All-action Kung fu superhero series Jade Armor kicks and spins its way into the Cartoon Network lineup on Monday 16 January at 17:25 CAT, bringing a new dose of girl power to the channel every weekday.
Our hero, Lan Jun, is a typical teenage girl, leading a typical teenage life. She lives with her family above the Kwoon, a Kung Fu training studio run by her grandmother, Gram, and great-grandmother, Gram Gram. One day, a mysterious package arrives, containing an ornate jade wrist cuff. The second she puts it on, she is covered in armour that feels as though it was made just for her – and levels up her Kung fu talents, with it.
With the mysterious Jade Armor comes great responsibility, as Lan Jun finds herself transformed into the latest in a long line of superheroes. Helping her fight an evil array of supervillains are four mystical creature sidekicks – the Beasticons – who have to learn to work with a teenager for the first time.
Her best friends, Alisha and Theo, often help her out as she battles evil forces – and the challenges of teenage life – but is her grandmother her connection to the mysterious armour and its awesome responsibilities?
Real WuShu (Kung fu) stunt artists – all former French WuShu team members – were used to model the Kung fu combat on Jade Armor, to ensure it is as realistic as possible. The show is about more than ‘fight scenes’, though – Lan Jun’s story is inspired by Chinese mythology and has the message of all martial arts at its heart: ‘learn to fight so you don’t have to fight and understand the vanity and the uselessness of violence’. The show also brings laughter with absurd and comedic situations which break up the tension from the high-stakes storyline!
Zia Bales, Lead Acquisitions, Partnerships and Co-productions, Kids EMEA, WarnerMedia says that Jade Armor is a serialized coming of age story it showcases the superheroine as she navigates learning her family’s ancient secrets to uncovering the truth. “Lan Jun is the embodiment of girl power – a female superheroine balancing her newfound responsibilities with the demands of teenage life. We’re excited to bring this strong female lead to Cartoon Network and broadening our appeal with girls”.
Behind the girl power superheroine tale are an all-female set of showrunners, including co-creator and director Chloe Miller (Angelo Rules, Babar & Yellowbird); head writer MJ Offen (Monster High, Wellie Wishers) and scriptwriter Ghis Pujol (Team Dronix, Lassie).
Don’t miss the first episode of Jade Armor on Cartoon Network (DStv Channel 301) from Monday 16 January at 17:25 CAT, every weekday. If you miss some of the action-comedy, you can enjoy all the girl power on DStv Catch Up.