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Xiaolin Showdown

Series, 2003, The early 2000s, Set in The Xiaolin Temple

Xiaolin Showdown is #17 of 24 in release order and #17 of 24 in chronological order in the Kids' WB Classics.

The story

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 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. A sequel series titled Xiaolin Chronicles was previewed on August 26, 2013 on Disney XD. It began its long-term run on September 14 the same year.

Xiaolin Showdown recap

Xiaolin Showdown (2003) follows four young monks from the Xiaolin Temple who race villains around the world for magical artifacts called Shen Gong Wu. Christy Hui created it, Brandon Sawyer developed it, and it ran on Kids' WB for three seasons and 52 episodes from November 1, 2003, to May 13, 2006. Omi (Tara Strong), raised at the temple and endlessly confident, is the Dragon of Water; Kimiko Tohomiko (Grey DeLisle) from Tokyo is Fire; Raimundo Pedrosa (Tom Kenny) from Rio de Janeiro is Wind; and Clay Bailey (Jeff Bennett), a Texas cowboy, is Earth. Master Fung trains them, and the small dragon Dojo (Wayne Knight) grows to full size to fly them to each Wu, with contested Wu decided in magical duels called Xiaolin Showdowns. Their enemies are the self-proclaimed evil boy genius Jack Spicer (Danny Cooksey) and the 1,500-year-old witch Wuya (Susan Silo), whom Jack frees from a puzzle box. Raimundo briefly sides with Wuya before choosing the temple again at the start of season two. That season introduces Chase Young (Jason Marsden), a Xiaolin monk turned evil, and Omi's bad chi takes over after a rescue in the Ying-Yang World, sending him to the Heylin side. In season three the others bring Omi back, the four are promoted to Wudai Warriors, and they face Hannibal Roy Bean, the demon who corrupted Chase.

Xiaolin Showdown ending explained

Xiaolin Showdown ends with "Time After Time," an hour-long finale aired in the US in two parts on May 6 and 13, 2006. Omi travels into the past to stop Chase Young from drinking the Lao Mang Long soup, but the changed future is worse: Master Monk Guan turns evil and Omi's friends become farmers. The monks beat Hannibal, Wuya, Chase and Guan in a four-way Showdown, Omi resets time with a paradox, and Raimundo is named Shoku Warrior and leader. The series closes with every villain attacking the temple as the monks charge in. Xiaolin Chronicles continued the story on Disney XD in 2013.

Where to watch Xiaolin Showdown

Xiaolin Showdown isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Ratings

IMDb 7.4/10

Where it fits

Cast

Created by Christy Hui.