Wikipedia

Jackie Chan Adventures

Jackie Chan Adventures is an animated television series developed by John Rogers, Duane Capizzi and Jeff Kline, and produced by Columbia TriStar Television (now Sony Pictures Television), Adelaide Productions, The JC Group and Blue Train Entertainment. The cartoon series premiered on September 9, 2000, and ran for five seasons until its conclusion on July 8, 2005. The series focuses on a fictionalized version of Hong Kong action film star Jackie Chan,[1][2] who operates in life as an archaeologist and special agent, combatting threats that are mainly magical and supernatural (based on real-life mythologies and supernatural stories from Asia and around the world) with the aid of his family and close friends.

Jackie Chan Adventures
Genre
Developed by
StarringJackie Chan
Voices of
Theme music composerJim Latham
Ending theme
  • "Chan's the Man" by Wheatus (season 1)
Composers
  • Jim Latham (season 1)
  • Christopher Ward (seasons 2–5)
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes95 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Michael Goguen (season 2)
  • Frank Squillace (seasons 3–4)
  • David Hartman (season 5)
Editors
  • C.K. Horness (season 1)
  • Jhoanne Reyes (seasons 2–5)
  • Bruce King (season 4)
Running time21 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkThe WB (Kids' WB)
ReleaseSeptember 9, 2000 (2000-09-09) –
July 8, 2005 (2005-07-08)

Many of the episodes created for Jackie Chan Adventures featured references to Chan's actual works, with the actor making live-action appearances in the form of an interview situation, answering questions about his life and work. The series was aired in the United States on Kids' WB, with re-runs and second run premieres aired on Toon Disney's Jetix programming block, as well as Cartoon Network's Toonami block as well as Canadian broadcasts on YTV's Vortex. The series proved a success on children's television, including abroad, leading to the creation of a toy franchise and two video games based on the series.

Premise

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Jackie Chan Adventures is set in a world which magic and supernatural forces exist but are unknown to much of humanity – these include demons, ghosts, spirits, spells, and various creatures and gods. Although the series focuses mostly on those from Asia, primarily Chinese mythology and folklore, it also includes those from other locations in the world, including Europe and Central America. In the animated series, the actor Jackie Chan exists in this setting as a professional archaeologist with a high degree of martial combat skill, who is forced to accept the fact that magic and the supernatural exists when he uncovers a talisman in an artifact that possess magical powers sought out by a criminal organization.

Throughout the series, Chan is aided by his close family, including his uncle and his niece Jade, and his close friend Captain Black – head of a secret law enforcement organization codenamed "Section 13" – alongside additional allies introduced over the course of the series. Each season of the program primarily contains an overarching storyline in which Chan and his allies must face off against a dangerous demonic figure, aided by human henchman, by preventing them finding a series of magical objects that can help them to conquer the world. Alongside the overarching plotline, some episodes also consist of standalone stories that focus on Chan and his friends combatting magical and supernatural forces that are either evil or not understanding of their situation. While storylines feature action sequences focused on magic and martial arts, they also include comedic situations akin to several of Chan's works in action-comedy films.

While Chan does not provide the voice of his animated character, he appears regularly in live-action inserts at the end of the program to offer insights on Chinese history, culture and philosophy as well as answering fan questions read by Stacie Chan offscreen.[3]

References to Jackie Chan's career

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The series often features references to Jackie Chan's films and his own life throughout the series. In the episode "A Night at the Opera", Uncle states that he was part of the stage group "Seven Little Fortunes", which Jackie Chan was actually part of in real life. Another example is in the episode "The Invisible Mom" where Jackie is bitten by a Snake, and uses a kung fu style known as "the drunken master" from one of his earliest headlining films of the same name. According to Jackie during one of his question segments, the characters of the show are based on certain people in his life. Uncle is based on his agent and father, Jade is based on an assortment of his nieces, and Tohru is based on one of his stunt team members as well as himself. The episode "And He Does His Own Stunts" is a reference to the fact that Jackie Chan does his own stunts in his movies.

