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American Dragon: Jake Long

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American Dragon: Jake Long
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Created byJeff Goode
StarringDante Basco
Keone Young
John DiMaggio
Amy Bruckner
Miss Kittie
Charlie Finn
Country of originUSA
No. of episodes21+
Production
Running timeapprox. 0:22 (per episode)
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
ReleaseJanuary 21 2005 –
Still In Production
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American Dragon: Jake Long is a Disney Channel original animated series featuring Jake Long, an ordinary thirteen-year-old Chinese-American boy living in New York City, but Jake also has a secret. He's the American Dragon.

Premise

Jake is a descendant of a long line of dragons, and it is his duty to protect the community of magical creatures secretly living among the masses in New York. He lives with his parents and his 7-year-old sister (Haley). His grandfather and sister are also dragons; the dragon powers skipped his mother's (Lauren Tom) generation, and his father (Jeff Bennett) is unaware of his family being dragons.

Throughout the series, Jake is taught how to use his innate magical powers by his grandfather and a 600-year-old dog (Fu Dog). Jake needs these powers to protect the other magical creatures of the city from the villainous Huntsclan led by the Huntsmaster and other malevolent beings. His best friends are Trixie and Spud, with whom he skateboards, and he is in love with Rose, another schoolmate, also known as Thorn the Huntsgirl. The stories are driven by Jake's search for balance between his life as a schoolboy and his secret life as a powerful magical guardian.

Production

American Dragon: Jake Long was created by Jeff Goode, who also created the hit MTV series Undressed. Walt Disney Television Animation ordered an initial 24 30-minute episodes for the first season, all of which have been made. It was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on The Disney Channel on January 4, 2005 and in the United States on The Disney Channel on January 21, 2005 and on Toon Disney in February 2006. It has also been broadcast on The Family Channel in some places.

The theme song is performed by the band Mavin, previously known as 'Badge'.

It had been announced that Steve Loter, who had served as director of Disney Channel's Kim Possible, would be joining the show for its second season as director and executive producer (alongside the current executive producers, Matt Negrete and Eddie Guzelian). However, following Disney's renewal of "Kim Possible" for a fourth season, Loter would resume his role as director, but still serve as an executive producer of "Jake Long." Nick Filippi, who had also done some directorial work on "Kim Possible," will be the new director of "Jake Long." Steve Loter has confirmed that the show will be completely changed. All the characters, backgrounds, etc. will be redesigned.

