 | 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. |
Samurai Jack
- Boomerang, Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Japanese warrior fights evil in battle-heavy 'toon.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this stylish cartoon has quite a lot of animated violence. Although the hero is ultimately wielding his sword to fight evil -- which usually takes the form of bloodless enemies like robots -- he's nevertheless using violent methods to do so.
What's the story?
In feudal Japan, a young prince's father is killed by a demon named Aku. The prince escapes and spends his life training as a samurai. Eventually, he challenges the demon -- but before he can deal the killing blow, the demon opens a time portal and flings his opponent into it. The prince arrives in a frightening, dystopian future Earth ruled by Aku and his
robot servants. The first people the samurai meets refer to him slangily as
"Jack," which he adopts as his name; his real name is never revealed. Each of the show's episodes concern Jack's search for a way back to his own time so he can prevent a future controlled by Aku.
Is it any good?
Epsiodes range in tone from grim and violent to lighthearted and farcical. Many scenes are virtually wordless, giving them a cinematic feel. This is a beautifully drawn, animated, and edited cartoon; in many scenes, creator Genndy Tartakovsky uses a style reminiscent of 17th-century Japanese painting called "ukiyo-e," giving the series a sense of grandeur not normally seen in children's programming.
Though the show mostly has Jack (voiced by Phil LaMarr) battling bloodless machines, robots, and aliens, the show is still quite violent for a kids' cartoon, making it too intense for the youngest viewers. But older kids, teens, and probably a lot of parents will really enjoy the show's pacing and style.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Jack behaves the way he does. Are his moves just "cool," or do they have a purpose? Is it ever OK to use violent methods against people (or, in this case, other creatures) who have wronged you? Families can also discus how people of various cultures are portrayed on TV and in the movies, with the focus here on Asian culture and how it relates to martial arts stories. Is Jack's attitude an accurate reflection of actual samurai code? In what ways?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
October 23, 2009
AGE
terrific!! It has a great role model and most of the fighting is against robots and if it is not, he would just knock down that humanoid person.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 29, 2011
AGE
Cartoon Network's best series!!
Though this isen't really anime,i love it! A very uniqe style of animation,amazing sound effects,wonderful storyline and charectars,this is Cartoon Network's best show.(NOTE:Cartoon Network was better back when it had Toonami)
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AGE
sex not an isue!!!!!
well there is sex in the movie (i have it for vhs) jack is in a strip club but there not wemen there alien wemen
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AGE
Great family, adventure series!
I remember watching this cartoon as a kid when the first episode came out. It started off weak at first, but as it progressed it had a well-developed storyline with memorable characters and cool fighting moments. Although you cannot travel back in time and undo everything for real, I declare it as a solid story.
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AGE
Not good...
I watched like half of this a LONG time ago and then changed the channel. It was really dumb... Plus there actually was some slashing of eyes of aliens which is exactly the thing i hate... not too good... i'd watch something else...
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AGE
A great adventure show for kids
This show takes on the adventures of a nameless samurai warrior who was sent into the future by a demonic wizard so that his reign can prosper. While initially the samurai is nameless, the residents in the future came to call him "Jack". It is a highly adventurous and action packed show that would be fun to watch for the kids 10 and up. For a cartoon, I got to say this is one of my favorites up there with Kappa Mikey. Samurai Jack himself exhibits the characteristics of a stoic hero. He is unfailingly polite and humble despite the completely alien nature of the futuristic world and never scoffs at or disparages the customs of the people he encounters (as unpleasant as they seem to him at times). As any adventure for older kids, violence soon follows. For the most part the battles that he partakes in is to banish the monsters and evil robots that thrive in the futuristic world. Blood isn't really an issue because almost everyone and everything he fights is a robot. As for the living he generally knocks them out or disarms their weapons. An excellent cartoon for any adventure fan.
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AGE
Not for tweens or younger
Jack is a pristine example of honor, honesty and hard work. A lot of film and story references younger viewers (and less film aware parents) will not get. Some of the violence may be too intense for some kids. The style is simple but emotions portrayed are not. Example: in one episode Jack enters a silent black and white spirit world to save the spirits/souls of a family captured by an evil entity. Not much dialogue but a lot if intense imagery.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, sports and martial arts, robots |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7-FV |
| Networks: | Boomerang, Cartoon Network |
| Cast: | Mako, Phil LaMarr |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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