Some episodes' titles are based on actual film names. For example, "Half a Mask of Kung Fu" is based on Half a Loaf of Kung Fu, four episode titles ("Enter the Viper", "Enter the Cat", "Re-Enter the J-Team", and "Re-Enter the Dragon") are based on Enter the Dragon (in which Jackie Chan performs as a stuntman[4]), "Shanghai Moon" is based on Shanghai Noon, "Armor of the Gods" is based on Armour of God, "Project A, for Astral" is based on Project A and "Rumble in the Big House" is based on Rumble in the Bronx.

Characters

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Main article: List of Jackie Chan Adventures characters

Episodes

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Main article: List of Jackie Chan Adventures episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
113September 9, 2000 (2000-09-09)March 17, 2001 (2001-03-17)
239September 8, 2001 (2001-09-08)September 7, 2002 (2002-09-07)
317September 14, 2002 (2002-09-14)May 3, 2003 (2003-05-03)
413September 13, 2003 (2003-09-13)February 14, 2004 (2004-02-14)
513September 11, 2004 (2004-09-11)July 8, 2005 (2005-07-08)

Cast

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Broadcast

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The series aired in the Republic of Ireland on RTÉ Two from April 30, 2001, and was regularly rerun until 2014.[5]

Reception

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Common Sense Media gave the show 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Lighthearted, entertaining, suspenseful, and humorous, this show may not be deep, but it's a lot of fun".[6]

Other media

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Books

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A number of books were released to accompany the series.

Issue no Release name Release date Author Publisher Notes Ref
#1 The Dark Hand 2002 (UK) Eliza Willard Grosset & Dunlap [7]
#2 Jade's Secret Power 2002 (UK) Cathy West Grosset & Dunlap [8]
#3 Sign of the Ox 2002 (UK) Megan Stine Grosset & Dunlap [9]
#4 Enter...the Viper 2002 (UK) Jacqueline Carrol Grosset & Dunlap [10]
#5 Shendu Escapes! 2002 (UK) David Slack & Jim Thomas Grosset & Dunlap [11]
#6 New Enemy 2002 (UK) R. S. Ashby Grosset & Dunlap [12]
#7 Revenge of the Dark Hand 2002 (UK) Eliza Willard Grosset & Dunlap [13]
#8 The Power of the Rat 2002 (UK) Megan Stine Grosset & Dunlap [14]
#9 Stronger Than Stone 2002 (UK) R. S. Ashby Grosset & Dunlap [15]
#10 Uncle's Big Surprise 2002 (UK) Jacqueline Carrol Grosset & Dunlap [16]
#11 The Jade Monkey 2002 (UK) Judy Katschke Grosset & Dunlap [17]
#12 The Strongest Evil 2002 (UK) Jacqueline Carrol Grosset & Dunlap [18]
N/A The Day of the Dragon 2003 (UK) Eliza Willard & David Slack & Alexx Dyne Grosset & Dunlap Special [19]

Comics

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A number of comics were released to accompany the series.

Volume Release name Release date Author Publisher Notes Ref
#1 Enter the Dark Hand July 15, 2004 (UK) Duane Capizzi & John Rogers Tokyopop [20]
#2 Legend of the Zodiac October 15, 2004 (UK) Duane Capizzi & David Slack Tokyopop [21]
#3 Jackie and Jade Save the Day January 15, 2005 (UK) John Rogers Tokyopop [22]
#4 Return of the Vampire April 15, 2005 (UK) John Tomlinson Tokyopop [23]

