Tools for this page
Print

Shinzo

  • 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 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Advanced sci-fi anime best for tweens and up.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Nonviolence is preached but not practiced. The central female character often plays second fiddle to the male characters who are constantly rescuing her.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Enterrans (the beings that populate this world) fight in the anime "card game" style, killing each another by slicing the cards that represent their enemies in half. One character preaches nonviolence ("the way of peace"), but let's just say she gets a LOT of opportunities to preach.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Shinzo was written by KJ Dell Antonia

Parents need to know that this anime series centers around the idea that all humans are now extinct except for one character who's on a quest for peace. Characters fight in the anime "card game" style, killing each other by slicing the cards in half that represent their enemies. Yakumo preaches nonviolence ("the way of peace"), but it doesn't seem to have much effect. And although she's the focus of the quest, she remains a secondary character and is constantly in need of rescue by her (male, of course) fellow travelers. Although this series -- like Duel Masters -- may be marketed to younger kids (particularly fans of Pokemon), it's better suited to the young tween crowd.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the insect-human hybrids (a.k.a. Enterrans) on the show. What insect powers would be cool to have? Would you want to be able to create a web or jump that far? Older kids might even be interested in discussing the ethics and intent behind the type of genetic manipulation that led to the Enterrans' creation. Do they think anyone would actually try it?
Did this review help you decide?

Will your kids tune in?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Shinzo

What’s the Story?

Following the Battlestar Galactica post-apocalyptic space opera tradition, SHINZO takes place in a world in which humans have become extinct after a war with their own genetically altered creations (insect-human hybrids called Enterrans). Extinct, that is, except for Yakumo (voiced by Peggy O'Neal), a girl who must find Shinzo and help the altered world find peace. (The audience the whole while is kept guessing as to exactly what Shinzo is and how it will help.) The Enterrans she travels with include Mushra (Tom Gibis), Kutal (Bob Papenbrook), and Sago (Steven Jay Blum). Mushra (who appears to be a young boy until his hyper-Enterran powers morph him into an attractive young superman), ends up being the real lead.
Close

Is It Any Good?

Because Yakumo is the one with the mission in this series, you'd think she'd be the lead character, but instead she's reduced to a typical girl victim. She's constantly in need of rescue and doesn't have any special powers -- or, indeed, much personality at all except for a tendency to bleat about "the way of peace."

Shinzo's animation is weak, even for anime, and the voice-dubbing is noticeably off. But kids moving from the Pokemon oeuvre into more complex anime will be fine with it, since the violence is stylized and the plot has only slightly more depth.
Close

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

our community policy
What did you think about Shinzo?

or

to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

    More Great Stuff for Your Kids

    • Most Popular This Week

      foursquare

      foursquare

      Is this social network too risky for your child?

    • Tech Tip

      Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

      Learn the basics with our latest video.

    • Book of the Week

      Age 4+
      All the World

      All the World

      Endearing art, rhythmic poem celebrate the flow of life.

    • Member Buzz

      Sending Mom a TXT

      Sending Mom a TXT

      Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

    • Download This

      Age 10+
      "Today Was a Fairytale" (CD single)

      "Today Was a Fairytale" (CD single)

      Innocent love song for tweens from a PG-13 movie soundtrack.

    Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
    • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
    • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
    • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    A screen name protects your privacy
    (It's free!)

    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
    Set-up your account
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    Choose a screen name
    It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
    A screen name protects your privacy
    Tell us your children's ages
    You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
    We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
    		is
    		until
    		(optional)
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    Add another child

    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
    Set-up your account
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    Tell us your children's ages
    You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
    Why we ask for this
    We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    Add another child
    Choose a screen name
    It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
    A screen name protects your privacy
    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
    I'm already a Common Sense member.
    Kids under 13 must use a screen name
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.