Krazy Kids: Trip To Tokyo

Kent Butterworth

Barry Caldwell

Alfred Gimeno

Art Leonardi

Byron Vaughns

Tom Ruegger

Sherri Stoner

Christopher Sanchez

Patrick Roberts

Danny Cooskey

Joe Alaskey

Maurice LeMarche

Frank Welker

Rob Paulson

Cree Summer

Candi Milo

Jonathan Miller

Edie McClurg

Sorrel Booke

and many more

Don Davis

Albert Lloyd Olson

Richard Stone

Stephen James Taylor

Mark Watters

***Krazy Kids: Trip To Tokyo*** is a 2000 American direct-to-video animated comedy film from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Featuring the regular characters from the Nickelodeon animated television program *Krazy Kids*, the film follows them going on a special field trip to Tokyo, Japan, mainly focused on Aiden Henderson being class leader, Bryan and Ian-Deheza training to be samurais, Robin in search of his favorite movie star, and other characters with their roles. Some Sailor Moon characters such as Usagi, Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako, Mamoru, Chibiusa, Umino, Haruka, Michiru, Naru, Hotaru, and others (except for the villains) also appear in the film.

Steven Speilberg was the executive producer of the film, which was written by Paul Dini, Nicholas Hollander, Tom Ruegger, and Sherri Stoner. Japanese animation studio Tokyo Movie Shinsha (now known as TMS Entertainment) produced the animation for the film. Trip To Tokyo was released on both VHS and LaserDisc formats on Sunday, September 23, 2001. It was the second animated film to be released direct-to-video in the United States. The film was later aired on television as four separate *Krazy Kids* episodes.

The film was one of the highest selling videos in the United States, listing on *Billboard* magazine's 40 "Top Video Sales" for 16 weeks as of November 2000. Points of praise by critics included the film's jokes and celebrity caricatures, while points of criticism included the segmented plot. Themes of the film included parodies of pop culture and field trips. The film was released to theaters on September 12, 2015.

## Synopsis

A paper falls from a plane and landed on the lawn of Howard D. McMillan High School, and the Krazy Kids are going on a special field trip to Tokyo, Japan.

## Voice Cast

### Uncredited

Frank Rodriguez - Haruto Aki

Damian Gonzales - Michael Gonzales

Gilbert Roberts - Antonio Hill

Vincent Guerra - Mighty Mike, The Berry Triplets and Travis Tarzer

Beckle and Deckle, Danky Dave and Little Richard

The Sailor Moon voice actors reprised their character roles from the series.

## Production

In 1995, a Dennis & Travis magazine reported that Nickelodeon was planning the release of Trip To Tokyo, then referred to as a "Krazy Kids home video". Plans for the film began in the mid-1990s after Krazy Kids premiered on television in the mid-1970s. Nickelodeon discussed with executive producer Steven Spielberg whether the film should be released in theaters, but Spielberg insisted on a direct-to-video release. Spielberg said that he wanted to make the film a direct-to-video release because "animated features are ideally suited for the repeat viewing," a factor he found important to the genre's appeal to those watching animated films at home. In an interview for the *Los Angeles Times*, executive in charge of production Jean MacCurdy did not specify the budget of the film, but stated that it was far more costly than episodes of Krazy Kids. According to Hal Erickson's *Television Cartoon Shows: an Illustrated Encyclopedia*, the budget of the average Krazy Kids episode was approximately $450,000.

Trip To Tokyo was written by series writers Paul Dini, Nicholas Hollander, Tom Ruegger, and Sherri Stoner. Ruegger also produced the film, and Steven Speilberg was the executive producer. The film was animated by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, a Japanese studio. The film had eight directors: Rich Aarons, Ken Boyer, Kent Butterworth, Barry Caldwell, Alfred Gimeno, Arthur Leonardi, Byron Vaughns, and Aoyama Hiroshi. The film is about 95 minutes long.

