Pucca (Disney XD)

common sense media says

Obsessive crush borders on stalking. No, thanks.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this stylized cartoon series is hampered by a silly 10-year-old female character whose zealous pursuit of her crush entirely consumes her. When she's not smothering him with unwanted attention (including hugs and attempts to kiss him), she's tapping into her own inner warrior and fighting the bad guys who challenge him. Although his red-faced embarrassment shows his disgust at her advances, he never lets her know how he feels. While the show is aimed at the 6-11 age group, the plot (with the significant exception of the inappropriately obsessive love interest) is ridiculously simplistic and far-fetched for kids that old, leaving only the flashy violence to keep their attention.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The show's focus on Pucca's crush could send iffy messages to kids about appropriate ways to show affection. Violence is also a common method of conflict resolution.
Positive role models: The silly female character obsesses over a boy who clearly has no
interest in her, and when she's angry, she becomes violent, engaging in
ninja battles. The show is full of stereotypical Asian characters.
Adult figures are distant and questionable role models.
Violence & scariness: While no physical harm comes to any character, ninja battles include kicking and weapons (throwing stars, blunt swords, nunchucks). Other fantasy violence features whizzing flaming arrows, logs falling on heads (and cracking in half, leaving the victim unharmed), and falling from heights.
Sexy stuff: The female character makes overt attempts to catch the eye of her uninterested crush. Her unwanted signs of affection (hugs, attempted kisses, moony eyes) turn his face red in anger and embarrassment, but her fixation never wavers.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Pucca

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about relationships between boys and girls. What's the difference between liking someone as a friend and liking someone as a boy/girlfriend?
  • How can you let someone know that you like him/her? How does it feel when someone has a crush on you? How would you react if the person you liked didn't feel the same about you?
  • Can a crush be taken too far? This show offers parents the chance to clarify their rules about dating and might even be a starter for the birds-and-the-bees conversation.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Ten-year-old Pucca seems a sweet-natured (if flighty) girl who's content to help out at her family's restaurant and listen to the misguided advice of the three chefs who act as her guardians in her father's absence (he's traveling the globe in search of exciting culinary advances). But when it comes to Garu (Brian Drummond) -- the unlucky object of her affections -- Pucca becomes relentlessly determined to win his heart. She follows him everywhere and stops at nothing to win him over. Innocent Garu, who only wants to focus on honing his ninja skills, finds Pucca's smothering presence irritating -- and it's not long before viewers start to agree with him.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
PUCCA chronicles a young girl's exhaustive attempts to win over her one true love, who, despite her best efforts, remains focused instead on his career. But this isn't a soap opera, a dramedy, or even a movie of the week. Pucca is actually an animated kids' series that blends martial arts with a touch of magic and heavy doses of desperate, unrequited love. The mix is a recipe for disaster that will leave parents (especially those with daughters) with a bad taste in their mouths. While Pucca and Garu's problems could be resolved by some effective communication, the situation is complicated by the fact that neither of them speaks in actual words. Inexplicably, they're among the few characters on the show who rely on sounds -- mostly giggles and grunts -- to communicate.

Pucca is plagued by storylines and subject matter that can't find age-appropriate common ground. The complicated love/hate relationship and the prevalence of violence pushes the show toward the upper end of the age spectrum, but the otherwise simplistic plot drags it down and will bore older kids.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Disney XD
Cast: Brian Drummond, Michael Dobson, Tabitha St. Germain
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Disney XD

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5

Most useful reviews by all members

princesssugarplum
teen, 15 years old
 
how dare you!
pucca is the cutest, most adorable show on earth. you sicken me.

cowe192
teen, 16 years old
 
Wow...
"Stalking?" Are you guys serious? IT'S A JOKE. Pucca chases after her crush(who seemingly dislikes her doing that) frequently, but its simple to understand and its loved by people of all ages. The show is funny, entertaining, and, although weird, has a very nice touch to it. There is some violence in it, though, and some sexual references, like "Is that girl mooning us?" when she is, holding the moon, and a character that always wants to look pretty. Other than that, it's perfectly fine for all ages. CSM, you really screwed this one up.

 
Way too much s-mothering from mothers!! Pucca is a wonderful show!!!
Hey I am a 16 almost 17 year old girl and I love pucca, I watch it with my little sister all the time. We love the show. We bond over it!! "It would bore kids over 7..." "a bad taste in the mouth..." Come on. You parents are WAY too protective. It is so sickening. I swear. This is just a cute show aimed at girls. It is called "Funny love" for goodness sake!! Mam' you can protect your children all you want but Im so sorry, when your kid gets to middle he or she will be exposed to a lot more then just a cute cartoon. I give pucca a 105/5 stars. I would recommend it to any mother with daughters, if they are not paranoid control freaks. *rolls eyes* It is just a cute "funny love" story. I forgot to mention that the girl always gets the guy!! haha >.< But please dont take my word for it! you can find origanal cute shorts on youtube. =]

