Sushi Pack

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Crime-fighting bento box serves up positive messages.
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 cartoon series for grade-schoolers does a good job of weaving positive messages into its action-packed storylines, so young viewers will be hard pressed to miss out on lessons like cooperation, teamwork, and respect for others. Despite the protagonists' unconventional nature (they're animated sushi), the cast is a likable crew, and kids will easily relate to their different personalities and relationships. The series revolves around the cast's crime-fighting efforts, so fights are common. But on the whole, the violence -- which is of the unrealistic fantasy type to begin with -- is kept to a minimum.

  • Kids will take away positive lessons relating to social skills like problem solving and teamwork.
  • Each storyline pushes positive messages like respect for others' feelings, effective conflict resolution, and cooperation. Still, violence is the main means to an end when it comes to dealing with bad guys.
  • Although violence is the main means to an end when it comes to combating villains, amongst themselves, the five
    heroes try hard to work out their problems with words instead. They're also a relatable group.
  • Brief cartoon battles are mostly contact-free, instead featuring exchanges of flashy lightning bolts and a yellow liquid substance hurled by one team member that splats on the villains but causes no harm. Pratfalls (exaggerated trips and falls, for example) are also common.

What's the story?

SUSHI PACK chronicles the crime-fighting efforts of a quintet of do-gooders who join forces to combat the nefarious schemes of villains in their hometown. The show's small stars are individual, color-coded pieces of sushi who were brought to life by a freak lightning storm and now make their home in a nearby doughnut shop. Each 11-minute cartoon follows a similar pattern: Somewhere within the Wharf City limits a minor crime ensues, and the fast-acting Sushi Pack quickly pieces together clues to unearth the commonly dimwitted villain. The physical confrontations typically involve some kind of battle, but the fishy friends mostly use their skills in conjuring force fields and fighting fire with hurled handfuls of mustard to ward off their adversaries.


Is it any good?

 

For parents, the good news is that, as action cartoons go, Sushi Pack is light on violence (and devoid of anything realistic) and strives to push strong lessons in each episode. Kids who tune in will see the characters (who, despite their oceanic heritage, look more like Pokemon or PowerPuff Girls characters than fillets of fish) using good communication skills to resolve conflicts among friends, learn to acknowledge and better respect the feelings of others, and cooperate to become a more effective team.

All in all, it's a fun, fantasy-based series that may leave parents wondering about the source of the writers' character inspiration (a bad lunch at Nobu?) but is still likely to entertain kids. Plus, it boasts some solid behind-the-scenes credits; Emmy-winning writers Tom Ruegger and Nicholas Hollander were also behind hits like Animaniacs and Tiny Toons.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about resolving conflict. Kids: How do the Sushi Pack friends resolve their differences? Is it ever a difficult process? How do they make sure their friends' feelings are respected?

  • Have you ever had to smooth things over with a friend? How did you do
    it? Were things the same afterward?

  • What different methods do the
    team members have when it comes to dealing with their enemies? What
    role does violence play in their actions? Do you think it's ever
    possible to talk things out with someone who doesn't see eye to eye
    with you?


This review was written by Emily Ashby
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Sushi for everyone
Colorful, quick, and mindful, the Sushi Pack provides Power Puff Girls action at a level appropriate for younger viewers. It also provides entertainment for adults as well, making it an excellent family view-and-discuss material. However, the sushi characters -- crab, octopus, tuna, salmon, and wasabi -- may take a bit of explaining.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Great Show!
The concept is great! 5 pieces of sushi fighting to save the world. Now, fighting you may say! Isn't that violent? Well, this amazing pack of heroes save the world by means of food fighting that is. Lots of fun to watch!

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Parent of 16 year old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
MY KIDS LOVE IT! AND I FIND IT FUNNY, TOO!

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Kid, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
 

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 14 years old
October 25, 2009
 
This show is awesome it got me into taking yoga. The Sushi pack members are the best, they show that team wor is key.

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Teen, 14 years old
August 21, 2009
 
Perfect for kids of any age because not only is it fun it also teaches valubale lessons.Like dont act in a rage of anger.
This show is the best.I love to see the sushi pack in action.One of my favorites is Mcguro because she really knows calming stuff and she is a very good secondary leader.

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Teen, 14 years old
March 19, 2011
 
amazing cartoons, idk y the cancelled it...:)
i used to luv it as a kid... :)

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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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