Kamen Rider Dragon Knight (CW)

common sense media says

Action series heavy on violence, but has surprising heart.

parents & educators say

88% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this tween-targeted series is heavy on martial arts-style violence (punching, kicking, and weapon use) that never results in realistic injury or death. The two heroes always manage to overcome the odds to escape their enemies, and the ones they destroy explode and neatly vanish (just like a video game). Though little of this type of content is likely to be new to tween boys, it does call for a parental reality check: Remind kids that violence has much greater repercussions in the real world. All of that said, the series does show some heart in Kit's desire to reunite with his missing father, which drives his actions.

Educational value: The series is intended to entertain, not educate.

Positive messages: The series shows violence as the only means of resolving conflict. It also promotes an unrealistic view of the repercussions of violence, since none of the characters are shown suffering from battles, and there's no emotion attached to any of their deaths. On the up side, a strong family bond drives much of the series' core plot.

Positive role models: The "good guys" and "bad guys" are clearly delineated, and the good ones always win in the end. A main character is driven by his hopes to find his missing father, who's presumed to be the hostage of an evil warlord.

Violence & scariness: Martial arts-style fighting is prevalent throughout the show, with the Kamen Riders waging war on their evil counterparts multiple times per episode. In addition to kicking, hitting, and punching, the warriors also conjure various weapons and powers that allow them to defeat their opponents. When characters are destroyed, they explode into pieces and disappear, much like in a video game. Occasionally humans are shown being attacked or abducted by the bad guys.

Sexy stuff: Not applicable.

Language: Not applicable.

Consumerism: The series is tied to a line of toys and accessories for kids.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about why fantasy adventures like this are so popular. How does this one compare to others you've seen? Does it matter that none of it is particularly realistic? Is any aspect of it more or less believable than others?
Does the fact that the show is rooted in fantasy allow it more leeway in presenting violence in a realistic manner? Do you think everyone who might watch it understands that what they're seeing isn't real?
Does the media have a responsibility to present violence with realistic consequences? Why or why not?

What's the story?

On his 18th birthday, Kit Taylor (Stephen Lunsford) leaves his foster home and returns to the apartment he once shared with his parents so he can start searching for clues to the whereabouts of his missing father (Jeff Davis). As he relives memories from his past, Kit hears echoes of his dad's voice steering him toward a mysterious set of Advent Cards. They transform him into a Kamen Rider, a warrior from a parallel world called Ventara that's been corrupted by the evil General Xaviax (William O'Leary). Kit teams up with Len (Matt Mullins), the sole surviving Kamen Rider, to battle Xaviax's minions, save Earth from a fate similar to Ventara's, and hopefully find his father.

Is it any good?

It's apparently impossible to pit good against evil in the movies or on TV without violence ensuing, and KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT is certainly no exception to that rule. Martial arts-style battles are common in every episode, and there's no attempt to inject a sense of reality into any of the conflicts. The Kamen Riders fight tirelessly and withstand impossible amounts of impact without injury, and the robotic warriors they kill simply disintegrate or disappear, so there's no emotion attached to the process of killing and death.

That said, tweens -- particularly boys -- probably aren't strangers to this kind of sci-fi/fantasy violence, since it permeates many popular series for this age group. If your kids are fans of fantasy and adventure, there's plenty of both to be found here, with parallel worlds and legendary powers rooted in Asian mysticism. And on the bright side, the series boasts a surprising amount of heart in the subplot surrounding Kit's quest for his long-lost dad.

TV themes & details

Themes

magic and fantasy, sports and martial arts, adventures

TV Details

TV Rating: TV-Y7-FV
Network: CW
Cast: Matt Mullins, Stephen Lunsford
Genre: Science Fiction
Where to watch: CW

This review was written by Emily Ashby

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:

88% say there are positive role models

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Etienneblnd
adult

A big fan of Kamen Rider asking for new episodes

I like it. It's a show that you really get into and I'm sure that If you got to watch it you'd get to like it too. What I really want to know is will they be playing any " new " episodes or finishing up the past series from 2009.

What other families should know

TV Details

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Genre

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight (CW)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Kamen Rider Dragon Knight

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

TV themes & details

Themes

TV Details

Review It

Review Kamen Rider Dragon Knight

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

A big fan of Kamen Rider asking for new episodes

kidswb

buguy

thinkingman

think about that

Magic Word

One of the Bestaction showe i seen

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is cool

go kr

The Qustion on My mind

Kamen Rider

First Things First....

Kamen Rider rock

K fan

Stop showing Rerun

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is a cool showe

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight

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