B-Daman Crossfire TV Poster Image

B-Daman Crossfire

age 7+
(i)

 

So-so anime series' focus is on product marketing ploys.
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What parents need to know

Educational value

The series intends to entertain rather than to educate.

Positive messages

Newcomer Riki's partnership with the Blue Dragon grants him access to an elite and secretive group of B-Daman aficionados, implying that material objects can "buy" social status that talent and hard work may not. On the other hand, the characters' common interest in the B-Daman legends and game is a unifying force that forges friendships among unlikely peers, and kids see how the players' different personalities are reflected in unique (but ultimately equally competitive) playing styles.

Positive role models

B-Daman players don't always embrace newcomers right away, but time proves beneficial to most relationships, allowing friendships to form.

Violence & scariness

Tournaments involve players using their B-Daman figures to shoot marbles in a series of challenges, so there are no physical exchanges by the players or their avatars. As the marbles accelerate, they take on the forms of legendary beasts, which sometimes crash into walls and such, but the effect is more about flash than outright violence.

Sexy stuff
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

Every aspect of the series is designed to make kids want action figures and other toys in the B-Daman product line, especially given how the story implies an "in" crowd of elite players determined by their choice of avatars. Just as each TV character has a favorite B-Daman, kids will favor one or two, plus they'll want the battlefields and accessories that look like the show's as well.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that B-Daman Crossfire is the equivalent of a 30-minute infomercial peddling the wares of a line of Hasbro toys inspired by the show. Each character in the show has a unique B-Daman avatar who serves as both a friend and a teammate in tournament-style marble-shooting matches, and all of them have action figure replicas (plus accessories, battle gear, arenas, etc.) on toy shelves. What's more, certain B-Damans –- and, by association, their human partners –- are granted special privileges in the story, so it's safe to assume that young fans will clamor to own these over others. Content-wise, there's not much to worry about in the story itself; in fact, since the B-Daman tournaments involve marbles and obstacle courses rather than physical combat between the avatars, violence isn't even a real concern.

Parents say

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What's the story?

B-DAMAN CROSSFIRE is a Japanese anime series centered on Riki (voiced by Mikie Morgan), a young inductee to the world of B-Daman and the chosen partner of Rising Dracyan, the legendary Blue Dragon. Dracyan's association with Riki gives the latter access to a secretive group of B-Daman players, among them the sullen Samuru (Wendee Lee) and his dragon partner, Lightning Dravise. Together Riki and Samuru uncover the mysteries surrounding the dragon spirits caught within the B-Daman forms while fending off foes in tournament battles.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

No kid could be expected to withstand the barrage of marketing ploys that link favorite TV and movie characters with toys, clothing, accessories, and even food items in stores. Where one goes, the other will follow, and most parents are used to making some concessions on behalf of their kids' whims. Pokemon fruit snacks? Dora the Explorer hair clips? Disney princess bedding? We've all caved at one point or another because, let's face it, it is fun to sport our individual preferences.

But B-Daman Crossfire takes this kind of soft-core advertising to a new level. Naturally the handheld avatars who shoot marbles out of their midsections make for primo action figures, and the show's changing battlefields can be replicated by a collection of accessory kits. What really crosses the line is how the story creates an "in" crowd even within the B-Daman society, a secret, invitation-only group accessible only by possessing a very short list of B-Damans, thus impressing upon kids that being cool is more about what you have than about who you are.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the commercial aspect of this series. Are you familiar with the toys and accessories related to the show? Do you have a favorite B-Daman character? What attributes draw you to that one?

  • Does seeing characters' images on products in the store make you want them more? Are you drawn to items in a store that have pictures of these or other TV characters?

  • How does Riki and Samuru's friendship change over time? Have you ever had a similar experience with a relationship that took time to evolve?

TV details

Premiere date:August 17, 2013
Cast:Mikie Morgan, Wendee Lee
Network:CW
Genre:Kids' Animation
Topics:Magic and fantasy, Adventures
TV rating:TV-Y7-FV

This review of B-Daman Crossfire was written by

Emily Ashby
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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Teen, 17 years old Written bypuper15 October 25, 2013
age 2+

Essentially A 30 minute commercial

B-Daman Crossfire is essentially a 30 minute commercial. the show itself there is nothing noteworthy about it. all the characters have no personality whatsoever. the plot is weak and gimicky, the only reason that this show is on the air is to advertise the B-Daman Crossfire toys, parents if you let your kid watch this show you will be buying the related toys i promess you. this show is nothing but an advertisement for the toy line that goes with it. this show itself is just boring and a waste of time. 1/5 stars
What other families should know
Too much consumerism
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Teen, 15 years old Written byJonathanDL February 8, 2014
age 10+

Have you seen the end!?

Okay, I just want to say I'm a huge B-daman fan. I love the original, Battle Bdaman, when I was younger and even now, it's one of my favorite tv shows of all time. When I heard they were making a new series I was excited! When the first episode came out, I was disappointed, I was hoping it would be more like battle b-daman. I kept watching it every week, and I didn't like it, but then It's started to get really good at like the 10th episodes, there were actually some really good plot twists. And the the the episodes leading up to episode 26 were AMAZING! This show kind of takes me back, like when I was watching the original show when I was like 7. This review was really bothering me because I don't think you have seen the latest episodes. I recommend you watch this show again, or watch the original Battle B-Daman.
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
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Teen, 14 years old Written byDinostomper December 15, 2013
age 5+

It gets better!

Okay mine is a bit long but please bare with me. So it is a good tv show. Not in the beginning but once you pass episode 13 or 15 it starts getting REALLY good. It talks about good sportsmanship, loyalty to friends and hard work. It also tells you a lot about the toys. I have the toys they are GREAT toys for kids! Really this show is for any age it only really matters about if your child can handle all the epic battles and a character named "Double Drazerous"! So I personally think that it is really good. Also you might want to see Battle B-daman cause that one is a bit better is still really good.
What other families should know
Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
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