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Team Zenko Go
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| Team Zenko Go | |
|---|---|
 Season 1 promotional poster; from left to right: Ari, Ellie, Jax, and Niah | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Dojo Daycare by Chris Tougas |
| Developed by | Jack Thomas |
| Directed by | Karen J. Lloyd |
| Voices of |
|
| Theme music composer | Matthew Tishler |
| Composers |
|
| Country of origin |
|
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 22 (42 segments) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Tanya Green[a] |
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 23 minutes (12 minutes per segment) |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | March 15 – August 8, 2022 |
Team Zenko Go is an animated children's television series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and Mainframe Studios. It is based on the "Dojo Daycare" books by Chris Tougas and developed by Jack Thomas.[1]
Synopsis
[edit]The series follows the exploits of the titular team, a group of 4 specially-trained kids who go around making "Zenkos" (Japanese for "good deed") in secret around their hometown of Harmony Harbor, assisted by their mentor, Auntie Yuki, and Ponzu, her pet flying squirrel.
Voice cast
[edit]Main
[edit]- Hartley Bernier as Ari, the newest member of the team. Ari recently moved into Harmony Harbor in the series premiere and helps his mom run a comic book shop where they live. He is focused and brilliant, having been able to discover the team whereas everyone else has failed to notice. Ari uses a wheelchair and invents numerous gadgets for the team to use, most notably, an extending robotic arm called the grabinator. His suit color is orange.
- Penelope Good as Ellie, one of the team's senior members. Ellie is artistic and dramatic, though she can seem snobbish at times. Because of her creative abilities, she is very acrobatic and very skilled at jumping. She can also flawlessly impersonate a person's voice, often helping the team stay hidden. Her suit colour is teal.
- Nakai Takawira as Niah, one of the team's senior members. Niah loves being out in nature and is a contributing member to the community garden, in addition to many other memberships throughout town. She is an expert on the natural world and is capable of imitating bird calls. Her suit color is purple, and she is the only African-American member of the main cast.
- Dominic Mariche as Jax, one of the team's senior members. Jax is assertive but can overthink at times, even forgetting numerous tidbits. While Jax shares his teammates' agility and stealth skills, he is most notable for carrying a notebook containing facts about every person in town (constantly updated), giving the team some insight into their current case. His suit color is red.
- D'arcy Han as Auntie Yuki,[2] the mentor of the team and the owner of a noodle truck in Harmony Harbor. Yuki gives advice that can occasionally seem vague, but she is always up to help when needed. She is a bit eccentric and tends to argue with Ponzu, but her assistance is often invaluable to the team. Her suit color is blue.
- Tabitha St. Germain as Ponzu,[2] a northern flying squirrel and Auntie Yuki's pet and assistant. Ponzu is typically bratty and lazy, often causing as many problems as he tries to help the team solve. He is capable of numerous feats, including his species' signature gliding ability, but that is tempered by his immense appetite.
Supporting
[edit]- Tabitha St. Germain as Rona, Fawna, and Donna Dunsmore, three adult triplets. Donna runs her own delivery company and has named her truck Phyllis, while Rona is a socialite who works on putting Harmony Harbor on the map. Fawna, however, is generally seen in the community garden and often helps with wildlife and other animal-related matters.
- Hiro Kanagawa as Mr. Tanaka, an elderly bespectacled man who works at the community center. Tanaka is one of the nicest people in Harmony Harbor's community, and later becomes Scruffy's owner in late season 1.
- Abigail Journey Oliver as Lula LaBlanc, a young girl who hangs around the team in their off time and is one of their most frequent Zenko subjects. Lula owns a pet snake and is known to be very energetic, meaning that she gets along well with the rest of the team.
- Rebecca Shoichet as Kat, Ari's easily-distracted mother and the owner of their comic book store. She shares her son's basic personality, though despite how their relation to each other would suggest, Ari is the more responsible one of the pair.
- Chance Hurstfield as Rodney J. Dinkle, an arrogant teen boy who believes himself to be the best around... despite being several flawed in several areas, though the team always helps him if he needs it. Rodney always causes trouble for the team due to his misplaced sense of class and lack of common sense or fairness, though they care for him all the same.
