Combo Niños

Combo Niños is an English-language French animated television series created by SIP Animation in collaboration with Jetix Europe and TF1, aimed towards the 6–10 years old audience.[2] The series is about the adventures of 4 juvenile capoeira practitioners with the mission to protect the city of Nova Nizza from attack by mystical creatures from another dimension called "Divinos".[3]

Combo Niños
Genre	Action
Created by	Carlo de Boutiny Caroline Pierce Fabienne Gambrelle
Directed by	Jean-Jacques Lasarte
Voices of	Main: Christopher A. Kent Robert Allison Antonio Amadee Sarah Brohee Oscar Cheda Chloe Dolandis Rayner Graanchen Lissa Grossman Matthew Jorden James Keller Wayne Legette Additional: Stacy Schwartz Cecifia Torres
Composer(s)	Alain Garcia Noam Kaniel
Country of origin	France
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Stéphanie Kirchmayer Jacqueline Tordjman Marc Buhaj
Producer(s)	Bruno Bianchi Christian Leblanc
Running time	22 minutes
Production company(s)	SIP Animation
Distributor	Disney–ABC International Television[1]
Release
Original network	Jetix (international) TF1 (France)
Picture format	HD: 16:9 [lower-alpha 1]
Original release	August 2008 (August 2008)[2]

The Combo Niños have the ability to transform into mystical beings in animal form by touching one of the totems that appear on the creatures. This form gives them unique skills that serve them in the battle against the Divinos and to perform special attacks called Big Blastico, used to return a Divino back to its own dimension.

Setting

The series takes place in an environment similar to Latin American countries, but especially Peru, Brazil, and Mexico. This is evidenced by clothing, food, and names, as well as the use of the Capoeira style of fighting. Also, some characters play a sport called Novanoc that parodies the ancient game of the Mayans, the pok-ta-pok.

Characters

The children

The children are the Combo 4, each of them being 11 years old: Serio, Paco, Azul and Pilar.

• Serio: His totem is the Tigrillo. Serio is quiet, yet is quite charismatic. He likes poetry and art, but sometimes he does not like to admit it and does not boast of their abilities. He is funny and sarcastic, and he is secretly in love with Azul, but is afraid to declare his love. When he becomes the Tigrillo his skills are: speed, agility, and strength in his claws.
• Paco: His totem is the Bull. Paco is competitive and tough, although at times he shows great pride and likes to show off, especially in his favorite sport, Novanoc. Paco becomes somewhat shy and has very bad temper when annoyed by something, and is occasionally foolish but is a very nice person and a good friend. When he becomes the Bull, Toro, his abilities are superhuman strength, capable of demolishing a building and cause waves sound clash, besides being very big.
• Azul: Her totem is the Eagle. Azul is quiet and serious, likes fashion and is intuitive, but she becomes quite bossy. Azul has a device for the detection and location of the divine call DivinoBerry and battles. As the most intelligent, she plans how to stop and catch the Divinos. Azul doesn't know Serio likes her but, over time, she falls for him too. She has a phobia of insects and snakes (in the cases of Insecto Gigante and Mama Conda respectively). When turned into the Eagle, her skills are: Fly, cause powerful gusts of wind, bird control and produce high pitched sonic sounds.
• Pilar: Her totem is the Iguana. Pilar is eccentric, cheerful, likes many strange things, including eating things like insects, seafood and even some plants, although her favorite food is frozen pistachio nuts and blackberries. Pilar is very different from the others, especially when dancing or playing instruments. Sometimes she becomes insecure. In addition to being innocent she is very easily distracted, even in battles, but still can occasionally have ideas that help in the battle, even if her plans seem somewhat crazy. When she becomes Iguana, her skills are elasticity in many parts of her body.

The Masters

The children are mentored in their activities by "The Masters".

• Master Grinto is the teacher of the Combo Niños in terms of capoeira and the fight against the Divinos. He was formerly a Combo boy himself; his totem is the Monkey. The children rely heavily on Grinto, especially in problems they have in their lives. He helps by encouraging them and showing them the right way, and usually always mentions the phrase "Don't you think? I think." He works as a librarian at the school where they study.
• Old Head is another combo Master of the children, and was formerly also a Combo and Grinto's teacher. His totem is Dragon Wing. Old Head is quite literally just a head, because while he coached Grinto in a battle against a Divinos, he ended up going to the Divino's world, and as punishment for being a teacher, his body was completely converted into a stone head. Yet he retains his life and supports Grint in training the Combo Niños, although his character is somewhat rough and wants to impose the classical, or 'old-school' form of training. His real name is Bernie.

Divinos

The mystical creatures from another world that previously have been in the world of humans but caused chaos and disaster, until they were returned to their own world. Most of them seek conquest of the world of humans but are trapped in their world. Unfortunately, Diadoro's ambition has led them back to return to the world of humans, and although Diodorus wants them to follow his orders, they ignore him, though some are interested in helping him until it's time to break free and try again to conquer the world by themselves. The Divinos each display one of the Four totem symbols on their body that, when touched by the child with the corresponding animal, allows them to transform into their Animal Forms.

