The Emperor's New School

TV review by Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media
The Emperor's New School Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Lackluster cartoon based on the animated movie.

Disney Channel Kids' Animation 2006
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 13 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 18 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this show is intended for entertainment purposes only -- despite the potentially interesting and educational setting (an Incan empire), there's no learning about history or the culture of these people. The main character, Kuzco, is a self-absorbed teen. He lies and cheats in order to secure his high school diploma. He's also disrespectful to adults.

Community Reviews

Partygurl442
Partygurl442 Adult
July 11, 2021
age 14+

Revisiting This Show, How Did This Even Air?

I decided to watch the show after years of not seeing it on Disney+, and I discovered this show was RIDDLED with messages of ignoring consent and Kuzco being an overall jerk and creep. He constantly sexualized Malina when she told him to stop, pressured her into getting dates with him on several occasions, had a turkey with a romance potion for 'just in case' (There was a LOT of date rape drug connotations there!) and got extremely possessive over her when she was seeing other boys that weren't him and had the idea of turning her house into a parody of a Pottery Barn to get him to MARRY HER. He was an overall jerk to most of the people in school, being low-key kinda racist and ableist. Would have been better if he slowly learned the importance of consent and being kind and ACTUALLY KEPT TO HIS MORALS INSTEAD OF UNDOING HIS PROCESS THE NEXT EPISODE, the show would have been better. Kronk and Yzma carried this show, and given how they had less screentime, that says something.

This title has:

Too much sex
clarence
clarence Adult
August 5, 2015
age 4+
See all 13 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL is a feeble attempt to ride on the coattails of the popular animated film The Emperor's New Groove. This cartoon focuses on Kuzco, a pompous would-be emperor teen who has been forced out of the palace and lives with his peasant buddy Pacha and family. He cannot become emperor without earning his high school diploma, so he does what he does best, which is lie and cheat his way out of every obstacle between him and the diploma. Narrated by Kuzco, The Emperor's New School follows his silly escapades around school and the Incan community.

Is It Any Good?

Though the cartoon is targeted at young elementary-aged kids, even these viewers are savvy enough to ask, "Why would anyone want to help him?" The show is free of violence but its lackluster animation and annoying characters are not worth even a half hour of down-time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Kuzco faces challenges with friends and administrators at school and what changes he could make to be more likable. Could his terrible attitude and actions be a way to cover up his normal adolescent feelings of insecurity? Would kids want to be friends with someone like Kuzco given how he treats others?

TV Details

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