Characters

Major characters

  • Jacob "Jake" Luke Long (Dante Basco): The hero of the show. Jake is a cool, laid-back skateboarder. He had a crush on Rose until he found out she was actually the Huntsgirl, but their dual identities are bound to stir up trouble. A running gag involves the mention of his embarrassing secrets (like sleeping with a nightlight, a repeat of Ron's issues in Kim Possible) to blemish his reputation.
  • Lao Shi (Keone Young): Jake's grandpa is a Chinese dragon. He runs a tech shop, and his only friend is Fu Dog. His attempts at training Jake sometimes do more damage (to Jake's brain) than help. His name is a reference to the Chinese word for "teacher." In his youth, before his first encounter with the Dark Dragon, Jake's grandpa was known as Lucky Lao Shi.
  • Fu Dog (John DiMaggio): Fu is a 600-year-old talking dog and Lao's only companion. All throughout his life he and a hairless talking cat have fought over Fu's family amulet (causing famous disasters along the way). He is more "hip" than Lao and from his sagged appearance, he might be a Shar Pei/Bulldog crossbreed.
  • Haley Long (Amy Bruckner): Jake's intelligent (if not annoying) little sister who also has dragon powers as well (which may not be fully developed yet). She takes pride in her ability to expose all of Jake's secrets and highlight her own. You can usually only see little parts of her dragon form like wings and etc. There was only one episode we got to see her full dragon form, but it was only for a brief second.
  • Trixie Carter (Miss Kittie): Jake's best friend, who is just as cool as he is. A hardcore fashionista.
  • Spud (Charlie Finn): Jake's other best friend is extremely loyal and somewhat slow. However, he comes up with intelligent things to say at random times. He also has the entire works of Shakespeare committed to memory. There is a chance that Spud is part wizard which was revealed in the episode with the enchanted goblet. The hint is when Spud's grandfather knew the magic word to sealing the Djinn back into the goblet.
  • Professor Hans Rotwood (Paul Rugg): Jake's schoolteacher's obsessive interest in magical creatures, and his quest to find the dragon that is Jake, echoes the behavior of Mr. Crocker, the teacher in the series The Fairly OddParents. Professor Rotwood styles himself as an expert on mythical creatures, but his knowledge is superficial and his expertise a fraud, unlike Crocker, who seems to know everything about his obsession, fairies.
  • Rose (Mae Whitman): Rose, Jake's "former" crush, is also Thorn the Huntsgirl, the Huntsman's niece and a member of the Huntsclan. There is a red birthmark on her arm resembling a Chinese dragon. She disappears in episode 21 of the first season, but there is little chance of her being gone forever, since she obviously has feelings for Jake. However, Jake eventually learns her secret indentity. Rose is said to return in Season 2 during Half-Baked and that she may be sided with Jake.
  • The Huntsman or Huntsmaster (as referred to by Thorn) (Jeff Bennett): The leader of the Huntsclan, thieves that hunt and steal magical creatures for profit. They are highly trained and use sophisticated weapons. Huntsclan members have a specific birthmark that resembles a dragon. His true name and face were never shown. The Huntsman is #4 of the 13 threats to the magic community.

Season 2 characters

  • Huntsboy #88 (Kyle Massey): He is one of two of the Huntsman's new apprentices. According to Jeff, he is Rose's cousin and he is as hip-hop and arrogant as Jake, which ironically shows Jake how annoying he really is.
  • Huntsboy #89 (Nicholas Brendon): He is one of two of the Huntsman's new apprentices. He is Rose's cousin and a complete nerd who does not know how to fight.
  • The Korean Dragon: According to Jeff, she will play a key role in Season 2. Her name is Sun Park.
  • Yang Jake: Jeff has confirmed that we shall meet Jake's evil side in Season 2 or 3.
  • Kittenpuss: A new villain in Season 2. According to Jeff, Kittenpuss has many legs.

