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Xcalibur
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| Xcalibur | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Amélie Aubert Philippe Druillet Benjamin Legrand |
| Starring | Ben Small Tom Eastwood Jules Dejongh |
| Opening theme | Ray Fabi (music) |
| Ending theme | Ray Fabi (music) |
| Country of origin | Canada France |
| Original languages | English French |
| No. of episodes | 40 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies | Ellipsanime TVA International (early episodes) Tooncan Productions Inc. (later episodes) |
| Original release | |
| Network | YTV Canal+ France 2 |
| Release | 1 September 2001 – 1 April 2002 |
Xcalibur is a CGI sword-and-sorcery children's television series that aired on YTV from 1 September 2001 to 1 April 2002.
The series is animated using a third-dimensional computer graphics application known as Alias Wavefront Maya.
Premise
[edit]King Edwin, ruler of a medieval-like Kingdom is assassinated by his brother and regent, Bragan, who has made a truce with the evil warlock, Kwodahn. The murder is witnessed by Prince Erwann who carries out the dying King's final orders; to take Xcalibur and hide it in a safe place. After hiding the sword, Kwodahn curses Erwann, turning him to stone. Erwann's feisty teenage daughter, Princess Djana befriends Herik, a young apprentice of the exiled Shogis, a sect of sorcerers, who has been entrusted with the Book of Life, the collected knowledge of the Shogis. Together, they retrieve Xcalibur, however upon reaching the Royal Palace, they learn Bragan has taken control of the Kingdom as regent to Arthus, the 10-year-old sovereign, too young to rule himself, and confiscated Prince Erwann's lands as his own, falsely branding him as the assassin.
Unable to convince the lords or Arthus that Bragan is a traitor, Djana goes on the run with Herik, Tara - a member of the People of the Sea, often referred to as Barbarians - and Wip, a small dragon, and are branded outlaws by Bragan. Djana's resistance to Bragan's alliance with Kwodahn sparks a rebellion in the kingdom, assisted by the people of the villages of Mallory and Quinn, and (later), secretly assisted by Prince Duncan, one of the lords of the Kingdom.
Characters
[edit]- Princess Djana — the fiery daughter of Prince Erwann, strongly opposed to Kwodahn and Prince Bragan. Her mother mysteriously disappeared, leaving Djana alone. She takes the sword Xcalibur to protect the innocent and to free her father from the curse.
- Herik — a young Shogi apprentice, rebellious by nature. During Bragan's attack on the Shogi Monastery, he is entrusted with the Book of Life by the Grand Magus. He befriends Djana and helps her to retrieve Xcalibur, going on the run with her.
- Tara — a young dark skin messenger sent by the People of the Sea. She is sent to negotiate with Prince Erwann, who was the go-between for negotiating a peace treaty between King Edwin and her people; peace in exchange for a place to settle in the kingdom. She arrives too late, and is declared an outlaw along with Djana and Herik it also implied she comes from a distant land possibly Africa or The Middle East.
- Wip — a small flying dragon (with four legs) who was once the Totem of Sapphire.
- Prince Bragan — King Edwin's younger brother, who has him assassinated. He is in league with Kwodahn, and attempts to subvert his nephew Arthus to become king.
- King Arthus — the 10 year old sovereign, son of the late King Edwin. He is naive, easily led by his uncle, Bragan who believes his story that Erwann assassinated the King to steal Xcalibur.
- Kwodahn — the Devil, who lives in a flying castle. He carries out his plans for domination through Bragan and Walka, who have sold their souls to him.
- Wolf — the leader of the People of the Sea, raiders who attack the Kingdom for food and riches. King Edwin attempted to negotiate with them, offering them a land to settle in return for peace, however his assassination prevents this from happening. He eventually discovers that Herik is his son.
- Walka — one of the three Sylph sisters in Brocelianda, dressed in a green gown, the Sylph of the Appearances who leans towards serving Kwodahn, has become an evil sorceress. She is banished from the Sylphs by Fedora, who turns into a Medusa-like creature. As a Sylph, she possesses a jewel: Sylph Bracelet. She eventually redeems herself by freeing Queen Lorna, and defying Kwodahn. Her Totem is a Two-Headed Snake. She is the Aunt of Djana and godmother of Queen Lorna.
- Fedora — one of the three Sylph sisters in Brocelianda. Sylph of Time and Queen of the Sylphs, dressed in a blue gown. She possesses a jewel: Sylph Necklace, and a wand. Her Totem is a Unicorn. She is the Aunt of Djana.
- Sapphire — one of the three Sylph sisters in Brocelianda, dressed in a red gown, the Sylph of the Expressions and Djana's mother. She possesses a jewel: Sylph Ring. Her Totem is Wip. She is the mother of Djana and wife of Erwann.
- Mussi — governess to King Arthus. She is devoted to the care of Arthus.
- Queen Lorna — King Arthus' mother and rightful regent of the Kingdom. Bragan decided to get rid of Lorna first, and gave the task of assassinating her to her godmother; Walka. Unable to kill her goddaughter, she hid Lorna in Mussi's body. She is eventually released by Walka in a bout of redemption, and replaces Bragan as the regent.
- Prince Erwann — Princess Djana's father. He was Chief of King Edwin's Army and his close friend, who worked as a bridge between Edwin and Tara, representing the People of the Sea. It is implied he had a relationship of sorts with Tara. He is cursed by Kwodahn and turned to stone when he refuses to hand over Xcalibur to him.
- King Edwin — the late ruler of the Kingdom and Arthus' father. He is portrayed as a just and fair ruler, who wanted to make peace with the People of the Sea.
- Zeky Zek — Wolf's subordinate.
- Zoldan — a Shaman who accompanies the People of the Sea. He is often used as a pawn by Kwodahn for his plans.
- Morgan — an experienced Shogi who leads the exiled Shogis to a new life on the Shogi Island. He is a close friend of Herik.
- The Shogi Master — sometimes called the Grand Magus, a powerful sorcerer and leader of the Shogis.
- Silkar — a citizen of the village of Mallory, and one of Djana's allies. He eventually becomes a prominent figure in the rebellion against Bragan.