- Deven Mack as Ian, Niah's uncle and the most athletic man in Harmony Harbor.
- Gordon Cormier as Luis, a young boy and Gabriel's younger brother who is easily distracted.
- Vania Gill as Felicia, a girl introduced in the second season. She has a robot dog named Rosie, and is friends with Luis and Gabriel.
Minor
[edit]- Jaden Oehr as Henry, a young boy who hangs around with Lula.
- Micah Chan as Theo, a young boy who hangs around with Lula.
- Kaitlyn Vott as Sam Ochoa, a teenage girl who is always willing to help around town. She is often seen at the skate park and is an expert skateboarder.
- Madeleine Hirvonen as Maria, a young girl and aspiring artist who is a good friend of Ellie's.
- Josh Zaharia as Gabriel, a teenage boy and Luis's older brother.
- Michael Dobson as Ken Kablam, a famous comic book author known for his series "The Squasher."
Animals
[edit]- Scruffy, a hyperactive dog belonging to Mr. Tanaka. He resembles a mix between a terrier and a greyhound.
- Yolanda, a pigeon in Harmony Harbor who is disliked by the team for how often she interferes with a Zenko.
- Whiskers, a San Francisco garter snake belonging to Lula.
- Glitzy, a poodle owned by Rona Dunsmore.
Episodes
[edit]Series overview
[edit]Season 1 (2022)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Welcome to Harmony Harbor" | Karen J. Lloyd | Jack Thomas | March 15, 2022 | |||||
|
New kid in town Ari knows something's up with Auntie Yuki’s noodle truck, and he wants in — but first, Niah, Ellie and Jax will put him to the test. | ||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Delivery Disaster" | Karen J. Lloyd | Story by : Shea Fontana & Mark Purdy Teleplay by : Jack Thomas | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Slippery Business" | Story by : Becky Wangberg & Sara Eisenberg Teleplay by : Jack Thomas | |||||||||
|
When the town’s delivery truck breaks down, the team jumps in to help deliver the packages... but a particularly large one proves to be a challenge. When the team goes to search for Lula's pet, Ellie is horrified and forced to face her fears when said pet turns out to be a snake. | ||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "You (Don't) Snooze, You Lose" | Karen J. Lloyd | Story by : Chris Gentle Teleplay by : Jack Thomas | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Save the Squasher" | Story by : Lila Scott Teleplay by : Robin J. Stein | |||||||||
|
The crew keeps the noise down so Uncle Ian can get a good night's sleep before a big tournament, but Jax's attempts to use large-scale solutions brings the real risk of total failure. Ari and pals save Lula's first day at junior book club, which teaches him that gadgets aren't everything. | ||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Gopher It" | Karen J. Lloyd | Story by : Lila Scott Teleplay by : Robin J. Stein | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "A Glamping We Will Go" | Story by : Arika Mark Fujita Teleplay by : Robin J. Stein | |||||||||
|
The team sets out to stop a gopher from stealing vegetables in the community garden, but Niah's grudge against the species leads to her force control and cause several derailments. The town's camping troupe is currently being led by Rona Dunsmore, who knows next-to-nothing about the great outdoors, forcing the team- including a nervous Ellie- to intervene numerous times. | ||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Amazing Donna" | Karen J. Lloyd | Steve Sullivan & Andy Geurdat | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Bye, Bye Boardie" | Susan Kim | |||||||||
|
After she overconfidently decides to enter herself, the team sets out to make sure Donna's magic tricks dazzle at the talent show. Sam misplacing her skateboard in a donation event causes the board to switch hands numerous times, forcing the team to track it down and get it back. | ||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Lula's Last Stand" | Karen J. Lloyd | Laura Bowes | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Triple Trouble" | Joe Purdy | |||||||||
|
Lula sets up a lemonade stand on a hot day, but it is so remote from town the team has to advertise the stand for her. An argument at breakfast time causes the Dunsmore triplets to break up, threatening their tradition of watching a special comet together unless the team does something. | ||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Pet Project" | Karen J. Lloyd | J. Green | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Mission Improbable" | Sean Jara | |||||||||
|
