Ben & Izzy
Encyclopedia
Ben & Izzy is a Jordan
ian three-dimensional
, computer animated
children's
television series
. It was produced by Jordan's rising educational and CGI animation company Rubicon
. This series follows the adventures and developing friendship of two pre-teenaged boys known as Ben and Izzy, whom are from the United States
and Jordan respectively, as well as a desert genie
known as Yasmine, whom takes the form of a young girl closely resembling the age of the boys.
Despite the fact the series was produced in Jordan, it was primarily released in English for international purposes before its official Arabic
dub in 2008. The series was created primarily to entertain, but it was also created as an educative experience about certain aspects of Arab history, and how it affected Western
culture, which is also the forming of the bond between the Western Ben and the Eastern/Arab Izzy. This in turn represents a comprehendible and possible union of Western and Eastern/Arab cultures, in spite of the current prejudice views of each culture in the other. There are currently 13 episodes created, although 26 were originally planned.
, where they accidentally free the genie Yasmine who had been imprisoned for hundreds of years.
The three of them soon realize that with their respective talents combined, they become the dream team, preserving history and saving the world!
(2010)
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
ian three-dimensional
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
, computer animated
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
children's
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
television series
Cartoon series
A cartoon series is a set of regularly presented animated television programs with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes typically share the same characters and a basic theme...
. It was produced by Jordan's rising educational and CGI animation company Rubicon
Rubicon Group Holding
Rubicon Group Holding, also known as Rubicon Studios, is a Middle Eastern digital content production company based in Jordan. Founded in 2004, Rubicon develops entertainment and educational content across multiple platforms and handheld devices including feature films, television series, short...
. This series follows the adventures and developing friendship of two pre-teenaged boys known as Ben and Izzy, whom are from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Jordan respectively, as well as a desert genie
Genie
Jinn or genies are supernatural creatures in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings that occupy a parallel world to that of mankind. Together, jinn, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of Allah. Religious sources say barely anything about them; however, the Qur'an mentions that...
known as Yasmine, whom takes the form of a young girl closely resembling the age of the boys.
Despite the fact the series was produced in Jordan, it was primarily released in English for international purposes before its official Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
dub in 2008. The series was created primarily to entertain, but it was also created as an educative experience about certain aspects of Arab history, and how it affected Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
culture, which is also the forming of the bond between the Western Ben and the Eastern/Arab Izzy. This in turn represents a comprehendible and possible union of Western and Eastern/Arab cultures, in spite of the current prejudice views of each culture in the other. There are currently 13 episodes created, although 26 were originally planned.
Story
The boys first meet through their archeologist grandfathers in JordanJordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, where they accidentally free the genie Yasmine who had been imprisoned for hundreds of years.
The three of them soon realize that with their respective talents combined, they become the dream team, preserving history and saving the world!
Season 1
Ben, Izzy and Yasmine get to know each other and explore many countries in the Middle East, looking for precious artifacts that were lost in time. Thanks to her genie powers, Yasmine whisks the boys to different times and lands to beat Clutchford Wells, whose sole interest is to sell the artifacts with no regard to how it would alter world history.(2010)
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Innocents Abroad and Trouble Afoot |
| 2 | Treasure Obscura |
| 3 | In harmony’s way |
| 4 | A flight of fancy, a fancy of flight |
| 5 | Sailing, Sailing |
| 6 | Stars in their Eyes |
| 7 | I, robot. You, loser |
| 8 | The Mane event |
| 9 | Rug of War |
| 10 | Check, mate |
| 11 | Easy as ABC |
| 12 | What’s up Doctor? |
| 13 | The Pearl of Life |
Characters
Designed by Yazan Khalifeh :- Yasmine - a young genie with amazing powers.
- Ben - an 11 year old American sports fan.
- Izzy - an 11 year old Arab Jordanian boy who loves technology.
- Prof. Jake Martin Ben's grandfather and feisty archeologist.
- Prof. Omar Aziz - Izzy's spry grandfather, a scholar and a wiry man.
- Clutchford Wells - a greedy millionaire seeking nothing but material gain.
- Roxanne - Wells's mute assistant
Development
The characters were created by young rising artist, Yazan KhalifehVoices
- Lucy LiuLucy LiuLucy Alexis Liu is an American actress and film producer. She became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal , and has also appeared in several Hollywood films including Charlie's Angels, Chicago, Kill Bill, and Kung Fu Panda.-Early...
- Yasmine - Kath SoucieKath SoucieKatherine Elaine Soucie is an American voice actress. She is sometimes credited as Kath Soucie, Katherine Soucie, Kath Souci, Kath E...
- Izzy - Annie MumoloAnnie MumoloAnnie Mumolo is an American actress and screenwriter. She was born in Irvine, California.-Acting:She is a member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings. She appeared in the 2005 feature film Bewitched, and television shows such as The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Out of...
- Ben - Mark HamillMark HamillMark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...
- Jake - Brian CummingsBrian CummingsBrian Cummings is an American voice actor.-Biography:He is known for his work in radio and television commercials, television and motion picture promos, cartoons and as the announcer on The All-New Let's Make a Deal from 1984 to 1985...
- Omar - Clancy BrownClancy BrownClarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
- Wells - Phil Proctor - Twain