Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Complex anime has intriguing story but some cursing, too.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Heroic Age
What's the Story?
HEROIC AGE is set far in the future in a universe delineated by tribes. As the story goes, the now-extinct Golden Tribe once called Humanity (also called the Iron Tribe) to join the Silver, Bronze, and Heroic tribes to help them explore the universe, but the powerful Heroic Tribe caused a civil war, forcing the Golden Tribe to cast the remaining giant warriors, as beings called Nodos, into servitude under the lesser tribes. When the Golden Tribe left for another galaxy, the Silver and Bronze tribes turned on the Iron Tribe out of fear of their power. To survive, the Iron Tribe scattered its members across the universe to keep them out of harm's reach. Many years later, a clairvoyant princess named Dhianeila (voiced by Caitlin Glass) sets out with a team of explorers in a ship called the Argonaut to locate a legendary human called Age (and his Nodo, Bellcross) (J. Michael Tatum), who's rumored to hold the key to saving Humanity from the Silver and Bronze tribes.
Is It Any Good?
This is an ethereal cartoon with roots in Greek mythology and a complicated plot. Heroic Age opens with the intergalactic mission to locate Age, so viewers are left to infer the characters' histories from the dialogue and fleeting references to the events of the past. Without that background, it's difficult to understand, and it's almost impossible to jump into the plot partway through. If you're going to watch, you'll want to do so from the beginning.
The show's violence isn't much of a concern for kids, but its language will be, as the characters often utter "damn," "dammit," and "hell," particularly in stressful moments. For this reason, and because of the story's complexities, it's a better pick for older tweens and teens than it is for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Heroic Age presents space exploration. How conceivable is it that there might be life on other planets? What do you think exists beyond the edges of our galaxy? Do you think we'll ever know for sure?
What purpose does this show's strong language serve? If that wasn't a factor, would kids enjoy the story? Why are some TV shows that are meant for older viewers animated?
How does this story relate to Greek mythology? Do you gain a better understanding of the story because of your knowledge of mythology? Where do legends come from, and how do they influence storytelling today?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 17, 2009
- Cast : Caitlin Glass , J. Michael Tatum
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Anime
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 2, 2023
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