The team must find a forever home for a dog with a big heart but lots of energy, and when Mr. Tanaka gets talked into trying him out they try everything possible to train the dog in secret. Rodney unfairly prevents Maria's sculpture from being entered into an art show, forcing the team to try and sneak it in. | ||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "An Inconvenient Tooth" | Karen J. Lloyd | Andy Geurdat | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Up, Up and Away" | Sean Jara | |||||||||
|
Jax looks to get Lula’s missing baby tooth back to her before the Tooth Fairy’s visit, but the team quickly encounters numerous hurdles. The team tries to reach a drone after it crash-lands on a roof, a task which gets harder when Yolanda intervenes. | ||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Lost and Found" | Karen J. Lloyd | Laura Bowes | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "In the Park After Dark" | Al Schwartz | |||||||||
|
The team finds a bin filled with missing items and set off to figure out their original owners, but finding who owns the final item proves difficult. The team oversees Rodney's late-night photoshoot as he searches for a bird, but helping him overcome his fear of the dark becomes tricky real fast. | ||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Longest Yardwork" | Karen J. Lloyd | Doug Molitor | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "The Girl Who Cried Goose" | Lienne Sawatsky | |||||||||
|
The crew tries to turn Donna's backyard disaster into the perfect place for a party... a task that falls apart without proper planning. Lula leads the team on a wild goose chase to avoid going to soccer camp, and they set off to help her out once they uncover the truth. | ||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Tanaka's Moving Castle" | Karen J. Lloyd | Jagjiwan Sohal | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "Zenko Don't Go" | FM de Marco | |||||||||
|
Mr. Tanaka never asks for help, but he can’t handle a big move all by himself... and neither can the team. Sam might miss her chance to meet her favorite comic book creator due to a skating competition, so the team tries to make him stay long enough to get her an autograph. | ||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | "Driven to Distraction" | Karen J. Lloyd | John Hazlett & Christine Mitchell | March 15, 2022 | |||||
| "To Bee or Not To Bee" | Al Schwartz | |||||||||
|
The team tries to keep Luis on track to pick up flowers for his granny’s birthday, but he never stays focused despite their best efforts. The team has to hunt down Rodney's escaped bees, which becomes prohibitively difficult when they end up in a backyard party. | ||||||||||
Season 2 (2022)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | "Photo Day Disaster" | Karen J. Lloyd | Desmond Sargeant | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "The Eightful Eight" | Dan Williams | |||||||||
|
Ari, Ellie and pals sneak around to make sure Rodney stays clean for his picture day. The squad helps Luis feel ready for his first-ever math test. | ||||||||||
| 14 | 2 | "Robo-Dog Day Afternoon" | Karen J. Lloyd | Laura Bowes | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Spoiler Alert" | John Hazlett & Christine Mitchell | |||||||||
|
Niah leads the pack when a new kid's robo-dog glitches out of control. Lula has no clue about her surprise party — and the team must keep it that way. | ||||||||||
| 15 | 3 | "Rodney J. Dinkle, Babysitter" | Karen J. Lloyd | Steve Sullivan and Andy Guerdat | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Lights Out" | Jeff Sager | |||||||||
|
The Zenkos give Rodney some much-needed back-up for his new babysitting gig. The power's out all over town, so the squad spreads out to do some good. | ||||||||||
| 16 | 4 | "Double Booked" | Karen J. Lloyd | Michael Stokes | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Gym Enemy Cricket" | David Grubstick | |||||||||
|
Ari and pals find a way to share one comic book between two superfans. A chirping cricket in the community center is ruining Fawna's silent yoga flow. | ||||||||||
| 17 | 5 | "Harmony Harbor Holiday Surprise" | Karen J. Lloyd | Andy Guerdat & Steve Sullivan | August 8, 2022 | |||||
|
The town's holiday tree needs its star to signal the start of the festivities! Can the Zenkos retrieve the missing star and save the annual sing-along? | ||||||||||
| 18 | 6 | "The Big Sleepwalk" | Karen J. Lloyd | Jack Thomas | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Of Course You Can" | John Hazlett & Christine Mitchell | |||||||||
