Danny Phantom - TV-Y

Teen with phantom powers offers laughs, battles.

TV Rating: TV-Y Network: Nickelodeon Cast: Kath Soucie, Rob Paulsen, David Kaufman Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this series is funny, but it's often violent and may be too much for sensitive kids. Death threats, torture, knives, and violence against women are commonplace. The main character suffers from bullying, shyness, and being the odd one out.

Families can talk about the amount of violence in this cartoon. Why does such a clever show need so many battles? Is Danny's dad oblivious to what goes on in his house? Why does Danny choose to hide his powers from his mom and dad? Do you think it's easy to keep secrets from your parents? What's the benefit of keeping parents in the dark?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Joly Herman

When DANNY PHANTOM mistakenly stepped into a ghost portal at the wrong time (as if there's a right time) and was turned into a phantom, his whole life changed -- literally.

Little by little, Danny began to notice a transformation as he became half ninth grader, half phantom. He discovered that he could fly and that whenever a ghost is nearby, a blue vapor trail escapes from his mouth. All of these changes were distressing but exciting -- much like the changes that come with adolescence.

So why didn't he tell his parents about his secret? They're experts in paranormal activity, after all. But Danny's had a hard enough time just dealing with the ups and downs of being a freshman at Casper High School. He's a shy oddball who has eclectic friends and weird parents. Not to mention that a bully named Dash and the hip-but-twisted school principal have it in for him.

This cartoon can be funny, and the characters are unique. But, as is the case with so many contemporary cartoons, the rush to violence overshadows the good aspects of the series. Death threats, torture, knives, and violence against women are commonplace. There's no opportunity to work things out. Danny is either a coward or a hero -- there's no in between. He either fights or perishes, which is a heavy choice for a sensitive guy.

The Jekyll and Hyde aspect of Danny's personality is also disturbing; his eyes change color and his personality is more aggressive when he slips into his phantom persona. Ultimately, the show suffers for giving into the violent mainstream.

Kids and parents might also like Kappa Mikey or Time Warp Trio.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Danny fights ghosts without hesitation; prolonged battle scenes with scary and sometimes gross violence.
Language Some potty humor.
Message
	Social Behavior Diverse group of friends; women are basically treated as equals, except the mom, who is brilliant but subservient.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco