki – “[Giggles] It's okay!”
- Wallabee – “[Imitating mr. Huggikins] I… love… you.”
- Kuki – “Say it again!”
- Wallabee – “Don't press your luck!”
- — Wally and Kuki in Operation C.A.T.S
Fanon[]
Panda Warriors is the most popular ship within the Codename: Kids Next Door fandom due to how much canon content there is of the two. Shippers enjoy their bond highlighted by the contrast between their personalities and interests. Wallabee is impulsive, harsh, hot-headed, and ignorant, while Kuki is optimistic, kind, and gentle, though they still love each other. High school AUs are very common in fanworks.
On AO3, Panda Warriors the most written ship in the Codename: Kids Next Door tag and the most popular pairing for both characters. The ship also has a large following on social media apps like Tumblr and TikTok.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Wallabee Beetles (Numbuh 4)/Kuki Sanban (Numbuh 3) tag on AO3
- Wallabee Beetles (Numbuh 4) & Kuki Sanban (Numbuh 3) tag on AO3
- TUMBLR
- Wally x Kuki tag on Tumblr
- Wally x Kuki posts on Tumblr
- Walluki tag on Tumblr
- Walluki posts on Tumblr
Trivia[]
- Kuki's favourite type of Rainbow Monkey is an orange one, referencing Wallabee's orange hoodie.
- A drawing of Kuki and a picture of a green number 3 with hearts around it is seen in Wallabee's room in Operation: M.O.O.N.