## Themes

One of the main hallmarks of Trip To Tokyo was the parody of film, popular culture, and celebrities. *Videos for Kids* noted that the film makes fun of "California culture and youth" with the use of celebrity caricatures, such as those of Roseanne Barr, Johnny Carson, Arsenio Hall, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, and Sylvester Stallone. The film makes fun of other cartoon characters, such as those of *Superman*, *The Simpsons*, *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*, *Who Framed Roger Rabbit*, *The Ren & Stimpy Show*, *Beavis and Butthead*, *Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs,* and *The Little Mermaid*. Stacy and Angel's travels down the river are a parody of the film *Deliverance*.

Jean MacCurdy said that Trip To Tokyo makes fun of school field trips by mocking "the boredom of school and some of those excellent plane trips" (an issue that was first explored in *National Lampoon's Vacation*). In the film, Jose's clinginess is very taxing for Bryan and Ian-Deheza; they are disgusted by the clings and are nearly killed by an escaped lunatic that what teachers mistake for a hitchhiker (he happens to be a caricature of Jason Voorhees). The film's fictional theme park, "Tokyo Joyland, is a spoof of Disneyland. The film also parodies the THX logo and its corresponding Deep Note by parodying the original 1988 “Cimarron” trailer, when Eduardo and Andrew are at the movie theater.

## Home media releases and broadcast

*Trip To Tokyo* was released direct-to-video on August 29, 2000. The film was released on VHS and LaserDisc formats. MacCurdy said that the film was released at that time to take advantage of the Easter market.[4] Because retailers had high demand for the film, Viacom shipped to them nearly two million copies, which the *Los Angeles Times* noted as "a second record for direct-to-video programs".

Trip To Tokyo was the second direct-to-video, feature-length animated film released in the United States. At the time, the concept of a direct-to-videoanimated feature was so strange to consumers that some mistakenly thought Trip To Tokyo was a collection of Krazy Kids episodes.

The film later aired on Fox Kids on September 5, 2001,[16] as four Krazy Kids episodes, episodes 97 through 100. Nickelodeon began to release the Krazy Kids series on DVD, in volumes, on July 29, 2008.[17] The company released Trip To Tokyo for the first time on DVD on August 23, 2015 (7 years later).[18] The Hub, a television channel, has shown the film as a "Hub Family Movie."

## Reception

Reviews ranged from positive to mixed. Giving three out of four bones, the *VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever* highlighted the parodies in the film, and noted that "Parents will be [as] equally entertained [as children] by the level of humor and fast-paced action". Film critic Leonard Maltin gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying the film was "[e]pisodic," but praised the voice cast, songs and "funny business". *TV Guide* called the film a "firecracker", citing the film's many jokes. The book *Videos for Kids: The Essential, Indispensable Parent's Guide to Children's Movies on Video* praised the "tongue-in-cheek humor" and celebrity caricatures but issued warning to parents, stating that the film may not be appropriate for "children too young to identify satire" because the characters in the film "are rude and combative" and may not be positive role models. *Videos for Kids* still concluded that the film "should provide an enjoyable viewing experience for the whole family". Dennis Hunt of the *Los Angeles Times* said that the format of a direct-video film was "unusual", but that some parts of the film were "hilarious", especially the scenes which make fun of Walt Disney World. Since its release, Trip To Tokyo has been rated as one of the "Top 20 (U.S.-Produced) Direct-to-Video Animated Films" by *The Animated Movie Guide*.

Rating the film a "A+" overall, Steve Daly of *Entertainment Weekly* noted that while the film was "superior to most TV fare", he called the film a "pandering kidvid make-over" of the SchoolToons cartoons on which Krazy Kids was based, saying the characters were mature and the content was "fast and being funny". A 2000 issue of the *Video Watchdog* was particularly critical, calling the film "a full bag" that "sacrificed (...) a cohesive plot for an outline that allows various teams of characters to come up with four stories." The magazine also questioned the point of using characters heavily based on the classic SchoolToons characters instead of using the classic characters themselves.

