Bananya
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Bananya
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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 Bananya is a collection of 3-minute animated shorts featuring small cats that live inside bananas. The episodes occasionally label colors and social cues for young children, or teach introductory social emotional lessons by labeling feelings. However, some more mature terms like "narcissist" are also used without explanation. There's also an occasional minor jump scare like a monster unexpectedly appearing on a TV screen. One of the Bananyas is also repeatedly referred to as the Madonna of the group, though it's not specified exactly what that means other than being a girl "who loves to look fashionable and researches makeup every day."
What's the Story?
BANANYA opens by letting viewers in on the secret of bananas that nobody knows: adorable kitties live inside. From there, a friendly narrator introduces us to the Bananyas, creatures he discovered living in bananas after many years of research. Each have their own names and distinctive personalities, despite not speaking any intelligible words, and the narrator describes them in the episodes by opening up the "Bananya Identification Guide." Nya, for example, is very optimistic and carefree. He loves to play, likes sweet treats, and his dream is to become a trendy chocolate- covered banana.
Is It Any Good?
What's not to like about tiny anthropomorphic cats who live inside of bananas? With its calm tone and simple animation reminiscent of Curious George, Bananya is every bit as adorable as it sounds. Despite the undeniable cuteness, though, it's unclear who the target audience is, as basic concepts like colors are reinforced while adult terms like "narcissist" are also used. It's confusing, and with super-short episodes, there's not time to develop a plot arc, let alone a clear message. On the upside, there's a lot of identification of feelings, an essential building block to developing emotional intelligence. In the end, though, parents may find the show to be repetitive and boring. With the bevy of animated shows and shorts streaming these days, there are a number of better options available.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what happens in our brains when short pieces of content like Bananya make us happy. Talk about how dopamine is created and the role it plays in technology addiction.
How does the short length of Bananya's episodes affect the plot development and overall message of the show? Do you think this format is effective or not, and why?
Point out how the Bananyas sometimes talk about how they're feeling and label their emotions. Why is it important to be mindful about our own emotions? How does it help us become better communicators?
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 1, 2022
- Cast: Frank Matano, Lindsay Sheppard
- Network: Hulu
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: January 5, 2023
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