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The Little Mermaid (Toon Disney)

common sense media says

Spin-off sinks for everyone except besotted fans.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like the movie, the cartoon spin-off has its scary moments. Under-the-sea monsters appear for various reasons, humans threaten the sea kingdom, and the main characters are frequently in mild peril that's made more frightening by the powerful animation.

Positive messages: General messages of being responsible, keeping your word, etc.
Violence & scariness: Little or no intentional violence, but cartoon accidents happen with some regularity, particularly to under-the-sea monsters. Ariel's father sometimes defends her with his magic sceptre, which seems to shoot lasers.
Sexy stuff: Ariel's costume is arguably too sexy for a kids' cartoon, but that battle was lost long ago.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The Little Mermaid is a Disney princess. Enough said.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Little Mermaid

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the moral lessons within each episode, although it's worth noting that it's frequently Ariel's father who's the target of the lessons, rather than Ariel herself. Should the king expect Ariel to follow his dreams rather than her own? Should Ariel obey her father? Are there times when it's OK not to follow the rules?

What's the story?

What's the story?

THE LITTLE MERMAID is a spin-off of the popular movie. In each episode, Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) has a problem, which intensifies and is then solved.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Ariel, Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright), and the rest of the familiar characters are still splashing about, but the story lines are generally weak. Unfortunately, the most mesmerizing thing about this Mermaid is Ariel's flowing hair.

Trite and uninspired, this is a single-episode cartoon, broken up by Toon Disney's commercials at frequent intervals. It employs a sitcom formula that doesn't leave much room for the fun and magic the movie did so well. Some episodes don't even resolve the initial problem, leaving even the youngest viewer wondering what happened to, for example, the harp Ariel wanted to play.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Toon Disney
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Toon Disney
This review was written by KJ Dell Antonia
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
2
 
Great!
Awesome disney classic, just as wonderful as winnie the pooh!
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ratingpeepsshows69
teen, 14 years old
2
 
NOTHING like the movie
OK the show is very good and very different than the movie. Ariel still gets into a lot of trouble though!
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rebma97
teen, 14 years old
6
 
Nice spinoff isn't as good as the movie
I liked the series although even though this is a prequel to the movie, some things happens earlier b4 it did in the movie (for example, Ariel normally encounters Ursula but in the movie she just met her. And Ariel met a human in one episode but Prince Eric was suppose to be the first human she ever saw). But it's good
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timmycuddlebea ...
kid, 12 years old
17
 
the worst tv show in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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NoseStuckInABook
teen, 15 years old
5
 
It's been a while.
Besides Belle, Ariel is my favorite Disney girl. I haven't seen this show for a while, but I remember loving it. But because of Disney XD replacing Toon Disney, I'm not sure where you can watch this other than online.
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love2
parent of 19 year old
4
 
not as friendly as it seems
even though most little girls love the little mermaid it isnt as friendly as it looks. there's lots of vilonce and peril. also Aerils costume is completly inapropreat for toddlers. but along there way there is apropreat content and positive messages too.
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nazz4ever
teen, 16 years old
4
 
i loved this show since i was 6
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tackettgibson
adult
 
Magic and scenes of peril a bit much for my kids
My kids are not really taken by this show. If fact it can scare my 5 year old daughter. The magic, threat and perilous scenes are a bit much. If you have a little one that is easily scared, aviod this even tho it has a sweet mermaid character. If we watch this I TIVO specific episode and pre-watch.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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