Kickin’ It (2011–2015) Review

“Hi-ya to heart — the dojo comedy that kicked its way into Disney XD history.”


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Lets start by showing y’all the theme song shall we?

🎵 Theme Song

The Kickin’ It theme song is catchy as heck — exactly what you want from a Disney XD action-comedy. Upbeat, high-energy, and filled with shots of kids pulling off flips and kicks, it screams “this is gonna be fun.” It’s one of those openings that sticks in your head long after you’ve finished the episode.


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📖 Non-Spoiler Plot Overview

Kickin’ It follows Jack, Jerry, Milton, Eddie, and Kim — five quirky kids training at the struggling Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy under the eccentric Rudy. Together, they form a ragtag dojo family, learning martial arts, friendship, and plenty of life lessons along the way.

It’s a mix of comedy, action, and heart. The dojo setting gives it a unique edge compared to other Disney XD shows of the era — there’s always a chance for a slow-mo kick or a zany karate stunt. But at its core, it’s about underdogs sticking together and finding confidence.


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👥 Character Rundown

Jack Brewer (Leo Howard) – The natural martial arts prodigy, rebellious but with a good heart. He’s the team’s anchor and the action hero archetype of the group.

Kim Crawford (Olivia Holt) – The only girl in the dojo, tough and determined, often proving she’s just as good (or better) than the boys. She balances Jack’s recklessness with discipline.

Jerry Martinez (Mateo Arias) – The comic relief with a big personality and not-so-big skills. Always messing things up but endlessly loyal.

Milton Krupnick (Dylan Riley Snyder) – The brains of the dojo, nerdy but brave when it counts. His awkwardness often fuels the show’s funniest gags.

Eddie Jones (Alex Christian Jones) – Sweet, clumsy, and often underestimated. He provides a lot of the show’s heart early on.

Rudy Gillespie (Jason Earles) – The eccentric, goofy sensei of Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy. His name alone (Bobby Wasabi) borders on offensive in its cartoonishness, but Rudy’s character sells it with charm and absurdity. He’s a mentor and a man-child all rolled into one.

🥋 Why Rudy is My Favorite Character

Out of all the Wasabi Warriors, Rudy has always stood out to me. On paper, he’s the worst sensei you could possibly have—scatterbrained, immature, and constantly distracted by side hustles or bizarre hobbies. But that’s exactly what makes him the funniest and most endearing part of the show. He treats martial arts less like a sacred discipline and more like a playground, which means every time he’s on screen, you’re guaranteed chaos.

What I love most is that underneath the slapstick, Rudy genuinely cares about his students. He’s the kind of teacher who will absolutely fail at being professional but will always show up when it matters. He’s a mix of comic relief and unexpected heart, the glue holding the dojo together even if he doesn’t realize it.

Rudy’s comedy also lands better than anyone else’s. Whether he’s making wild faces, yelling nonsense in the middle of a sparring match, or trying way too hard to act “wise,” he brings a different energy to the show that no one else matches. Basically, he’s like a kid in a grown man’s body who somehow stumbled into running a dojo—and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

👉 That balance of chaos, comedy, and heart is why Rudy’s my favorite Kickin’ It character.


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😂 Top 3 Funniest Rudy Moments

1. The “Master Plan” Gone Wrong – Rudy tries to impress everyone with an over-the-top kata demonstration, only to trip over his own belt mid-move. Instead of embarrassment, he plays it off like it was part of the routine. Classic Rudy.


2. The Fortune Cookie Wisdom – Every time Rudy tries to give sage advice, it sounds like something he copied from a fortune cookie. My favorite is when he says something dramatic and then admits, “I read that off the back of a soy sauce packet.”


3. Rudy vs. Technology – His ongoing war with anything remotely tech-related. Whether it’s trying to use a tablet to order food or shouting at a vending machine, Rudy turns simple tasks into full-blown slapstick comedy.




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⏱️ Pacing / Episode Flow

Episodes run about 22 minutes and stick to the classic Disney XD formula: set up a goofy dojo or school situation, escalate with martial arts antics, and wrap it up with a feel-good resolution. Across the seasons, arcs include rival dojos, tournaments, and character growth (especially Jack and Kim’s relationship).


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✅ Pros

A surprisingly unique premise compared to other Disney comedies.

Fun martial arts choreography for a kids’ show.

A strong ensemble cast with memorable chemistry.

Jason Earles as Rudy — eccentric sensei energy at its finest.

The theme song is ridiculously catchy.



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❌ Cons

The “Bobby Wasabi” dojo name feels like a cheap stereotype gag.

Later seasons dip in quality, especially after Kim exits in Season 3.

The humor leans heavy into slapstick, which may not land for everyone.



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💭 Final Thoughts

Kickin’ It is pure Disney XD energy: goofy, action-packed, and surprisingly heartfelt. It might not be as iconic as Hannah Montana or Suite Life, but for kids growing up in the 2010s, this was their martial arts comedy comfort show. And honestly? Rudy’s chaotic energy and Jack’s cool factor make it worth revisiting.

Also for me the real MVP of this show has got to be Rudy.

⭐ Rating: 9/10


🚨 Spoilers 🚨

Kickin’ It runs for four seasons, and while it’s mostly a goofy martial arts sitcom, there’s actually a surprising amount of ongoing story and character arcs worth unpacking.

Season 1 – We’re introduced to the Wasabi Warriors: Jack, Jerry, Milton, Kim, and Eddie, all under the not-so-watchful eye of Rudy, the eccentric sensei of Bobby Wasabi’s dojo. Jack instantly establishes himself as the most talented fighter, but he’s also loyal and protective, often standing up to bullies or rivals like the Black Dragons. Season 1 sets the tone: lighthearted, episodic adventures with a mix of karate gags, mall shenanigans, and Rudy constantly proving why he shouldn’t be left in charge of children.

Season 2 – Things escalate. Jack and Kim’s chemistry becomes a bigger subplot, leading to the “will they/won’t they” dynamic that fans latched onto. Eddie fades out after this season, which is kind of sad since he was part of the original lineup. Rudy gets a little more spotlight here too, trying (and failing) to prove himself as a master sensei. The dojo faces new rivals, bigger tournaments, and sillier storylines — including Rudy once pretending to be a ninja master.

Season 3 – Kim leaves the team to join the rival dojo, and her absence shakes up the group dynamic. Jack takes on a more central role as the leader while Milton and Jerry get pushed into weirder subplots (Jerry trying to prove himself as a fighter, Milton trying to prove he’s more than just a nerd). Rudy, of course, continues to be the dojo’s chaotic mascot, stumbling into schemes that usually end in disaster but somehow work out in the end.

Season 4 – The final season dials back to the basics, with Kim returning and the original crew reuniting for one last run. There’s more focus on growth: Milton becomes more confident, Jerry proves he’s more than comic relief, and Jack gets some emotional arcs about loyalty and leadership. The Jack/Kim storyline finally resolves with them officially acknowledging their feelings. Rudy, despite still being a disaster sensei, is shown to genuinely care about his students like they’re family.

Series Finale – The dojo is threatened with being shut down (again), and the group rallies one last time. It ends on a surprisingly sentimental note, showing how much the dojo and their friendships mean to each of them. Even Rudy, for all his incompetence, is celebrated as the glue that kept this weird little family together.


👉 While the show stays light and goofy, the longer you watch, the more you realize it’s about found family just as much as karate.