The VHS release of Trip To Tokyo was one of the highest selling videos in the United states; on the *Billboard* charts, the video ranked 14th in sales in April 2001. In May 2001, Trip To Tokyo rose to 10th in video sales. On July 18, 2001, Trip To Tokyo had been on *Billboard Magazine*'s 40 "Top Video Sales" for 16 weeks. On November 25, 2001, the film was ranked the 5th highest on *Billboard*'s "Top Kid Video". On February 6, 2003, Trip To Tokyo had been on the "Top Kid Video" list for 41 weeks. While it did not state the revenue of the film, the *Toronto Star* stated that the film sold so well that Nickelodeon decided to release videos of Krazy Kids episodes. The film is also a spoof parody of the 1992 Tiny Toon Adventures special *How I Spent My Vacation.*

## Transcript

[The film begins with the Paramount Mountain logo with stars surrounding it and the Nickelodeon logo. We then see Duncan Duck in the blue and green title square on the red wall as he waves at the camera which then shows a news reporter with people in a beach scenery]

John McCain: We're live from the Tokyo Olympics. Next on the ski run is the class from Miami, favourites to win this event. [as he's talking the camera pans over to Aiden on a pair of skis] Coached by Mr. Diaz, first up is class leader, Aiden. The fastest teen on the slopes. I'm sure he won't let Diaz down.

[The lights go green and Aiden skis off down the slope]

Sue Harker: And he's off to a flying start!

John McCain: This is gonna be a very fast time for the downhill run.

[Suddenly, however, Aiden loses control and skids and slides down the slope and off the course]

John McCain: Oh, dear. That doesn't look good. Oh, no! He's lost it!

Sue Harker: He's left the course and gone off piece!

John McCain: Goodness me! He's flying alright but he's out of control!

[Aiden is heading straight for Mr. Diaz, who's just finished building a shed. Just as he is about to start cutting another log, Aiden speeds past and breaks through the shed walls, leaving a big hole, much to Diaz's dismay]

Sue Harker: Oh, he'll lose points for that!

[Aiden crashes into a sand drift with his legs sticking out]

John McCain: Oh, it's all over! He's snowed under!

[The title comes up: "Krazy Kids: Trip To Tokyo". The whole thing is then revealed to be a dream as Aiden wakes up yelping in fear]

Aiden: Aaah! [pants]

[He looks around at Max, Jose, Bryan, Ian-Deheza, Jasmine, and the others who are all still fast asleep. He then sees Duncan, who is wide awake]

Duncan: (quacking)

Aiden: Oh, Duncan, [walks up to him] I just had a really bad dream. I dreamt that I messed everything up. It was horrible. Oh, we've got this big job far away in Tokyo at the Olympic Games. I'm so excited but can I tell you a secret? It's just... well... I'm kind of scared too. Ms. Peña's going to be busy in the skiing competition so she can't help on this job and Mr. Diaz has asked me to be team leader. But what if my dream comes true? What if I do let Mr. Diaz down?

Duncan Duck: [quacking reassuringly while shaking his head]

Aiden: I won't? I hope you're right. Diaz! Diaz! Wake up, Diaz! Diaz!

[In Diaz's house, Diaz wakes up and stretches. He then notices what time it is and jumps out of bed]

Mr. Diaz: Oh, no! Look at the time!

[He walks over to the window and opens the blinds]

Mr. Diaz: Oh, goodness me. Um... Sorry, team! My alarm didn't go off! Oh, it's a good thing I can rely on you, Aiden! Right. I'd better get a move on. We've got a plane to catch.

[He rushes off to get ready. Dennis and Travis are in a trailer as Drake drives along the road]

Drake: (chuckles) It's going to be fun having Duncan at the farm while Diaz is away.

Dennis: Yeah, I've never looked after a duck before.

Travis: Well, you did say you always wanted to do that.

[Later, Mr. Diaz loads Duncan into Drake's trailer next to Dennis and Travis]

Duncan: (quacking)

Mr. Diaz: Now, you be a good girl for Mr. Brown.

Aiden: I'll miss you. Wish you were coming with us too.

Duncan: (quacking)

Dennis: Don't worry, Mr. Diaz. Dennis and Travis the duck sitters are on the job!

Travis: Please don't start this now, Dennis.

Travis: Come on, boys! We'd better go! Diaz has a plane to catch!

Scoop: Bye, Duncan. [uses his bucket to close the trailer door as Travis drives off] Look after yourself.

Teens: Bye, Duncan. See you later.

Jose: Bye-bye, little furry thing.

Bryan Gul: This trip to Tokyo is sure to be a good one.

