Bastard!!
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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 Bastard!! is an anime fantasy action series based on a long-running manga of the same name. Bastard!! takes some inspiration from '80s thrash metal, with references to bands like Metallica and Anthrax throughout. The central plot revolves around a dark wizard who has been living within the body of a timid 14-year-old boy, and his strange relationship with the young woman who releases him. Even beyond that, the series contains some edgy sexual content, including frontal female nudity and bedroom scenes. One plotline involves a romance between a child and his caretaker.
Community Reviews
NOT FOR KIDS
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What you get if you let a 14 year old be dungeon master
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What's the Story?
The story of BASTARD!! begins when the high priest of the Kingdom of Metallicana asks his daughter to release a dark wizard who has reincarnated himself as a 14-year-old boy. Once the wizard, Dark Schneider, is released, he must gather allies to stop the evil forces who are trying to resurrect the demon Anthrasax, who brought about the Earth's cataclysm 400 years earlier.
Is It Any Good?
The thrash metal bands that Kazushi Hagiwara's series draws inspiration from typically undergird their speed and intensity with legitimate musical sophistication. Hagiwara's Bastard!! may feature pyrotechnics when it comes to pace and action sequences, but it lacks the depth of its muses. Beneath the surface is a muddled, chaotic story that sprawls out in too many directions at once, using its metal associations mostly for showmanship (character names, costumes, easter eggs) rather than artistry.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dark wizard. Is Dark Schneider a typical hero or villain? What makes the character unique? How does he evolve over the course of the series?
What other inspirations does Bastard!! pull into its universe? How do they show up? What do they add to the story?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 30, 2022
- Cast: Hiroki Yasumoto
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Action
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: July 6, 2022
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Themes & Topics
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