When the Hub sent the CliqueClack office some preview episodes of Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters, I wasn’t really sure what to make of it. Actually, from the official commercials I saw posted online, it looked like a mix between Pokemon, Naruto and a good dose of Digimon. When I found out later that this is actually based on a popular card game of the same name, my earlier assessment seemed correct. I’ve watched the first two episodes of the three-part pilot storyline, and I can honestly say I’m still on the fence about the series, but left curious.
The set-up is that a kid and his friends escape some bullies by accidentally willing a monster out of his sketchbook. The kid (named Ray) realizes pretty quickly that he has the natural ability to control the monster and soon is told that there is a secret organization of Duel Masters who practice Kaijudo (which the show translated to “the way of the creatures,” I believe) to keep these creatures in their veiled parallel universe.
In the first two episodes that I was able to preview, what stood out the most was the voice acting. Some really talented actors are a part of the cast, including Phil LaMarr, John DiMaggio, Grey DeLisle and Freddy Rodriguez. Most of the dialogue is entertaining and natural (although I wish LaMarr’s nerdy friend character Gabe wouldn’t go quite so Billy from Power Rangers with his technical lingo). More over, I enjoyed the chemistry between the three friends Ray, Gabe and Allie. I want to see more of these three playing off one another.
While the focus of Pokemon in both the games and the cartoon is about respecting the creatures and bonding with them as friends to help your dreams come true, Kaijudo will have none of that. Not only do the Duel Masters forbid any sort of bonding between duelist and creature, but they forbid the students from touching the creatures they control. Not even the Masters themselves bond with these creatures because they are seen as too dangerous and mindless. And of course, our young hero Ray wants to be friends with the creatures, which the mentors don’t take kindly to. We do learn that a couple of the Masters are more open to changing their ways, but it seems odd to me that this ancient organization never thought to try working with the magical creatures. Actually, throughout the second episode in particular I sort of questioned the ethical nature of how they treat the animals in this fictional secret society of monster duelists … when I read that back, it sounds a little silly.
There is some kind of mysterious villain with long flowing blond hair who has an interest in our young heroes — in the second episode it’s revealed that this Lucius Malfoy-looking bloke is a former Dueling Master who has gone astray — but I really don’t understand the difference between the Masters and the Malfoy doppelganger. Both organizations want to control these creatures and don’t see them as intelligent beings … I just can’t get wrap my head around either side in the previews I was given.
I’m going to have to see more episodes before I can tell if I’ll be a fan of the series — it has its strengths as well as weaknesses so far. I want to know more about the creatures and how the kids ultimately bond with them despite the traditions of the Masters. Also, in some of the promotional material for the show the cast mentions the focus on bullying in school and how the trio have to deal with it — they even show Ray dealing with racism when one of the bullies picks on him for being half Japanese and half Caucasian. I’m just hoping they actually demonstrate constructive ways for the kid audience watching to deal with these situations and not just using their magical powers to chase away the bullies.
Speaking of the magical powers, the second episode ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. You see, while Ray has quickly picked up the early skills of a Duel Master (which I’m certain will be tied to his recently deceased father’s past), his two friends have struggled and did not pass the test. Ray refuses to join the ranks without his friends — which I like because it shows how loyal he is to them — but the Masters decide the three need to have their memories of the order erased. Will the kids be able to change their Masters’ minds? … Probably, considering not only is Ray our main protagonist, but all three kids are shown using magical powers in the opening credits. So, there’s that.
Clacked by Katie Schenkel 
on May 15, 2012 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