Ian-Deheza: Yeah, and dude, remember the last time we wanted to learn how to be samurais?

Bryan Gul: Yeah, I do. I always wanted to be a samurai.

José Martinez: Bryan, what's a samurai?

Bryan Gul: Samurais are the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century to their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the daimyo (the great feudal landholders). They had high prestige and special privileges such as wearing two swords. They cultivated the bushido codes of martial virtues, indifference to pain, and unflinching loyalty, engaging in many local battles. Though they had predecessors in earlier military and administrative officers, the samurai truly emerged during the Kamakura shogunate, ruling from c. 1185-1333.

José Martinez: Wooow. I wanna be a samurai, too.

Bryan Gul: (laughs) Okay, José. But it takes a lot of training to do so.

Jasmine Morano: Yeah, take my Japanese friend Kanako for instance, she always wanted to be a samurai as well. She started training when she was 12. And now she's still a samurai.

Bryan and Ian-Deheza: Woooaaahhh.

Elias Perets: Now, we better check to see if we've got everything before we go.

Julian Puig: Eli's right. But we'd better make it quick. The plane leaves soon.

Aiden: Do you have everything, Mr. Diaz?

Mr. Diaz: Yes, Aiden. Now let's go or [putting on his sunglasses] we'll miss the plane.

Aiden: Come on, everybody, let's all go to Tokyo, Japan!

Teens: Yeah! Alright! Come on! Let's go!

Aiden: [as he starts to walk out of the building with Mr. Diaz] Um, Mr. Diaz, you do have your passport don't you?

Mr. Diaz: (gasps in realization and Aiden stops) Passport! Oh, no! Uh, Oh, I don't know. Scatterbrain. [chuckles to himself as he goes to get it]

Hailey: Well, looks like all the hurrying has got him forgetting his passport.

Erik Martinez: Well, you know what they say, Hailey: You win some, you lose some.

Sebastian Mengoni: But don't worry guys, he'II be back in a bit.

Jasmine Morano: I bet Dennis and Travis will take good care of Duncan at the school's vet. Shame they're missing out on the trip.

Vextorian Vixon: Don't worry, Jas. We'II tell them all about it when we get back.

Maximus Ortiz: Yeah, besides, they have their own job of being comedians, as long as they don't do anything chaotic that is.

Devin Torres: Well, at least they're having fun right now.

[Meanwhile]

Dennis: Hey, Duncan, what yummy things do you like to eat? [sees that Duncan's not there] Duncan? Oh, no! Quick, Drake! Duncan's gone!

Drake: Gone? Maybe he followed Mr. Diaz!

Travis: Well, come on, let's get him back!

Dennis: Hurry, Drake!

[Travis turns around. Back at the yard]

Aiden: We'll catch up with you!

Emma Jane: Okay, boss. See you later.

Duncan: [quacking]

[Duncan sneaks into Aiden's suitcase unbeknownst. Later, the clasd make their way to the bus. The scene then dissolves to the bus driving to Miami International Airport and stopping next to the entrance on the parking zone. The class then make their way to the plane. We then view Dennis and Travis following them while Drake drives them to the plane]

Dennis: There he is! Faster, Drake!

[The class get on the plane just as they arrive]

Dennis: Aiden! Stop! Oh, no! [jumps out of the trailer] Wait here, Drake!

Travis: Hurry, boys! The plane's leaving soon!

[Dennis and Travis jump over the barrier onto the plane. Inside]

Aiden: Okay, everyone. You heard what Mr. Diaz said. I'm in charge. So, make sure you all stay in your places and don't make too much noise.

Jasmine Morano: Okay, boss.

Ivy Jones: You got it, Big Aid.

Harry and Larry: Roger that, Aiden.

Dennis: (panting) Duncan! Duncan! Come back here!

Aiden: Dennis, Travis! What's going on?

Travis: Duncan's hiding in your suitcase, Aiden!

Aiden: Hah! That's the silliest thing I've ever heard! I think I'd know if there was a duck in my... [yelps seeing Duncan in his suitcase like Travis said] Duncan!

Dennis: Stay there!

