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Parents' Guide to

Dino Girl Gauko

By Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Funny, surreal series about a girl who turns into a dino.

TV Netflix Kids' Animation 2019
Dino Girl Gauko Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Theo D.
Theo D. Adult
March 6, 2020
age 5+
RacoonGoddess
RacoonGoddess Adult
February 23, 2020
age 6+

Good for talking about "big feelings"

I can see this being fine for kids as young as 4 with parents sitting there talking about whats happening. My first kid had a super short fuse and this show would have been really helpful to talk about actions vs. reactions when he was 4. In general I find what I've seen (ep 1-4) funny and generally harmless.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

DINO GIRL GAUKO centers on Naoko Watanabe, a typical-seeming girl who has just started attending a new school. At first, she endures some teasing from gossipy classmates and feels like a fish out of water, but is thrilled when she's accepted by sweet new friends Kana and Erica. The only trouble is, Naoko has a secret she won't be able to keep under wraps for long: when she gets angry or upset, Naoko turns into a gigantic green fire-breathing dinosaur named Gauko. Whereas Naoko is happy to sit and read poetry on a park bench, Gauko has no hesitation about spit-roasting and stomping on any and everyone who antagonizes her.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (3 ):

The oddball characters and cheeky humor are a perfect counterbalance for the underlying messages of self-acceptance, giving the show a vibe that's fun and silly rather than preachy and corny. The retro-minimalist 2D animation style of Dino Girl Gauko also works well in taking the bite out of the violence -- it's all kept very cartoonish, making it clear that nobody is ever in true danger. Despite the fact that Naoko's small town is comprised of an outrageous assortment of romantic space aliens, frogs as parents, and robot teachers who float, nobody behaves as though this is strange or worth commenting on in any way. Episodes are short, high-energy bursts of outrageous screwball humor and decent messages that should entertain kids and their parents alike.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how challenging it can be to control difficult emotions, and how this is illustrated in Naoko's story. What are the benefits of letting these feelings out, and the drawbacks of keeping them inside?

  • The world of Dino Girl Gauko is populated by all kinds of creatures: romantic space aliens, onesie-wearing classmates, kids who look like ducks. These differences aren't usually commented on or explained, it's all just part of Naoko's world. What might the show be trying to convey here?

  • The idea of a person transforming into a monster or animal has been used before in books, film, and TV. What are some of your favorite examples of this phenomenon?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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