The Karate Kid (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Karate Kid |
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| Directed by | Larry Houston |
| Voices of | Joey Dedio Robert Ito Janice Kawaye Pat Morita |
| Composer(s) | Haim Saban Shuki Levy |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Haim Saban Andy Heyward |
| Producer(s) | Larry Houston |
| Production company(s) | DIC Enterprises Saban Entertainment Columbia Pictures Television |
| Distributor | Columbia Pictures Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | September 9 – December 16, 1989 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Karate Kid |
The Karate Kid is an animated TV series from 1989. It first aired on NBC on Saturday mornings. The show is based on Karate Kid movies. It features the voices of Joey Dedio, Robert Ito, and Janice Kawaye.
The series was originally planned to have 65 episodes. However, it ended up with 13 episodes for NBC's Saturday morning schedule in 1989.
Contents
About The Karate Kid Series
This cartoon keeps the main characters, Daniel LaRusso and his teacher, Mr. Miyagi. Daniel is voiced by Joey Dedio, and Mr. Miyagi by Robert Ito. Instead of karate tournaments, the show is about a big adventure.
The story begins when a small, magical shrine is taken from its home in Okinawa. It's up to Miyagi and Daniel to get it back. They team up with Taki Tamurai, a girl from Okinawa voiced by Janice Kawaye. The three travel around the world. They often find themselves in situations where they need to use their karate skills to get out of trouble.
Pat Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi in the movies, also narrated the start of each episode. He would explain what the episode was about from his character's point of view.
How Each Episode Works
Most episodes follow a similar pattern. Mr. Miyagi gets a clue about where the shrine might be. This clue usually leads them to an exciting new place in the world.
- Daniel and Taki go to investigate the clue.
- They meet villains who want the shrine for bad reasons.
- Daniel and Taki fight and defeat the villains.
- Daniel almost gets the shrine back.
- But then, by chance, the shrine slips away. Maybe it floats off with balloons or gets swept into the ocean. This means the search continues in the next episode!
Where to Watch the Show
The show was once available on iTunes for purchase. You could also stream it for free in the US on Netflix, Internet Movie Database, Hulu, and Crackle. By May 2018, it was no longer on iTunes, Netflix, or Hulu.
In Canada, you can still stream the series online. It's available through CTV's free video service called "CTV Throwback."
Episode List
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
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| 1 | "My Brother's Keeper" | September 9, 1989 | |
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In South America, a shy teenager finds the shrine. He thinks it will make him brave for his tribe's tests. Miyagi teaches him that true confidence comes from inside. Daniel helps the boy prepare for his warrior challenges.
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| 2 | "The Greatest Victory" | September 16, 1989 | |
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In Hong Kong, a gang called Dragon threatens a neighborhood. Activists think the shrine can help them. But the gang leader gets it and uses it to control people. Miyagi shows that working together can stop crime.
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| 3 | "The Homecoming" | September 23, 1989 | |
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The trio visits New York City. They look for the shrine in New Jersey, where Daniel used to live.
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| 4 | "The Tomorrow Man" | September 30, 1989 | |
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In Paris, France, the trio chases a smuggler who wants the shrine. A man named Amazing Roland pretends to be psychic. He gets real visions, including one about Miyagi's possible death. Daniel worries, but Miyagi says fate must happen.
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| 5 | "All the World His Stage" | October 14, 1989 | |
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In London, the trio works on a movie about King Arthur. Miyagi finds the shrine's power in a fake sword. The movie's star uses it and can't tell real life from the movie. He thinks Taki is his bride and Daniel is a threat.
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| 6 | "The Paper Hero" | October 21, 1989 | |
| 7 | "Over the Rainbow" | October 28, 1989 | |
| 8 | "The Return of the Shrine" | November 4, 1989 | |
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Daniel, Miyagi, and Taki finally bring the shrine back to Okinawa. But at home, Taki faces a family problem. This problem could cause the shrine to be lost again.
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| 9 | "Walkabout" | November 11, 1989 | |
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In Australia, Daniel meets an Aborigine man who has seen the shrine. Members of his tribe are blackmailing him. The trio's friend is torn between helping them or his tribe.
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| 10 | "East Meets West" | November 18, 1989 | |
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In the former USSR, the group finds the shrine in a science lab. The Friendship Games are happening, with Western nations invited for the first time. Daniel joins the West's hockey team, even though he can't skate. A scientist steals the shrine to help his son, who is on the East's team.
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| 11 | "The Hunt" | December 2, 1989 | |
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The trio gets a job on a whaling ship in Norway. They saw a white whale that swallowed the shrine.
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| 12 | "The Gray Ghosts" | December 9, 1989 | |
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The trio goes to San Francisco. They meet a group of senior citizens called the "Gray Ghosts." They learn the shrine might be with a rich, private man named Frump. Daniel works with one of the Gray Ghosts, who is different from what he expected.
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| 13 | "A Little World of His Own" | December 16, 1989 | |
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In the South, a shy boy named Walter has the shrine. He uses its power to shrink real things for his model collection. Walter accidentally shrinks the trio. Tiny Daniel and Miyagi must help Walter gain confidence to ask a girl to a party. They hope this will make them big again. Walter also uses the shrine for revenge on bullies. Miyagi warns him that using the shrine too much is bad for it, and revenge is not healthy.
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Main Voice Cast
- Joey Dedio as Daniel LaRusso
- Robert Ito as Mr. Miyagi
- Janice Kawaye as Taki Tamurai