Duncan Duck: (quacking)

[Duncan runs off into the passenger room in the 2nd floor of the plane with Dennis and Travis in hot pursuit. They leap and eventually grab her, which Mr. Diaz and Mr. Sierra notice, much to their surprise]

Bob: Dennis?! Travis?! Duncan?! What are you doing here?! [takes his earphones out]

Mr. Sierra: Yeah. Aren't you two supposed to be at the school's vet right now?

Dennis: Oh, uh, Pilchard wanted to come with you, Diaz and Sierra. He hid in Aiden. But I've got him now so we'll just be getting back before the plane leaves.

Mr. Diaz: I'm not so sure about that, boys. Look.

[Dennis and Travis look out of the window and sees that they're right. The plane has already left]

Dennis: Uh-oh. But it wasn't our fault, guys.

Mr. Sierra: We know, boys. Looks like you and Duncan are coming to Tokyo too.

[Back with the Teens]

Jasmine Morano: (imitating Aiden) I think I would know if there was a cat in my... [gasps and yelps]

Jasmine and Ivy: (laughing)

Aiden: I told you to keep the noise down.

Jasmine Morano: Aye, aye, Captain!

Everyone: (laughing)

[Mr. Diaz and Mr. Sierra arrive]

Mr. Diaz: (laughing) You guys sound like you're having fun!

Jasmine Morano: (through laughter) Yeah. Yes, Mr. Diaz.

Freddie Wilson: So, what's going to happen to Dennis, Travis and Duncan now?

Professor Jax: Well, we're going to let them come along and let Mr. Brown know about it. It's too late to take them back anyway.

Jessie Martinez: Okie-dokie. It'II be fun to have them along for the ride anyway.

Melissa McGarth: If you say so, Jess.

Mr. Diaz: In a few days time, Tokyo is having a Olympic Games competition with our city, Miami.

Sebastian Mengoni: Oh, are we in the games, Mr. Diaz?

Mr. Diaz: No. But we've got an important job to do for Miami's mayoress.

Kumin Gul: Oh. What is the job, Mr. Diaz?

Mr. Diaz: We're going to build a special minka for her to stay in.

Kumin Gul: Oh, that's nice. Um, what's a minka?

Aiden: I know. I know. Oh, pick me. Pick me.

Bob: Okay, Aiden.

Aiden: It's like a house built out of erecting wooden columns on top of a flat foundation made of packed earth or stones.

Mr. Diaz: That's right.

Bryan Gul: Wow. He knows a lot about different houses in different countries compared to me. He's like a house informer if you ask me.

Ian Deheza-Zapata: Yeah. Besides, if you and I knew about houses as well, we would become house informers, too.

Bryan Gul: Yeah, you said it, dude.

Kumin Gul: I wonder what it would look like inside of the minka since I love to see new houses I've never seen before.

Naina Deheza-Zapata: Same here. I've always been interested in seen new houses since I was 3.

Kumin and Naina: Right, big brother?

Bryan and Ian-Deheza: Why, yes, little sisters.

Mr. Diaz: I want this to be the best job we've ever done, class.

Mr. Sierra: And I'm sure it will be, Mr. Diaz.

[The scene changes to the plane flying along then a map with a red line showing the class heading to Tokyo before cutting to them coming up the staircase]

Mr. Diaz: Phew. I thought that staircase would never end.

Ivy Jones: Yeah!

Aiden: Wow! Mr. Diaz, look at it! It's amazing! That's the most beautiful city I've ever seen!

Mr. Diaz: Oh, wow!

Ivy Jones: [gasps] Oh, wow!

Jasmine Morano: It's beautiful!

Dennis: It looks like somebody styled it!

Travis: It looks like there's anime and manga everywhere.

Jack Jones: It's like a legendary wonderland.

Hailey: If you ask me, it's like it's ancient all year round.

Romney: Can't argue with that, Hails.

Vextorian Vixon: We're going to have a great time here. I just know it.

Aiden: Come on, everybody. Chop-chop.

Everyone: Come on! Let's go!

[They head into the city where a band is playing with japanese instruments. Bryan and Ian-Deheza stop and watch as a brown haired woman in red robe named Haruka Fujikawa hold her katana and swings it and a strong gust of wind blows on Bryan and Ian-Deheza, causing both of them to spin for one second]

Bryan Gul: Wow! That was cool! (tries to pretend to swing a katana but spins and falls to the ground then gets back up]

Ian Deheza-Zapata: (laughs) That's really hard for you, huh, dude?