- Arped — a citizen of the hamlet of Quinn, and another prominent figure in the resistance against Bragan.
- Will — one of the leaders of the Wandering City, a city which floats above the sea, inhabited by pacifists.
- Erin — one of the inhabitants of Quinn. She is initially a spy for Bragan, passing on information about the rebellion's plans to attack Bragan's camp and kill him. However, she redeems herself and becomes a close friend of Djana.
- Prince Duncan — also known as the Green Prince. He becomes Djana's most powerful and trusted ally within the council after she helps to save his lands from Kwodahn's magic. He is strongly opposed to Bragan's plans.
- The Red Prince — one of the lords of the Kingdom. He is Bragan's closest ally on the council.
- The Yellow Prince — another of the Kingdom's lords.
Voices
[edit]- Joanna Ruiz Rodriguez as Princess Djana / King Arthus
- Ben Small as Herik
- Jules de Jongh as Tara
- Tom Clarke-Hill as Kwodahn / Wip
- Regine Candler as Walka / Mussi
- Tom Eastwood as Prince Bragan
- Andy Turvey as King Edwyn / Zoldan
- Eric Meyers as Wolf / Prince Erwann
Episode list
[edit]The following is a full list of episodes in the order they are presented on DVD. Some of the episodes are not in their correct chronological order.
| No. | Title (French title) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Sword of Justice (L'épée de justice)" | Didier Pourcel | Benjamin Legrand & Amélie Aubert | September 1, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Before dying, King Edwynn entrusts Xcalibur to Price Erwann’s care and tells him to hide in an underground lake. Upon his return, Erwann is turned into a statue by the demon Kwodahn in front of the very eyes of his daughter, the Princess Djana. Djana meets Herik, a young Shogi monk, who reveals Xcalibur’s hiding place to her. Understanding that only Xcalibur can overcome the evil sorcerer and save the kingdom, Djana decides to recover the Sword of Justice. But Kwodahn is determined to keep her from attaining her goal… | ||||||
| 2 | "The Barbarian (La barbare)" | Didier Pourcel | Benjamin Legrand & Amélie Aubert | September 8, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Djana, accompanied by Herik, travels to the Royal Palace where she asks young King Arthus to grant her the right to keep Xcalibur and fight Kwodahn. But Arthus and the council of princes answer that her father, Erwann, assassinated King Edwynn and stole Xcalibur! Djana and Herik are on the verge of being arrested when a Barbarian named Tara appears and helps them escape. Who is this mysterious young woman, and why did she help Djana? | ||||||
| 3 | "The Heart of The Beast (Le cœur de la bête)" | Clément Estournel | Jean-Christophe Derrien | September 15, 2001 | TBA | |
|
An evil beast is roaming about the lands of the Green Prince, attacking the villagers of Mallory and stealing their souls. Djana and her friends, alerted by the exodus of the local population, try and penetrate the mystery. Will our heroes be able to overcome their own fear? And how ill they discover who is behind the beast? | ||||||
| 4 | "The Request For The Just" | Clément Estournel | Jean-Christophe Derrien | September 22, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Bragan attempts to starve the population which is under the protection of the Green Prince. Duncan, the prince, opposes the Regent and demands an exceptional hearing with the young king. But Kwodahn replaces the Green Prince with a double. Will Djana and her friends understand? Will they come back intact from the World of Clones? | ||||||
| 5 | "A Charming Prince" | Didier Pourcel | Dominique Latil | September 29, 2001 | TBA | |
|
When Djana meets Adrien, the young girl succumbs to the charm of the handsome young man. She doesn’t hesitate a second to take off alone with him to save her father’s castle, which Bragan is threatening to burn down. But she falls into a trap and finds herself locked up in the jail of her own castle. Will Herik and Tara arrive in time to save her and prevent Bragan from taking possession of Xcalibur? | ||||||
| 6 | "The Hexed Chessboard" | Clément Estournel | Benjamin Legrand | October 6, 2001 | TBA | |
|
While the young King Arthus plays a party of chess with his uncle Bragan, our heroes are projected onto a gigantic chessboard, where they must battle chess pieces representing the forces of the Kingdom. Our heroes succeed in taking the upper hand, which infuriates Kwodahn. Djana finds herself face to face with the statue of her father. Will Djana and her friends win this diabolical game? And at what price? | ||||||
| 7 | "The Destiny of the Shogis" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol & Benoit Graffin | October 13, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Herik decodes a message in the Book of Life requesting him to go the Shogi Monastery of the South. He is accompanied by Djana and Tara who find that the monastery is in the hands of Bragan. The surviving Shogis are being kept prisoner. Djana and her companions free a Shogi named Morgan. What they don't know is that Kwodahn placed Morgan under a spell and that the shogi has become an instrument of the forces of evil. Will Herik overcome the resentment of having been betrayed by his friend Morgan? Will Xcalibur, in Djana's hands, be strong enough to thwart Kwodahn's nefarious scheme to annihilate the Shogis? | ||||||
| 8 | "The Wandering City" | Clément Estournel | Benjamin Legrand | October 20, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Herik. Dana and Tara escape from Bragan's soldiers in a flying machine constructed by Herik, which resembles that of Leonardo Da Vinci. They manage as best they can until they arrive at a mysterious ghost town floating above the sea. In the city's streets, filled with colourless buildings, silent living-dead creatures pace back and forth. When the horrible beasts launch an attack against them, our heroes realise they are Kwodahn's puppets. Tara valiantly holds the monsters off while her friends precipitate towards a tower which conceals a strange device that is sapping the surrounding energy. Caught in a trap, they call upon Wip, Djana's mini-dragon. Will he find the defect in the armour-plating of the infernal contraption? | ||||||
