Xiaolin Showdown/Chronicles

[Soniman]

Xiaolin Showdown was a Kid WB Cartoon that aired from November 1, 2003 to May 13th 2006. It lasted for 3 seasons with 52 episodes.

The basic plot is that mystical objects called Shen Gong Wu, were hidden across the globe, and it's up to the Xaiolin Dragons (Omi, Raimundo, Kimiko, and Clay) to find them all and keep them away from the forces of evil. A good chunk of the episodes revolve around finding a certain Shen Gong Wu, and fighting the episode's antagonist for it in a Xiaolin Showdown. Of course you have the season finale type of episodes where the fate of the world is in the hands of the dragons and suddenly the stakes are a lot higher than losing a couple of Wu.

Each of the dragons have their own signature element (Water, Wind, Fire, and Earth) which reflect their distinctive personalities.

Part of the reason I loved this show do much, was that it had a surprisingly decent amount of characterization and development for a kids show. Raimundo for example, learned from the many mistakes he made throughout the show, and managed to grow into a competent leader by the end of it. And Kimiko, who started out as a spoiled rich girl with a affinity for technology, learns lessons in self reliance which makes her a more humble person. Of course the glaring the flaw in this is how Omi was flanderized, inflating his ego by ten fold by the end of the show. And Clay....didn't really go anywhere as a character, though I don't believe he was really meant to.

Also the villains were very entertaining, Jack Spicer easily being my favorite character of the show. One of my biggest gripes with this show was how flanderized he became by the end, going from a somewhat legitimate threat to a joke (which was in turn due to other villains like Wuya and Chase Young stepping into the spotlight) who cries a lot and always gets his ass kicked. Speaking of Wuya and Chase Young, both characters are very competent and cool villians, though I prefer Wuya due to having more of a personality to her. Oh yeah there's also Hannibal Roy Bean, a not very interesting and overall kinda pointless villain.

Other than the characters though, the amount of Shen Gong Wu they came up with was very imaginative and interesting to see, the showdowns themselves could get really creative, and the action was usually well choreographed.

I also like how the show infuses a mix of eastern and western influences, most notably in the locales and general tone and atmosphere. What I mean is, thought the show's origins and general settings have a very eastern feel to them (the anime-ish animation also helps), a lot of the characters and humor are more..based in western culture generally. I always did like this aspect of the show.

After nearly 7 years absence, a revival of the show titled Xiaolin Chronicles is set to air in Spring 0f 2013. Some significant changes have been made. First off, all the names of the previous Shen Gon Wu have been changed (due to Warner Bros owning the rights), all of the showdowns will be animated in CG, and a new character will join the main cast (named Ping Pong) and his element will be wood. In addition to this the show will receive a completely new voice cast (with the exception of Omi and Katnappe) due to the series being made in Canada (and as a result, Canadian only voice actors are allowed).

You can go here to see a clip from the show in progress: http://www.lagardere...olin_chronicles

Part of me is happy that the show got a revial (and seemingly out of nowhere), but another part of me is incredibly worried about the show's quality. If anything, I hope Jack Spicer will be taken more seriously this time around.

Time will tell I suppose.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Soniman

[Kuzu]

That's a nice Naruto Banner you got there.

[Wentos]

With so many changes, I'm not sure how to feel. I can say though that I adored the original show, so I'm definitely giving the new one a chance.

[Soniman]

That's a nice Naruto Banner you got there.

What?

[Kuzu]

What?

I'm seeing a "Go to Anilinks.com" banner with Naruto on it, don't know if you meant to post something else.

[Soniman]

I'm seeing a "Go to Anilinks.com" banner with Naruto on it, don't know if you meant to post something else.

Oh okay, I fixed it (it wasn't showing that for me).

Edited September 20, 2012 by Soniman

[Kuzu]

Oh okay, I fixed it (it wasn't showing that for me).

Bettar.

[Lamor]

Watched it back in the day when I had Cartoon Network. I remember it being very good and funny.

[Jango]

I loved the show. Watched every episode. I hope this new one will be as good as the first and that they at least keep the same voice actors (seriously, the voice acting here is suberb).