Bryan Gul: Yeah. It's kinda hard actually.

[They head over to the hotel to join the others as Ms. Peña comes out]

Mr. Diaz: Hello, Ms. Peña!

Ms. Peña: Hi, everyone! Welcome to Tokyo, Japan!

Everyone: [all greeting Ms. Peña at once]

Ms. Peña: Oh, it's so good to see you all. Did you have a good journey?

Romney: Yes, we did. It's good to see you again too.

Julian Puig: Plus, we had a couple of stowaways on board.

Duncan: (quacking)

Dennis: (nervous chuckle) Hello, Ms. Peña.

Travis: Hi, Ms. Peña.

Ms. Peña: (laughs) So I see. (to Haruka who has just arrived with her partner Hinata Akamine) Haruka, Hinata, meet Mr. Diaz, Mr. Sierra and his class students.

Haruka: (in a Japanese accent) Welcome. We are being pleased to meet you.

Ms. Peña: Everyone, this is Haruka Fujikawa and Hinata Akamine.

Ivy Jones: Fujikawa? Isn't that the name of the mountain in this country?

Hailey: You could say that.

Mr. Diaz: (shaking Haruka and Hitana's hand) Nice to meet you, Haruka and Hinata.

Ms. Peña: They're in charge of the Olympic Games. And they're pretty good samurais too.

Haruka: We try. [Haruka swings her katana and cuts an apple in half with one strike]

Hinata: We sure do. [Hinata also swings her katana and cuts an pear in half with one strike]

Everyone: (cheering in amazement)

Ms. Peña: (laughs) Well, I never. What skilled warriors.

[A parrot named Natsumi starts chewing on Travis's bow tie]

Travis: Hey! Stop! That's my bow tie!

Haruka: (laughs) You have met Natsumi.

Mr. Diaz: (chuckles) A nibbly colorful parrot.

Haruka: He likes to eat all sorts of things and nibble them. You have to be watching her very closely.

Mr. Diaz: (chuckles)

[A japanese boy named Yuzuki riding a red sandmobile speeds into view]

Yuzuki: Zoom, zoom, zoom!

Haruka: And this is Yuzuki, Diaz-san. Yuzuki will be happy to drive you during your stay.

Aiden: Oh, that's okay, uh, I always drive Mr. Diaz around.

Yuzuki: Oh, but your vehicle doesn't have sand tracks. You see, this thing is specially made to drive in the sand. It's a sandmobile.

Mr. Diaz: I think it'll be safer if I ride with Yuzuki in his sandmobile while we're here, Aiden.

Aiden: Oh. Okay, Mr. Diaz.

Jasmine Morano: Cheer up, Aids. You've got plenty of other things to do for Mr. Diaz now. You're class leader, remember?

Aiden: Yeah. You're right, Jas. I am.

Robin Le Pen: (in his French accent) Haruka, what a beautiful name for love. So colorful, yet so beautiful. Please "Mon Cheri", let's find a quiet spot to line up and find out if we're a perfect match.

[Robin tries to kiss Haruka, but Hailey pulls him by his ear away from her]

Hailey: (drags Robin away by his ear) Haven't you learned by now that you shouldn't play if you can't win?

Julian Puig: Sorry about that, Haruka. Robin kinda has this "in love" intuition when it comes to girls.

Haruka: That's okay.

Hinata Akamine: Never thought Haruka was attractive to boys. Well, sometimes or often.

Romney: It was really funny every time he did that. (chuckles)

Roger Perez: He once did that to Ms. Peña and Ms. Atkinson when we first came to Howard D. McMillan High School.

Ms. Peña: Yeah. How could I forget that?

Vextorian Vixon: It was pretty annoying at the same time though.

Ivy Jones: Hey, guys, look where we're sleeping. Whoo-hoo!

Mr. Diaz: That looks great. Aren't you lucky?

Aiden: Now let's all get a good night's sleep. We've got a tough day tomorrow. Good night.

Everyone: Night. Nighty-Night. Good Night.