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Robotboy (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

Robot's firepower makes show iffy for kids.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that when he's angry, Robotboy's arms transform into guns, and he shoots robotic enemies in defense of his friends. The Japanese villain and his servant are portrayed as bumbling fools with exaggerated accents. While teamwork and friendship are embedded in the moral of each episode, the lessons are overshadowed by the show's action.

Positive messages: Robotboy's Japanese nemeses are victims of negative stereotyping.
Violence & scariness: Robotboy reacts to anger by fighting, and his limbs become guns to battle inanimate enemies.
Sexy stuff: Boy/girl relationships are alluded to in a playful, teasing tone.
Language: Kids use words like "butt" and call each other "stupid."
Consumerism: Characters spend their free time playing video games.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Robotboy

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how working with others can help overcome challenges. Families also might discuss the villains and what makes them appear evil. Do they look or sound scary? What makes them seem more dangerous than gun-shooting Robotboy? Families also could talk about the dynamics within the circles of friends. Is it OK for Gus to tease Tommy and Lola about something they say isn't true?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Created by Professor Moshimo, ROBOTBOY is an android prototype so special that he would likely be extremely valuable to evildoers. Realizing the danger to his invention, the professor sends Robotboy to live with Tommy Turnbull, who will show him what life is like as a true boy. Tommy and his friends, Gus and Lola, face challenges typical of kids their age: bullying, teasing, name-calling. However, the trio must also combat the constant efforts of the evil Dr. Kamikazi and his servant, Constantine, who are bent on using Robotboy to help them take over the world. The kids rely on teamwork and Robotboy's Incredible Hulk-like transformation (he changes into a gun-armed dynamo when he gets mad) to escape Dr. Kamikazi and foil his plans.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Kids may relate to the friendship among Tommy, Lola, and Gus, and will enjoy watching the trio scheme to defeat the bad guys. (Relationships within the trio are complicated by the fact that Gus relentlessly teases Tommy and Lola for being boyfriend and girlfriend, which they vehemently deny.) The show also offers some gross-out moments, which are always hits with kids, if repulsive to adults. One example: When Kamikazi has a cold, viewers get to watch his nasal secretions in action.

Bottom line: With its monotonous plotlines and a villain whose common sense is questionable, Robotboy is a mediocre choice. Even though his shooting targets are strictly inanimate, the fact that, in anger, Robotboy becomes a walking machine gun should concern parents.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Cartoon Network
Cast: Laurence Bouvard, Rupert Degas, Togo Igawa
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
6
 
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zhp7654
teen, 15 years old
17
 
NOT FOR KIDS
The show contains lots of violence, sex, language, consumerism, and so on, as bad as a NO KIDS show, book, film, game and so on. Tommy shows nudity when getting ready for school in one episode, and those children! They play video games, even rated M or AO. They might even watch Scanners (1981). EVEN worse than VeggieTales Presents: LarryBoy Adventures
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APatteson
parent of and 2 , 5 , 9 year old
2
 
Horribly Inappropriate!
My husband was watching this show for the first time with our boys at 10:00 in the morning -- I can't remember the episode -- and it cut to a scene with a news anchor caught off guard, not ready to be on the air because he had a HALF-NAKED woman sitting on the desk in front of him doing his makeup or something. And when I say half-naked, I mean anatomically correct, grown woman with a skin-tight tank top on and nothing else!! Her bare bottom was completely exposed. Can someone please tell me how this is appropriate for a children's cartoon?!?!?! Please do not let your children watch this.
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sdhtime@aol.com
teen, 13 years old
 
WHAT?! dis is awful
this is crappy! this the worst show ever! if i could watch it again, i will get upset! boo hoo! i hate this show! so don't let kids watch, ok.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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