Zatch Bell! - TV-Y7-FV

Demons + kids = violent and scary for youngsters.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-Y7-FV
  • Network: Cartoon Network
  • Cast: Debi Derryberry, Steven Jay Blum, Leslie Carrara
  • Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that each and every episode of this anime series includes fight scenes involving weapons, physical contact, and life-threatening spells between demons and their human accomplices. As with most adaptations of Japanese manga series, many of the battles include wham-bam flashes of light. Demons and humans often fall down in pain. Some characters also experience inner turmoil over figuring out their own roles and deciding whether they can trust others.

Families can talk about the challenges the two main characters face when it comes to working together. They don't always like or understand each other, but they still have to work together as a team. What strategies can kids use when paired with others? How does communication help in these situations? Families can discuss the appeal of anime in general. Is the violence necessary for the story? How could anime series be less violent and still interesting? Since it's clearly dubbed in English, this series provides an opportunity to discuss Japan's history and culture.

Message

Social Behavior:

Characters must work together as a team, which some find difficult.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Frequent, strong cartoon violence. Spells, weapons, and blows that cause characters to fall down in pain.

Sex

Flirtations, blushing, awkwardness between female and male characters.

Language

No swearing, per se, but some strong antagonistic language: "You are finished." "Done with you." "Elimination by whatever is necessary."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Pam Gelman

Every 1,000 years, one hundred mamodos (demons) come to Earth to fight other demons as part of an ongoing battle to reign as king. ZATCH BELL follows one such demon, who, while he was unconscious, was discovered by a man and sent to mentor the man's son, Kiyo Takamine. Zatch has no memory of the demon world, how he arrived on Earth, or any characters from the past. But since mamodos can't work alone, Zatch gets help from Kiyo, an aloof 14-year-old middle schooler who isn't well-liked at school; the pair learn that working together isn't easy, since they come from different worlds and react differently to situations. Joining Zatch and Kiyo are Sherry Bellmont, a girl who can't forget her difficult childhood and wants to keep a particular demon from dominating her best friend; Tio, a tomboy demon who has trouble finding trust in others; Umagon, a demon searching to find a human partner; and many more.

Is it any good?

2

The show's focus on relationships and the ability to trust a partner distinguishes it from many other anime adaptations. The series isn't just about violence -- although there's plenty of that, with constant battles involving spells and weapons -- but also about the relatable challenges and questions of identity that the characters face. Characters often think aloud about painful experiences in their past, and related flashbacks and evocative music add to the drama. Each character has his or her unique problems -- problems that aren't too unlike what kids face today.

The "battles" seen in some episodes can use dramatic visuals, language, sound effects, and music that becomes gratuitous, drawn out, and, at times, difficult to watch. There are also mild flirtations between characters, which lead to blushing and stammering. Overall, with its graphic violence, the characters' internal struggles, and the occasional eyelash-batting, parents may find Zatch Bell inappropriate for kids under 10.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

5


Posted on 01/19/08 by jikipoiopo Kid contributor, age 12

Awesome show....

This show has lots of violence but it it is a good show that teaches about friendship. Commonsense wasn't exactly accurate about the tobacco thing though, because in one episode someone put a cigarette in their mouth. I love this show a lot!
4


Posted on 09/23/07 by BookWormAnimeLover Kid contributor, age 11

Zatch bell.

Zatch bell is great, all about friendship, even though it is a bit like pokemon.. two thumbs up!
5


Posted on 05/11/07 by schuymarch1 Kid contributor, age 13

2nd too Pokemon

This is an awesome anime series.
5

Posted on 06/21/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

most awesome show ever!

I love zatch bell! The whole "every episode has violence" is a lie! Zatch fights to stop violence because of a momodo girl named Kolulu. the last thing she wanted to do was fight. And in the episode that I think was called "Zatch Vs. Kio!?" the only battle is "kick the can" and the entire episode is about friendship.

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

5


Posted on 01/19/08 by jikipoiopo Kid contributor, age 12

Awesome show....

This show has lots of violence but it it is a good show that teaches about friendship. Commonsense wasn't exactly accurate about the tobacco thing though, because in one episode someone put a cigarette in their mouth. I love this show a lot!
4


Posted on 09/23/07 by BookWormAnimeLover Kid contributor, age 11

Zatch bell.

Zatch bell is great, all about friendship, even though it is a bit like pokemon.. two thumbs up!
5


Posted on 05/11/07 by schuymarch1 Kid contributor, age 13

2nd too Pokemon

This is an awesome anime series.
5

Posted on 06/21/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

most awesome show ever!

I love zatch bell! The whole "every episode has violence" is a lie! Zatch fights to stop violence because of a momodo girl named Kolulu. the last thing she wanted to do was fight. And in the episode that I think was called "Zatch Vs. Kio!?" the only battle is "kick the can" and the entire episode is about friendship.
Review It
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Surf
34%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
10%
Chat with friends
37%
132 votes