Xiaolin Chronicles

Since I'm a big fan of the original series, Xiaolin Showdown (I grew up watching it every Saturday), Xiaolin Chronicles isn't really a continuation of Xiaolin Showdown regardless of what many people might think. I conducted an interview with the show's producer a while back on a school project, and I found out that one of the major differences was that the network/studio required this new series be episodic. This surprising requirement presented big creative challenges in storytelling for the writers, since they wanted to tell evolving stories in the tradition of Xiaolin Showdown. Evolving stories require longer arcs, spanning over multiple episodes, which resulted in many 2-parters and 3-parters in Xiaolin Showdown. The old series was serialized through and through. As each season of Xiaolin Showdown progressed, the seasonal arcs also evolved. That's one of the reasons why Xiaolin Showdown was a great kids show. Without the ability to write shows in a serialized manner, this takes a way a lot of opportunity for character growth, story build up, and evolving conflicts, just to name a few. We all know that plots need time to develop, evolve, and thicken… I understand this even though I am not a professional writer. Therefore, Xiaolin Chronicles is not meant to be a reboot or continuation of Xiaolin Showdown, and it is unfair to compare them under the same light. Additionally, Xiaolin Chronicles is made under very different circumstances, with many creative constraints. For starters, it was not even made in the US, and the crew spoke French. So there, it should tell you how different the production settings were between the two shows. The old show — a product of a major US studio. The new one - a product made in France by a small independent. So all things considered, I'd say Xiaolin Chronicles turned out great. It's a fun action adventure show. Having said that, I still like the fact that the Xiaolin monks are back! It served the purpose of re-introducing the Xiaolin monks to a new set of audience. And I love that there is a new monk joining the adventure. Sure there are always things to pick on… in any given show. But to me, it's always fun to watch Xiaolin. However, I'd love it even more if the new Xiaolin shows can be done in a serialized fashion, so that the stories can evolve and grow in order to bring out the best that Xiaolin has to offer. Stay true and stay faithful to Xiaolin Showdown. That'd be a good thing.

This is a non-spoiler review. Xiaoling Chronicles (XC) is a reboot/semi- continuation of a 2003 show called Xiaolin Showdown (XS). Within the first episode an alternate continuity is established, clearly saying not to take into account the previous show too much. However, some parts of XC are difficult to understand without previously knowing the underlying lore. This can cause confusion as to what the show is intended to be for XS fans and comprehension problems for new audiences. The show lacks in continuity and consistency. There is no apparent overarching plot line. There is awkward pacing and locations of characters and items frequently do not match up even within the scope of single episodes, not to mention between episodes. In the fights within the show engagement rules change without warning or explanation. Most of the show is animated in 2D and looks decent. The rest is rendered in 3D, and in it the character models are well designed. However, there are numerous problems ranging from poor choreography and failed lip syncing to bland and predictable sets. The voice acting is quite well done, but is unfortunately overshadowed by poor writing. The dialogue feels forced at times and sometimes suggestive enough for too young an audience to pick up the double entendres. Gross toilet humor is present in almost every episode. Most of the characters are both flanderized and stereotyped, with little or no character development. Some relationships are inappropriately suggestive, and others seem contrived. I would not recommend watching this show for entertainment, but perhaps for a study of what problems can be present in Western Animation to ensure future shows do not employ these tactics. I do understand it is likely a lot of work went in to the production of this show, and I do appreciate the dedication, but certain negative elements cause XC to be perceived as poorly made. 4/10.

When I was younger, I LOVED watching Xiaolin Showdown. Everything about Showdown is great... I wish I could say the same about Chronicles however. I saw the sequel announced years ago and it caught my attention but never got around to it until recently. I decided to re-watch Showdown first and grew to appreciate it even more as an adult. It's funny, clever, original, entertaining, and has good character development. Chronicles possesses everything BUT those characteristics. I don't even know where to begin with this huge letdown of a series.

