The Jadecats is a high-concept television cartoon series targeted for the preadolescent market. The protagonists consist of five, feline, anthropomorphic superheroes that are versed in dazzling Kung Fu skills, dashing acrobatics, intimidating weaponry, and a pinch of elemental magic. They defend the land from the evil Ratlord and his depraved, mutant minions. The entire premise is based largely on actual legends of the Chinese Zodiac and children's tales of magic and Kung Fu heroism. Accordingly, each of the Jadecats is attuned to one of the five elements of Taoist alchemy: Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, and Metal. Their uniforms, weapon of choice, personalities, and special powers all coordinate with their attuned element. Together, they undergo a variety of entertaining and enlightening adventures for the whole family to enjoy.

The Legend of The Jadecats begins long ago, in the lost land known as Jalí. Many say the lost land was rooted in ancient China, or an island nearby. Others say Indonesia or Malaysia. The truth is, experts have never uncovered evidence that such a land existed. But stories and tales of adventure have been passed down through the ages with passion, awe, and curiosity.

Actual Chinese mythology holds that the legendary Jade Emperor invited the twelve greatest animals of the land to his coronation. He told them that they would be honored in the ceremony by participating in a great race. RAT was not invited. Upon discovering this, RAT became incensed and jealous. He intercepted the royal courier and pickpocketed the invitation intended for CAT. On the day of the race, shrewd RAT rode lazily on the nose of the OX. Nearing the finish line, he leapt from his perch to be the first one to greet the Jade Emperor and win the race. CAT was left sleeping, oblivious to the momentous occasion. The twelve animals (RAT, OX, TIGER, RABBIT, DRAGON, SNAKE, HORSE, GOAT, MONKEY, ROOSTER, DOG, and PIG) were honored according to their finishing place in the race by becoming immortalized in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This explains RAT as the first in the Zodiac cycle and CAT's exclusion altogether (and the resulting animosity between CAT and RAT).

So far, this is documented Chinese Mythology. Here is where the line blurs between Chinese folklore and the imaginative fiction of the Jadecats tale...

Later, CAT found out about the ceremony and ventured to the Emperor's palace, not to claim her place but to save the Emperor from the infamous treachery of the RAT. She crept into the Jade Palace at night and caught the RAT stealing the Emperor's gold and delicacies. She returned the valuables to their proper place and left RAT unconscious by the foot of the Emperor's bed. As CAT was about to humbly sneak out, without credit for the apprehension, the Jade Emperor awoke and witnessed the valor of CAT. Although it was too late to include CAT in the honor of the Lunar Calendar, he instead made CAT his loyal sentinel and mystic guardian. RAT was banished into exile.

RAT was enraged at the judgment of Jade Emperor and stormed from the palace into the wilderness. He happened upon a haunted well (ghost legends are elaborate and exciting in Chinese culture). A voice from the well told frightened RAT to jump in. The voice in the well made enticing promises and wove visions of grandeur. With nothing to lose, in jumped RAT. The next day, he emerged from the well as the Ratlord, an enlarged, half-human/half-rat, possessed by the "Great Moguai" (an ancient demon of Chinese legend). He vowed to take revenge upon CAT, destroy the Jade Emperor, conquer the realm, and pervade the land with his minions of malice.

When the Moon Princess (also the Matron of Cats) learned of the ancient demon's awakening and incarnation into the realm, she magically manifested herself in CAT, just as the Great Moguai did with RAT. She vowed to protect humans from this demonic force that swindled its way from banishment into the mortal realm. She appeared to the Jade Emperor as a giant, winged tiger with jade green eyes. Moon Princess explained the situation to the Emperor. Together, they became a team, battling the Ratlord and his minions. However, she did not count on falling in love with the wise, gentle-hearted Emperor. He too fell in love with her.

Once it appeared that they had defeated the Ratlord, the Emperor convinced her to become human. Without the blessing of her mother, the Moon Goddess, nor the elder gods, the Moon Princess relinquished her immortality and married the Jade Emperor. When the elder gods discovered this, her curse for becoming mortal and marrying a human was that her offspring would not be human. Instead, she had a litter of... Jadecats. However, they were special creatures able to manifest the best of both worlds - the world of the gods and the world of humans.

