 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pokemon
- Cartoon Network, CW
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
As much about marketing as it is imagination.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series has very simplistic dialogue and themes and is part of a gigantic licensing juggernaut. The often cute-and-cuddly Pokemon monsters appeal to kids as young as 4 or 5, but the subject matter -- pitting monsters against each other using a multitude of attacks -- may not be appropriate for them. The battles the monsters participate in can get fairly violent, with laser blasts and explosions. Characters strive to battle honorably, respect their elders, and care for their monsters, which partly balances the show's violent premise. That said, the fact that the characters have pet-like subordinates that they summon to do battle on their behalf is a bit disturbing.
What's the story?
After the POKEMON invasion began in 1998, "anime" (Japanese animation) became a staple of children's television in the United States, complete with rail-thin bodies, cavernous eyes, and continuing stories about children on quests that take them to mysterious and foreign lands. Over the years, main Pokemon protagonist Ash has traveled with different pals and made great strides in his ongoing efforts to become a highly skilled Pokemon trainer. Ash and his friends constantly find their efforts for good rebuffed by the ruthless, cunning Team Rocket, whose mission is to steal Pokemon in a quest for global control. This ongoing conflict makes many of the episodes feel very similar -- good guys battle verbally with bad guys, and when things get heated, they call on their Pokemon to do their dirty work with loud, explosive fighting.
Is it any good?
Pokemon has suffered a lot of criticism, as any product that inspires obsessions undoubtedly will. Like Harry Potter, Pokemon has even been called satanic -- and, indeed, sometime near the year 2000, it seemed poised to take over the world, with best-selling handheld games, record-breaking movie openings, and top ratings. To give it credit, the show/phenomenon did cut across cultural, gender, and age barriers to a remarkable degree, captivating a worldwide audience of girls and boys, preschoolers, grade-schoolers, and adolescents. And it does make an attempt to promote messages about choosing the right path in life and resolving differences peacefully (before the fighting starts, that is).
But brave parents who take a look at the show head-on may just conclude that marketing strategy fuels Pokemon's lasting success as much as imagination does. It would be hard not to, given the huge line of products spawned by what was once just a popular trading card game. And then there's the whole concept of the human characters summoning subordinates to battle in their place -- some kids may need a reminder that this type of relationship doesn't apply to the family pets.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the excitement when Pokemon first came to the United States. Why were the characters so popular? What kind of tie-in products were sold that were so unusual and alluring to kids (and collectors of all ages)? What do kids know about cross-promotion or using cartoons to sell goods? Which Pokemon is kids' favorite? The youngest viewers may have fun inventing and drawing their own kinds of Pokemon. Families can (and should) also talk about the differences between Pokemon characters and real-life pets. How do Ash and his friends care for their Pokemon? How about Team Rocket? Why will the Pokemon fight for the humans? How do we care for pets differently? Can we ever expect animals to fight on our behalf?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
POKEMON RULES!!!
Pokemon, Pokemon, PO-KEY-MON!!! Not only the games are good, the anime is, too. One of the most cutest (and vicious) shows ever (Franny's Feet is another cute show by the way). This show is so darn good in my opinion. I always do look forward to new Pokemon by the way. I found a great Pokemon-themed site (*serebii.net) with a lot of Pokemon-themed information and more. ALL POKEMON RULE!!!
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AGE
Cute and cuddly violence
Pokemon's the dumbest show, but it's cute. The characters are all total goodies. Even Team Rocket (I'm referring to Jessie and James) are really good guys deep down. The show might be "violent" as many people have dsaid, but the violence is milder than playing dodge ball is gym class! The pokemon never really get hurt too badly, and they don't die, they faint. The pokemon are loyal to their trainers when the trainers are nice, which is a good message to kids, "be nice to your animal friends." And the pokemon enjoy their battles, so it's not cruel or anything. It's a great, simple show for little kids.