Animeheart
educator
 
Cute and Funny
Pucca: Sooga Super Squad is cute, sweet, fast paced, silly, hilarious and over the top. Episodes are about 7 minutes long. The child-like brightly colored animation is appealing to all ages. 10 year old Pucca lives in Kung-Fu Sooga village where everything is done with Kung-Fu. The village is peopled with quite the cast of characters (many stereotypes) and happens to be where Santa lives during his off time. Sooga village also has a guardian spirit, Master Soo, who lives with his maidens in the sky above (and talks with a cheesy Jewish accent). Pucca is the niece of the village chefs and her quest is to make the ninja boy Garu her boyfriend. Pucca is constantly tying to kiss Garu, but Garu is too busy practicing Kung-Fu and defeating his arch-enemy, or running away and hiding from Pucca! But if Garu is in trouble, then watch out! Pucca will protect him come what may! Neither Pucca nor Garu speak, but they manage to express their feelings clearly. This is family friendly fun. Even adults can get a kick out of some of the hilarious spoofs. There is lots of silliness, fantasy violence, fantasy kung-fu and an inept plotting arch-enemy for Garu. In a strict interpretation Pucca might be viewed as a giggling stalker, but it is supposed to be light hearted cuteness. One episode should let you know whether it is your cup of tea or not.

Blue-Bunny
teen, 18 years old
 
CSM is being too much...AGAIN...
I think CSM is being too serious about this. Pucca is meant to be a joke, like cowe192 said. Yes, I think her crush on Garu is obsessive and creepy, but it's all part of the fun and humor of the show. I find nothing wrong with Pucca and you shouldn't either. There aren't that much good role-models, but who cares? Like I said earlier, Pucca is fun, but also cute and adorable. Ignore CommonSense, this cartoon is perfectly appropriate.

harrypotterlov ...
kid, 12 years old
 
u pplz sicken me with a passion
omg u guys think its bad you guys r weirdos with a brain the size of a nut so many words i wanna use but i can't i mean u pick 10 i started watching when i was six im gonna complain to you fart heads that pucca is awesome =D how do u like that freaks my fave scene is funny love so cute

Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
 
I like it
I like it!!

anano
kid, 10 years old
 
ok
medium romance medium fighting i just hate the show

derbymom
parent of 7 and 11 year old
 
I don't agree with CSM on this one
Pucca is not for everyone but we love it. My 7 year old and 11 year old girls both have fun watching it. I don't find anything inappropriate in it and even like watching from time to time myself. This show is ON for ages 7-14!

courtney_russell
parent of 6 year old
 
from a kid
it is pretty good

Mindaka
teen, 16 years old
 
...And the point is?
Can we say "dead boring"?

coconutcat
teen, 14 years old
 
Not to much violence,and is so funny!
This show is very fun to watch,but if you watch it most of the time you might want to be a ninja!^_^The reason i said it has good role models is because if somebody is mean to garu she would stand up for him,even though she hurts them if there mean to him.there is some kissing,but its just cartoon kissing,and yes she might beat garu up to kiss him. there is some fighting and such but its not to bad.i think its good for ages 5 to 14!

HTFMime
teen, 16 years old
 
Why don't you like it?
This show is good, a little viloent but why don't you like it, Emily Ashby?

DisneyChannelFan
kid, 10 years old
 
Pucca
I Love Disney XD But Who Got The Idea Of This?There Are Lucky I Watch It For Some Timepass.But Most Of The Time I Will Not Use It For Timepass.I Will Use It For PASS.7+.

MultiSky
teen, 15 years old
 
It's the theme song I like
It's alright, I've only seen it when I was on vacation because the condo had this channel, I like the theme song, but the show was a little weird, Pucca is obsessed, but a cute little girl. If it didn't include constant stalking I'd be 100% fine with it.

Jinny8
teen, 14 years old
 
Yeah. I think you are overreacting just a bit. Why do you always point out the negative things? Its not such a big deal! If you have a problem with Pucca, go on their website or something. Dont put everything down here and expect people to say Oh yeah! That is true! I mean REALLY! IT is educational because it has little bits of korean writing from time to time. IT has positive messages because Pucca is always protecting Garu, and if they are ever in trouble Pucca is brave and knows EXACTLY what to do! Geez! I mean REALLY!

Vampire Kittie1
kid, 10 years old
 
You Sicken the guts out of me, Common Sense Media!! (This time only!) :(
give her a chance people if i had a boyfriend i would be chase him.


kid, 12 years old
 
Well, Sometimes No One Talks like That, I ain't going to talk like that. It's not a bad or a good word, It's just you can never say that. You can't say it in school, or in anywhere at the schoolyard stuff/thing, other wise, the prinipal can come to you where you say. ? what, and can't say it, you can say it around your parents, guardians or bosses, ok? thank you.


teen, 14 years old
 
Well, Sometimes No One Talks like That, I ain't going to talk like that. It's not a bad or a good word, It's just you can never say that. You can't say it in school, or in anywhere at the schoolyard stuff/thing, other wise, the prinipal can come to you where you say. ? what, and can't say it, you can say it around your parents, guardians or bosses, ok? thank you.


kid, 11 years old
 
Well, Sometimes No One Talks like That, I ain't going to talk like that. It's not a bad or a good word, It's just you can never say that. You can't say it in school, or in anywhere at the schoolyard stuff/thing, other wise, the prinipal can come to you where you say. ? what, and can't say it, you can say it around your parents, guardians or bosses, ok? thank you.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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