Beyblade
Common Sense says
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
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 Beyblade was the first in a string of series based on a game of dueling spinning tops whose replicas line toy shelves to this day, so your kids' susceptibility to this kind of marketing is a major factor to consider. For the most part, there's very little to worry about in the content, which is mostly clean save for some derogatory jabs like "stupid" delivered between competitors. Happily there are some positive take-aways from this formulaic but enticing show, including the dangers of judging people on appearance and the importance of adapting to adversity.
Wondering if Beyblade is OK for your kids?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
Animation: bad... Plot: good
Never got into this.
What's the story?
BEYBLADE is the story of Tyson Granger (voiced by Marlowe Gardiner Heslin), an up-and-coming Beyblader who assembles a competitive team called the Bladebreakers. They travel the world entering Beyblade contests, whereby they duel with other players using their spinning tops as weapons. Often they encounter ruthless opponents and familiar faces from their amateur days, and their continued success keeps Tyson, Max (Gage Knox), Kai (David Reale), Kenny (Alex Hood), and Ray (Daniel DeSanto) on the other players' radars.
Is it any good?
This was the original series in the Beyblade franchise that inspired follow-ups like Beyblade: Metal Fusion and BeyWheelz. If you're familiar with the others or the popular toys themselves, there will be no surprises here, as the show pretty much exists to showcase the excitement of the match-ups, thus ramping up kids' desire to have their own. Add a touch of fantasy in each Beyblade's link to a unique beast spirit, and you've got the makings of a hot collectible kids (especially boys) will want to own.
That said, Beyblade isn't all bad. The match-ups between the "good" Bladebreakers and the "bad," well, everybody else, does a good job of illustrating the difference between healthy competition and obsession. What's more, the outcomes aren't always predictable, and the underdogs' success usually hinges on their use of strategy and creative problem solving rather than on brute strength, reminding kids that winners come in all different shapes and sizes.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about competition. What can you learn from being part of a team? From taking part in contests? What does it mean to be good winner?
Kids: Do you like this manga-style animation? Would the show make more or less of an impression on you if was done in CGI or another style?
Why are shows with strong product tie-ins like this one and Pokemon so popular? Do you think their popularity would be the same if they weren't paired with toys or games you can buy?
TV details
- Premiere date: January 8, 2001
- Cast: Alex Hood, Gage Knox, Marlowe Gardiner Heslin
- Network: Syndicated
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: DVD, Streaming
- Last updated: March 13, 2020
Themes & Topics
For kids who love cartoons
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
Streaming options powered by JustWatch