New Xiaolin Showdown Series... Mixed feelings

Hello, thar. Meinos Kaen here!

Today's argument is prompted by a piece of news regarding one of my favourite western cartoon series of the last years. Yeah, I watch western stuff too. What, you thought I chanced upon Avatar by chance? Well, while ATLA is good, my favourite western cartoon by far was, and still is, Xiaolin Showdown. That series was almost perfect, but what really drew me in to it was Jack Spicer, one of the funniest villains ever. Until they made him the show's buttmonkey, that is. Well, he did get some payback in one of the last episodes where they showed a dystopian future where he ruled as an undefeated, vicious, cruel ruler. But the show had more when he was a mainstream serious threat. So, when I heard that they had announced a new series, I was ecstatic! I went in and watched the trailer at this link...

…

*screams in rage cursing the heavens and all above so that the Old Ones may tremble in the purity of his hate*

Oh, the problems. Oh, I have so many problems with what I've just seen! On one hand I'm happy that they're continuing it but on the other, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!

Point One: Voice Acting

They changed the voice actors. Okay, I can understand that. It happens, sometimes change is good, but WHAT THE HELL DID THEY DO WITH OMI AND JACK'S VOICES?! Did they go through reverse puberty?! Is it a new Wu?! No, seriously! Before, they sounded like this...

Now, you heard what they sound like. I mean, okay, maybe it's a reboot and time didn't actually pass between the end of the last series and the beginning of this one, but COME ON! They used to sound like teenagers, now they sound like kids! What about keeping at least some continuity?! Well, at least Chase's voice is really fitting. Suave but at the same time evil. Good stuff.

Point Two: The Wu's Names

If it LOOKS like a staff and it's USED like a staff... YOU KNOW!

Hard-die fans have probably recognized the two Shen Gon Wu in the trailer, since they're the signature ones of the characters. Omi's (The Water Xiaolin Dragon) Globe of Toornami and Jack's Monkey Staff, the last Wu left to him at the end of the old series. Huh? What do you say? They weren't called like that in the trailer? WELL, MY POINT EXACTLY! Let's be honest, people! You decided to give this thing another series because of the huge fan base demanding it! Those same die-hard fans who will now crucify you when they'll notice that you didn't even bother to copy paste names! Would had it been that hard to do it properly?!

Point Three: CGI? WHY CGI?!

Your creatives weren't as genial as Jeff, sadly.

So, after the first part with a new design, which was a nice change even if maybe a bit too angular and refined compared to what the old series made us used to, comes the second part, the Xiaolin Showdown... Which is all in freaking CGI. Ok. Let's take a look at the most succesful western cartoons of the last years.

Xiaolin Showdown. CGI? No.

Ben 10 Franchise. CGI? No.

Avatar The Last Airbender. CGI? N.O.

So, why CGI? Why Omi wearing a Tron Suit instead of his old uniform which don't even look alike? Is it a marketing move or just plain laziness? Because, I know I don't need to remind you that half of the show has always been made of Xiaolin Showdowns. Turn that half into CGI... Yeah. You get the gist of it.

So, we've got what we wanted for, but the premise doesn't inspire me with much trust. Should have we been wary of what we wished for? … I hope not. I'll reserve my final judgment for the pilot. Till next time.

Meinos Kaen out!