Xiaolin Showdown

Xiaolin Showdown
The main characters riding Dojo, clockwise from bottom: Omi, Kimiko, Raimundo, and Clay.
Format	Animated television series
Created by	Christy Hui Warner Bros. Animation
Starring	Tara Strong Grey DeLisle Tom Kenny Jeff Bennett Danny Cooksey Wayne Knight Maurice LaMarche Susan Silo Jason Marsden
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	52 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Bill Motz (season 1) Bob Roth (season 1) David Silverman(season 2) Stephen Sustarsic (seasons 2–3)
Producer(s)	Christy Hui
Running time	22 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Kids' WB!
Original run	November 1, 2003 (2003-11-01) – May 13, 2006 (2006-05-13)

Xiaolin Showdown is an American animated television series that aired on Kids WB and was created by Christy Hui. Set in a world where martial arts battles and Eastern magic are commonplace, the series follows four young warriors in training that battle the forces of evil. They do this by protecting Shen Gong Wu (ancient artifacts that possess great magical powers) from villains that would use them to conquer the world.

Originally airing on the Kids WB! block of programming on WB Network in 2003, the series ran for 3 seasons and 52 episodes. Typical episodes revolve around a specific Shen Gong Wu being revealed which results in both sides racing to find it. Episodes usually reach a head when one good and one evil character must challenge each other to a magical duel called a Xiaolin Showdown for possession of the artifact.

Development

Xiaolin Showdown was created by Christy Hui and co-produced by executive producer Sander Schwartz, supervising producer Eric Radomski and producers Bill Motz and Bob Roth and was developed by Warner Bros. Animation.^[1] The first episode of Xiaolin Showdown was developed over three years following its conception^[2] and premiered November 1, 2003.

Series creator Christy Hui has stated that despite the growing popularity of anime in the United States, she preferred to create a show that was a "fusion of Eastern and Western culture", and this is evident in her work. Xiaolin Showdown shows subtle influences of Eastern art, action, and philosophy but also includes very Western characters and humor.^[3]

Following the success of its first season a second twenty four episode season was ordered and a third after that resulting in 3 seasons and 52 episodes. The show has ended and despite heavy promotion in other media, including Postopia, a trading card game, and a video game, Warner Bros have not shown any signs of broadcasting a fourth season nor releasing the second and third seasons on DVD.

Plot

Season One

Four young monks – Omi, Kimiko, Raimundo, and Clay – are forced into cooperation at the Xiaolin Temple after learning they are the Chosen Ones, monks chosen to become Xiaolin Dragons. At first things are difficult, but soon they become friends and are able to work together to search for Shen Gong Wu. Along the way they must battle the bumbling Jack Spicer, "evil boy genius," and the Heylin ghost-witch Wuya, who Jack accidentally freed from a 1500 year imprisonment in a puzzle box. Through thievery, Spicer eventually possesses enough Shen Gong Wu to form Mala Mala Jong, an ancient monster that Wuya uses to help her gain control of the world. Raimundo defies orders and fights the monster, causing the remaining monks to fight and defend the remaining shen gong wu in the Temple's possession. All of the monks, with the exception of Raimundo, are promoted to Xiaolin Apprentices due to their bravery. Enraged and humiliated, Raimundo joins the Heylin side as Wuya's new assistant and helps her regain her human form.

Season Two

Omi travels back in time and receives a second puzzle box from Grand Master Dashi, the Xiaolin monk who initially trapped Wuya, and freezes himself using the Orb of Tornami. In the present time, the frozen Omi – buried underneath Wuya's palace for 1500 years – breaks free of the ice with the puzzle box in hand. Raimundo, repulsed by the Heylin side, decides that his rightful place belongs in the Xiaolin Temple and traps Wuya in the new puzzle box. After returning to the Temple, the monks continue the search for Shen Gong Wu. Eventually, Master Fung promotes Raimundo to Xiaolin Apprentice along with the others. After this, the monks are introduced to Xiaolin monk-turned-evil villain Chase Young. Chase takes an interest in Omi and becomes determined to manipulate the young monk's mind into joining the Heylin side. When Master Fung becomes trapped in the Ying-Yang world, Omi asks for help from Chase; he succeeds in rescuing Master Fung, but upon leaving the Ying-Yang world his bad chi takes over and he joins the Heylin side. Chase restores Wuya to her human form, though without her powers. The remaining monks soon learn that Chase had sent Master Fung into the Ying-Yang world knowing the events that would unfold afterwards, including Omi joining his side.