| 9 | "The Broken Sword" | Didier Pourcel | Benjamin Legrand | October 27, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Wolff and his Men of the Sea disembark in the kingdom to recover Tara. But the young woman refuses to follow them. Hiding in the deserted castle of Erwann, our heroes try in vain to explain to Wolff that they are on the same side. Faced with Wolff's stubbornness, Djana challenges him to a duel. Kwodahn takes advantage of this casts a spell on Wolff’s sword, while Bragan's troops set off for the castle. How will our heroes escape this double threat? | ||||||
| 10 | "The Test of Blood" | Clément Estournel | Dominique Latil | November 3, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Herik is captured by the Men of the Sea and led to their chief. Wolff' tells the young Shogi that he is his father and that he wants him to remain by his side. Herik refuses, but Wolff cannot resign himself' to letting Herik go. Tara, with whom Wolff is in love, offers to stay if he will let the young man go free. While Djana tries to recover the Book of Life. Herik challenges Wolff to a duel, the outcome of which could be fatal. Which one will win: strength or wisdom? friends win this diabolical game? And at what price? | ||||||
| 11 | "The Slumbering Palace" | Didier Pourcel | Benjamin Legrand | November 10, 2001 | TBA | |
|
When he learns that Djana is trying to get into contact with King Arthus, Kwodahn orders Walka to throw a spell on the Royal Palace. The young King Arthus escapes, but all of the other inhabitants of the palace are plunged into a deep sleep. Our heroes come to the king’s rescue. Will they succeed in thwarting Kwodahn's plot? Will the young king remember the discussion he had with Diana? | ||||||
| 12 | "A Second Chance" | Didier Pourcel | Dominique Latil | November 17, 2001 | TBA | |
|
Due to an error made by Djana, Tara is captured by Bragan and condemned to death. In order to save her. Djana asks Herik to help her journey back in time through the Chessboard. Pursued by Bragan, Djana must act in the past to change it, in this manner perturbing the spacio-temporal continuum. Will she succeed in changing Tara's fate under these conditions? | ||||||
| 13 | "The Lure" | Clément Estournel | Jean-Christophe Derrien | TBA | TBA | |
|
No longer able to stand her quest, Djana places Xcalibur back inside the Cavern of Signs, our heroes are then transported 10 years into the future to a serene Kingdom ruled by the grownup Arthus. Erwann is free once again... But this future, is it really as idyllic as it appears? Or is it hiding a much more appalling reality? | ||||||
| 14 | "Nadja" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol & Benoit Graffin | TBA | TBA | |
|
Led into the Enchanted Forest by her search for a lite girl abducted by a band of Golgoths, Djana is suddenly attacked by another her clone. The other "Djana" manages to take possession of Xcalibur after pushing the real Djana off a cliff into the turbulent waters of the Neverending Sea. Wip and Tara are also taken in by the malevolent doppelganger. Only Herik, alerted by "Djana's" unusual behaviour, manages to escape with the Book of Life.. | ||||||
| 15 | "I Have Faith in You" | Clément Estournel | Jean-Christophe Derrien | TBA | TBA | |
|
Following a tactical error, the members of the Resistance suspect Tara of being allied with Bragan. The Barbarian tries to explain herself, but no one will believe her. Did Tara really betray her friends? Does Djana trust her friend enough to risk her own life? | ||||||
| 16 | "The Seventh Crystal" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol | TBA | TBA | |
|
A giant maelstrom is approaching over the sea and chaos reigns at the frontiers of the kingdom. In order to calm the elements, the Grand Magus has called for a meeting of the seven Shogis in order to reunite their crystals. Our heroes receive a cryptic message from Morgan, the blind Shogi. He asks them to meet him as quickly as possible on the Wandering City... | ||||||
| 17 | "The Forbidden Experience" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol | TBA | TBA | |
|
Arthus finds a mysterious parchment which tells about the supposed existence of an Elixir of Life. He runs away from the Royal Palace to find it, in the hope of resuscitating his father, King Edwynn. Our heroes set off and discover that the Elixir of Life was the outcome of an experiment which the Shogis, upon realising its full danger, had decided to keep secret. | ||||||
| 18 | "The Toll Of The Past" | Clément Estournel | Jean-Christophe Derrien | TBA | TBA | |
|
Tara, mortally wounded, asks the inhabitants of the Wandering City to help her. But they claim that there is nothing to be done for the Barbarian. Djana discovers that the City holds a cargo of dried fish (with incredible regenerative powers) that could save her friend. but she accidentally sets fire to the stock. The guardians of the City decide that Djana will be used as bait for the Creature from the Bottom of the Sea who supplies the City with Dried Fish. Herik opposes these ancient practices. | ||||||
| 19 | "The Enchanted Forest" | Didier Pourcel | Pili Spinoza & Lydie Carré | TBA | TBA | |
|
The code-sphere that created Xcalibur is held secure in the Enchanted Forest by Fedora. Learning that the Sylph's powers have weakened, Kwodahn orders Walka to recover the sphere. Alerted, our heroes come to the rescue of Fedora. In order to regenerate Fedora's powers, Djana returns to the past to recover the ring of her mother, the Sapphire Sylph. Will Djana return in time to save her friends, who are now Walka's prisoners, and recover the sphere from the sorceress's grasps? | ||||||
| 20 | "The Kiss" | Didier Pourcel | Yann Brion & Amélie Aubert | TBA | TBA | |
|
