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Parents' Guide to

Niko and the Sword of Light

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Strong role models stand out in family-friendly cartoon.

TV Amazon Prime Video Kids' Animation 2017
Niko and the Sword of Light Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Eeu
Eeu Parent of 8-year-old
September 6, 2021
age 8+

Show that I don’t regret watching

I like that some of the characters are children and animals. There is fighting and action. When somebody dies you don’t see it and their spirits stay alive. Overall it is a fun show if you like action packed series with fighting and animals.
Daniel K.
Daniel K. Parent of 4-year-old
June 27, 2019
age 5+

Strong Positive Messages with Intense Action and Frightening Foes - Enjoy it with your Kiddos!

Pros: -Fantastic overarching narrative and character development -Spirit of adventure in full swing -Optimism, self-confidence, and inclusiveness are the key components of Niko's in-world heroism Cons: -Some of the creatures are very visually frightening -Action scenes are quite intense -While there is no "killing", there is still an underlying message of violence = conflict resolution (as is really a part of any action show/movie) Watching through the series with my son, who is now 4, I've made it a point to watch just an episode per viewing, and to spend time afterwards talking about the concepts which may be a little over his head (i.e. what a "traitor" is, how Niko sees the good in even the most evil enemies, how a character struggles with internal conflict, etc..). This means I'm committed to sitting and watching with him - which is actually a ton of fun, because the writing and story development in this show are fantastic! It's really captured the spirit of adventure that I see my son exhibit in his play with friends, and each episode is a clear next "chapter" in an unfolding story. My son compares it to the Lion Guard, which does rely on many similar tropes (especially with the evil primary antagonist), albeit Niko in a fantasy realm and Kion in that of the animals of the African savanna. If your child is easily frightened, or you have a strict no-violence stance, definitely give this one a miss. However, the show goes to great length to state that Niko is different than the "champions" who came before him because he doesn't try to destroy his enemies; he seeks to save them. So most battle scenes end in the transformation of a creature infected by "darkness" back into it's cute, cuddly self. If you're looking to introduce your child to an alternative to the blatant violence of superhero shows/movies, this is a fantastic show to watch!
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What's the Story?

NIKO AND THE SWORD OF LIGHT opens with the awakening of a young boy named Niko (voiced by Andre Robinson), the last of his people and a legendary champion destined to banish the darkness from his home. Unfortunately, Niko's awakening was a bit premature, leaving his guide, Lyra (Kari Wahlgren), scrambling to teach him what he needs to know to overcome dangers and outwit Nar Est (Steve Blum), the evil sorcerer with the world in his grasp. Together with his friends Flicker (Dee Bradley Baker) and Mandok (Tom Kenny), and his unfailing guide, Lyra, Niko must harness the power of his sword of light if the world has any hope of conquering the darkness.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Niko's is a true underdog story brimming with action, suspense, and excellent role models in both Niko and Lyra. Bursting onto the scene far earlier than the elders and Lyra imagined, Niko is a bundle of childish energy faced with very grown-up responsibility, and it's up to almost equally youthful Lyra (though she's been suspended in time and not aging for the past 700+ years) to keep him focused. This is no easy task, and it eventually requires a big leap of faith for Lyra, but their combined commitment to the cause is admirable.

For his part, Niko's willingness to face challenges with a positive attitude and inexhaustible courage make it impossible to dislike this pint-size powerhouse. He chooses his friends with care and always looks out for the little guy, even while he's gearing up for a showdown to save his people from a force that's defeated every champion to come before him. Visually enchanting and boasting content of positive substance, Niko and the Sword of Light is a series that families can enjoy together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what defines a hero. In what ways do Niko and the Sword of Light's Niko and Lyra qualify as heroes? How do their character strengths (courage, perseverance) help others? Who are some of your role models? What characteristics do you most admire in them?

  • Did any parts of this story or its characters scare you? Do you like to be a little bit scared when you watch TV or movies? How do you tell the difference between realistic danger and danger that's imaginary?

  • Niko's ability to adapt to his surroundings and the challenges he faces is one of his greatest strengths. What are some of yours? Why is it important to recognize the positive qualities we have? How does self-esteem play a role in how you relate to others?

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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