Parents' Guide to

Conan the Adventurer

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Brawny hero's strength of character has value for kids.

TV Discovery Family Channel Kids' Animation 1992
Conan the Adventurer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

Dan W.
Dan W. Parent
January 29, 2017
age 8+

Great title for kids and parents

As a fan of the original Conan stories, I approached this with some trepidation. Haveing watched the entire series, I can tell you it stays true to the spirit of the original stories but tones it down for kids. There is no blood, or traditional violence, but it is still a savage land. In one of the early episodes, Conan and his friends are captured by canibals. There is talk of eating them. In another episode, the villain, whom Conan was trying to save despite this is caught in a lava flow and later shown as a skeleton. As far as appropriate age, think Star Wars or the original animated gi joe.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

CONAN THE ADVENTURER is a '90s-era action/adventure series set in the fictitious ancient land of Cimmeria that centers on a young warrior named Conan (voiced by Michael Donovan) and his efforts to defeat a powerful cult leader who has trapped his family in a spell of living stone. Armed only with a sword crafted from meteorite matter that has mystical powers, Conan faces his archenemy, Wrath-Amon (Scott McNeil), and his legion of Serpent Men, who are after the Star Metal themselves to set free their long-imprisoned god, Set. Conan is joined in his quest by his trusty horse, Thunder; his reluctant phoenix guide, Needle (Michael Beattie); and an assortment of allies he meets along the way.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Much like He-Man before him, Conan's appeal lies in his strength of character, which draws like-minded allies to him and sends the message that nice guys can finish first. Though these qualities likely aren't what kids will notice, given the hero's physical strength and skills with a sword, rest assured that the show's messages about fairness, respect, and determination are bound to stick with viewers long after the story's end.

Of course it's tough to tell a quality tale of good vs. evil without some clashes between the warring parties, but even in this regard, the show goes the extra mile for kids' sake. Rather than celebrating battles of brute force, the fantasy-based story plays up the mystical nature of a powerful but mysterious substance that trumps every physical weapon, which translates to few visible injuries or deaths. Need another reason to like it? Because the storyline is progressive rather than beginning anew with each episode, it encourages kids' retention of major plot points from one viewing to the next.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about heroes. What qualities define a hero? Who are your heroes? Do you feel differently about heroes you know on a personal level and those you admire from afar?

  • Kids: How do you deal with adversity? What struggles have you had with peers or with authority figures? What gives you strength when you're facing a difficult situation?

  • In what ways does this series differ from more modern action series? How is the animation style different? Are the villains any more or less menacing in current shows? How do the shows' messages compare?

TV Details

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