Star Wars: Clone Wars, the long anticipated "epic micro-series", launches on Toonami in November 2003 with 10 additional episodes premiering in Spring 2004.

The animated saga consists of a total of 20 episodic shorts and continues where the latest live action feature film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones left off, at the beginning of the Clone Wars, an epic civil war that pits the old Republic against a vast separatist movement led by the forces of evil.

Each episodic short is between two and three minutes in length and will be shown weekdays only on Toonami.

Star Wars: Clone Wars is a joint collaboration between Lucasfilm and Cartoon Network Studios, lead by Cartoon Network's very own Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Samurai Jack and Dexter's Laboratory.

Star Wars: Clone Wars adds an exciting new dimension to the Star Wars saga with new characters, epic battles and intricate stories unveiling a further insight into the epic tale. The cartoon series tells of the valiant Jedi Knights' mission to lead the Republic's Clone Army against many new and ruthless adversaries across the galaxy. These new characters, epic battles and intricate stories promise to add an exciting new dimension to the Star Wars saga.

Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi are among the favourite characters appearing in new animated forms in the first 10 chapters of Star Wars: Clone Wars. Kit Fisto, a Jedi who leads a special aquatic unit of Clone Troopers, leads an amphibious assault on the water planet of Mon Calamari whilst Count Dooku, leader of the Separatist movement appears alongside a fierce female warrior trained in the ways of the Sith. The action in Star Wars: Clone Wars takes place on planets including Coruscant, Muunilist, Mon Calamari and Rattatak.

"Action adventure cartoon fans are going to be in heaven. Not only are we launching the Toonami channel for them but are now providing this animated series from the most popular action adventure movies of all time," said Richard Kilgarriff, Vice President and Director of Channels, Cartoon Network UK, Boomerang and Toonami.

"It is extremely exciting and a great honour to have been chosen to work with Lucasfilm to create this animated series from one of the world's best loved and influential movie series," said Finn Arnesen, Head of Programme Production for Cartoon Network International. "Cartoon Network's creative team is working hand in hand with Lucasfilm to ensure that our common vision for Clone Wars thrills Star Wars fans around the world."


CHARACTER PROFILES

The Jedi
Anakin Skywalker - Obi-Wan Kenobi's apprentice, Anakin is a confident and headstrong 20-year-old with an impulsive nature and a flair for adventure. Anakin's reckless ways can wear down even the most patient Jedi Master. But the young man, who will eventually become Darth Vader, is unusually strong with the Force.

Obi-Wan Kenobi - A Jedi Knight of exceptional skill and wisdom, Obi-Wan Kenobi has guided the young Anakin Skywalker along the path to becoming a Jedi for more than a decade. Reigning in his rebellious Padawan has made Obi-Wan, who gains the title of general during the Clone Wars, both wise and cynical beyond his years.

Mace Windu - A senior member of the Jedi High Council, Mace Windu has experience and wisdom that is legendary among the Jedi Knights. During the Clone Wars, Mace Windu is tapped to lead the Republic Army as a general.

Yoda - The wise and respected Jedi Master Yoda is incredibly powerful in the ways of the Force.

Kit Fisto - This Jedi, with large unblinking eyes and a tangle of flexible tentacles extending from his head, is perfectly suited to his mission during the Clone Wars: leading a special aquatic unit of clone troopers.


The Sith
Count Dooku - A former Jedi, Count Dooku left the order after frequent clashes with the Jedi Council. Dooku is secretly, the Sith Lord Darth Tyranus, apprentice to Darth Sidious, the mastermind behind the Separatist movement. Count Dooku powerfully represents the dark side of the Force.

Darth Sidious- A powerful Sith Lord, Darth Sidious has mastered the dark side of the Force and has manipulated the galaxy to lead the Republic into a massive civil war against the Separatists.

The Republic
Padmé Amidala - The young senator from Naboo is a strong and outspoken leader, as well as a brave fighter when need be. She is also secretly married to Anakin Skywalker and the future mother of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine - The commander of the Clone Army of the Republic, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has been granted absolute authority over the Galactic Senate. Though he seems a compassionate advocate of democratic rule, his true motivations are unclear.