Other characters

• Diadoro was previously the mayor of Nova Nizza, but because of his lust for power, he ended up losing in the last elections. He looks for ways to oust the Mayor and regain his title, so, with the help of his assistant Gomez, look for portals where they can invoke the Divinos they need to oust the Mayor, but always ends up losing, because the Divinos often betray him and don't follow his orders.
• Gomez is a scientist who knows where to locate all the portals of the Divinos and how to invoke them for help as ordered by his boss, Diadoro. He's always inventing gadgets to summon the Divinos, and also to try to control them, at which he always ultimately fails. Even if he is little more than a slave to Diodorus, Gomez always supports him.
• Miss Solidad is the teacher of the school where the Combo Children study. She is quiet, nice and likes to teach children, even using some games and having fun with them, but is limited by Director Bronka because he thinks she does not teach the children properly.
• Director Bronka is the director of the school. He is gruff and strict, insisting that the children are 'properly' educated, no matter what happens outside or how well teachers teach, especially with Miss Solidad.
• Mayor Ruelas is the Mayor of Nova Nizza and almost every time Diadoro is defeated she finds a way to discredit him further than he already is.
• Michael is a school boy and a fan of the Combo Niños, even without knowing that his classmates are the Combos.
• Millie is a school girl and Michael's greatest friend. She gets along very well with everyone and is cheerful.
• Ralph is a school boy and even though he's in a wheelchair he is an excellent player of Novanok, and also makes piñatas.
• Telmo is another companion of the Combo Niños. He is Paco's great rival and buddy of Pearl.
• Pearl is a school girl who is very rich. Believes she is the best and spends his days annoying everyone, especially Pilar, because she is jealous of her.

Episodes

No.	Title [4][5]	Written by	Storyboarded by	Divino(s)	Original air date
1	"Double Niños"	Michael Ryan	Laurent Bru & Daniel Dubuis	Duplico	TBA
An all singing, all dancing Divino named Duplico causes trouble by turning into anyone he touches.
2	"Insecto Gigante"	Mark Hoffmeier	Daniel Dubuis & Laurent Bru	Insecto Gigante	TBA
Azul has to deal with a Divino who can control all the bugs in town, which is her worst fear!
3	"Big Bad Buffbullo"	Chris Brown	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Laurent Salou	Buffbullo/Parasito	TBA
A talent show is held in Nova Nitza which the kids attend. Serio thinks the only talent he has is to train a Divino - Buffbullo to be more specific.
4	"Masks"	Michael Ryan	Daniel Dubuis & Laurent Bru	Calamar Perro Cerebro	TBA
Diadoro and Gomez are bound to find out who the Combo Niños are, so with the help of a Dog divino, they attempt to take them.
5	"Dream Divino"	Ernie Altbaker	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez	Senor Sueno	TBA
Senor Sueno, the master of sleep is released and causes the Nova Nitza citizens to fall into a deep sleep themselves!
6	"Merry Merry Mariachis"	Mark Hoffmeier	Daniel Dubuis & Laurent Bru	The Merry Merry Miriachis	TBA
A trio of music-playing Divinos cause everyone in town to dance non-stop to their endless music!
7	"El Gaseoso"	Michael Ryan	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Laurent Salou	El Gaseoso	TBA
A very stinky Divino causes a huge stinkbomb in town, while Pilar solves the problem of green gelatin.
8	"Gah Gah Boom Boom"	Chris Brown	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Laurent Salou	Baby Dragon and its Mother	TBA
The School's classroom takes a look at a baby Ocelot. As that is going on, a wild baby Dragon Divino wrecks havoc.
9	"Kissy Kissy Love Love"	Simon Jowett	Daniel Dubuis & Laurent Bru	Kissy Kissy Love Love	TBA
A Divino named Kissy Kissy Love Love captivates everyone in Nova Nitza, but is really hiding a big secret behind it...
10	"Viva Selvasa"	Ernie Altbaker	Stéphane Annette	Selvasa	TBA
Selvasa rules the plants in different areas, but is waiting to rule a city with its powers.
11	"Nizza Knights"	Mark Hoffmeier & Ernie Altbaker	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Daniel Dubuis	The Undefeatable Sportivo	TBA
Diadoro releases an almost undefeatable Divino in order to win over his team.
12	"Super Agua Señor"	Ian Carney	Matthieu Cordier	Super Agua Senor	TBA
Old Head takes hold of training when Grinto feels sick. Meanwhile, Diadoro and Gomez release a Divino who can help put the Nova Nitza Park back to them.
13	"El Gecko"	Art Young	Daniel Dubuis & Laurent Bru	El Gecko	TBA
Diadoro releases a Divino who can vandalise an entire town after being infuriated by a campaign held by the Combo Niños to keep Nova Nitza tidy.
14	"Bickering Birdateers"	Simon Jowett	Franck Leguay & Roland Boschi & Nicolas Viegeolat	Loro and Ave	TBA
Diadoro and Gomez release 2 bird Divinos who do nothing but argue with each other!
15	"The Fantastico Super Niños"	Ernie Altbaker	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Marc Crévisy	Gizmo	TBA
Diadoro attempts to make a TV show based on the Combo Niños, only to release a robotic Divino for the recording.
16	"Attack of the Combo Divinos"	Mark Hoffmeier	Marc Crévisy & Franck Leguay	Duplico, Insecto Gigante and Buffbullo/Parasito The Combo Divino (Combination of Duplico, Insecto Gigante and Buffbullo)	TBA
The Niños accidentally sell the items where 3 Divinos were placed in on Nizzabay to Gomez and Diadoro, who release them back to Nova Nitza through the help of a device created by Gomez. Master Grinto and Old Head sent out to help the Niños with this situation.
17	"Mama Conda"	Agnès Bidaud & Pierre Monjamel	Laurent Bru & Mizuho Sato Zanovello	Mama Conda and her Children	TBA
A mistake causes a huge snake Divino to be released to the world. Azul goes ahead to conquer her fear of snakes with an unlikely friend by her side...
18	"Monkey Madness"	Ian Carney	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Daniel Dubuis	Mono and his Monkey Army	TBA
A Monkey Divino attempts to turn Nova Nitza into a town full of primates!
19	"Night of the Zotz"	Erika Stéhli	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez	Zotz	TBA
The Divino Zotz wants to get what he wants - turning everyone into creatures like him!
20	"Into the Divino World"	Erika Stéhli	Laurent Bru & Mizuho Sato Zanovello	Elefanto Deceptiva	TBA
Pilar accidentally heads into the world where the Divinos live. The other Combo Niños must save her.
21	"Kid Grinto"	Art Young	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Marc Crévisy	Elefanto Chiquito	TBA
The wild kid Divino Chiquito, turns Mestre Grinto into a kid again, and not any old kid - a really wild one!
22	"The Ol'Switcheroo"	Chris Brown	Laurent Bru	Cambiador	TBA
A pixie-like Divino threatens to switch Nova Nitza with the Divino World!
23	"The Luckiest Luck"	Erika Stéhli	Marc Crévisy & Franck Leguay	Lady Luck	TBA
Serio loses a lucky charm, and he's up against a Divino of luck!
24	"The Divino Code"	Ian Carney	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez	Cerebrino	TBA
Cerebrino, a very brainy Divino gets revenge on Grinto by challenging him to a game of intelligence.
25	"Paco Strikes it Rich"	Art Young	Jordi Valbuena Hernandez & Marc Crévisy	Avaricioso	TBA
Avaricioso gets released by Diadoro and Gomez, allowing the latter to gain the fame he wants at becoming mayor of Nova Nitza.
26	"Divino Doro"	Simon Jowett	Laurent Bru & Mizuho Sato Zanovello	Magnífico	TBA
The most handsome Divino; Magnífico takes control of Diadoro's body to make him look more handsome than before.

