Master Raindrop

Lore & Background

The series begins with personifications of two of the five elements, Raindrop (water) and Shao Yen (wood), training with their Master, Yun, in the ancient art of Chitaido. The strongest leader in the Land of a Thousand Legends, General Bu, upsets the peaceful world by taking Yun to begin his attempt to capture the four elements after Flamo, the fire element, joins him voluntarily. General Bu does this to stop the elements joining and defeating him. Master Raindrop and Shao Yen are soon joined by the other two elements: Jin Hou, the metal element (an anthropomorphic golden monkey), and Niwa, the earth element (a humanoid girl who appears to be made of clay). Together they attempt to rescue Master Yun and travel to the place where the golden dragon was defeated and restore him to power.

Reader's Guide

Master Raindrop represents a co-production effort between Australian, New Zealand, and Singaporean animation industries, airing on the Australian Seven Network. The series has received mixed reviews, with critics noting similarities to popular children's cartoons such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Xiaolin Showdown, and Samurai Jack, particularly in its use of martial arts and elemental themes. Despite these comparisons, the show's premise of elemental personifications—water, wood, fire, metal, and earth—and its quest narrative involving the rescue of Master Yun and restoration of the golden dragon distinguish it within the genre. The series ran for a single season of 26 episodes, produced in 2008, and featured a voice cast including Josh Anderson as Master Raindrop and Brian Meegan as General Bu. Its legacy is primarily as a niche entry in early 2000s animated fantasy, noted for its international production model and mixed critical reception.

Did You Know?

• The series was produced jointly by Australian, New Zealand and Singaporean companies.
• General Bu captures Master Yun to prevent the four elements from joining and defeating him.
• Flamo, the fire element, joins General Bu voluntarily.
• The series has been accused of copying themes from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Xiaolin Showdown, and Samurai Jack.