Double Dragon (TV series)
Brothers separated at birth unite as Dragon Warriors.
Double Dragon is an animated series based on the NES versions of the Double Dragon video game trilogy. It ran for 26 half-hour episodes from 1993 to 1994. The show was produced by DIC Animation City, Bohbot Entertainment, and Italian studio Reteitalia, S.p.A., in association with Spanish network Telecinco.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Action/Adventure
- Based on
- Double Dragon, Technōs Japan
- Developer
- Phil Harnage; Martha Moran (season 2)
- Director
- Chuck Patton
- Theme music
- Clark Gassman
- Opening theme
- "Double Dragon"
- End theme
- "Double Dragon" (instrumental)
- Composer
- Clark Gassman; Andy Street (season 2)
Facts from the source article.
Overview
The series follows brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee, who are separated at birth. Billy is raised by the Oldest Dragon, while Jimmy is raised by the Shadow Master and becomes the Shadow Boss. As adults, they oppose each other until Jimmy is betrayed by the Shadow Master, renounces evil, and joins his brother as a Dragon Warrior. They recruit allies against the Shadow Master and his henchmen, while a subplot involves the search for their father, John Lee. The pilot episode loosely adapts the NES version of the first Double Dragon game. Villains include the Shadow Boss, Abobo, and Willy, who are sucked into the Shadow Mural by the second episode. From the second episode onward, characters are original creations, though many villains appear in Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls.
Cast of characters
The Lee brothers are martial-arts instructors and police consultants who assume superheroic identities during escalated violence. They transform by crossing swords and saying, 'For Might! For Right! We are Double Dragons!', though heavy injury can deactivate their powers. Injury sustained by one brother is sometimes taken by the other, and they sometimes sense when the other is in danger. The Double Dragons are adept in a mystical form of Kenjutsu arts, unlike the games where they master Bōjutsu and Kusari-fundo arts. Billy Lee, the former Dragon Pupil turned Dragon Master, has messy black hair and wears blue armored clothes with a red torn shirt and dragon-mask. His personality is based on the wise, independent side of Bruce Lee. Jimmy Lee, the former Shadow Boss turned Double Master, has spiky blonde hair and wears red armored clothes with a blue torn shirt and dragon-mask. His personality is based on the cocky, charismatic side of Bruce Lee. Dragon Warriors are martial artists recruited by the brothers, given superhuman powers through smokeless green dragon fire. Junior Dragons are younger students and supporting characters. The Shadow Warriors, led by the Shadow Master, are mutants created by high EMF levels from Metro City's underground power grid. The Shadow Master can shapeshift, teleport, and trap warriors in the Shadow Mural; he is the half-brother of Billy and Jimmy's mother.
Merchandise
In 1994, the tie-in video game Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls was developed by Leland Interactive Media and published by Tradewest. It was ported to Super NES, Genesis, and Jaguar, with the Jaguar being the only console to have a Japan release. It is the first and only Double Dragon fighting game spin-off to receive criticism.
Home media
In 1994, Buena Vista Home Video released three VHS tapes under the DIC Toon-Time Video label. Invincible Pictures released the series on DVD in Region 1 in August 2019. Discotek Media released a Blu-ray in May 2022. Anchor Bay UK released a single DVD with four episodes in June 2004, and Avenue Entertainment released two DVDs with two episodes each in July 2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Double Dragon (TV series)?
Double Dragon was created by Phil Harnage and Martha Moran (season 2).
When did Double Dragon (TV series) first air?
Double Dragon first aired on 12 September 1993.
When did Double Dragon (TV series) end?
Double Dragon last aired on 4 December 1994.
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