Production

Combo Niños was produced by French animation studio SIP Animation, with animation work done by the Malaysian studio Inspidea.[6]

The series was originally announced in October 2004, with delivery planned for the first quarter of 2006, and an expected budget of approximately US$370,000 per episode. At the time, the character of Diadoro was envisioned as a "down-on-his-luck e-trader".[7]

Broadcast

Besides Jetix in Europe and Latin America, the series has also been broadcast on several other networks.

• In Australia, since a Jetix Channel doesn't exist in the country, the show aired on free-to-air services Seven Network and 7TWO (which Disney had a partnership with Seven's parent company for many years).[4]
• In France, the series aired on TF1 (on the TFOU block) before Disney XD (Jetix France rebranded months after the show's premiere on the channel), due to the fact they co-produced the show. The show would premiere on Disney XD in December 2009.
• In the United Kingdom, as well as Jetix, the series aired on the GMTV-owned (Which Disney held a 25% stake in at the time) Toonattik strand, which itself aired on ITV1 and CITV.
• In Turkey, the show aired on Kanal D.
• In the Middle East, the show aired on MBC 3, who aired other Jetix programming.

Reception

The series has been appraised as part of a well-needed fresh wave of television programming at the time.[8] The concept of introducing young viewers to capoeira via an animated medium has been viewed positively, though some aspects were criticized as not ideal.[9]

References

1. "Jetix onboard Combo Ninos".
2. "Jetix Europe, SIP Animation & TF1 to Co-Produce Combo Ninos". Animation World Network.
3. "Combo Niños". August 29, 2008 – via Le Monde.
4. "TV Tonight". TV Tonight.
5. "All Seasons - Combo Ninos". digiguide.tv.
6. "WORKS". Inspidea Animation.
7. "Cool New Shows!".
8. "Combo Niños llega a México, cortesía de Jetix". November 26, 2008.
9. "Les Combo Niños débarquent !". www.capoeira-france.com.

1. Cropped to 4:3 on most airings.