First and foremost, this is NOT a sequel despite what it's labeled as. It's basically some form of spinoff series I guess? Reason I say this is because some of the backstories don't match up with the original at all. Shen Gong Wu have different names (I get it's because of copyright but I don't care) and some of them don't even have the same powers as the ones from Showdown such as the Golden Tiger Claws for instance. Instead of transporting you anywhere in the world, it travels through time. Most of voice actors are different (not necessarily why I hate it, but it's still a letdown). They introduce a new character Ping Pong (basically a mini-Omi who's less egotistical) who is just downright boring, obnoxious, and uninspiring. Ping Pong basically adds nothing to the series. Dojo is the worst of them all. Aside from the fact that he's yellow now for whatever reason, he also has a huge obsession/hard-on for Master Fung. Like REALLY obsessed, to the point where he's just down right unbearable. Always calling him lovey dovey nicknames and day dreaming about him. It doesn't help that when he senses a new Wu now he gets some kind of rash boil attack that's really not pleasing to look at.

Even the showdowns itself aren't even exciting to watch anymore. They decided to make them CGI which is odd since Showdown didn't do this. Even the transition from reality to the showdowns are rather weak. It used to be exciting watching two characters challenge each other, explain the game details, yell "XIAOLIN SHOWDOWN!", then everything just transitions around them to transform into the showdown arena. You just knew before they even touched the Wu that things were about to go down. Now it just doesn't have the same feel. Feels like they just quickly rush into the showdown, Dojo does this spinning thing in front of the screen, then everything becomes CGI.

I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but completing this was very difficult for me to do and I constantly wanted to drop it. I even found myself not paying attention at times because I would distract myself with other things due to how much boring it ultimately is.

If you are a fan of Showdown and plan on watching Chronicles, I recommend watching it with very low expectations.

Xiaolin Chronicles is a show that tries to be a continuation, but when it ended after only 26 episodes, would be labeled a stand alone show. While I have seen Xiaolin Showdown when it aired on Cartoon Network, this continuation was made without Warner Bros. As a result, the Shen Gong Wu have been renamed because WB owns the rights to the original names (Orb Of Tornami is now called Orb of Torpedo, and Monkey Staff is now called Monkey Spear),which I understood as this is done by a different company, as well as the change of some voice actors due to it being made in Canada, and Canadian laws require an all-Canadian voice cast (although Tara Strong and Jennifer Hale do return from Showdown to voice Omi and Katnappe).

So, the story is that Omi, Clay, and Kimiko have reached the title of Shuko Warriors (a title Raymundo reached in the final episode of Showdown), and now must find a new Xiaolin Temple after events lead to its destruction. Joining them is Ping Pong, a new Xiaolin Monk who is basically a mini-me of Omi, and they face threats old and new.

So, the thing with this series is it can't make up its mind on whether or not it's a continuation or a reboot. A lot of things have changed, as Dojo is now yellow, the first episode changes the tale of Dashi's fight with Wuya where he imprisons her in a spring, and the characters' personalities have been changed (with Omi getting the worst of it, as he becomes a brat who tends to hog the spotlight, and Raymundo is not the leader of the group). I don't know if these changes were also done to avoid legal issues with Warner Bros., since Christy Hui did return to direct, but it can be jarring at first.

Another thing keeping it down is the new character Ping Pong. He is basically a mini-me of Omi in different clothes, and a good example of what a Gary Stu is, as despite being a novice (and his element being wood), he can use the others' elements without problem (which contradicts an episode of Xiaolin Showdown). Also, Chase Young gets a sidekick named Shadow, who is basically a Villain Sue, only there to be the sexy character. Also, character backstories are different than in Showdown, which can cause confusion.

But one of the worst things in this series is how the Xiaolin Showdowns are done. Now they are done in CGI, and sadly, for 2013 standards, it looks so generic and bland. While the action is good and it is nice to see Xiaolin Showdown brought back, I feel this failed due to the changes it made, hence why Hui would call this a stand alone series instead of a continuation.

Watched it with my nephew who's 7-years-old. Loved it! Yes, Xiaolin Chronicles is different from the original Xiaolin Showdown that I grew up watching. It's not a continuing saga of Xiaolin Showdown. The format of the show is different. It's more like a side chapter of the Xiaolin gang, introducing a new monk. Still love the adventures, magical showdowns and the Shen Gong Wu. Would like to see a proper reboot of the original series, like the original characters are now grown up. Or some origin stories from the ancient days with Dashi and Wuya, fighting monsters and such. That would be epic. Keep more Xiaolin shows coming.