Ni Hao, Kai-Lan is an American children's television series which aimed at kids ages 2 to 8, and is created by Karen Chau and produced at Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It premiered on Nickelodeon on February 7, 2008 in the United States, with the episode "Dragonboat Festival". The series is based on the childhood memories of the creator, Karen Chau, who grew up in a bicultural (Chinese-American) household.

Premise[]

The series follows the adventures of Kai-Lan and her group of talking anthropomorphic animal companions. The group consists of Kai-Lan, a 6-year-old Chinese-American girl; Ye-Ye, her grandfather; Rintoo, a yellow tiger; Tolee, a gray koala; Lulu a light pink rhino; and Hoho, a white monkey. Each episode is based around a series of events that occur during Kai-Lan's day, along with obstacles that she and her friends are forced to overcome (with "assistance" from the viewing audience) relating to riddles, playing games, and working together. Common rituals may involve Kai-Lan resolving conflicts from her friends when they feel negative emotions. To help them, Kai-Lan has the audience help her figure out why they are having difficult situations. Usually, once Kai-Lan's friends discover that their actions are wrong, they apologize and promise in order to work together better. The audience is usually presented with two musical sing-alongs where Kai-Lan sings about what must be done to overcome her and her friends' challenges. The episode always ends with Kai-Lan successfully helping her friends and everyone getting along. In the Season 1 finale, it is stated that they all live in California.

Other aspects generally featured in episodes are breaking the fourth wall, 11 minutes of interactivity,^[1] a target word that is repeated multiple times,^[2] a few words of Mandarin Chinese vocabulary, and before saying goodbye (at the end of each episode), Kai-lan says, "You make my heart feel super happy!" Later installments added Kai-lan saying this phrase in Mandarin after she said it in English: "Ni rang wo hao kai xin!" Ni Hao, Kai-lan introduces its viewers to the Mandarin Chinese language, along with elements of Chinese culture and values, and intergenerational families (e.g., Kai-lan and her relationship with Ye Ye).

Characters[]

Main article: List of Ni Hao, Kai-Lan characters

Cast[]

• Jade-Lianna Peters: as Kai-Lan
• Clem Cheung: as Ye-Ye
• Khamani Griffin: as Tolee, Howard
• Beverly Duan: as Lulu
• Angie Wu: as Hoho
• Zachary Gordon: as San San
• Jack Samson: as Rintoo
• Frank Welker: as Mr. Dragon

Episodes[]

Main article: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan episode list

Home video releases[]

Main article: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan videography

Broadcast History[]

Country	Channel
United States	Nickelodeon (February 7, 2008-February 15, 2016) Noggin (August 10, 2008-September 27, 2009) Nick Jr. Channel (September 28, 2009-September 30, 2016) Paramount+ (January 19, 2021-present)
Canada	Treehouse TV (February 26, 2008 - February 1, 2022)

Trivia[]

• This is the last Nick Jr. show to use the Nick Jr. Productions logo, as all future Nick Jr. shows use the Nickelodeon logo instead.
• The series was based on the My World short series Downward Doghouse.
• This is one of few Nick Jr. shows to lack a Christmas episode, likely because Christmas is not a holiday in China.
• Kai-Lan is the first Nick Jr. protagonist to have a Chinese background.

References[]

External links[]

• Ni Hao, Kai-Lan at the Internet Movie Database

• Nickstory Archives: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan
• Nickstory Jr. Archives: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan
• Ni Hao, Kai-Lan at TV Tropes