|
Sleepwalking runs in Niah's family, and her Uncle Ian needs help getting back in his bed. Felicia's too afraid of falling to try the obstacle course. | ||||||||||
| 19 | 7 | "Rodney the Hero" | Karen J. Lloyd | Jeffrey Duteil | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Club Shed" | Eric Toth | |||||||||
|
Rodney wants to be helpful, but the team needs to make sure nothing goes wrong. The Zenkos help Lula and Luis fix up a shed for their fan club. | ||||||||||
| 20 | 8 | "It Takes a Zenko" | Karen J. Lloyd | Mark Hoffmeier | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "What a Racket" | Bryan Roy | |||||||||
|
The team tries to track down lost items — and a mysterious thief — around town. Ian can't find his favorite racket before a big badminton game. | ||||||||||
| 21 | 9 | "The Great Paper Chase" | Karen J. Lloyd | Kris Marvin Hughes | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Home Is Where Ken's Heart Is" | Jeff Sager | |||||||||
|
Only the Zenkos can help Rodney get his comic book safely to his idol. Ken Kablam's homesick for his old town, so the crew hopes to lift his spirits. | ||||||||||
| 22 | 10 | "That Stinking Feeling" | Karen J. Lloyd | Nick Purrier | August 8, 2022 | |||||
| "Go for the Gold" | Robin J. Stein | |||||||||
|
A friendly skunk's keeping Donna and her dog awake at night — and messing up her deliveries. Jax and friends help Rona prepare for the town's big party. | ||||||||||
Release
[edit]Team Zenko Go was globally released on March 15, 2022, on Netflix.[3] A trailer was released on February 17, 2022.[4][5] Originally slated for a July 11 release, a second season released on August 8, 2022.[6]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Credited as "Supervising Producer".
References
[edit]- ^ Sarto, Debbie (July 11, 2022). "The Secret Do-Gooder Squad Returns in DreamWorks' 'Team Zenko Go' S2 Trailer". Animation World Network. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ a b "TEAM ZENKO GO: Meet The Members Of The Team In The Trailer For Netflix and DreamWorks Upcoming Series". Toonado. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (February 17, 2022). "Trailer: DreamWorks' 'Team Zenko Go' Takes Good Deeds to the Extreme on Netflix". Animation Magazine. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ Sarto, Debbie (February 17, 2022). "DreamWorks Animation Drops 'Team Zenko Go' Trailer". Animation World Network. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ TEAM ZENKO GO | Season 1 Trailer | Netflix. YouTube. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ DreamWorksTV World (July 11, 2022). TEAM ZENKO GO | Season 2 Trailer | Netflix. YouTube. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
External links
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Team Zenko Go
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Team Zenko Go is an animated preschool television series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and Mainframe Studios, based on the Dojo Daycare books by Chris Tougas, featuring a secret squad of young do-gooders who use stealth, distraction, and empathy to perform anonymous acts of kindness and resolve everyday problems in the town of Harmony Harbor.[1][2][3] The series centers on four kid heroes—Niah, Ari, Ellie, and Jax—who avoid confrontation with villains, instead focusing on helping residents through clever, undercover missions that emphasize teamwork and compassion.[4][5]
The show premiered on Netflix with its first season of 12 episodes on March 15, 2022, followed by a second season of 10 episodes on August 8, 2022, and as of 2025, no further seasons have been announced.[1][6][7] Production was led by executive producer and showrunner Jack Thomas, with voice direction by Nicole Oliver and disability consultation by Kirsten Sharp to ensure authentic representation.[1]
Among the core characters, Ari is a wheelchair user voiced by then-12-year-old actor Hartley Bernier, who has a chronic illness, marking a notable effort in disability-inclusive storytelling that portrays Ari as an equal team member without relying on common tropes of inspiration or victimhood.[1][8] The series has been praised for its positive messages on kindness and problem-solving, receiving a 7.4/10 rating on IMDb from user reviews (as of November 2025) and a family-friendly endorsement from Common Sense Media for its lack of violence or scary content.[9][10]