Arthus is dying on his tenth birthday. Our heroes realise that an evil spell was thrown upon the King the day he was born. Djana, Herik and Wip journey into the past to try and discover what this spell is and how to undo it. Meanwhile, Tara goes to the Royal Palace to administer a Shogi remedy to the young king. On her way she meets a druggist who accompanies her. What will our heroes discover in their trip to the past? Will they make it back in time to save the young king? | ||||||
| 21 | "The Strange Sickness" | Didier Pourcel | Dominique Latil | TBA | TBA | |
|
Thanks to Walka's magic, Bragan reduces the peasants of the kingdom into slavery. No one knows what fate the regent has in store for these prisoners who, once released, fall ill with an unknown disease. Djana and her companions try and discover the secret that Bragan in hiding by penetrating the Evil Forest. But courage alone is not always enough when faced with Black Magic… | ||||||
| 22 | "The Dragon's Breath" | Didier Pourcel | Eric Rondeaux & Yann Brion | TBA | TBA | |
|
A premonitory dream convinces Djana that Bragan will soon possess a sword capable of rivalling Xcalibur. But in order to obtain this sword, he needs the breath of a dragon. Our heroes take off for Drakken Braath, the volcano which is the home of the last Great Dragon. But when our heroes arrive, they realise that Bragan and Walka have gotten there first. Will Bragan succeed in forging the evil sword? As for Wip, this adventure will mark him forever. | ||||||
| 23 | "The Promised Land" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol & Thomas Forward | TBA | TBA | |
|
One morning, the Barbarians arrive at the castle of Djana's father and begin to settle in with their weapons and baggage. It seems that Bragan has entered into a pact with Wolf whereby the Barbarian chief would take over from Prince Erwann. Djana tries to persuade Wolff reject this unholy alliance but the Barbarian leader refuses to abandon the land that has long been claimed by his people. His only wish is for his estranged son Herik to join him at the head of the clan. So Herik gets caught up in the conflict pitting Djana against his father. | ||||||
| 24 | "The Ice Fortress" | Clément Estournel | Eric Rondeaux & Amélie Aubert | TBA | TBA | |
|
Thinking that a poor wretch named Algar is the messenger of the Magus Shogi, Djana, Herik and Tara set off on an expedition towards the snow-covered mountains. They do not realise that they are walking straight into Kwodahn's plot. The sorcerer gave Bragan the physical appearance of the Magus Shogi and wrapped the entire monastery in a thick sheet of ice. Thrilled to have liberated his mentor, Herik hands him over the Book of Life - upon his request - but Djana hesitates to do the same with Xcalibur. Suddenly. thanks to Tara, the truth breaks to the surface and the three adventurers must desperately defend their lives from the fierce attack of the cruel Griffin. Just as the Forces of Evil are about to take over. Djana, Herik and Tara discover Algar’s family, held prisoner to oblige the poor peasant to betray them. Standing on the edge of a precipice, will they find a way to escape Kwodahn’s evil curse? | ||||||
| 25 | "The Secret of the Sylphs" | Didier Pourcel & Marc Boreal | Christophe Poujol & Thomas Forward | TBA | TBA | |
|
Walka the sorceress wounds Wip with a poisoned spear. In a Shogi monastery, Morgan, the blind Shogi, sounds the body of the little dragon, which has become surprisingly rigid. Alas, faced with this magic spell, the Shogi doctor is impotent. Only a Sylph can free him. Sapphire, the mother of Djana, is no longer part of this world and Walka has sold her soul to Kwodhan; their only chance to save Wip is Fedora, the Queen of the Sylphs, still asleep in her Water Palace deep inside the Enchanted Forest... | ||||||
| 26 | "The Return" | Clément Estournel | Eric Rondeaux & Yann Brion | TBA | TBA | |
|
Walka has recovered her Sylph soul, yet she would also like to recover her physical appearance. But first, Fedora wants her to repair the evil deeds she did when she was a Sorceress. Walka returns to the Palace, but is arrested by Bragan just as she is throwing a spell on Mussi, King Arthus's nanny. In the meantime our heroes Iearn that Mussi holds a secret upon which the entire future of the kingdom depends. What is this secret and how does it concern Walka? This is precisely what our heroes must try and find out… | ||||||
| 27 | "Golden Eyes" | Clément Estournel | Yann Brion & Amélie Aubert | TBA | TBA | |
|
Our heroes discover that Walka has kidnapped the child of the Green Prince, their ally. The particularity of this little girl is that she has golden eyes. Djana and her friends find the trace of the sorceress and recover the child. They discover that Walka has hypnotised Djana using the baby's golden eyes as a relay for the powers of the two-headed serpent of the Evil Forest, Djana then goes to the royal palace to hand Xcalibur over to Bragan. Will Herik and Tara avoid the trap? | ||||||
| 28 | "The Night of the Two Moons" | Clément Estournel | Benjamin Legrand | TBA | TBA | |
|
The council of princes has gathered at the Royal Palace to treat the Kingdom's problems. An ancient belief holds that the spectre of kings who died a violent death reappears at the conjunction of the two moons. In effect, as the eclipse approaches, King Edwynn's ghost starts to haunt the palace. The young King Arthus is completely distraught. Only Bragan exults, for it is in fact a ghost created by Kwodahn. | ||||||
| 29 | "The Tournament" | Clément Estournel | Jean-Christophe Derrien | TBA | TBA | |
|
Djana and her friends learn that Bragan is organising a tournament, the winner of which will take possession of Erwann's lands. Outraged, Djana flees. The Tournament starts off with a mad race across the Kingdom. Silkar, Janur, the Green, Yellow and Red Princes. Adrien, and a young masked man (who could be Djana in disguise) all participate. Bragan is confident: he is sure that he will be able to confuse the Princess and win the tournament thanks to his protégé Adrien who possesses an indestructible armour. | ||||||
| 30 | "Presumed Guilty" | Clément Estournel | Dominique Latil | TBA | TBA | |
|