Season Three

The monks, Dojo, and Jack Spicer travel to the Ying-Yang world to retrieve Omi's good chi and return him to the Xiaolin side. After returning Omi's good chi to him and gaining him back, the monks are promoted yet again to Wudai Warriors. They are then introduced to Hannibal Roy Bean, an evil villain who lives in the Ying-Yang world. Toward the end of their journey, Master Fung tells the monks that they have one final quest before the leader will be revealed. Omi decides that he will stop Hannibal Bean from turning Chase to the Heylin Side; through time travel, he succeeds. However, when he returns to his present time, he learns that his actions have made things worse. Instead of Chase joining the Heylin side, it is Master Monk Guan whom Hannibal Bean turns evil. The monks and Chase are captured by Hannibal Bean, Wuya, and the evil Guan; Chase sacrifices his good self in order to save the monks and give them the opportunity to fight and return everything to the way it was. The monks succeed, and the timeline is fixed. At the very end of the series, Raimundo is revealed as the team leader, also known as Shoku Warrior.

Characters

Main article: List of Xiaolin Showdown characters

Xiaolin Showdown features a large cast, many of whom only appear in one episode and occasionally return for cameos or for single episodes later in the series. While supporting characters are often one dimensional and serve an immediate purpose in the episode in which they appear, main characters are often well developed with strengths and flaws that become present as the series progresses.

Main characters

Omi (Tara Strong): The Xiaolin Dragon of Water, Omi is the main protagonist of the series and was the first dragon-in-training to train with Master Fung. At times Omi can be selfish and boastful, and often learns lessons of humility. Like Raimundo, Omi once joined the Heylin. Having been raised in the monastery, he is naïve about the outside world. As a running gag Omi routinely confuses idiomatic phrases, from simple changes to lacking any resemblance to the original phrase whatsoever. In one situation, Raimundo used Omi's inability to recite idioms as an analogy as to how they would defeat Jack Spicer, "What Omi did to that sentence is what we're going to do to you!". Omi's signature moves are Tornado Strike-Water and Wudai-Neptune Water. His Wudai Weapon is the Shimo Staff, and his elemental Shen Gong Wu is the Kaijin Charm. His preferred Shen Gong Wu is the Orb of Tornami.

Kimiko Tohomiko (Grey DeLisle): The Xiaolin Dragon of Fire, Kimiko Tohomiko is the only female member of the team. Kimiko is the most tech-savy member of the team and comes from Japan. Kimiko also changes hairstyles and outfits almost every episode. Kimiko's signature moves are Judolette Flip-Fire and Wudai-Mars Fire. Her preferred Shen Gong Wu is the Star Hanabi, her Wudai Weapon is the Arrow Sparrow, and her elemental Shen Gong Wu is the Cat's Eye Draco. She has the shortest temper, generally at even the slightest provocation. She can however be extremely focused and ignore outer, annoying, distractions. This is evidenced when she wields the Tangle Web Comb, said by Master Fung to require high levels of concentration.

Raimundo Pedrosa: (Tom Kenny): The Xiaolin Dragon of Wind, Raimundo may be stubborn but he will do anything to protect his friends. Raimundo is street-smart and the group's self proclaimed rebel, he comes from Brazil. He has joined the Heylin side twice (once out of envy of the success of his friends, and a second time as a ploy to take Shen Gong Wu and the Treasure of the Blind Swordsman from Hannibal Bean). Raimundo's signature moves are Typhoon Boom-Wind and Wudai-Star Wind. His preferred Shen Gong Wu is the Sword of the Storm. His Wudai Weapon is the Blade of the Nebula (which is the same as the Sword of the Storm except a blue colored blade), and his elemental Shen Gong Wu is the Crest of the Condor. He was named shoku warrior(Team Leader) in the episode Time After Time (Part 2), the last Xiaolin Showdown episode.

Clay Bailey (Jeff Bennett): The Xiaolin Dragon of Earth, Clay Bailey is the team muscle and a homegrown Texas cowboy. Clay sometimes speaks in "cowboy slang," and uses metaphors. Because of his good gentleman manners, he never fights girls, something that makes him quite helpless in episode 4 " Katnappe!". He also has a bad case of stage fright. His large size and sensible demeanor belie his good-humored and gentle nature. The only time he gets really mad is if someone takes or destroys his beloved cowboy hat. Clay has a sister named Jessie who is an outlaw and leader of the Black Vipers. Clay's signature moves are Seismic Kick-Earth and Wudai-Crater Earth. His preferred Shen Gong Wu are the Fist of Tebigong and the Third-Arm Sash. His Wudai Weapon is the Big Bang Meteorang, and his elemental Shen Gong Wu is the Longhorn Taurus.

Dojo Kanojo Cho (voiced by Wayne Knight in the series and Paul Rugg in the game): A shapeshifting dragon. The Xiaolin warriors' main mode of transportation and wise-cracking advisor, Dojo can sense Shen Gong Wu. He has no hind legs and is normally about 1.5 feet long, but when the situation requires it, he can shift into a full-sized 40-foot dragon. He has served Grand Master Dashi, as Omi sees him when Jack sent him back in time to find another puzzle box to trap Wuya. Dojo is often seen around Clay in the show; hanging around his arm, sitting on his shoulder or inside his cowboy hat. When Dojo is out of commission, the Xiaolin Warriors use an aircraft Shen Gong Wu called the Silver Manta Ray, or the other transport Shen Gong Wu such as the Crouching Cougar, the Shen-Ga-Roo, or the Tunnel Armadillo.