These stories culminate in resolutions that reinforce the series' core message of proactive kindness, with the season's evolved plots demonstrating how small interventions can address larger communal and personal hurdles.[6]
Premise and Production
Premise
Team Zenko Go is an animated preschool series centered on four children—Niah, Ari, Ellie, and Jax—who assemble as Team Zenko Go to execute secret good deeds, termed "Zenkos," throughout their coastal town of Harmony Harbor.[4][11] The narrative unfolds in a modern setting where acts of kindness are often publicized for social media acclaim, yet the team deliberately avoids detection to foster genuine helpfulness without expectation of praise.[2] The protagonists employ clever tactics such as distractions, empathy, and stealth to address everyday community issues, like assisting neighbors or resolving minor conflicts, all while maintaining their anonymity.[4][2] Operating from a concealed dojo, they receive guidance from Auntie Yuki, a wise mentor who runs a local noodle shop, and her loyal pet flying squirrel, Ponzu, who aids in their covert operations.[11][9] Adapted from Chris Tougas's Dojo Daycare book series, which features young ninjas in a daycare environment, the show reimagines the concept as a superhero adventure emphasizing altruism over confrontation with adversaries.[11][12] Central themes revolve around teamwork, emotional understanding, and the profound impact of selfless actions in building a harmonious community.[2][11]Production
Team Zenko Go is an animated children's television series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television in collaboration with Mainframe Studios.[1][13] The series was developed by Jack Thomas, who served as executive producer and showrunner, with additional executive producers including Michael Hefferon, Gregory R. Little, and Kim Dent Wilder; Karen J. Lloyd directed the episodes as supervising director.[13][14] The project was greenlit as a Netflix original series, with its first public announcement occurring through a trailer release in February 2022 ahead of the March premiere, targeting a preschool audience while prioritizing disability-inclusive representation through diverse character abilities and authentic storytelling.[13][1] A disability consultant, Kirsten Sharp, was involved to ensure equitable portrayal of characters like Ari, who uses a wheelchair, avoiding common tropes and emphasizing kindness and community support.[1] The series adapts the "Dojo Daycare" book series by Canadian author and illustrator Chris Tougas, reimagining its concepts of young heroes in a dojo setting to focus on positive messaging about good deeds and empathy rather than conventional superhero conflicts.[7] It employs a 3D CGI animation style featuring vibrant, colorful visuals designed to engage young viewers, with the action unfolding in the whimsical town of Harmony Harbor.[13][1] The production encompasses 22 episodes across two seasons, with each episode structured as multiple 11-minute segments to deliver bite-sized adventures.[3]Characters
Main Characters
The main characters of Team Zenko Go are Niah, Ari, Ellie, and Jax, a group of four specially trained kids who form the core of the secret squad performing anonymous acts of kindness, known as Zenkos, in their hometown of Harmony Harbor.[4] These young do-gooders harness the art of distraction and teamwork to address community needs without seeking recognition, drawing on their unique strengths to execute stealthy missions.[10] Niah acts as the energetic and overachieving leader of the team, proactively organizing missions and providing a wealth of specialized knowledge and expertise to solve problems efficiently.[15] Her responsible nature and affinity for physical challenges make her particularly adept at handling demanding aspects of operations, such as navigating outdoor environments or contributing to community efforts like gardening.[16] She often tests new ideas with creativity, like imitating bird calls or proposing unconventional solutions during Zenkos.[16] Ari, the newest and most thoughtful member of the team, serves as the brilliant strategist and whiz kid, using his optimism, intelligence, and empathy to assess situations and understand the needs of Harmony Harbor's residents.[10][17] Despite using a wheelchair due to paralysis from the waist down, he boldly contributes through inventive gadgets crafted with his high-tech 3D printer or household items, including attachments like the Grabinator for precise tasks and jet shoes for mobility support.