To wash her father's name clean, for he is accused of having assassinated King Edwynn, *Diana decides to find the real assassin herself. But clues are scarce and Bragan is determined to keep her from shedding any light on this dark affair. Djana wonders if she will be able to prove her father's innocence in the eyes of the others and, maybe, even in her own as well. | ||||||
| 31 | "The Invisible Monastery" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol | TBA | TBA | |
|
Searching for the fourth monastery, which could shelter his Shogi brothers from Kwodhan's attacks, Herik discovers that it is hidden in an unsuspected dimension inside the Book of Life... But Kwodhan succeeds in infiltrating one of his creatures into this dimension, and. much like a virus, attacks the very strategy point of the monastery. | ||||||
| 32 | "The Initiation" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol & Thomas Forward | TBA | TBA | |
|
While trying to maser the 6th telepathic sense of the Shogis, Herik falls into Kwodhan's trap. His consciousness is trapped inside the body of a Criffin, while his body is inhabited by the spirit of the horrible creature. Will Djana be able to undo the evil spell? | ||||||
| 33 | "Inheritance" | Clément Estournel | Dominique Latil | TBA | TBA | |
|
Walka uses witchcraft to make Djana's Sylph heritage resurface, Disoriented, distraught and panicked by these powers that she does not understand, Djana is manipulated by the sorceress. The young princess confronts her companions and is on the verge of handing Xcalibur over to Walka. Worried over their friend's health, Herik and Tara will have to Djana and secure Xcalibur. | ||||||
| 34 | "The Ice Shogi" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol & Thomas Forward | TBA | TBA | |
|
One by one, the seven Shogis who have been scattered to the 4 corners of the Kingdom disappear. Our heroes carry out an inquiry. They discover that their disappearance is the work of a Shogi who once disappeared himself' in the mountains, and whom Kwodahn liberated from a coat of ice to serve his vengeance. This adversary is all the more fearsome as he himself' is a Shogi and knows their weak points. | ||||||
| 35 | "Vivid Memory" | Clément Estournel | Benjamin Legrand | TBA | TBA | |
|
During a combat with one of the Regent's patrols, Tara receives a blow upon the head and Djana and Herik are forced to quickly carry her off, unconscious. When Tara wakes up, she has lost her memory. She behaves exactly like in a previous life, when she had towed ferocious hatred for the young Shogi and all others like him. Kwodahn, watching from deep within his lair, decides to take advantage of the situation and seize Tara's soul. | ||||||
| 36 | "One Day" | Clément Estournel | Christophe Poujol & Amélie Aubert | TBA | TBA | |
|
Our heroes follow Walka into the past and find themselves in the era when she was a Sylph. They discover that Walka was in love with Erwann, Djana's father... Our heroes now understand the pain that pushed Walka to become a sorceress. But Walka/the Sylph “recognises" Djana and realises her love is hopeless. Desperate, she casts a spell on Erwann to prevent him from ever meeting Sapphire, Djana's mother. Will lose be stronger than mage? Will Djana be able to undo the curse and witness the first time her parents meet? | ||||||
| 37 | "Love and Duty" | Clément Estournel | Dominique Latil | TBA | TBA | |
|
Herik, searching for his roots, wants to find out who his mother is. He takes off to find Wolff his father, who also happens to be king of the Sea People, and discovers all of HIS past. While Djana is in charge of settling a conflict opposing Mallaury's men, Herik becomes conscious of the fact that, due to his double Shogi/Sea Man identity, he could be a catalyst for the unification between the two warring factions. Just as his mother was, Herik is determined to get Wolff to change, but Bragan, on the other hand, has a different plan in mind… | ||||||
| 38 | "In The King's Service (Au service du roi)" | Clément Estournel | Dominique Latil | TBA | TBA | |
|
Freed from her magic spell, Queen Lorna discovers that she is amnesiac. With the help of Wolff, our heroes elude the traps of Kwodahn and escort the queen to theRoyal Palace in the aim of helping her recover her memory. For this, Herik uses the 'psychic fingerprints' that the queen left behind in the Palace. But Kwodahn diverts the process and the queen turns evil, taking sides with Bragan. Will our heroes succeed in breaking Kwodahn's spell, and at what price? | ||||||
| 39 | "Quest For Justice (Le pardon)" | Clément Estournel | Amélie Aubert | TBA | TBA | |
|
Queen Lorna wants light to be shed on the events that rocked the kingdom during her absence. She summons Djana and her companions, requesting their presence at the Royal Palace. Our heroes discover that what is about to unfold is, in fact, their trial! Can they prove Bragan's lies wrong and regain the Queen's trust? | ||||||
| 40 | "The Duel (Le grand combat)" | Clément Estournel | Benjamin Legrand | TBA | TBA | |
|
Following Bragan's disappearance, the kingdom is at peace at last. But Kwodahn launches all of his forces in an ultimate battle, Sylphs and Shogis, People of the Sea, peasants and soldiers, everyone is subjected to attacks from Kwodhan's creatures in a kingdom given over 1o chaos. Will Diana be able to free her father? Will she find the way to Kwodahn's lair and eliminate the demon? Will we finally discover who it is hiding behind the mask of the terrible Sorcerer? | ||||||
Home media
[edit]Anchor Bay released the series on DVD in the UK on 15 November 2004 in the form of a ten-disc box set with four episodes per disc. The set contains an episode guide on the packaging but no other extras. It has a listed running time of 16 hours.
Anchor Bay's release features an error in the ordering of episodes, meaning that the correct chronological order has not been maintained. This particularly applies to the episodes The Secret of the Sylphs (episode 25) and The Return (episode 26), which should in fact immediately precede Love and Duty (episode 37).
