Master Raindrop
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Television |
| Founded | 2008 |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Serbia, Romania, Sri Lanka, India, Slovenia, Latin America |
| Products | Animated television series |
Master Raindrop is an animated television series collaboratively produced by companies from Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It was broadcast on Australia's Seven Network from 15 March 2008 until 14 February 2009. The show consists of 26 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 24 minutes.
Overview
The narrative centers on the embodiments of two of the five elements, Raindrop (water) and Shao Yen (wood), who train in the martial discipline of Chitaido under the guidance of Master Yun. The tranquility is shattered when General Bu captures Master Yun and enlists Flamo, representing the fire element, to hinder the unity of the elemental forces. Subsequently, Raindrop and Shao Yen are joined by Jin Hou (metal), depicted as a golden monkey figure, and Niwa (earth), portrayed as a clay humanoid. United, they embark on a quest to rescue their master and reestablish harmony within the Land of a Thousand Legends.
Cast
- Josh Anderson portrays Master Raindrop
- Jane U'Brien voices Jin Hou, Red Boy, and additional characters
- Rachel King performs as Niwa
- Sarah Aubrey takes on the role of Shao Yen
- Josh Quong Tart voices Flamo
- David Francis plays Grub
- Brian Meegan acts as General Bu
Production
The series was developed through a partnership involving Big Communications, Flux Animation Studio, Flying Bark Productions, Media Development Authority, and Southern Star Entertainment. Direction was handled by Susan Oliver, Steve Cooper, and Kevin Wotton. The writing team comprised Paul Barber, Kym Goldsworthy, Lisa Hoppe, Brendan Luno, John Mein, Kitty Phipps, Gina Roncoli, James Walker, Anthony Watt, David Witt, Leonard Mah, James Meldrum, Joshua Chiang, and Jeff Lawrence. The initial season's production in 2008 resulted in 26 episodes.
Reception
Critical response to the series has been varied; some reviewers have pointed out its reliance on martial arts and elemental motifs reminiscent of well-known children's animations such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Xiaolin Showdown, and Samurai Jack.
International broadcasts
| Country | Channel | Date of premiere |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Network Seven | 2008 |
| New Zealand | TV2 | 2009 |
| Serbia | Minimax (TV channel) | 2008 |
| Romania | Minimax (TV channel) | 2011 |
| Sri Lanka | Hiru TV | 2014 |
| India (Tamil Nadu) | Chutti TV | |
| India (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana) | Kushi TV | |
| India (Kerala) | Kochu TV | |
| Slovenia | Minimax (TV channel) | |
| Latin America | Cartoon Network | 2010 |
Episodes
colspan="5" |Jinhou and Raindrop are manipulated into a witch queen’s marriage scheme while General Bu plots to acquire a powerful mask. 12 colspan="5" |While evading General Bu’s army, the Elements find sanctuary in a Dream Realm village. colspan="5" |Jinhou becomes immobilized amid divine conflict; the Elements strive to reconcile deities while General Bu exploits their strife. colspan="5" |The Elements pursue a stolen Dragon's Eye aided by a young man searching for a magic mortar. colspan="5" |A mysterious feline drains Niwa’s powers and imprisons her; Jinhou suffers similarly while Raindrop and Shao Yen manage to escape. colspan="5" |Devoid of power, the Elements ally with Momotaro to reclaim their abilities but face treachery. colspan="5" |Captured by city guards, the Elements confront General Bu’s retaliatory