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Speed Racer: The Next Generation

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    New take on old fave is OK for kids but listless.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The show is focused on auto racing, and many of the characters have a win-at-all-costs attitude. They're often willing to cheat or use dangerous maneuvers to win, even if they cause other drivers to crash (in fact, sometimes that's the goal). The characters attend a school for young racers, and the class alpha male is X, who relishes his role as the top driver and son of the legendary Speed Racer. X isn't thrilled to discover that the new student, Speed, is his long-lost brother who never knew his father's identity. X and Speed often butt heads, and X goes out of his way to make life difficult for Speed both on and off the track.
  • Violence & scariness:

    No fistfights or gun battles, but there are plenty of rough-and-tumble, almost-anything-goes road races with dangerous robot cars trying to take out other vehicles, virtual obstacle courses with very real hazards, and a lot of aggressive driving techniques aimed at causing crashes. That said, though there are frequent car accidents (many of which look very dangerous), actual injuries are very rare.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Plenty of Speed Racer merchandise out there thanks to this series and the big-screen film.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Speed Racer: The Next Generation

Parents need to know that this cartoon glamorizes auto racing and puts a heavy emphasis on winning. Characters take plenty of risky maneuvers on the track and play quite a few dirty tricks on each other, some of which seem very dangerous. But although there are many serious car accidents, there are few injuries -- the show seems to exist in a world where drivers are always able to walk away from a wreck. Speed has a difficult back story, which adds to his character's mystique, but the show offers few insights into why a parent would abandon his son at an orphanage.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about winning and losing. Many characters seem willing to cheat in order to win, and the losers often complain loudly. Does anyone demonstrate good sportsmanship? Is cheating ever OK? Would you ever cheat to win an athletic event? How about on a test? Families can also talk about Speed and X's relationship. How would you feel if you suddenly discovered you had a sibling you never knew about? Would you welcome him or her into your family or feel resentful?

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Our Members Say

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See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    LOL, this is so ironic

    Man, this is ironic! I had a few questions about this show! :D I've watched it once and actually I've seen all the episodes. I LOVE Speed Racer, the problem is that I have no clue if they're going to make more episodes! -_-' Seriously, I hope they are making more episodes! SPOILER ALERT: Speed just saw his father for the first time and now they decide to stop airing new episodes. And just when I decided to stop watching El Tigre! ^^' Oh well. ShadMaria out! Peace :D.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    LOL!!

    I love this show!! My little cousins got me into it. I recemend this to children at least 7 or 8 years old. It's very fun and funny to watch! And I am a huge Speed Racer fan, too.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    long live speed racer!

    this series continues the 1967 series. it is a continuation series similar to avatar: the lest airbender. it always leaves off in a cliff hanger that may or may not be solved in the next episode. once you watch the show, your hooked. i highly recomend this show. the best episode so far in this series, (my opinion) is "the note". this show has no bad episodes.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 0.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    A must read book for 8 yr old.

    Hello, I am a 46 yr old mother of a 5.6 yr old boy and have been married over 22 yrs to one man. Having a baby at 41 yrs old have learn many things about raising a child lots of work lots of Reading and viewing TV Channels. Thank You Whitechick

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