R2-D2 and C-3PO -The spunky, resourceful R2-D2 is a gadget-loaded, squatty, but brave droid. C-3PO is a fussy protocol droid. Together again during the Clone Wars, they find themselves aiding the Republic while getting themselves into, and out of, difficult circumstances.

Captain Typho - Typho, who wears a stern look and a leather eye patch, is the head of Padmé's security force and a constant presence at the senator's side.

Clone Troopers - The army of the Republic is made up of clone troopers, designed for superior physical capability, stamina and mental capacity. The clone troopers, created utilizing the genetic material of bounty hunter Jango Fett, have been crafted as soldiers of exceptional skill who will be completely subservient to their commanders.


The Separatists
San Hill - The Chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, San Hill joined the Separatist Movement in order to profit from the Clone Wars. The Separatists rely on the combined military forces of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, an alliance of institutions that capitalize on disillusionment with the Senate's actions to further their own political and economic agenda.

Durge - A merciless bounty hunter, Durge is encased in thick, menacing armor and wields a variety of weapons. Strong and powerful, Durge is difficult to defeat, even after suffering great injury. Durge commands a force of deadly mercenary droids.

Asajj Ventress - A female warrior who has embraced the dark side of the Force, Asajj Ventress is eager to prove herself to Count Dooku by completing a mission to assassinate Anakin Skywalker. A fierce fighter, she uses two light sabers in her attacks.

Droid Army - The Separatists utilize an army of mechanized, mass-produced battle droids and super battle druids to carry out the fighting. The droids have become highly specialized, with impressive weaponry and the ability to fight in any environment.


EPISODE GUIDES

Chapter One
Like fire across the galaxy, the Clone Wars spread. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine enlists the Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin, to lead an assault on Muunilinst, a Separatist stronghold. As the Jedi prepare to lead the Republic Army to this new battlefront, Anakin must say goodbye to his secret love, Padmé Amidala. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin prepare to lead an assault on Muunilinst.

Chapter Two
The Republic fleet, led by Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, encounters resistance as it enters the orbit of the planet Muunilinst. The Republic's attack gunships manage to land on the planet, where they encounter the Droid Army of the Separatists. Advanced Recon Commandos, the elite shock forces of the Republic Army, are deployed on a special mission within the city, but their ship is shot down behind enemy lines.

Chapter Three
On the planet of Muunilinst, the elite ARC troopers, cut off from their original drop zone, must make their way to an enemy command center. Along the way, they must face off against the Droid Army in a tricky urban battle zone.

Chapter Four
The Separatist leader San Hill panics as the Republic Army advances. But Count Dooku has sent powerful new enemy, Durge, onto Muunilinst. This vicious bounty hunter leads a band of mercenaries toward the heart of the Republic's forces. The Republic Army now faces a challenge greater than ever imagined against this tenacious villain and his forces.

Chapter Five
On the water planet of Mon Calamari, Jedi Kit Fisto leads an attack on Separatist forces. He commands a squadron of amphibious clone troopers for the undersea offensive against a well-armed aquatic squad of the Droid Army.

Chapter Six
Count Dooku seeks a new ally with the power to defeat the Jedi. On the planet Rattatak, he encounters a mysterious fighter who dominates every opponent in the combat ring. She introduces herself to him as Asajj Ventress, a Sith warrior.

Chapter Seven
After denouncing her claims to be a Sith, Dooku challenges Asajj in combat and defeats her. But he is so impressed with her skills that he gives her an important assignment - to assassinate Anakin Skywalker.

Chapter Eight
Back on Muunilinst, Obi-Wan leads a team of Lancer Troops, specialized clone troopers mounted on speeder bikes. Durge and his mercenaries prove to be a stout challenge to Obi-Wan and his army. Meanwhile, the ARC troopers penetrate the enemy command center on another part of the planet.

Chapter Nine
Obi-Wan continues his assault on the Separatist command center on Muunilinst. The Jedi general and his Clone Army takes the battle directly to San Hill and the Separatist Droid Army.

Chapter Ten
Anakin Skywalker is leading the Clone Army in a fierce space battle when a mysterious ship engages him. When the pilot, mysterious Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress, leaps into hyperspace, the impetuous young Jedi follows, ignoring Obi-Wan's orders.