Pucca

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Obsessive crush borders on stalking. No, thanks.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids 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.

  • Not applicable.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.

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?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

  • 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.


This review was written by Emily Ashby
Teen, 16 years old
May 12, 2010
 
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.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 15 years old
May 31, 2009
 
how dare you!
pucca is the cutest, most adorable show on earth. you sicken me.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
March 18, 2009
 
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. =]

Flag as inappropriate 
Educator
August 10, 2011
 
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.

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Teen, 18 years old
January 3, 2011
 
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.

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Kid, 12 years old
December 20, 2009
 
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

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Kid, 13 years old
June 25, 2009
 
I like it
I like it!!

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Kid, 10 years old
December 27, 2011
 
ok
medium romance medium fighting i just hate the show

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Parent of 7 and 11 year old
September 10, 2011
 
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!

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Parent of 6 year old
August 11, 2011
 
from a kid
it is pretty good

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Emily Ashby
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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