The show definitely tries to teach good morals, but it is mostly a product placement and a broken record. I did like the beginning of the series though. It was quite funny then.
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Pokemon
(Rated TV-Y, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart, Where to watch: Cartoon Network, CW, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
As much about marketing as it is imagination.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Pokemon
Parents need to know that this series has very simplistic dialogue and themes and is part of a gigantic licensing juggernaut. The often cute-and-cuddly Pokemon monsters appeal to kids as young as 4 or 5, but the subject matter -- pitting monsters against each other using a multitude of attacks -- may not be appropriate for them. The battles the monsters participate in can get fairly violent, with laser blasts and explosions. Characters strive to battle honorably, respect their elders, and care for their monsters, which partly balances the show's violent premise. That said, the fact that the characters have pet-like subordinates that they summon to do battle on their behalf is a bit disturbing.
Read our full review by Betsy Wallace and Emily Ashby
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the excitement when Pokemon first came to the United States. Why were the characters so popular? What kind of tie-in products were sold that were so unusual and alluring to kids (and collectors of all ages)? What do kids know about cross-promotion or using cartoons to sell goods? Which Pokemon is kids' favorite? The youngest viewers may have fun inventing and drawing their own kinds of Pokemon. Families can (and should) also talk about the differences between Pokemon characters and real-life pets. How do Ash and his friends care for their Pokemon? How about Team Rocket? Why will the Pokemon fight for the humans? How do we care for pets differently? Can we ever expect animals to fight on our behalf?
Our Members Say
See all 53 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Repeating plot over and over with only new characters
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
It's a children's cartoon for everyone!
I think that Pokemon is a great show, however there are a few things you need to be aware of. Pokemon trainers use Pokemon in battle, moves vary from being very weak to very strong. In almost every Pokemon episode, there's something explosive involving Team Rocket. Sometimes, they use guns, but not ones with bullets. Also, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, Pokemon trainers use medicine to heal their Pokemon, sometimes the Pokemon are taken to hospital, and sometimes Brock goes into a pharmacy. There are some positive messages. It's educational because Ash & the gang always get along with new people they meet. (Social skills.) The positive messages are that sometimes you don't win, but keep trying... (something like that) Also, Ash & the rest are great role models for children. Overall, it's a brilliant show but sometimes the end is predictable.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Perfect show
I started watching two years ago. I fell in love with the story and and characters. It was when it appeared on boomerang I started recording it. I would watch it before school and after. I wouldn't have the friends I have when I started going to the school I'm at now. We had something in common Pokemon. =)
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Here is a quote from Fox News. 'The standoffs are about as nonviolent as a fight can be. The losers don't die, they just faint.' And, another thing, you have to have a reason to hate it. You can't just go, "I don't like it" just for no reason.(This happens all the time at my school.) There is nothing wrong with this show, or the games. And I have a book of gaming world records, and in ther it has a quote from my least favorite part of my religion, the Christian Coalition. They say these outlandish things like demons are gonna make an army of satanists that'll take over the world. Two words. Total, bull. Also, I found on Fox News that a ten year old boy used a FOAM PELLET gun to make his classmate give him Pokemon cards. That has nothing to do with Pokemon, that kid just has issues. Oh yeah, guess what else? Even if it is 'all about marketing' that's good for the economy. You spend your money on Pokemon stuff, Nintendo emploees get paid, they but stuff, those people get paid, it just goes on. And the thing where Pokemon Valentine's Day candy had metal in them, that was our own communist toy/plastic/anything producer's fault. Because we're forcing Chinese people to make stuff at the speed of light so we can endulge and spoil ourselves, they probably accedentally dropped a staple in there. Now, once again the Pokemon only fight because they share a close bond with their trainers.
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
pretty goood
Well the show is pretty good, but sometimes it can be predictable at times.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 75% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 75% | of parents say they notice product placement |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
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