attack using winged garfish. colspan="5" |General Bu summons a Fire Dragon that creates a volcano trapping the Elements underground. colspan="5" |The Elements race against General Bu to secure a magical Daruma Doll while discovering a newly hatched baby dragon. colspan="5" |General Bu uncovers that the Elements are guided by the Dragon's Eye; he commands Flamo to steal it but struggles to control its power. colspan="5" |Answering the call of the Golden Dragon, Master Yun and the Elements return to their academy to complete their journey through the Golden Gate.| No. in season | Title | Written by | Original Air Date | Production Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Courage" | Gina Roncoli | 21 June 2008 | "Stormy Weather" | |
| Raindrop and Shao Yen’s training concludes abruptly when General Bu destroys their academy and abducts Master Yun. | |||||
| 2 | "Loyalty" | Lisa Hoppe | 28 June 2008 | "The Red Lotus/Monastery" | |
| 3 | "Humility" | Brendan Luno, Anthony Watt | 5 July 2008 | "Finding Niwa/The Jade Trade" | |
| Fleeing from General Bu’s forces, the Elements encounter the Jade Princess along with her modest attendant Niwa; Raindrop mistakenly kidnaps the Jade Princess believing her to be the Earth Element. | |||||
| 4 | "Commitment" | Kitty Phipps | 12 July 2008 | "Shao Yen Blossoms" | |
| General Bu ignites the moon to maintain perpetual daylight. The Elements seek Archer Yi’s help to extinguish the fire. | |||||
| 5 | "Faith" | James Walker, David Witt | 19 July 2008 | "Footsteps of the Dragon" | |
| The Elements recognize the necessity of reuniting with Flamo who remains allied with General Bu aboard the Flying Fortress. | |||||
| 6 | "Co-operation" | Kym Goldsworthy | 26 July 2008 | "Red Boy" | |
| 7 | "Honor" | David Witt | 2 August 2008 | "The Pearl of Posterity" | |
| After being shipwrecked, the Elements assist a Phoenix and Dragon in recovering the Pearl of Prosperity to prevent drought on an island. | |||||
| 8 | "Caring" | Paul Barber, David Witt | 30 August 2008 | "The Potion" | |
| General Bu contaminates the forest sheltering the Elements with poison; Shao Yen becomes ill and they must locate a cure. | |||||
| 9 | "Determination" | Brendan Luno | 6 September 2008 | "Qilin Time" | |
| 10 | "Creativity" | Joshua Chiang, Jeff Lawrence | 13 September 2008 | "Magic Paint Brushes" | |
| 11 | "Moderation" | Joshua Chiang, Jeff Lawrence | 20 September 2008 | "Masks of Fury" | |
| "Forgiveness" | Paul Barber, Brendan Luno | '22 September 2008' | 'Mekla and Ramasura' | ||
| "Patience" | "Joshua Chiang, Jeff Lawrence" | '23 September 2008' | 'Monkey Bride' | ||
| 'Acceptance' | 'John Mein' | '24 September 2008' | 'The Dream Eater' | ||
| 'Caution' | 'Stephen Batt' | '25 September 2008' | 'Magic Seeds' | ||
| 'Honesty' | 'Jamie R. Meldrum' | '26 September 2008' | 'Badang the Strong' | ||
| 'Friendship' | 'Stephen Batt' | '28 September 2008' | 'Vampire Cat' | ||
| 'Sincerity' | 'Leonard Mah' | '29 September 2008' | 'Peach Boy and Oni' | ||
| 'Integrity' | 'Joshua Chiang, Jeff Lawrence' | '30 September 2008' | 'Pointy Fish' | ||
| 'Perseverance' | 'Jamie R. Meldrum' | '1 October 2008' | 'Tree of Power' | ||
| 'Focus' | 'Kitty Phipps' | '2 October 2008' | 'Dragon Volcano' | ||
| 'Responsibility' | 'Brendan Luno, Anthony Watt' | '3 October 2008' | 'L'il Dragons' | ||
| 'Flexibility' | 'Gina Roncoli' | '7 February 2009' | 'Tea of Forgetfulness' | ||
| 'Originality' | 'Joshua Chiang, Jeff Lawrence' | '21 February 2009' | 'Evil Raindrop' | ||
| 'Trust' | 'Brendan Luno, Anthony Watt' | '21 February 2009' | 'Flamo Turns' | ||
| 'Wisdom' | 'David Witt' | '28 February 2009' | 'Golden Dragon' | ||