External links
[edit]Xcalibur
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Production
Development
Xcalibur originated as a French-Canadian co-production, drawing inspiration from Arthurian legend with a fantasy twist centered on a magical sword. The series was conceptualized in the late 1990s, with initial production announcements appearing as early as 1998.[3] Key creators included directors Didier Pourcel, Alan Best, and Clément Estournel, designer Philippe Druillet, and writers Amélie Aubert and Benjamin Legrand, who contributed to the story and visual elements. Druillet, a renowned French artist known for his work in comics and fantasy illustration, provided the distinctive sword-and-sorcery aesthetic.[3][2][1] The primary production companies were the French studio Ellipsanime and Canadian partners, including Motion International for co-production efforts and TVA International for involvement in the early episodes. Additional collaborators encompassed Gribouille for animation, Ex Machina, Chrysalide, Canal+, France 2, and YTV, facilitating international distribution. By December 1999, the project was already generating sales revenue as part of ongoing animation series development.[6][2][7][3] The development timeline saw the series greenlit for 40 episodes in a single season, with production ramping up through 2000 for a 2001 premiere. Aimed at a children's audience, it incorporated CGI animation to enhance its appeal in global markets, blending heroic quests with elements of bravery and magical conflict.[3][6][2]Animation techniques
The animation of Xcalibur relied on advanced 3D computer-generated imagery (CGI) techniques prevalent in the early 2000s, primarily utilizing Autodesk Maya for modeling, rigging, and rendering, alongside FilmBox (now known as MotionBuilder) for motion processing and integration. These tools enabled the creation of detailed virtual environments and characters, allowing animators to build complex medieval-inspired sets and props with high-quality textures that emphasized depth and material realism within the era's computational constraints.[8][9] Motion-capture technology was integrated to capture realistic movements for human characters and horses, employing optical markers placed on performers to record natural locomotion data, which was then retargeted onto digital rigs in Maya and refined in FilmBox. This approach contributed to fluid, lifelike animations for grounded actions, such as combat sequences and equestrian scenes, blending real-world physics with digital enhancement to overcome manual keyframing limitations for organic motion. For fantasy elements, including dragons and magical effects like daemon summoning, key-frame animation was combined with CGI to facilitate physically impossible movements, such as dynamic camera sweeps and ethereal particle simulations, ensuring seamless integration of supernatural visuals.[8][9] The series adopted a medieval fantasy aesthetic, characterized by striking costumes, ornate sets, and a stylized rather than hyper-realistic look, optimized for 26-minute episodes that balanced narrative pacing with visual spectacle. Vibrant color palettes and textured surfaces, influenced by designer Philippe Druillet's conceptual art, evoked a modern interpretation of Arthurian lore, with post-production stages focusing on lighting adjustments and effects compositing to enhance atmospheric depth and magical glows. However, early 2000s CGI challenges, including hardware limitations and inconsistent rendering quality across episodes, resulted in occasional stylized artifacts, such as bulky horse models during runs, necessitating extensive animator training and iterative refinements over the three-year production timeline.[8][9]Story and characters
Premise
Xcalibur is set in a medieval-like fantasy kingdom where King Edwin rules until he is assassinated by his treacherous brother, Bragan, who forms an alliance with the malevolent warlock Kwodahn to usurp the throne.[1][10] The young Prince Erwann witnesses the murder and, at the dying king's command, conceals the legendary magical sword Xcalibur in an underground lake to prevent it from falling into evil hands.[1][10] However, upon completing this task, Kwodahn curses Erwann, transforming him into stone and leaving the kingdom vulnerable to Bragan's tyrannical reign.[1][10] The central conflict revolves around Princess Djana, Erwann's daughter, who witnesses her father's petrification and organizes a rebellion against Bragan's oppressive rule, aiming to recover Xcalibur and reverse the curse on Erwann to restore the rightful order.[1][10] This quest pits the rebels against Bragan's forces and Kwodahn's dark sorcery, emphasizing themes of bravery, loyalty, and resistance to tyranny as Djana rallies unlikely allies in her fight for justice.[1] The world of Xcalibur draws on Arthurian influences, featuring a realm infused with magic, mythical creatures like dragons, and enchanted artifacts such as the sword of justice, all within a sword-and-sorcery framework that blends medieval aesthetics with fantastical elements.[1][10] The narrative unfolds across a 40-episode arc, progressing from the initial rebellion and sword retrieval efforts to escalating confrontations with Bragan's regime, ultimately building toward the restoration of the true heir and the defeat of Kwodahn's influence.[11][12] Overall, the series adopts a tone of adventurous sword-and-sorcery fantasy designed for young audiences, combining high-stakes action, magical spectacles, and moral lessons on courage and righteousness.[1]Protagonists
Princess Djana is the central protagonist of Xcalibur, depicted as a fiery and determined teenage royal who emerges as the group's leader in their quest to reclaim justice in the kingdom.[1] As the daughter of Prince Erwann, she begins the series sheltered within the palace but rapidly evolves into a bold rebel, driven by her father's petrification and the false accusations against him, showcasing her growth through strategic decisions and unwavering resolve during perilous quests.[13] Her personality blends impulsiveness with sharp intellect, often clashing with allies to push forward, while her arc emphasizes leadership forged in adversity, transforming her from a naive princess to a symbol of resistance against tyranny.[14] Herik serves as Djana's key ally and a young apprentice of the exiled Shogi sorcerers, a secretive order specializing in magic and ancient lore.[15] Rebellious and initially inexperienced, he is entrusted with safeguarding the Shogis' Book of Life, a mystical tome central to their battles, and his character arc focuses on his rigorous training that builds his bravery and magical prowess from a hesitant youth into a confident warrior capable of wielding spells in high-stakes confrontations.[14] Herik's dynamic with the group highlights his role as the intellectual and magical support, often mediating conflicts with his growing sense of duty.[13] Tara, the strong-willed barbarian messenger, brings physical might and nomadic wisdom to the protagonists' band, originating from a coastal tribe displaced by the kingdom's conflicts.[1] Her free-spirited nature and combat expertise make her the group's enforcer, relying on her agility and weapon mastery rather than magic, while her loyalty stems from a personal vendetta against the usurpers who ravaged her people.[15] Throughout the quests, Tara's arc involves deepening bonds with her companions, evolving from a lone wanderer to an integral protector who tempers the team's impulsiveness with pragmatic survival instincts.[13] Wip, the diminutive fire-breathing dragon, acts as the loyal comic relief and emotional core of the group, providing levity amid intense adventures with his childlike innocence and playful antics.[1] Despite his small size, Wip's abilities include scouting and minor flame bursts, but his true strength lies in unwavering devotion, often lightening tense group dynamics through humorous mishaps and heartfelt support.[15] His design twists the traditional dragon archetype by emphasizing vulnerability and empathy, allowing him to form a sibling-like bond with Djana and Herik, enhancing the ensemble's familial cohesion during their odyssey.[14]Antagonists
