Adventure Time with Finn and Jake (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

Quirky duo's escapades are fun but include mild weapons.


parents & educators say
  • 43% say language is an issue
  • 40% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this cartoon contains some mild weapon use and gateway language (like "sucks" and "friggin'") and so is not appropriate for very young kids. The show is rooted in fantasy, which is fun for older kids and tweens who can separate it from reality, but may confuse youngsters who will get iffy messages from Finn's unlikely carefree lifestyle. Cartoon-style implements of violence (flame guns, swords, etc.) are common throughout the show, but they're mostly used against creatures like zombies, rather than living beings.

Positive messages: Though it's clearly intended to be a fantasy, the show promotes an unrealistic view of responsible behavior, as the main characters answer to no one but themselves and their only ambition is for outlandish adventures. Potty humor (vomiting, references to "explosive diarrhea," and the like) is a frequent source of humor.
Positive role models: Despite their youth, Finn and Jake are completely self-reliant and have no responsibilities. Their motivation for their antics usually is well-meaning, though, and they never set out to do any real harm. As the standout female character, Princess Bubblegum bucks the stereotype of royalty, taking a leading role in Finn and Jake's adventures and often lending a hand with her knowledge of math and science.
Violence: Finn and Jake use an array of weapons in their adventures -- including flame throwers, swords, and sticks -- though they don't usually use them against other people. In one episode, they stab and sever undead candy characters, who ooze green goo from their wounds.
Sex: Occasional very mild innuendo. A cupcake is asked to take his wrapper off during a game of Truth or Dare, for instance. A group of partygoers play Seven Minutes in Heaven.
Language: Sporadic use of terms like "sucks" and "friggin'."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Adventure Time with Finn and Jake

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can discuss how the Land of Ooo compares to the real world. What aspects of Finn and Jake's world are rooted in fantasy? Is any of it relevant to the real world? What place does fantasy have in entertainment? Does entertainment always have to have a strong message, or can it just be fun?

  • Kids: How is your impression of the world shaped by what you see on TV or in movies? Have you ever changed the way you view something because of something you saw on TV? If so, when? How can we use this power of the media to influence positive change

  • Kids: Which cartoons are your favorites? What do you like about them? Are the characters and scenarios relatable to your life? Do you learn anything from them? If you could create a cartoon, what would it be about?

  • Why does Finn sometimes use weapons or violence to solve problems? What would happen in real life if a kid used the same kinds of weapons? Do you think it's funny to watch mild violence like this? Can you separate Finn's use of weapons with what's appropriate in real life?

What's the story?

What's the story?

ADVENTURE TIME WITH FINN AND JAKE chronicles the off-the-wall escapades of a boy named Finn (Jeremy Shada) and his talking canine friend, Jake (John DiMaggio), who team up for fun in the mystical Land of Ooo. Wherever there's trouble, Finn and Jake are ready for action in the name of justice, often coming to the aid of their friends Princess Bubblegum (Hynden Walch), Marceline the Vampire Queen (Olivia Olson), and the colorful assortment of residents of the Land of Ooo.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

If you put an 8-year-old boy's imagination to paper, the result would be pretty close to the place Finn and Jake call home. Few rules that exist in the real world apply in Ooo, where adventure is the common goal, and there's really no telling what each day will bring. Older kids with a sense of adventure may enjoy the nonsensical fun, though younger kids will find the show's dissimilarities to their own world confusing.

The show does feature a fair amount of marginal language ("sucks" and "friggin'," for example), so if your tweens are apt to repeat everything they hear on TV, you may want to opt out of this one. Another concern is Finn and Jake's reliance on weapons (swords, sticks, fire, etc.) to resolve disputes, though their victims (zombies, in one case) are mostly inhuman in nature.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Cartoon Network
Cast: Hynden Walch, Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Cartoon Network

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 108 parent & educator reviews:
  • 43% say language is an issue
  • 40% say sexual content is an issue
  • 38% say there are positive messages
  • 31% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

Onamar
adult
 
It's rated PG you know
To all the other parents complaining about the content of this show, I have one thing to say: The show itself gives you fair warning. It's rated TV-PG, and the rating fills the ENTIRE SCREEN right before the show starts. And about "lump" I hope you're aware that Spongebob has been using words in place of swears for the past 10 years. (Barnacles, Tartar Sauce, Fish Paste, etc) Honestly, your kids probably hear much worse words than "sucks" or "frickin" at school. I know my son definitely has heard worse at school.. It's a fun show, much better than other shows on Cartoon Network like Total Drama Island or Johnny Test, which are just endless strings of fart jokes and crude humor. Looney Toons is filled with violence, Flapjack is much scarier than this show, most cartoons that are on these days are filled with fart jokes and brainless "humor." This is one of the best and most fun cartoons to come out since Chowder, honestly if you don't let your kids watch this, then they're missing out.

wstsdgrl
parent of 7 year old
 
Uses the word "sexually" between characters.
My son asked me about breaking promises which seems to be a good message. I sat down and watched it with him after that and the two characters were talking to the ice king guy and said that there was a volcano monster or some sort in the yard and he was "hot" the dog said to the boy "hot?!" the boy said "not SEXUALLY hot" REALLY?!!? This was on at 8p on CN and they are saying "sexually"?! I was floored and saddened that I had to tell my son he couldnt watch this show anymore.

