Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this anime-style action cartoon is very obviously tied to an extensive line of Bakugan toys, and young fans may quickly start begging their parents to buy them. Characters in the show frequently play the central tie-in card game, and, when they aren't playing, they spend most of their time discussing it. That said, other than the obvious commercialism and some cartoon fantasy violence involving the Bakugan beasts, the show is age-appropriate for tweens.
Families can talk about the connection between entertainment and marketing. Like many shows aimed at kids, this series is tied to lots of merchandise. But this link may seem more obvious here than in other shows. Do you think this show can be enjoyed on its own, or is it too much of a toy commercial? How has connecting toys and TV shows two changed the way we choose what shows to watch -- and what toys to buy? Do you think a TV network would want to air a show that didn't have any good toy tie-ins? Why or why not?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Will Wade
Dan (voiced by Scott McCord), the main character in BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, has only one ambition -- to be the top-rated Bakugan player -- and most of this anime series focuses on his efforts. It shows him playing Bakugan (a complicated game that combines playing cards and small monster figurines that transform into huge creatures and attack each other), making plans for his next match, coming up with new strategies, and gossiping about other players. In fact, the entire show centers on the Bakugan game. The series tries to add another dimension to this fairly limited story by introducing a parallel plot about a different dimension, Vestroia, where an evil monster is trying to take power. Through a mysterious accident, the monster ends up on Earth as a Bakugan beast. His rival, Drago (Jason Deline), follows, hoping to foil the nefarious plan, and becomes the most powerful Bakugan creature in Dan's collection.
Though many modern kids shows are tied to merchandising campaigns, the marketing message in Bakugan (which is associated with an extensive line of toys and other products) is much more overt than most other programs and will be obvious even to tweens. But young kids may not notice it, and those who like the show will almost certainly start clamoring for a trip to the toy store.
Bottom line? The show isn't much fun for anyone who realizes it's just a big commercial, and it's consumerism waiting to happen for anyone who doesn't.
Better action-oriented cartoons for this age group include Avatar: The Last Airbender and Jackie Chan Adventures.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentNo sex or nudity. But, as in many other anime shows, some of the female characters wear clothes that simultaneously emphasize their childishness and show more skin than seems age-appropriate. |
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ViolenceA significant portion of each episode centers on "battles" based on a complicated game using cards and small balls that transform into fearsome creatures that attack each other. These beasts look dangerous, but there's little actual physical contact or violence in the fights. |
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Language"Butt," "crud," "dorkus," and other mild name-calling is about as bad as it gets. |
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Social BehaviorDan, the main character, is obsessed with becoming the top-ranked Bakugan player and often ignores his parents and teachers in favor of playing. Female characters tend to have minor roles and seem to be there mainly to support Dan. Some of the main Bakugan creatures are actually from another dimension and are engaged in an epic battle between good and evil. |
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CommercialismThe show often seems like a massive marketing campaign for Bakugan toys. Characters are frequently shown playing the central, complicated card/ball game, and, when they aren't playing, they discuss their strategies and rankings or arrange matches. The cards and balls are also available for sale in the real world, and -- perhaps not coincidentally -- both the cartoon and the merchandise were developed by Sega Toys. |
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