Magical Creatures and Characters

  • Dragons: Protectors of magical creatures, although not necessarily entirely good. Most of their powers are in selected humans such as Jake.
    • Dark Dragon (Clancy Brown): Jake's arch-enemy and the #1 threat to the magical community, the strongest of the many opponents of the protective dragons, including Jake's grandpa. His goal is to assemble an army of evil magical creatures to destroy the humans and take over the Earth. His 'human form' (if there is one) is yet to be shown. He can conjure smaller shadowy dragon-like creatures called Shades. He seems to have an interest in Jake and offered him a partnership, but it is unknown if he will continue to try and get him to join.
    • The Dragon Council: The Dragon Council is a group of elder and well-trained dragons that monitors all activity involving dragons around the world. They live on the Isle of Draco. One of the members was Councilor Chang (Lauren Tom), who secretly worked for Dark Dragon before being sent to jail. Other members of the Dragon Council are Councilor Andam (Clarence Williams III),Councilor Kulde (Jeff Bennett), Councilor Omina and Councilor Kukulkhan.
  • Fairy Folk
    • Pixies: Tiny, human-shaped beings with butterfly-like wings. If they are scared or upset, they will lash out at whoever is nearest to them.
    • Sprites: Woodland beings with human shape and butterfly-like wings, much like Pixies, but prefer walk instead. They prefer to dwell in remote wooded areas such as Central Park or the New Jersey woods.
    • Tooth fairy (Edie McClurg): Her real name is unknown. She can use her wand to summon her tooth minions. She only gets angry when someone messes her clothing. She is very mannered, and even said "H-E-Double Hockey Sticks" instead of saying the full word.
  • Elves
    • Brownies: Similar to leprechauns, Brownies are tiny anthropomorphic creatures enamored of shiny things and speak in Scottish accents, much like how the Leprechauns speak with Irish accents.
    • Leprechauns: Living on Wall Street, their pot of gold is the source of all their luck.
  • Humanoids: Sentient beings that are humanlike in appearance.
    • Cyclops
    • Djinn: Powerful spirits, also known as genies, which can turn into smoke to escape from harm. They can and will reveal the identity of magical creatures in hiding. A djinn was found imprisoned in Taranushi's Chalice which used as a talent show trophy.
    • Giants: Giants are portrayed as peaceful folk in this series.
    • Harpies
    • Mermaids: Some Mermaids live in the Hudson River.
    • Nixes: Nixes are human/serpentine creatures whose true forms are exposed when the full moon is high above the sky. They are known to steal souls for nourishment.
    • Vampires: Jeff has confirmed will see them in Season 2.
    • Goblins: As always, goblins are portrayed as crafty creatures. A mob boss named Herbert even controls some 'black market' operations in New York's magical underworld. Goblins have a keen sense of smell-a fact that Jake once put to good use by knocking over a dumpster full of rotten fish to temporarily incapacitate an attacking gang of goblins.
    • Gremlins: Curious little creatures who take apart electronic devices and machines to learn how they work. They are known to drift to sleep when listening to soothing island music.
    • Imps: One dresses up as a cat as a disguise to hide from humans.
    • Tooth Minions: Creatures composed of teeth that the Tooth Fairy collected from loose teeth that children had placed under their pillows. They follow the bidding of whoever wields the tooth fairy's wand, including Dr. Diente.
    • Trolls: One lives under the Triborough Troll Bridge. There is also a one-eyed troll named Stan who is a friend of Fu's and lives in the sewers. Troll fur turns into monstrous hairballs when exposed to sunlight and/or fire. Also trolls themselves turn to stone when exposed to sunlight.
    • Ogres: Creatures related to giants and trolls.
    • Yeti: One lives in the mountains near a ski lodge
  • Humans: Yes, believe it or not. Humans are capable of great things. Aside from Jake and the other half-dragons, there are other people with 'special' talents:
    • Eli E. Pandarus (Jonathan Freeman): Pandarus is a rich and famous hotel owner, who in reality is a dark wizard who uses his magic to control Wall Street. Pandarus greatly resembles multi-millionaire Donald Trump. Fittingly, the voice for Pandarus is the same voice for Jafar in Aladdin (1992 film) and The Return of Jafar.
    • Oracles are humans (though not limited to) with the ability to see the future. Sara & Kara (Tara Strong) are twin Oracles descended from the Oracle of Delphi. Sara is always chippier, yet she always sees bad things happen. Kara is always sarcastic and pessimistic, but she does see good things. They confirm this by saying that although Sara sees all bad things, any new news to her is good, and while Kara sees only good things, there are no longer any good surprises to look forward to.
    • Dr. Diente (John C. McGinley): Diente is the tooth fairy's assistant. He betrayed her and wanted to get his hands on Haley's tooth to unleash an unspeakable evil by becoming a giant monster made of teeth! This character is currently deceased after the battle with Jake (you can tell after Jake electrocuted him by hitting him with a TV screen and you notice Diente's glasses lying on the ground).
    • Santa Claus
    • Jack Frost
  • Miscellaneous Quadrupeds
    • Centaur
    • Cerberus: The Huntsclan owns a pack of Ceberuses for hunts such as the Grand Equinox Hunt.
    • Gargoyles: One lives atop the Empire State Building (In the opening there are two gargoyles shown).
    • Griffins: A griffin has a nest on the Empire State Building and keeps their newly-hatched young in the digestive tract for weeks.
    • The Jersey Devil: One lives in the forests near a Sprite village.
    • Unicorns: A herd (blessing) lives in Central Park.
  • Kumo Spider: A giant spider monster that can regenerate its legs if burnt off. One guards the safe of Eli Pandurus.
    • NOTE: Everything is in order for this area, Please do not change it.

