Jackie Chan Adventures


Jackie Chan Adventures is a Chinese-American animated-live action comedy television series starring the adventures of a fictionalized version of Hong Kong action film star Jackie Chan. Many of the episodes contained references to Chan's actual works. The series ran on Kids' WB for 5 seasons from September 9, 2000, to July 8, 2005. The show's reruns landed on Toon Disney's Jetix programming block, as well as Cartoon Network. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it originally premiered on Fox Kids in 2001 and ran until 2005. Several toys and video games based on the series were produced and sold during the original run of the animated series. Its main character designer is Jeff Matsuda.

Plot

Jackie Chan, a professional archeologist, enjoyed his job working for the local university until fate dealt him another hand. After finding a shield containing a talisman he encounters The Dark Hand, a criminal organization led by a man called Valmont that serves the demon sorcerer Shendu. Jackie and his family must cooperate with a secret law enforcement organization, Section 13, to counter the threat, and must face dangers that will demand all of Jackie's daring and skill in martial arts to overcome.
While Chan did not perform the voice of his animated character, he appeared in live-action inserts at the end of the program, in which Chan presented notable aspects of Chinese history, culture and philosophy.

Episodes

Characters

The main characters are:
The series involves magic and the supernatural, like spells, demons, chi, and stone talismans all throughout the episodes.

Talismans

The talismans represent the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac:
In the series of Jackie Chan Adventures, several characters can use a form of magic using chi energy. Chi magic involves the use of potions, magic objects, and incantations. Below are some of the Chi incantations that have been used throughout the series. Each wizard usually uses the same incantation but can accomplish many different effects, ranging from banishing demons to turning living creatures to stone.
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".

Broadcast

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

Home media

Books

A number of books were released to accompany the series.
Issue noRelease nameRelease dateAuthorPublisherNotesRef
#1The Dark Hand2002 Eliza WillardGrosset & Dunlap
#2Jade's Secret Power2002 Cathy WestGrosset & Dunlap
#3Sign of the Ox2002 Megan StineGrosset & Dunlap
#4Enter...the Viper2002 Jacqueline CarrolGrosset & Dunlap
#5Shendu Escapes!2002 David Slack & Jim ThomasGrosset & Dunlap
#6New Enemy2002 R. S. AshbyGrosset & Dunlap
#7Revenge of the Dark Hand 2002 Eliza WillardGrosset & Dunlap
#8The Power of the Rat2002 Megan StineGrosset & Dunlap
#9Stronger Than Stone2002 R. S. AshbyGrosset & Dunlap
#10Uncle's Big Surprise 2002 Jacqueline CarrolGrosset & Dunlap
#11The Jade Monkey2002 Judy KatschkeGrosset & Dunlap
#12The Strongest Evil 2002 Jacqueline CarrolGrosset & Dunlap
N/AThe Day of the Dragon2003 Eliza Willard & David Slack & Alexx DyneGrosset & DunlapSpecial

Comics

A number of comics were released to accompany the series.
VolumeRelease nameRelease dateAuthorPublisherNotesRef
#1Enter the Dark HandJuly 15, 2004 Duane Capizzi & John RogersTokyopop
#2Legend of the ZodiacOctober 15, 2004 Duane Capizzi & David SlackTokyopop
#3Jackie and Jade Save the DayJanuary 15, 2005 John RogersTokyopop
#4Return of the Vampire April 15, 2005 John TomlinsonTokyopop

VHS & DVD releases

In 2001, Sony Pictures 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 sans 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 Instant Streaming service.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment plans to release the second season on DVD through Amazon.com, and other online retailers.
Mill Creek Entertainment announced all five seasons on DVD in Region 1.

VHS

United States
United Kingdom

DVD

Video game

There has only been one Jackie Chan game first released on Game Boy Advance then re-released on PlayStation 2, both under different titles. Other titles include 成龙大冒险 and Chenglong Da Maoxian.
TitleGenrePlatformStudioRelease DateNotes
Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark HandActionGame Boy AdvanceActivisionNovember 6, 2001 & November 30, 2001 Find eight stolen scrolls and stop the Dark Hand from unleashing demons.
Jackie Chan AdventuresActionPlayStation 2Sony Computer EntertainmentOctober 1, 2004, September 19, 2004 & Cancelled Play as Jackie Chan and collect the Talismans. Compatible with PlayStation's EyeToy.

Successors

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. It aired in 2009 on CCTV and in English on Sonic-Nickelodeon.
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. It was released in China in 2017, with a feature film scheduled for 2019. Despite the name, it is unrelated to the American series.