Blood of Zeus
Blood of Zeus
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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 Blood of Zeus is a Greek mythology-themed anime series about one of Zeus' many sons. It contains brutal, bloody fantasy violence that includes decapitations and stabbings. Physical assaults, fights, and the burning of flesh are also shown. There is some nudity (bare breasts) and sexual content, and marital rape is alluded to with stories of a merciless king who forces himself on his wife. There is also some drinking, and the word "bastard" is frequently used. Mature teens who are interested in either mythology or anime will be intrigued by this unique crossover.
Community Reviews
Gory, violent and burning of flesh
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Amazing but brutal
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What's the Story?
BLOOD OF ZEUS shows what happens when you combine Greek mythology and anime. Heron (voiced by Derek Phillips) is a commoner living as an outcast with his mother, Electra (Mamie Gummer), in ancient Greece. When a demonic army begins to take over the village, Heron eventually discovers that he is a son of Zeus (Jason O'Mara), and comes to realize that his purpose is to save the world. But the demons, who are working on behalf of the Titans, aren't easy to defeat, and Queen Hera's (Claudia Christian) anger over Zeus' relationship with Electra creates even more drama.
Is It Any Good?
This compelling series successfully combines all the fascinating drama from Greek mythology with the bloody fantasy style of Japanese anime to tell a classic story in a new way. While Heron isn't an official character in traditional Greek myths, his presence among Zeus' many illegitimate children feels credible. The connections made between classic Greek tales and the common demonic enemies of humanity are nearly seamless, too.
Anime fans won't be disappointed by the series' content, which features lots of violence, nudity, and mature themes. But even those who don't usually tune in to this kind of entertainment may find themselves easily drawn into the story world, too. Overall, Blood of Zeus is a fun, intense, and binge-worthy series for viewers old enough to handle it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difficulty of combining two culturally different storytelling traditions. How does Blood of Zeus combine elements of mythology and Japanese anime? Is there anything about the way the series is produced that doesn't work well?
What role did Greek mythology play in ancient Greek culture? What do these stories tell us today about ancient Greek life? How do these stories inform our popular culture today?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 27, 2020
- Cast: Derek Phillips, Mamie Gummer, Jason O’Mara
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 2, 2022
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