RetroLewp
parent of 5 year old
 
Hey. Soccer moms. Get this. Most children, including yours most likely, watch the Simpsons and whatever other comedy cartoons come on Fox. This is the same deal, only toned down. It is a fantastic cartoon full of creativity and brilliance. Bad reviews for this show is exactly what makes American parents such wimps. OH NO PSUDO-SWEARS! I bet your children hear worse things. Stop being gigantic babies and appreciate the fact that your kid wants to watch such a funny and creative show. I let my kid watch it whenever he can. Remember Loony Toons? Filled with violence and racism. Ren and Stimpy? So many subtle inappropriate jokes. Spongebob even has an obscene amount of hidden jokes that only adults would get, but even I got them as a kid.

brono
adult
 
unbelievable
I'm sorry but you people are a bunch of prudes. This show is totally appropriate for your children. Believe me, if there's any "adult humor" the WILL NOT get it. Do not rely on cartoons to raise your kids.

Popcornmom
parent of 8 year old
 
After seeing two partial episodes of "Adventure Time with Finn and Jake," I've seen enough to NOT let my 8 year old continue watching this program. Were he 12, I still would not let him see this cartoon because the language and subject matter is more in keeping with what's broadcast on Adult Swim. 'Finn and Jake' has language and sexual content that is NOT age appropriate for children under 14. For example: "Time for seven minutes in Heaven" says Finn, to which Jake asks if he 'got any' while in the closet... (refers to 'making out' and sexual 'petting') plus words like 'butth*les' and 'fr*gging'. What really irritates me, and I've made complaints to Cartoon Network Headquarters in Atlanta and studio in Burbank, is that this cartoon is aired when young school children are home. Parents who are busy at that hour getting dinner ready won't think to supervise their children's viewing as there's too much trust with Cartoon Network having 'good sense.' I'm shocked that Cartoon Network took this kind of risk with airing sexual and poor language content during after school hours. Are the executives asleep or out of their minds? Will be making a complaint to the FCC.... this cartoon is NOT geared for children ages ten and up but more like fourteen and up... PS: I had to edit this post because "Your review may not contain inappropriate language," LOL -- well, I was typing out the language the Finn and Jake show uses!

SnowCatAkemi
kid, 13 years old
 
A Fine Line Between Good Parenting and Being a Killjoy
Adventure Time, while having a few admittedly questionable innuendos, is a great show. It reminds me of the what I used to imagine and doodle in the second grade: Fun-loving protagonists fighting epic monsters and going on fantastical adventures through strange lands - I knew what a flamethrower was when I was 5, and my older brother said things far worse than the pseudo-swears used on this show when I was a kid. To off the show for violence would be capping your childrens' creativity a being a killjoy in general. While the innuendos and mild language might be a reason to keep the show from kids under eight or so, most kids by that age will have a conscience and know the difference between their fantasy lands and real life. Overall, it's a fun show, and while it's not the most innocent, it certainly promotes creativity, and can inspire an interest in writing and art.

Mathematical
teen, 17 years old
 
Shmowzow! Adventure Time is so rhombus!!
Shmowzow!! Ok I am 16 years old and I find the show funny. Many reviews have expressed concerns with "language" Like when LSP says "I lumping hate you!" or "Lump off" My brother is in the 7th grade and has hear everything said from the b-word to the f-word since 4th grade. 4TH GRADE!!! My parents think it is a stupid show but don't disapprove of me and my bro watchin it cause we're old enough to understand it. The title says TV-PG it means parental guidance is suggested. But there is no really foul language. There is some mild violence but its still not as bad as some shows. Adventure Time is mathematical!!

Dylan117
teen, 17 years old
 
it is perfectlly fine for anyone over 5
this show is "safer" than Family Guy(which my friends 2year old watches) and funnier than 90% of anything on cartoon network to say this show is crude while defending any other cartoon is redicules also, the language like "frick" is there so they don't use the implyed word, it's like calling the FCC over "Dang, I dropped my bag", it's not smart and anyone doing it needs to realize that your kids hear and more than likely say worse at school, you aren't protecting anything