Jack Spicer (Danny Cooksey): The Xiaolin Warriors' first and most annoying nemesis. Jack Spicer is notable for his robotic engineering, long rants, overuse of the word "evil" and his repetitive self-proclamation of "evil boy genius". He was responsible for releasing Wuya from the puzzle box that Grand Master Dashi locked her in, and aids her in finding Shen Gong Wu to conquer the world. Jack has aided the Xiaolin Warriors on occasion, and does show occasional leanings toward good. However, he always winds up back on the evil side. As a reflection of his character, his preferred Shen Gong Wu is the Monkey Staff, which was the only Shen Gong Wu he is left with at the end of the series. He has shown to have a hard past that explains his cowardly nature and worst fear (which is shown as a 5-year-old Jack Spicer being flushed down the toilet). Metaphorically, he is afraid of rejection. Jack Spicer has shown to be a big fan of Chase Young.

Wuya (Eartha Kitt in season 1, Susan Silo afterwards): A 1500-year-old Heylin witch who inspired Jack to partake in the Shen Gong Wu hunt. After being imprisoned in a puzzle box by Grand Master Dashi for 1,500 years, Wuya's physical form was destroyed. Her goal is to use the Shen Gong Wu to regain a tangible body and along with it her magical powers. She, like Dojo, has the ability to sense a Shen Gong Wu's appearance, but does not need the Scroll of the Shen Gong Wu to determine what it does. At one point she leaves Jack to take on Raimundo as partner but after much debate he returns to the path of good.Wuya cracks up many jokes in some of the episodes for an example,Wuya insulted Jack's knowledge of his pair of socks when he failed his test against Katnappe for working aside Chase Young.

Chase Young (Jason Marsden): Introduced in the second season as an even bigger evil threat than both Wuya and Jack. Chase Young controls an army of therianthropic warriors, trapped in the form of jungle cats, and has the ability to turn into a reptilian creature. Chase rarely uses Shen Gong Wu in battle since he claims it distracts him from honing his martial arts skills. During the second season of the show Chase plots to turn Omi to the Heylin side as part of a plot to rule the world. He succeeds but releases Omi as a matter of honor. He himself was turned to the Heylin side when Hannibal Bean convinced him to drink the Lao Mang Long Soup in return for remaining forever young.

Hannibal Roy Bean (Tom Kenny): Hannibal is a demon that spends his time plotting evil and world domination. He was once imprisoned in the Ying-Yang world by Chase Young, but took the form of Jack Spicer and was able to convince the Xiaolin warriors to release him. He possesses the Moby Morpher which he uses to shape-shift into more threatening forms and travels his bird, Ying-Ying. About 1,500 years ago, Hannibal succeeded in corrupting Chase Young by playing on his insecurities and convincing him to drink the Lao Mang Long Soup to gain power.

Supporting characters

Master Fung (Rene Auberjonois in season 1, Maurice LaMarche onwards): The Xiaolin Warrior's Master, trainer, and guide, Master Fung can get mortified by his charges' behavior at times. He also is nearly always calm, despite the Warriors' behavior and mistakes, though he can be firm at times around the males.

Master Monk Guan (Jeff Bennett): A legendary Tai Chi master who has traveled the world a dozen times, and has defeated numerous opponents using only his famous Spear of Guan which was later given to Omi but gives his favorite copy of the Spear of Guan to Raimundo. He makes his first appearance in the series by trading Dojo to Chase Young, who intended to use him in his Lou Mang Long soup, to get his Spear of Guan back. He also aids the young monks in combat training. He has his own temple on a cliffside near the ocean, where the young monks stay and store Shen Gong Wu while he trains them. It's also where he keeps his hundreds of Spear of Guan copies.

Grand Master Dashi (Tom Kenny): The grand master Xiaolin monk, who imprisoned Wuya in a puzzle box 1500 years ago. He appeared alongside Dojo when Omi traveled to the past, seeking a second puzzle box. He was friends with Master Monk Guan and Chase Young, and met Omi when he assisted the three in the battle against Wuya.

Mystical elements

Shen Gong Wu

Main article: Shen Gong Wu

The focus of the series is on collecting the fictional Shen Gong Wu, mystical artifacts that have magical powers, activated by an action of will combined with saying the artifact's name aloud. Wuya's activation caused Shen Gong Wu to reveal themselves. A magic scroll identifies each Shen Gong Wu.