Prince Bragan embodies ruthless ambition as the primary human antagonist, the treacherous younger brother of King Edwin who orchestrates the monarch's assassination to seize the throne and consolidate power through deceit and alliances with dark forces.[13] His calculating personality drives manipulative schemes, including framing innocents like Prince Erwann, while his arc reveals a deepening paranoia that alienates potential allies like his nephew Arthus.[1] Bragan's role as a traitor king underscores themes of betrayal, positioning him as the political face of oppression in the series' medieval fantasy setting.[15] Kwodahn, the formidable evil warlock and demonic entity, serves as the supernatural mastermind behind the kingdom's chaos, wielding curses and dark magic to empower Bragan's regime and pursue the sword Xcalibur for ultimate domination.[14] His malevolent intellect and shape-shifting abilities make him a persistent threat, with key actions like petrifying Prince Erwann highlighting his corrupting influence that spreads like a plague across the land.[13] Kwodahn's arc builds toward escalating confrontations, revealing his ancient grudge against the forces of justice, and he represents the series' exploration of unchecked sorcery's destructive potential.[1] Arthus, the young heir to the throne and nephew of Bragan, is portrayed as a conflicted figure manipulated by his uncle's schemes, torn between loyalty to family and the kingdom's true heritage as the son of the slain King Edwin.[15] Initially groomed as a puppet ruler, his personality mixes naivety with emerging moral awareness, leading to an arc of gradual disillusionment amid the protagonists' quests that challenges his manipulated worldview.[13] Arthus's role adds nuance to the antagonism, illustrating how innocence can be weaponized in power struggles.[14]Supporting Characters
King Edwin functions as a tragic father figure and moral anchor, the rightful ruler whose assassination ignites the series' central conflict, leaving a legacy of justice that inspires the protagonists' rebellion.[1] Though his on-screen presence is limited, his cursed fate—implied through the enduring impact of his death and the sword's guardianship—symbolizes the kingdom's lost honor, with his final wishes shaping the narrative's quest for restoration.[13] Edwin's character evokes the archetype of the wise, benevolent monarch whose absence propels themes of legacy and retribution.[15] Prince Erwann, Djana's father and a loyal commander under King Edwin, is transformed into stone by Kwodahn's curse after hiding Xcalibur as per the dying king's command, serving as the stoic guardian whose plight motivates the heroes.[14] His honorable and protective nature is evident in his pre-curse actions bridging royal and tribal elements, like alliances with barbarians, while his petrified state underscores his enduring role as a symbol of resistance.[13] Erwann's arc, though static, influences group dynamics through Djana's drive to reverse the curse, highlighting familial bonds in the fantasy framework.[1] The protagonists' interactions form a tight-knit ensemble, with Djana's leadership fostering growth in Herik's bravery and Tara's resilience, while Wip's humor strengthens their unity against shared threats from Bragan, Kwodahn, and the manipulated Arthus.[15] This group dynamic evolves through collaborative quests, blending fantasy archetypes—such as the noble princess, apprentice mage, warrior barbarian, and whimsical beast—with unique twists like Wip's endearing immaturity, creating relatable arcs centered on trust and collective heroism.[14]Cast and crew
Voice actors
The English-language dub of Xcalibur, produced for international broadcasts including Canada on YTV, featured a cast selected to bring youthful energy to the series' young protagonists and antagonists. Ben Small provided the voice for Herik, the heroic young knight, drawing on his prior experience in children's animation such as Make Way for Noddy. Tom Eastwood voiced the villainous Prince Bragan, delivering a performance noted for its swaggering tone in the English version. Jules de Jongh portrayed Tara, Herik's companion, in a role that showcased her versatility in voicing strong female characters early in her career. Supporting voices included Tom Clarke-Hill as Kwodahn and Wip the Dragon.[1][16][17][18][19] In the original French version, produced by Studio O and others, the primary voices were recorded post-animation to align with the CGI visuals. Adrien Antoine lent his voice to Herik, capturing the character's adventurous spirit. Pierre Dourlens voiced Bragan, providing a menacing depth to the antagonist. Nicolas Marié performed as the sorcerer Kwodahn, a key demonic figure. Laura Préjean provided the voice for Tara. Additional supporting roles were filled by actors such as Eramelinda Boquer.[20][17]| Role | English Voice Actor | Original French Voice Actor |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Djana | Joanna Ruiz Rodriguez | Noémie Orphelin |
| Herik | Ben Small | Adrien Antoine |
| Kuro | David Kruger | |
| Tara | Jules de Jongh | Laura Préjean |
| Bragan | Tom Eastwood | Pierre Dourlens |
| Kwodahn | Tom Clarke-Hill | Nicolas Marié |
Production staff
The production of Xcalibur was overseen by a core team at Ellipsanime, the primary French animation studio involved, in co-production with TVA International for the initial episodes. Lead animation directors included Alan Best, Clément Estournel, and Didier Pourcel, who handled episode direction and ensured consistency in the CGI visuals across the 40-episode run.[5] The writing team was headed by Benjamin Legrand and Amélie Aubert, who co-created the series alongside Philippe Druillet and contributed main scripts emphasizing fantasy narratives and character arcs. Additional writing support came from Christophe Poujol, who penned multiple episodes to maintain narrative flow throughout the season.[5] The original score, featuring magical and action-oriented themes, was composed by Ray Fabi, who also created the opening and ending themes to enhance the medieval atmosphere.[5] Other key staff included co-producer Paul Cadieux from TVA International, responsible for logistical oversight, and art director Philippe Druillet, who influenced the medieval-inspired designs. The full-season team remained stable, with no significant personnel changes during production.[5][9]Broadcast and episodes
Broadcast history