 
For kids 11 years or older
This show is fantastic. It's a quality cartoon which is similar to the memorable cartoons of the 80s and 90s. It's humor would be similar to the first shrek movie (adult humor is placed within the show, yet children shouldn't be able to get it). The only thing that could be considered wrong about the show is that it uses words like suck, crotch, and freaking. Yet, it's one of the few cartoon shows (or just show) that does not use the Lord's name in vain. The characters Finn and Jake go on adventures to combat evil and that's pretty much it. Yet, the storylines are randomly hilarious, and quite original. It's not mean spirited and it probably could be used to teach kids that they should always fight for justice and fairness.The kid reviewers below me probably don't know anything about cartoon animation or the process which goes into animation. This surreal show once again is very clever, and is in no way like "MAD" which is very very inappropriate for kids below age 13. I don't see how the characters are not responsible since they always complete their missions to help everyone and usually succeed in the process and make the lives of whoever they help to be better. This show is not like tom and jerry, since it does not have the amount of violence that was in tom and jerry. Overall adventure time, phineas and ferb, and Avatar the last airbender are probably the best cartoons out now.

OliviaNub
teen, 15 years old
 
You'll either love this show or you'll hate it.
Parents: Calm down. Some of you have made untrue claims about this show. As for language, yes they do say "freakin", "sexy", "pervert","sucks", "stupid","jerk", and the term "shut up". However, Finn does not say " get your ass" as some of you have proclaimed. If your mind wasn't in the gutter and you actually took a good listen to what they're saying, you would hear: "Dude, get your axe, I'll go get mine". Anyway, this is a very fun and entertaining show for preteens or teenagers that has a ton of thought put behind it no matter what you dunderheads claim. The characters, plots, dialogue, and ideas are all original and fantastic, Just visit their production blog if you don't believe me. With this show it's one of those that you either love or hate right off the bat. There's no in-between.

Steffauri516
parent of 1 and 8 year old
 
My daughter Alina is 7 and absolutely loves this show! I sat down and watched it with her a few times, it's a bright, peppy, fun and engaging program, but I did have some minor concerns. I posted "language use" as one of them; now don't get me wrong the characters aren't going around spouting cuss words, but they do occasionally use words like "sucks" and "frickin". "Sucks" really isn't a problem to me, but "frickin", which is obviously too close to the F-word is completely out. I also posted violence because they do show weapons such as knives and flamethrowers in the show, but they do not use them on other characters or inflict harm on other characters. Despite the few minor problems, this show is on for us! Your kids will love it!

Umphulump
kid, 13 years old
 
An imaginative show!
I've only seen this show a few times, but I love it! It's very creative and imaginative. Like most shows, there are mild innuendos, some cartoon violence and a few mild words here and there. But nothing a tween like myself wouldn't be used to. I really find it funny and odd, great show!

 
Adventure Time is a call back to the cartoons of the 90's like Ren And Stimpy where imagination and orignality reigns supreme and it was okay to be a little risque at times.These days people are so fussed up about trying to protect their kids but fail to realize they will just end up finding out stuff on the internet or school. This is one of the most imaginative cartoons that has ever been made in a while.And kids should watch this as oppose to those sitcoms on Disney and Nickelodien where all they talk about is an all too real and depressing "fame and money lifestyle".

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
Finn & Jake are very good role models.
This is my favorite TV show next to Regular show. It's pretty funny. Once Finn said "crap" but I don't find that a bad word (but a lot of parents do so might as well make that an issue) It's kinda sad how Finn is the only human there though.

 
If You love Spongebob...
You'll love Adventure Time. Since it's similar to the aforementioned Spongebob Squarepants, kids will love this irreverent series. While it does stray into nonsensical territory, the messages that the main characters give are mostly positive. Violence may be a qualm (this is TV-PG after all), but it's normal saturday morning cartoon fare. It's also dare i say a bit funny, mixing some memes and some tech humor in between episodes. Overall, Adventure Time with Finn and Jake is a lighthearted show with a wacky premise.

David600780
parent of 11 and 14 year old
 
Interesting to say the least
It's a silly fun show for kids and adults. The show isn't as bad as some high-strung kids and parents put it, it's just bold and random.

awesome82706
kid, 12 years old
 
stupid show
this show has no purpose but to be stupid

 
Get a grip!
I watch this show and Regular Show with my 5 year old all the time. I don't see the problem, my son is quite aware of what he is and is not allowed to say and there has been no problem with him using profanity of any kind ever. Both shows are really very funny, people get too wound up these days, stop policing cartoons and instead parent your children properly! Cartoons have always been notorious for edgy humour, that would be what makes them fun! Far rather these shows than the plastic, unadulterated DROSS that spews forth from the disney corporation. At least these shows have humour and imagination.

bbot39
kid, 11 years old
 
Stupid
Once I saw the preview for it I new it was going to be awful. To much sexual humor. I do not recommend watching this show or Cartoon Network today or tomorrow or forever.

Keelie123
teen, 16 years old
 
Love it, its funny. Just because parents arent interested in a childerns tv show doesn't really mean anything. This show reaches out and gets you laughing doesn't matter if its wrong or not.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age