Without warning, however, Ratlord resurfaced with his demonic horde and slew the Jade Emperor and Empress. In the aftermath, Ratlord rose as the bestial tyrant of the land. When the other honored animals of the Lunar Calendar learned of this, they petitioned to the gods. The gods decided to grant each of them Lord status over their animal brethren, making them vaguely humanoid in appearance, and powerful enough to keep the Ratlord from unbalancing the power of the land. Thus, the Beastlords were born. However, the gods were still annoyed with the decision of the Moon Princess and Jade Emperor. The gods decided it would be the offspring of the Moon Princess and Jade Emperor that were responsible for saving the human race. Thus, the legacy of The Jadecats was born.

During the vengeful attack of the Ratlord, the Jade Emperor's loyal manservant managed to flee with the young Jadecats and hid them in a secluded mountain monastery. Resident warrior monks recognized them as the legendary Jadecats of prophecy. They raised the Jadecats in the monastery, knowing they would someday save the realm from the demonic Ratlord. The monks trained the Jadecats in Kung Fu and helped them to manifest their mystic powers—a power over the five universal elements. They also realized that the Jadecats were effectively demigods and thus partly immortal. They each had nine lives.

So the show tells the tale of the Jadecats, the Beastlords, and the Land of Jalí. The adventures are filled with exotic culture, mystic legends, sizzling action and mysterious intrigue. It is a story that must be heard.

The land in which the Jadecats reside is known as Jalí. It's an antiquated setting, vaguely reminiscent of ancient China. It could be the legendary Penglai Island. However, there might be scenes that look like fairy-tale Europe, colonial Hong Kong, or even India or Malaysia. Occasionally, Japanese, Tibetan, and other Asian folklore will also sneak their way into episodes, rounding out the whole exotic experience.

There are no signs of modern technology or references to modern day life. The town where most of the activity centers is called Vinchi. The leader of the community, Baron Lee, is also the father of Tai Ni—a recurring secondary character. The human villagers revere the Jadecats as their heroes and protectors. There is a natural acceptance, albeit a fearful one, of their magic and magic in general. Unfortunately, the authorities consider the Jadecats to be mutant vigilantes.

Mystical creatures such as dragons and ghosts are common in Chinese folklore. Along with the Beastlords and the Immortals, they will often be guest characters on the show, such as Muhammad's wise cat Muezza or Japan's Maneki Neko.

While the Jadecats have nine lives, they have forgotten how many lives each has left. So they're always vigilant. Their "lives" are expended by "near-death experiences." This will allow for brave sacrifices without the need for any deus ex machina. But at the same time, tension will be created as they count down the last of their lives.

The Jadecats dwell in a secret fort known as the Guan. It's actually built into a large tree, like a pagoda and an ancient oak meshed together. The Ratlord and his minions live in a sinister underground tunnel system known as the "Rat's Nest" with "Rat Lines" running under many of the regions.

The Jadecats show is geared towards a Saturday morning cartoon. Although tempered for a younger audience, Kung Fu fighting is one of the highlights of the show. The "camera angles" and the highly-stylized movements are indicative of Hong Kong action cinema, right down to the variation in fighting styles and bodily nuances from character to character. Visually speaking, it ought to be its own crossbreed between Anime and Disney-style animation. There is a fast pace to the rhythm, sped up and intensified during the fighting scenes.

Each episode begins and ends with a brief prologue and epilogue from the Bearded Ghost. He narrates a foreshadowing in the beginning of the episode and delivers a principle or teachable moment at the end—similar in fashion to a Zen koan. The importance of this highlights Paul Robert Herman's interest in developmental psychology, the cultivation of world interests, and the facilitation of moral encouragement in the today's youth.

It's also important to mention that, as an Asian cultural enthusiast and Kung Fu expert, Paul Robert Herman could also serve as technical advisor, style authenticator, and research consultant for episodes that he doesn't happen to write or produce.

Also, visitors to the website should make note that the illustrations and trailer animation are not the actual visual renditions and animation for the show. They merely serve as a visual key to the door of imagination, simply providing interested parties an idea of the characters and setting of the show, as well as to demonstrate the sincerity of our intent to make this vision a reality.