By the way, a character named Ping Pong, assuming he might be oriental, isn't that racist?

Edited September 21, 2012 by Jango

[The Kid]

Wait, is this more of a reboot rather than picking up where the show ended? It looks like Ray is back to being a regular warrior (it has been so long since I have watched this). If it is a reboot of the series then I'm a little more hesitant to watch. Also, wood!? Wouldnt a better element be like... Lightening or something?

Ugh, that animation style.

[SilentDoom]

All of my want

Fucking LOVED this show as a kid. T'was dynamic and fast paced, characters were pretty likeable (Jack Spicer in particular), Shen Gong Wu had offered some really cool abilities and it was cool watching how the plot and characters developed.

Part of me is happy that the show got a revial (and seemingly out of nowhere), but another part of me is incredibly worried about the show's quality. If anything, I hope Jack Spicer will be taken more seriously this time around.

Time will tell I suppose.

No way man. Jack Spicer was a joke villain from day 1 and he should stay that way. He was an eccentric and wonderfully over the top individual. Chase Young was really the serious villain.

[Soniman]

All I'm saying is that I recall his robots being a lot tougher and formidable, now they're just taken down in a flash.

I guess I would like JC's skills/prowess to improve along with the rest of the cast

[Milo]

I remember liking the original show as a kid, so I'm rather interested in this sequel series to say the least.

[The drunkard from space!]

The page you linked us to the reboot won't go passed the loading screen for me T_T

EDIT: Did I really just misspell "linked"? Fail on my part ;

Edited September 20, 2012 by Miku-Miku Dazzle

[Sly4Good]

I LOVED this show as a kid, with it's wonderful array of characters and quirky dialogue and all. There was just so much about it to love, especially for a kid's show.

[KrazyBean]

Xiaolin Showdown was the SHIT! That's all I have to say...it was damn good.

[\gunther]

No Danny Cooksey???

maan fuqk u canida

[The drunkard from space!]

For those the link won't load for: https://www.youtube....h?v=HtPMDi0u2XQ

My reaction to Jack Spicer's new voice:

NO! NO! NO! NO! FUCKING NO! DOUBLE NO! ALL MY NOES! That voice does NOT fit Jack at all! He sounds like he has 4Kids Tails Syndrome! Do not like! Do not want! CHANGE NOW! On a side note: Chase looks a bit feminine.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Miku-Miku Dazzle

[Ferno]

The animation looks legit. I am pleased, well done Canada. c:

Some of the voices and the CG sequences may take some getting used too, but it's not all that bad.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Inferno

[KHCast]

As much as I love Tara Strong....Her being Jack Spicer is a big No No. at least to me.:/

[Soniman]

Yeah, Jack's voice is the one thing I have issue with, it's really unfitting.

Though Hui said that it was just a placeholder, so I'm hoping his voice will be much different and better.

[Ruby Havoc]

I really liked the original back in the olden days of 2005(up to whenever it ended). I am looking forward to the new series but am confused as to whether it's a reboot or a sequel.

Oh, and I really don't like Jack's new voice.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Ruby Havoc

[The drunkard from space!]

Yeah, Jack's voice is the one thing I have issue with, it's really unfitting.

Though Hui said that [Jack Spicer's voice in the trailer] was just a placeholder, so I'm hoping his voice will be much different and better.

Just like that all my fears have vanished. *phew!*

[Ferno]

As much as I love Tara Strong....Her being Jack Spicer is a big No No. at least to me.:/

Someone in the comments said that she's just a placeholder voice as of now, so that fills me with hope. With that said though, it wasn't the worst performance in the world, but her voice is too high and doesn't "fit" like the original one did.

[\gunther]

The CGI clashed a bit too much with the 2D animation for my tastes, but it could be worse. And I know it's just a placeholder, but maaaan Tara as Jack is just wrong.

Jack was the main reason I watched Xiaolin Showdown and Danny Cooksey was perfect as him. It's gonna take a while for my ears to get used to a different voice, regardless of who's doing it.

Edited September 20, 2012 by gunthetra