Located in a strip mall, the Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy is known as the worst dojo in the underperforming nationwide Bobby Wasabi chain. To improve the dojo's image, a tight knit crew of underdogs enlists Jack to join and help teach them about life, karate, and friendship. Additionally, the members of Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy must always follow the Wasabi code: "We swear by the light of the dragon's eye to be loyal and honest and never say die. Wasabi!"
On November 11, 2010, Disney XD ordered martial arts inspired comedy seriesWasabi Warriors, a working title, which was created by Jim O'Doherty, who has previously worked on Grounded for Life and 3rd Rock from the Sun. Jim O'Doherty and Marc Warren serve as executive producers, while Joey Scott serves as producer. Starring in the series are Jason Earles as Rudy, Leo Howard as Jack, Mateo Arias as Jerry, Dylan Riley Snyder as Milton, Alex Christian Jones as Eddie, and Olivia Holt as Kim. The multi-camera series would begin production in Hollywood in January 2011 for a 2011 premiere and would be a production of It's a Laugh Productions. On May 16, 2011, Disney XD announced that the series would be premiering as Kickin' It on June 13, 2011. The series was inspired by Jim O'Doherty's childhood growing up on Long Island, New York, where he earned a green belt in martial arts, but was forced to end his training when his local dojo closed down and was turned into a veterinary clinic. This childhood connection to martial arts, combined with three of his daughters' interest in karate, laid the foundation for the premise of the series. On September 21, 2011, Disney XD renewed the series for a second season. On November 5, 2012, Disney XD renewed the series for a third season, with Alex Christian Jones not returning. On August 21, 2013, Disney XD renewed the series for a fourth season, with production to start in Los Angeles in November 2013 for a 2014 premiere. It was also announced that Olivia Holt would be leaving the series to star in Disney Channel's comedy series I Didn't Do It.
Broadcast
In the UK and Ireland, the series aired on Disney XD, where it aired as a preview on July 21, 2011, and officially premiered on September 1, 2011. In Australia and New Zealand, the series aired on Disney Channel, where it aired as a preview on December 31, 2011, and officially premiered on August 25, 2012. In Australia, the series premiered on Disney XD on April 10, 2014. In Malaysia, the series premiered on Disney XD on September 24, 2012.
Ratings
The series premiere of Kickin' It launched as the highest-rated series premiere in Disney XD history, including when the network was known as Toon Disney. The series premiere garnered 873,000 total viewers and performed well in key demographics, with 578,000 viewers among kids 6–14 and 393,000 viewers among tweens 9–14. Additionally, it marked as the number-one series premiere of all time among kids 6–11, where it received 431,000 viewers.