Home media

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In 2001, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released episodes from the first season on VHS and DVD. But one format differed from the other in that of the four DVDs released, three were select, individual episodes while the fourth contained the whole season of 13 episodes; the VHS series had only three, separate episodes. Also, there was a difference in the titles of said episodes released on VHS and DVD. The Day of The Dragon VHS box cover art was the same as that of the first season DVD case cover, which featured Jackie, Jade and Uncle with the villains behind them, dimmed in a yellowish background. On these, the episodes were presented without the teasers that originally appeared prior to the opening/intro sequence as they aired. They are currently unavailable and out-of-print, especially since they had limited pressings and no plans have been announced to follow up season one with DVD box sets of the remaining four seasons. However, the entire series can be ordered and seen via video-on-demand service at Amazon and iTunes. As of October 2010, the entire series was made available on the Netflix streaming service.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment plans to release the second season on DVD through Amazon.com, and other online retailers.[24] Mill Creek Entertainment announced all five seasons on DVD in Region 1.[citation needed]

VHS

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Release name Release date Publisher Format Notes Ref
The Day of the Dragon October 23, 2001 Sony Pictures NTSC 30 minutes [25]
The Power Within October 23, 2001 Sony Pictures NTSC 30 minutes [26]
Friends & Foes March 5, 2002 Sony Pictures NTSC 30 minutes [27]
The Search for the Talisman July 22, 2002 Sony Pictures PAL 30 minutes [28]

DVD

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DVD Title # of Disc(s) Year Series Episodes DVD release
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
The Search for the Talisman
(Volume 1) 		1 2000 1 1-3 October 23, 2001[29] July 22, 2002[28] March 17, 2004[30]
The Dark Hand Returns
(Volume 2) 		1 2000 1 4-6 March 5, 2002[31] September 1, 2002 March 17, 2004[30]
The Shadow of Shendu
(Volume 3) 		1 2000 1 7-9 March 5, 2002[32] — —
The Entire Season One 2 2000 & 2001 1 1-13 — May 17, 2004[33] —
The Entire Season Two 4 2001 & 2002 1 14-52 June 5, 2012[34][35][b] Pulled from Schedule
The Demon Portals Saga (Season 2) 3 2001 & 2002 1 14-52 June 4, 2019[36] — —

Video game

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There has only been one Jackie Chan game, Jackie Chan Adventures, first released on Game Boy Advance then re-released on PlayStation 2, under different titles.

Title Genre Platform Studio Release Date Notes
Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark Hand Action Game Boy Advance Activision November 6, 2001 (US) & November 30, 2001 (EU)[37] Find eight stolen scrolls and stop the Dark Hand from unleashing demons.
Jackie Chan Adventures Action PlayStation 2 Sony Computer Entertainment October 1, 2004 (EU), September 19, 2004 (CH) & Cancelled (US)[38][39] Play as Jackie Chan and collect the Talismans. Compatible with PlayStation's EyeToy.

Successors

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Following Jackie Chan Adventures, Chan set off to create local productions in Asia. The first, Jackie Chan's Fantasia, is a 52-episode Chinese animated series produced by Nanjing Hongying Animation Entertainment.[40][41] It aired in 2009 on CCTV and in English on Sonic-Nickelodeon.[42]

In 2017, Chan announced All New Jackie Chan Adventures, a $6 million 104-episode Chinese CG-animated series produced by Zhejiang Talent Television & Film, Khorgas JJ Culture Media Co., and VJ Animation Studio.[43] It was released in China in 2017, with a feature film scheduled for 2019.[44] Despite the name, it is unrelated to the American series.

Later in 2008 the series was adapted into multiple South Indian languages by Sun TV Network.

Channel Language First Aired TRP
Chutti TV Tamil 2009 100.23
Kushi TV Telugu 2010 99.2
Chintu TV Kannada 2010 73.34
Kochu TV Malayalam 2011 80.00

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Credited as Columbia TriStar Television for seasons 1–2 and Columbia TriStar Domestic Television for seasons 2–3
  2. ^ Manufacture on Demand (MOD) release