[18][19] His focused mindset allows him to uncover hidden issues that others overlook, enhancing the team's strategic planning.[20] Ellie embodies the athletic and brave spirit of the group as an agile ballerina, excelling in the physical elements of Zenkos with grace, courage, and dramatic flair.[10] She fearlessly tackles challenges that require speed and dexterity, such as leading searches or ensuring operational smoothness, while her supportive personality helps maintain team morale during high-stakes distractions.[4] Though she harbors specific fears like snakes, her determination drives her to push boundaries for the greater good.[21] Jax brings creativity and observational acuity to the team as the assertive yet sometimes overthinking member, who loves introducing others to Harmony Harbor and devising imaginative approaches to missions.[10][22] His watchful eye allows him to spot details crucial for planning disguises and diversions, contributing resourcefully to problem-solving while balancing his tendency to analyze situations deeply.[23] Together, Niah's leadership and physical prowess, Ari's inventive strategies, Ellie's athletic bravery, and Jax's creative observations create a balanced dynamic that enables seamless collaboration on secret operations, often launched from Auntie Yuki's noodle truck headquarters under the brief guidance of Auntie Yuki and her pet flying squirrel, Ponzu.[24][9] This synergy ensures their diverse abilities complement one another, allowing the team to perform effective Zenkos that foster kindness and community harmony.[4]Supporting Characters
Auntie Yuki serves as the primary mentor to Team Zenko Go, operating a noodle truck in Harmony Harbor that doubles as the team's headquarters. She rings a gong to alert the young members when opportunities for good deeds arise in the town, offering guidance rooted in lessons of kindness and selflessness that shape their undercover missions.[9][11] Ponzu, Auntie Yuki's loyal flying squirrel companion, acts as a resourceful sidekick who aids the team with aerial reconnaissance during Zenkos, often providing timely information or distractions to ensure operations proceed smoothly. His playful antics also inject comic relief into tense situations, lightening the mood as the team navigates challenges.[9][25] Among the town's residents, Mr. Tanaka, an elderly man who works at the community center, frequently becomes an unwitting beneficiary of the team's interventions, such as assistance with heavy tasks like moving house, which highlights how Zenkos subtly improve daily life without drawing attention.[26] Lula LaBlanc, a spirited young girl who occasionally joins the team in their downtime, reacts enthusiastically to the positive changes around her, sometimes complicating missions with her curiosity but ultimately reinforcing the impact of anonymous good deeds.[27] Animals and minor characters in Harmony Harbor play varied roles in Zenkos, serving as either grateful recipients of help—like stray pets receiving care—or temporary obstacles that test the team's ingenuity, such as wildlife disrupting community events, thereby emphasizing the broader environmental and communal aspects of the protagonists' efforts.Voice Cast
Main Voice Actors
The primary voice cast for Team Zenko Go features young Canadian actors portraying the core team members of the secret do-gooder squad.[9][28]- Hartley Bernier as Ari[9][28]
- Penelope Good as Ellie[9][28]
- Nakai Takawira as Niah[9][28]
- Dominic Mariche as Jax[9][28]
Supporting Voice Actors
- D’arcy Han as Auntie Yuki[31]
- Tabitha St. Germain as Ponzu, Donna, Fawna, and Rona[31][32][33]
- Hiro Kanagawa as Mr. Tanaka[31][34]
- Abigail Journey Oliver as Lula LaBlanc[31][33]
Episodes
Series Overview
Team Zenko Go is structured as a series of 22 episodes divided into two seasons, featuring a total of 42 individual segments that form the core narrative units. Each episode pairs 11-minute segments into 22-minute installments, allowing for self-contained stories while maintaining a consistent runtime suitable for young audiences. Season 1 comprises 12 episodes encompassing 23 segments, while Season 2 includes 10 episodes with 19 segments, providing a varied pacing across the series' run.)[35] Recurring elements in the episodes include mission briefs where the team receives assignments from their mentor to perform secret good deeds, dojo training sessions to hone their skills in stealth and empathy, and resolutions that highlight themes of learned kindness through reflection on the impact of their actions. These components create a predictable yet engaging format that reinforces the show's emphasis on positive behavior and teamwork. The team's good deed missions, as outlined in the premise, drive each segment's plot forward.