Xcalibur premiered on the Canadian youth network YTV on September 12, 2001.[1] The series aired weekly in after-school time slots targeted at children aged 6-12, completing its single 40-episode season on April 1, 2002, with no subsequent renewal due to its niche appeal within the sword-and-sorcery genre.[1] In France, production partner Canal+ began broadcasting the series in early 2002.[21] Internationally, Xcalibur was dubbed into multiple languages for distribution in various markets, including the United Kingdom where it aired on Channel 5 as part of children's programming blocks.[22] These broadcasts emphasized the series' adventurous premise to appeal to young audiences seeking fantasy action content.Episode list
Xcalibur comprises 40 half-hour episodes in a single season, originally broadcast on YTV in Canada starting September 12, 2001. The episodes are structured into three narrative arcs: episodes 1-13 initiate the quest for the magical sword and introduce key conflicts; episodes 14-26 develop alliances and escalating threats from the antagonist forces; and episodes 27-40 culminate in major confrontations and resolution of the central storyline. The animation production maintained a consistent CGI style across all episodes, though later ones occasionally featured enhanced effects for battle scenes. Certain DVD releases exhibit variations in episode sequencing compared to the broadcast order.[23][22] The following table lists all episodes with their titles and original Canadian air dates where available. Air dates for episodes 13-40 are based on weekly scheduling with noted breaks; specific dates beyond episode 22 are not fully documented but fall within the 2001-2002 broadcast period ending April 1, 2002.| No. | Title | Air date | Brief synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sword of Justice | September 12, 2001 | Princess Djana learns of her father's petrification by the sorcerer Kwodahn and sets out to retrieve the legendary sword Xcalibur to break the curse and restore justice to the kingdom.[24] |
| 2 | The Barbarian | September 19, 2001 | The group encounters a fierce barbarian warrior who becomes an unexpected ally in their journey through dangerous territories.[23] |
| 3 | The Destiny of the Shogis | September 26, 2001 | Herik, the apprentice sorcerer, grapples with his heritage on Shogi Island as external threats approach the peaceful community.[23] |
| 4 | The Heart of the Beast | October 3, 2001 | The heroes confront a monstrous creature whose rampage tests their courage and teamwork in a remote village.[23] |
| 5 | The Broken Sword | October 10, 2001 | Djana and her companions deal with a damaged Xcalibur, seeking a way to repair it while evading pursuers.[23] |
| 6 | A Charming Prince | October 17, 2001 | A princely figure with enchanting abilities complicates the group's plans as they navigate courtly intrigue.[23] |
| 7 | The Wandering City | October 24, 2001 | The team discovers a mysterious mobile city that holds secrets vital to their quest against Kwodahn's forces.[23] |
| 8 | The Test of Blood | October 31, 2001 | A ritualistic trial involving familial ties challenges the heroes' loyalty and reveals hidden truths.[23] |
| 9 | Nadja | November 7, 2001 | An enigmatic woman named Nadja joins the group, bringing new skills but also potential risks to their mission.[23] |
| 10 | The Slumbering Palace | November 14, 2001 | Exploring an ancient, sleeping palace, the heroes uncover artifacts that could aid in their battle for the kingdom.[23] |
| 11 | The Hexed Chessboard | November 21, 2001 | A magical chess game with life-altering stakes forces the group to use strategy against a cunning adversary.[23] |
| 12 | The Strange Sickness | November 28, 2001 | A mysterious illness spreads, prompting the heroes to investigate its supernatural origins tied to Kwodahn's influence.[23] |
| 13 | The Enchanted Forest | December 5, 2001 | Navigating a forest filled with illusions and traps, the group seeks a key ally for the next phase of their quest.[23] |
| 14 | The Kiss | December 12, 2001 | Romantic tensions arise as a magical kiss affects one of the heroes, altering their perception during a critical mission.[23] |
| 15 | The Lure | December 19, 2001 | A deceptive trap draws the group into a confrontation with Kwodahn's minions, testing their resolve.[23] |
| 16 | The Dragon's Breath | January 9, 2002 | The heroes face a fire-breathing dragon whose power is linked to an ancient prophecy they must decipher.[23] |
| 17 | The 7th Crystal | January 16, 2002 | Searching for the seventh crystal, the group delves into mystical lore to strengthen Xcalibur's abilities.[23] |
| 18 | The Request of the Just | January 23, 2002 | A plea for justice from an oppressed group pulls the heroes into a moral dilemma against Bragan's regime.[23] |
| 19 | A Second Chance | January 30, 2002 | Past mistakes haunt a character, offering an opportunity for redemption amid rising dangers.[23] |
| 20 | I Have Faith in You | February 6, 2002 | Doubts within the group are challenged as they rely on faith to overcome a seemingly impossible obstacle.[23] |
| 21 | The Ice Fortress | February 13, 2002 | Infiltrating a frozen stronghold, the heroes battle cold and guards to retrieve a vital artifact.[23] |
| 22 | The Return | February 20, 2002 | A long-absent figure returns, bringing new information that shifts the dynamics of the rebellion.[23] |
| 23 | The Promised Land | 2002 | The group journeys to a fabled land promising refuge, but discovers it harbors unexpected perils.[23] |
| 24 | The Secret of the Sylphs | 2002 | Air spirits known as sylphs reveal a hidden knowledge that could turn the tide against the evil forces.[23] |
| 25 | The Night of Two Moons | 2002 | Under a rare celestial event, the heroes experience visions that guide their strategy for the final push.[23] |
| 26 | Golden Eyes | 2002 | A creature with golden eyes leads the group to a hidden cache of magical resources.[23] |
| 27 | The Tournament | 2002 | Participating in a grand tournament, the heroes compete to gain allies and expose Bragan's corruption.[23] |
| 28 | Presumed Guilty | 2002 | One of the companions is accused of betrayal, forcing the group to prove their innocence under pressure.[23] |
| 29 | The Invisible Monastery | 2002 | Seeking wisdom in a cloaked monastery, the heroes learn advanced spells to counter Kwodahn.[23] |
| 30 | Initiation | 2002 | Herik undergoes a sorcerer's initiation rite, unlocking new powers essential for the rebellion.[23] |
| 31 | Inheritance | 2002 | Djana confronts her royal inheritance as political maneuvers intensify around the throne.[23] |
| 32 | The Ice Shogi | 2002 | A frozen version of the Shogi game becomes a battlefield for strategic and magical duel.[23] |
| 33 | Vivid Memory | 2002 | Memories of past events are relived, providing clues to defeat the sorcerer's dark magic.[23] |
| 34 | One Day | 2002 | In a time-limited scenario, the heroes must accomplish a critical task within a single day.[23] |
| 35 | The Forbidden Experience | 2002 | Exploring prohibited knowledge, the group risks everything to gain an edge in the war.[23] |
| 36 | The Toll of the Past | 2002 | The consequences of previous actions catch up, forcing difficult choices for the protagonists.[23] |
| 37 | Love and Duty | 2002 | Balancing personal relationships with royal responsibilities tests the heroes' commitments.[23] |
| 38 | In the King's Service | 2002 | Undercover in the royal court, the group gathers intelligence while avoiding detection.[23] |
| 39 | Quest for Justice | 2002 | The final pursuit of justice brings the heroes closer to confronting the main antagonists.[23] |
| 40 | The Duel | 2002 | A climactic duel determines the fate of the kingdom and the outcome of the long quest.[23] |