Places

  • Canal Street Electronics The electronics store that Granpda owns and trains Jake in.
  • Central Park Where Jake has most of his battles.
  • Draco Island The island where the Dragon Summit was held and where the Dragon council resides.
  • Magus Bizarre The Magus Bizarre is a magical market where magical creatures and beings could shop and socialize.
  • Millard Fillmore Middle School The school that Jake, Trixie and Spud attend.

Episode list

Season 1

  1. Old School Training (21 January, 2005)
  2. Dragon Breath (22 January, 2005)
  3. The Talented Mr. Long (28 January, 2005)
  4. The Legend of the Dragon Tooth (04 February, 2005)
  5. Act 4, Scene 15 (11 February, 2005)
  6. Adventures In Trollsitting / Fu Dog Takes A Walk (18 February, 2005)
  7. Professor Rotwood's Thesis (25 February, 2005)
  8. The Egg / The Heist (25 March, 2005)
  9. Dragon Summit (01 April, 2005)
  10. Body Guard Duty (29 April, 2005)
  11. Shapeshifter (13 May, 2005)
  12. Ski Trip (27 May, 2005)
  13. The Long Weekend (01 July, 2005)
  14. Eye of the Beholder (30 July, 2005)
  15. Jake Takes The Cake (26 August, 2005)
  16. Hong Kong Knights (08 September, 2005)
  17. The Halloween Bash (22 October, 2005)
  18. Fu and Tell / Flight of the Unicorn (3 November, 2005)
  19. Keeping Shop (15 December, 2005)
  20. Ring Around the Dragon (12 January, 2006)
  21. The Hunted (29 January, 2006)

Season 2

  1. Bring It On (10 June, 2006)
  2. Half-Baked (24 June, 2006)
  3. Hairy Christmas

Only three episodes have been confirmed from Jeff Goode, so expect more information of newer episodes to come.

Criticism

  • Many audiences had mixed opinions about Jake's personality: an Asian-American who 'excessively' speaks in street slang. Most liked it or were indifferent, while others despised it for being 'too irritating'. There is no doubt that Jake's personality is homage to the second and third-generation immigrants who willingly embraced American culture (and adapted to its varying accents). This may also explain why Jake transforms into a western-style dragon instead of an eastern-style Lung like Lao Shi.

Trivia

  • The name Long is the Chinese word for dragon.
  • The name Lao Shi is the Chinese word for teacher.
  • Jake, Spud, Trixie, Lao Shi, and Fu Dog made a guest appearance in the Lilo & Stitch: The Series episode Morpholomew on July 1st, 2005.
  • Several of the episodes appear to be out of order. For example, in the episode Dragon Summit, the Dragon Council mentions Jake "using shape shifting spells for personal gain". At this point in the series, the episode Shapeshifter still had yet to air.
  • Throughout the episode Eye of the Beholder, the color of Fu Dog's collar is constantly changing from blue to red.
  • One or two viewers have noted that even though he is called the American Dragon, Jake is a European Dragon rather than an Amphithere, which is the primary dragon in the myths and folklore of the Americas. The reason for this is probably that Amphitheres are virtually unknown in popular culture, so presumably animators opted for a more iconic species. However, during the Season 2 preview, it has been found that Jake is now a Chinese-styled dragon.
  • Jake is a dictionary example of an "anthrozil" from the book series Dragons In Our Midst, albeit more powerful than any anthrozil in the books. An anthrozil is someone who has one dragon parent (in human form) and one normal human parent. Incidentally, The Huntsmaster is rather similar to Sir Devin, the sworn enemy of all anthrozils (See Dragons In Our Midst).

References

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