Xiaolin Showdown

I remember this show growing up. It had enough going for it that I have a positive view of it years later. Some may say there weren't many shows that stood out in the early 2000s, but I think this is a show with style that sets it apart. Other shows like Jackie Chan Adventures had a similar style of Asian culture mixed with American animation, and this one definitely shares some similarities (heck, both shows came out from the same network). However, I really enjoyed this type of style, and while the characters and story aren't the selling point, the imagination put into some of the concepts got me hooked. It works well in the show, and there's even significant character and plot development moving along (such as the writers bringing back a certain plot point in the past), which is definitely something I really appreciated.

The idea behind this show deserved a better studio. This series is so impressive if it had any way to end its plots and wrap up its characters it would make a great series.

It's like, every new villain character that is introduced is taken to the absolute peak of their villain potential before getting defeated. Then instead of getting wrapped up they become another comedic relief character in the background for jokes in future episodes. No one manifests this better than Jack Spicer. Great villain potential, become a sad joke in later seasons.

The first season of this series is probably the most solid that the show was. Nothing is going to beat the final 4 episodes of season 1. It never reaches the same height again.

After the first season it's like the studio came in and said: okay, now do it again but 50% cheaper.

And you are like: excuse me? Retcon? Who is Chase Young? Where? How? Why? No idea. The studio didn't care, it just wanted to make a lore, it just didn't want to waste any time on buildup.

So if you want the authentic, the best of Xiaolin Showdown, then I wholly recommend season 1 in its entirety. THAT IS A 9 FROM ME.

The rest of the series becomes a 6,5 for me. You might like the other characters it introduces, but for me, too many spices in a dish doesn't make a better dish.

The name of this cartoon would tend to put people off but if you give it a chance you'll see it's a superbly animated show that has suspense, drama, humour.... lots of humour and a great storyline. You can tell a lot of effort has gone into the character design and choosing voices and the animation is fluid and precise. Follow the adventures of 4 kaolin monks as they quest to find the mystical "Shen Gong Wu", magical items that each have a unique power, I cannot fault this cartoon at all, funny as hell, I want them to bring it out on DVD so i can keep them forever.

I am surprised by how much I enjoy this show. It does have its flaws, but this initial order has so far been better than most other first seasons launched by Kids WB, including my fav, The Zeta Project which died an angonized death.

Omi is hilarious, Clay is admirable, Kimiko is sweet without annoying the fudge out of me, Master Fung floors me, and Jack Spicer is a good arch nemesis.

I have problems with Raimundo, Katt Nappe, and that ghost lady with Jack however. Fortunately, the last couple episodes have been Katt free. Best of luck to the show!!

Xiaolin Showdown is not a perfect show, but it is very good. I feared it would not be my thing and that it would be lacklustre, that it would fail at any attempts at humour or that it would have obnoxious characters. It was a really nice surprise that it had neither of those negative traits.

The animation is actually pretty good with interesting use of colour and character designs. The music is funky and cool, especially the theme tune, while the story ideas are a lot of fun and have originality and energy. I agree the writing can be a tinsy bit poor and predictable at times, but it does have a good balance of intelligence and humour. The characters are engaging, the title character for example while flawed is brave and loyal while the villain Jack Spicer is more comedic than threatening, but when he is amusing he is amusing. Another strength is the rock-solid voice acting from the likes of Danny Cooksey, Tom Kenny and Wayne Knight.

In conclusion, interesting show, and quite clever and fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox