Amphibia
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Friendship is key in fun animation with mild scares.

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Amphibia
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Based on 17 parent reviews
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It will be missed. EXCELLENT writing.
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What's the Story?
When a magical music box transports an outgoing girl named Anne Boonchuy (voiced by Brenda Song) into AMPHIBIA, she discovers a world of talking frogs, oversized insects, and all kinds of unusual wonders. Fortunately her path crosses with a misfit frog named Sprig (Justin Felbinger), who takes her in and helps her discover what true friendship is. Together Anne and Sprig have all kinds of exciting adventures as she tries to fit into her new environment while also attempting to find a way back home.
Is It Any Good?
Sprig and Anne's adventures are a joy to behold, mostly thanks to their delightfully compatible personalities and the sweet friendship that develops between them. Though Anne has had experiences with what she assumed to be friendship, her interactions with Sprig convince her that friendship is actually something quite different -- and quite a bit more wonderful -- from what she had thought. In Sprig's case, he'd long been a bit of an outsider in his swamp home, but coming to know Anne helps him step out of his shell and embrace life in new ways.
Meanwhile, the mystery about how Anne came to Amphibia and how she might get home unfolds slowly, involving characters with questionable motives and some surprises. As Anne reflects on her past, the story illustrates issues like bullying and emotional manipulation in ways that will resonate with kids and tweens and can prompt discussions about the topics. Amphibia's quality writing, endearing characters, positive themes, welcome diversity, and visual appeal make this a truly enjoyable pick for families to watch together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Anne's and Sprig's feelings about friendship change as they get to know each other. Did each know what true friendship was before that? How did Anne's "friends" prove themselves to be anything but that? Do you think their actions counted as bullying?
What elements of the story and scenery in Amphibia stand out as being influenced by Anne's Thai heritage? Do you notice diversity in other shows you've watched? How does seeing different cultures and hearing different viewpoints in entertainment influence your impression of it in the real world?
What examples of perseverance and courage do you see in the characters' actions? Does courage always mean facing challenges head-on? Are positive characteristics like these important to you in the shows you watch?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 17, 2019
- Cast: Brenda Song, Amanda Leighton, Justin Felbinger
- Network: Disney Channel
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Wild Animals
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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