Motu Patlu

Playful and slapstick comedy plays a big role in the show, as the characters often resort to hitting, punching, and kicking in moments of anger or frustration. All violence is made to seem humorous, though. A man is flattened by a vehicle, thugs hold men under water as punishment for jumping on them in a pool, a woman uses a stick to thump men on the head after they irritate her, etc. No lasting injury or consequence.

Parents need to know that Motu Patlu is an animated series that's inspired by a Hindi comic strip and originally aired in India before being subtitled in English, French, and Spanish. Viewing it with subtitles makes it a somewhat difficult watch for viewers in the United States, but it's a visually and comically appealing show that will draw fans anyway. The stories center on friends Motu and Patlu's absurd adventures together, from swapping physiques (Motu's short, rotund stature for Patlu's taller, slender one) to tag-team teaching a naughty sibling duo. There's a hefty amount of violence in the show, most of which is played for humor despite being fairly serious in real-world terms (beatdowns, a man flattened by a vehicle on the road, etc.). It's also worth noting that the characters take turns pulling pranks on each other and otherwise reveling in their friends' misfortune, which has iffy messages for kids. That said, the fact that the show is set in a (fictitious) town in India does expose viewers to some simple representations of customs in different places.