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AGE
Dating Concept
sigh k heres the thing ive grown up with pokemon from like day one when it first started out
my whole childhood gotta have thing (every child generation has one we all know this) was pokemon and anything to do with it so i do know what im talking about cause frankly it never stopped for me it always awsome
but my god the shows today are sooooooooo bad like ok the voice acting seems to have actulley gotten worse while the twinkly lights and flashing sounds are enhanced (but hey thats most of the reason we watch it) thing is is that there into their 12th season and ash doesnt even get the concept of dating...is he gay is he supposed to be dateless like seriously pokemon has thrown in the love concept once in a while but not in anything grand but not once have they had one of the girls traveling with ash ever kiss (which when u think about it today kids are seeing that waaaaaay more than on pokemon and its only kissing for crying out loud) whether or not the producers have any idea how to use that concept cause theyve defintly thrown die in there more than once and ive seen kids shows seriously avoid that and its not that big of a deal anyway
also its just a kiss or kissing its nothing major like sex and all that jeez man get with it oh and if they do decide to get ash a girlfriend i beggin not dawn cause well ahem ya shes really not that good mays the best in my opinon but mistys also awsome so ya its good for 7 and over but raise it to where avatar last airbender rating was that was fine
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AGE
I love Pokemon, that's all I can say.
I have been watching Pokemon since it came out. I loved it. Pokemon is a...nice show. Has lots interesting things about it, and a very imaginative plot. It's very appropriate, except for the violence part. But it's not THAT violent, just kind of. It has a lot more in the show that evens out the violence, and the other bad parts of Pokemon. Though, I have to admit, 6 seasons of Pokemon get old. Sometimes, the show gets too focused on friendship and all that...it becomes kinda boring.
It's a not the perfect show, but it's definetely my favorite and I think all ages would enjoy it.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 14, 2011
AGE
for every age
i may be 11 but pokemon is good for everyone. i still watch it today
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AGE
Give Pokemon a break!
Im Shiny_Pinsir. (Pinsir is a beetle-like pokemon)I am a HUGE pokemon fan. The other day i was browsing the net, when i stumbled upon something that crushed me. Preists and Parents, Rabbis, and Protests about Poemon being under occult, racist, sexist, and sexual. I read the 12-page review for why. So many lies have never been assembled in one spot. For one, Preists and Rabbis, im looking at you! Just because something isn't directly associated with religion, doesn't make it bad. Yes, if you listen to the theme song backwards, you might THINK you her "Satan is awesome". But the reality of it i that so many parents are so determind to bring Pokemon down, they force themselves to hear these kinds of things. It's as though they listen to whatever sounds closest to an "evil cult message" and post it on the internet.
There was an issue once about a swatiska (Nazi symbol) on a Pokemon Trading Card. This led Jewish communities all over te world into a flurry of Pokemon-Hating. This was a complete accident, as further resource by myself revealed that the so-called swatiska was actually a japanese symbol. When the American localisers print the cards, they have to flip the image, because japanee read right to left and vice-versa for USA. The flipping of the japanese symbol lead to it resembling a swatiska, and that issue skyrocketed out of control. Then the Burger King Choking issue. Is it Pokemon's fault if parents are too dumb to keep track of wat thier babies are putting in thier mouths??!! All I want is for fellow Kids and PokeFans alike, if you are reading this, please, help the kids have a voice in this. The Kids must be heard and now is the time to do it. Dont let parents and angry adults that jump to conclusions be the downfall of one of the greatest animes of all time. Gotta Save em' all, my friends, Gotta Save em' all!
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AGE
One of the best shows for all ages
I just started watching pokemon lol.
It's a good show....Some characters annoy me
but I am not the age group they are hoping to reach.
The show is great for young boys especially but it shows young girls you can be cool and strong and still beautiful as well.
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AGE
Awesome!!
Ive watched pokemon even when I was only 3,4, and 5, and I still watch it now! It really isn't as violent as people think it is. I like pokemon!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
July 29, 2011
AGE
It's an awesome show a few sad moments tho
There's this really sad moment where they release the butterfly and they start crying and there's this other one where they release a snake it's sometimes sad and sometimes funny
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Networks: | Cartoon Network, CW |
| Cast: | Eric Stuart, Rachael Lillis, Veronica Taylor |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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