Blue Dragon (Cartoon Network)

Not only is this anime-style cartoon based on a video game (making it a virtual commercial for the product), but the plot and dialogue make subtle references to the game. In one scene, for example, two kids summon their Shadows to spar for practice; when the scrimmage is over, they say "game over" to zap them from sight. What's more, the show relies solely on violence for conflict resolution and entertainment. But rather than participate in battles themselves, the kids summon their apparently invincible Shadows to do the dirty work. Despite that, they often suffer the same fate as their Shadows, so there's plenty of falling, crashing, and banging around that gives way to unrealistically short-lived injuries.

In the end, there's little redeeming quality to BLUE DRAGON, which makes no attempt at teaching positive messages and lacks notably strong adult role models. Moreover, astute anime fans may grow bored with the show's plot, which bears strong similarity to that of the long-lived Pokemon franchise. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to direct your kids' attention elsewhere.