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Huntik (CW)

common sense media says

Animated series has fun story, some marketing tie-ins.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated action series follows the adventures of humans who use magical amulets to summon fearsome creatures from another plane. Some of these people work for the shadowy Organization, which wants to use the power of the creatures to further its evil agenda, while another group has vowed to stop them (so it's pretty much your standard good vs. evil divide). There's plenty of action -- including martial arts fights and magical duels between the humans and all-out brawls between the creatures -- though there's little explicit violence and injuries are rare.The series is tied in to an extensive product line, including a trading card game, so kids may start asking for stuff after watching.

Educational value: The series is intended to entertain, not educate. But kids may learn a few things about playing the tie-in card game.
Positive messages: No obvious messages aside from the hope that good (the Huntik Foundation) will triumph over evil (the Organization). The Organization hopes to use the Titans' powers to further its nefarious plans, and the Huntik Foundation -- including Lok, Sophie, and Dante -- must thwart their schemes.
Positive role models: "Good guys" and "bad guys" are clearly defined (it's easy to tell the two sides apart because the members of the
Organization often wear black suits and sunglasses, a uniform that
conveys plenty of menace) -- the good guys want to save the world from the bad guys' nefarious schemes, and work together to do so.
Violence & scariness: Plenty of cartoon action, including martial arts combat and magical duels between humans, as well as some pretty serious brawling by Titans -- which are fearsome creatures from another plane that can be summoned to this world. The Titans look pretty scary, with sharp swords, long fangs, and dangerous claws. Despite all the mayhem, injuries and bloodshed are rare.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: There's no commercial content on Huntik, but there's plenty of Huntik merchandise (including a trading card game) available for fans to buy.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Huntik

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how the Seekers use the Titans. They summon the Titans to do their bidding, but these supernatural beings don't seem to know or care whether they're being asked to do good or evil. Do you think the Titans are good or evil? Or are they simply powerful tools that must obey the commands of their masters?
  • How does this series compare to other shows based on/tied in to trading card games? Do you think the show's primary goal is to entertain or to get kids to buy these cards and/or other products?

What's the story?

What's the story?
When Lok Lambert (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) discovers a mysterious amulet hidden in his long-missing father's possessions, he's drawn into a magical war that's been going on for centuries. The high schooler soon finds that the amulet can be used to summon a Titan -- a fearsome supernatural beast that will do his bidding -- and that his new abilities have made him a Seeker, one of a secret group of people who've learned to use magic. Lok is recruited to join the Huntik Foundation, an international organization of Seekers that also includes his classmate/fellow Seeker Sophie Casterwill (Rebecca Soler) and the powerful Dante Vale (Marc Thompson), who have vowed to defend the world from The Organization, a shadowy group of evil Seekers who hope to use the Titans' powers to further their own nefarious goals.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

HUNTIK: SECRETS AND SEEKERS is fun to watch ... if you don't ask too many questions. The action sequences are exciting, the Titans are fearsome, the story is interesting, and the animation is lush and beautiful. There are plenty of mysteries -- about the amulets, the long-running conflict between the Seekers, and the Titans -- that Lok is eager to solve, and viewers will enjoy going along for the ride.

That said, a few parts of the show don't stand up to scrutiny (OK, maybe more than a few). For example: The amulet has been stashed in Lok's room for years, and the Organization shows up looking for it just seconds after he discovers it? And one of his classmates just happens to be another Seeker? Not so plausible, but so what? Few kids will notice these discrepancies because they'll be too busy enjoying the rest of the show -- and maybe clamoring for some of the related merchandise.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: CW
Cast: Marc Thompson, Rebecca Soler, Yuri Lowenthal
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: CW
This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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