References

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  1. ^ Stanley, T.L. (October 14, 2000). "Now Chan Is the Picture of an Action Hero". The Los Angeles Times. USA. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  2. ^ Fritz, Steve (September 18, 2000). "MEN IN BLACK and JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES". Mania. USA. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 307–308. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  4. ^ Chan, Jackie (1999). I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action. Ballantine Publishing Group. p. 369.
  5. ^ "RTÉ Guide". RTÉ Guide. April 28, 2001. 2001 edition and subsequent dates
  6. ^ "Review of Jackie Chan Adventures". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  7. ^ The Dark Hand (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0141314974.
  8. ^ Jade's Secret Power (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426501.
  9. ^ Sign of the Ox (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0141314990.
  10. ^ Enter...the Viper with Cards (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426528.
  11. ^ Jackie Chan #5: Shendu Escapes! with Cards (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426684.
  12. ^ Jackie Chan #6: A New Enemy with Cards (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426692.
  13. ^ Revenge of the Dark Hand with Cards (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426706.
  14. ^ The Power of the Rat (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426714.
  15. ^ Jackie Chan #9: Stronger Than Stone (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448426722.
  16. ^ Jackie Chan #10: Uncle's Big Surprise (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448427028.
  17. ^ Jackie Chan #11: The Jade Monkey (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448427036.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ Jackie Chan #12: The Strongest Evil (Jackie Chan Adventures) [Paperback]. ASIN 0448431785.
  19. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures Super Special: The Day of the Dragon [Paperback]. ASIN 0448431238.
  20. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures Volume 1: Enter The Dark Hand: Enter the Dark Hand v. 1 (Jackie Chan Adventures S.) [Paperback]. ASIN 1591824028.
  21. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures Volume 2: Legend of the Zodiac: v. 2 [Paperback]. ASIN 1591824036.
  22. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures Volume 3: Jackie and Jade Save the Day: v. 3 [Paperback]. ASIN 1591824044.
  23. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures: No. 4, Return of the Vampire [Paperback]. Amazon.co.uk. January 2003. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  24. ^ Lambert, David (May 25, 2012). "Jackie Chan Adventures - An MOD Set Is In-the-Works for 'The Complete 2nd Season'". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012.
  25. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures - The Day of the Dragon [VHS] (2000), ASIN B00005O4W6
  26. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures - The Power Within [VHS] (2000), ASIN B00005O4W5
  27. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures - Friends & Foes [VHS] (2000), ASIN B00005V1YJ
  28. ^ a b Jackie Chan Adventures - The Search for the Talismans [DVD] [2001], ASIN B000065UHN
  29. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures - The Search for the Talisman (2000), ASIN B00005O5BN
  30. ^ a b "Jackie Chan Adventures - The Search for the Talismans Plus The Dark Hand Returns". ezydvd.com.au. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  31. ^ "Jackie Chan Adventures - Vol 2: The Dark Hand Returns". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  32. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures - The Shadow of Shendu (2000), ASIN B00005V1X2
  33. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures: The Entire Season 1 [DVD] [2004], ASIN B00020JQH6
  34. ^ "Jackie Chan Adventures - 'The Complete 2nd Season' DVD Set's Possible Ship Date". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  35. ^ "Jackie Chan Adventures - Season 2 (4 Discs)", Amazon, ASIN B0080GT9TE
  36. ^ "Mill Creek Entertainment: Jackie Chan Adventures - The Demon Portals Saga - 39 Episodes". MillCreekEnt.com. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  37. ^ "Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark Hand Related Games". GameSpot UK. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  38. ^ Jackie Chan Adventures (PS2), ASIN B0002UOPZY
  39. ^ "Jackie Chan Adventures Related Games". GameSpot UK. Retrieved April 1, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  40. ^ "成龙黄玉郎联手打造百集动画片《奇幻龙宝》". Sohu. May 1, 2009. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  41. ^ "All Rights Entertainment International Film Sales - Jackie Chan's Fantasia". Archived from the original on February 19, 2017.
  42. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Jackie Chan Fantasia". YouTube. December 15, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  43. ^ Frater, Patrick (April 12, 2017). "Jackie Chan Unveils 'New Adventures' Animation Series". Variety. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  44. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (April 16, 2017). "Jackie Chan Launches Kids Animation Show, with Feature Film to Follow". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
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