Xiaolin Showdowns

In Xiaolin Showdown, when more than one person grabs a Shen Gong Wu at the same time, a Xiaolin Showdown occurs. In this namesake competition, each side wagers a Shen Gong Wu he/she already owns. In some cases, the competitors invoke a Shen Yi Bu Dare, where multiple (usually two) Shen Gong Wu are wagered. The winner obtains all of the Shen Gong Wu fought for, totaling five Shen Gong Wu. In some cases, when more than two people touch a Shen Gong Wu at once, a different kind of Xiaolin Showdown occurs: the Showdown Trio is a two-on-one or three person free-for-all, a Xiaolin Showdown Tsunami is either a two-on-two or a four person free-for-all Showdown, and an Eight-Way Xiaolin Showdown is a four-on-four Showdown. One can also call for a Cosmic Clash Showdown, allowing the caller to bring more people into the Showdown who did not touch the Shen Gong Wu (however, in this type of showdown, one of the competitors must be over one-half Shen Gong Wu and look kinda freakish). Generally, the competitors in a Xiaolin Showdown of any type use the Shen Gong Wu that they wagered to compete with. However, there have been instances where a Shen Gong Wu not wagered was used in the Xiaolin Showdown, as in "The Last Temptation of Raimundo" when Wuya used the Shroud of Shadows against the Xiaolin Warriors while she was possessing Raimundo. Another showdown was in "Enter The Dragon" when Omi uses the Reversing Mirror and Shroud of Shadows on Dojo.

The challenge in a Xiaolin Showdown can be anything, but most commonly is some sort of race to the Shen Gong Wu. When the Showdown is called, the world warps around the competitors and by-standers, and the terrain they are on becomes an extreme extent, such as a mountainside becoming a field of rock pillars, or a snowfield becoming a large snowboarding course. Some Showdowns have also affected those involved, such as gaining weight for a sumo wrestling showdown. Other contests have been games of tag, basketball, or combat. The challenge officially begins after the change, and when both (or all) combatants yell "Gong Yi Tanpai!" Then the decided contest starts. When one is victorious, the terrain returns to normal, and the winner gains possession of all of the wagered Shen Gong Wu.

"Gong Yi Tanpai!" is a pseudo-Chinese way of saying "Ready, Set, Go!". Tanpai means "showdown" in Chinese, Gong is Chinese for "begin" as to attack, and Yi means "the" in Chinese, so it literally means "Begin the showdown!"

Omi inadvertently gave the competition its name when he traveled back in time in episode "Days Past" to ask Grand Master Dashi to make another puzzle box to imprison Wuya.

Awards

Daytime Emmy Awards

Year	Category	Season	Result
2004	Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing — Live Action and Animation	1st (Episodes 1–6)	Nominated
2005	Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing — Live Action and Animation	1st (Ep. 7–13) & 2nd (Ep. 1–11)	Won
2006	Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing — Live Action and Animation	2nd (Ep. 12–26) & 3rd (Ep. 1–8)	Nominated
2007	Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing — Live Action and Animation	3rd (Episodes 9–13)	Nominated

Annie Awards

Year	Category	Season	Result
2004	Outstanding Character Design in an Animated Television Production	1st (Episodes 1–6)	Nominated

Other

Xiaolin Showdown was also nominated for two Golden Reel Awards.

Critical reception

Xiaolin Showdown was a huge hit for the Kids WB network and it ranked at the no.1 position against all other Saturday morning competition mainly between kids aged 6–14.^[4]

In other media

Games

Main article: Xiaolin Showdown (video game)

Konami developed a Xiaolin Showdown video game, that was released on November 10, 2006 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, and Nintendo DS.

In addition, Wizards of the Coast released a trading card game based on the series. [1]

DVD release

A Season One DVD has been released. It is a 2-disc set, and has special features on disc 2, but the only features are trailers for other shows and movies.

See also

• List of Xiaolin Showdown episodes
• Xiaolin Showdown Trading Card Game

References

1. ^ "Xiaolin Showdown". www.scannews.com. http://www.scanews.com/spot/2003/november/s689/xiaolin/news.html. Retrieved 2007-03-01. 
2. ^ Danny Stricker. "Meet Christy Hui, Animator". www.timeforkids.com. http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/kidscoops/0,28342,672293,00.html. Retrieved 2007-03-01. 
3. ^ Nancy Lees. "Hot Talent: Hui specializes in cultural doubleheaders". www.kidscreen.com. http://www.kidscreen.com/articles/magazine/20040601/hui.html. Retrieved 2007-03-01. 
4. ^ Ryan Ball (2003-11-14). "Xiaolin Showdown Gives Kids’ WB Ratings Kick". Animation Magazine. http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=1792. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 

External links

• Official website
• Xiaolin Showdown at TV.com
• Xiaolin Showdown at the Internet Movie Database