[10][2] Episode themes rotate around everyday community issues, such as helping neighbors with small acts of support, participating in environmental cleanups like backyard tidying, or addressing school-related challenges to foster better relationships among peers. Representative examples include aiding a lost pet or overcoming personal fears that affect group dynamics, illustrating how kindness can resolve local problems without confrontation. This focus ensures the series delivers age-appropriate lessons on compassion and community involvement.[10][36]Season 1 (2022)
Season 1 of Team Zenko Go premiered on Netflix on March 15, 2022, with all 12 episodes released simultaneously.[4] This season establishes the core team of Niah, Ellie, Jax, and new recruit Ari, who operate from Auntie Yuki's noodle truck as a makeshift dojo in the town of Harmony Harbor.[4] The overarching arc focuses on the team's formation, as Ari proves himself through initial missions, while the group navigates early challenges in coordinating their stealthy good deeds, or "Zenkos," highlighting the kids' learning curves in teamwork and gadget use.[37] The episodes feature two segments each, centered on everyday community problems resolved through clever distractions and empathy-driven interventions. Specific Zenkos include aiding lost pets, supporting local events like lemonade stands and magic shows, and addressing neighborhood nuisances such as garden pests or misplaced items, all while the young agents refine their skills.-
Episode 1: "Welcome to Harmony Harbor, Part 1 & 2"
Newcomer Ari suspects a secret behind Auntie Yuki's noodle truck and seeks to join Niah, Ellie, and Jax; the trio tests him with a mission to uncover the team's true purpose, ultimately welcoming him into the fold and setting up their dojo base. The resolution emphasizes trust-building as the team bonds over their first joint Zenko.[37][4] -
Episode 2: "Delivery Disaster / Slippery Business"
The team steps in to deliver packages after a mail truck breakdown, ensuring timely arrivals for townsfolk; in the second segment, Ellie coordinates a search for a runaway pet snake, reuniting it with its owner without causing panic. These missions teach the kids about quick improvisation under pressure.[4] -
Episode 3: "You (Don't) Snooze, You Lose / Save the Squasher"
The crew helps Uncle Ian get rest before a big tournament by managing distractions around his home; Ari and the others then salvage Lula's book club event from a rain threat, preserving the community's reading tradition. The resolutions underscore the value of subtle support in daily routines.[4] -
Episode 4: "Gopher It / A Glamping We Will Go"
Niah tackles a gopher disrupting a community garden, using non-harmful tricks to relocate it; Ellie ensures a family's glamping trip remains skunk-free by guiding the animal away. These eco-friendly Zenkos highlight the team's growing environmental awareness.[4] -
Episode 5: "The Amazing Donna / Bye, Bye Boardie"
The friends boost Donna's magic show by secretly handling mishaps like vanishing props; they then race to recover Sam's lost skateboard before a skate park event. The successful fixes boost the kids' confidence in high-stakes performances.[4] -
Episode 6: "Lula's Last Stand / Triple Trouble"
The squad promotes Lula's struggling lemonade stand through anonymous boosts to draw customers; they preserve a family's comet-watching tradition amid obstacles. These community event Zenkos demonstrate the impact of small acts on local morale.[4] -
Episode 7: "Pet Project / Mission Improbable"
The team finds a forever home for an overly energetic stray dog by matching it with the right family; they sneak a forgotten statue into an art show to surprise its creator. Resolutions focus on animal welfare and creative problem-solving.[4] -
Episode 8: "An Inconvenient Tooth / Up, Up and Away"
Jax retrieves Lula's fallen tooth for the Tooth Fairy tradition without alerting adults; the group recovers a crashed drone from a tree to return it to its young owner. These personal Zenkos reveal the team's empathy for childhood milestones.[4] -
Episode 9: "Lost and Found / In the Park After Dark"
Team Zenko sorts a bin of misplaced items and returns them to owners across town; they help Rodney conquer his fear of the dark during a nighttime park adventure. The missions emphasize resourcefulness in reuniting lost belongings and building courage.[4] -
Episode 10: "Longest Yardwork / The Girl Who Cried Goose"
The crew secretly completes Donna's backyard cleanup for a party; Lula enlists the team in a ruse involving geese to skip soccer camp, leading to a fun alternative activity. These Zenkos explore balancing fun with responsibility.[4] -
Episode 11: "Tanaka's Moving Castle / Zenko Don't Go"
The team aids Mr. Tanaka with his overwhelming move by handling heavy lifting incognito; they ensure Sam meets her comic book hero at a signing event despite delays. Resolutions reinforce the importance of unasked-for help in transitions.[26] -
Episode 12: "Driven to Distraction / To Bee or Not To Bee"
The group keeps Luis focused to fetch flowers for his grandmother's birthday; they guide Rodney's escaped bees back to their hive safely. These final missions wrap the season with themes of family support and gentle wildlife relocation.[38]
Season 2 (2022)
The second season of Team Zenko Go premiered exclusively on Netflix on August 8, 2022, comprising 10 episodes that expand the scope of the team's covert good deeds in Harmony Harbor.[4] Building upon the foundational missions of the first season, this installment introduces more intricate Zenkos involving community-wide disruptions and individual character growth, such as navigating technology glitches, surprise events, and personal insecurities, while emphasizing themes of empathy, collaboration, and perseverance.[6] The narrative heightens emotional stakes through recurring challenges like power outages and competitive dilemmas, alongside new supporting elements including additional town residents and seasonal festivities that test the team's stealth and resourcefulness.[39] Continued team dynamics allow characters like Niah, Ari, Ellie, and Jax to step into leadership roles during complex operations.[6] Each episode features two self-contained stories, typically 11 minutes each, focusing on anonymous acts of kindness that resolve everyday problems without revealing the team's involvement. The season showcases progression from individual aids to broader impacts, such as coordinating during town emergencies or fostering personal confidence amid social pressures.| Episode | Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photo Day Disaster/The Eightful Eight | The team sneaks around to keep Rodney clean and presentable for his Junior Security Cadet picture day at the Community Center; they support Luis in preparing for and overcoming anxiety about his first math test.[40][41] |
| 2 | Robo-Dog Day Afternoon/Spoiler Alert | Niah leads the effort to contain a new girl's malfunctioning robo-dog before it wreaks havoc; the squad maintains secrecy around Lula's surprise party to avoid spoilers from her inquisitive brother.[41] |
| 3 | Rodney J. Dinkle, Babysitter/Lights Out | The Zenkos provide covert assistance to Rodney during his inaugural babysitting gig; a widespread power outage spurs the team to help neighbors navigate the darkness and stay safe.[42] |
| 4 | Double Booked/Gym Enemy Cricket | When a comic book delivery mix-up leaves only one copy for two eager fans, Sam and Gabriel, the team facilitates a fair sharing solution; they eliminate a disruptive chirping cricket interrupting Fawna's peaceful yoga session in the gym.[41] |
| 5 | Harmony Harbor Holiday Surprise | The team orchestrates festive surprises to spread holiday cheer across the town, incorporating elements of sharing and community unity during a special seasonal event.[43][44] |
| 6 | The Big Sleepwalk/Of Course You Can | The squad addresses a sleepwalking incident that endangers a resident; they encourage self-belief in a character facing a challenging personal goal.[39] |
| 7 | Rodney the Hero/Club Shed | Rodney's attempt at heroism receives behind-the-scenes team support; the group resolves issues hindering a community club's gathering space.[39] |
| 8 | It Takes a Zenko/What a Racket | The episode highlights collective teamwork in a multi-step Zenko; the team quiets a noisy disturbance affecting a racket-based activity.[39] |
| 9 | The Great Paper Chase/Home Is Where Ken's Heart Is | A pursuit involving lost paperwork draws the team's intervention; they aid Ken in reconciling emotional ties to his home environment.[39] |
| 10 | That Stinking Feeling/Go for the Gold | The team tackles an unpleasant odor plaguing the town, possibly linked to an environmental issue; they support a competitive pursuit for a golden achievement.[39] |