Pucca

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Pucca Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Obsessive crush borders on stalking. No, thanks.

Disney XD Kids' Animation 2006
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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 15 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 42 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this stylized cartoon series is hampered by a silly 10-year-old female character whose zealous pursuit of her crush entirely consumes her. When she's not smothering him with unwanted attention (including hugs and attempts to kiss him), she's tapping into her own inner warrior and fighting the bad guys who challenge him. Although his red-faced embarrassment shows his disgust at her advances, he never lets her know how he feels. While the show is aimed at the 6-11 age group, the plot (with the significant exception of the inappropriately obsessive love interest) is ridiculously simplistic and far-fetched for kids that old, leaving only the flashy violence to keep their attention.

Community Reviews

melangelic
melangelic Adult
April 28, 2022
age 7+

A fun time, listen to the kids.

This show has lore, heart, morals, cleverly quick jokes, and the over-the-top abilities Pucca has are absurdly funny and superhero-like. The main characters are canonically children, so I wouldn’t overthink Pucca’s excitement for Garu, it’s lighthearted and sweet natured. I would go as far as to say the dedicated Garu and talented, capable Pucca are good role models. The episodes are fast-paced and pretty short, but they do what they can with the time they have— younger children may get lost from the quickness of it but it’s generally comprehensible. Cute art style, charming characters, media references here and there. Also, just as a plus the music for this show is noticeably really good. The show doesn’t take itself very seriously, nor should you.
Laura Mew
Laura Mew Adult
March 6, 2022
age 5+

Yikes

Pucca is just plain creepy and obsessive. At best it's annoying, at worst its downright disturbing. Even when I was younger I find it hard to watch, whenever it came on Disney channel I'd switch to cartoon network hoping to find smth better. I wouldn't mind having obsession, possessiveness or unhealthy/immature love explored in media but the show's writing is so flat and tries too hard to portray it as a good thing makes me feel pretty grossed out. If any adult actually find obsessive harassment in the name of "love" to be cute and adorable, I must say I'm impressed they've come this far in life with half a brain.
See all 15 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Ten-year-old Pucca seems a sweet-natured (if flighty) girl who's content to help out at her family's restaurant and listen to the misguided advice of the three chefs who act as her guardians in her father's absence (he's traveling the globe in search of exciting culinary advances). But when it comes to Garu (Brian Drummond) -- the unlucky object of her affections -- Pucca becomes relentlessly determined to win his heart. She follows him everywhere and stops at nothing to win him over. Innocent Garu, who only wants to focus on honing his ninja skills, finds Pucca's smothering presence irritating -- and it's not long before viewers start to agree with him.

Is It Any Good?

PUCCA chronicles a young girl's exhaustive attempts to win over her one true love, who, despite her best efforts, remains focused instead on his career. But this isn't a soap opera, a dramedy, or even a movie of the week. Pucca is actually an animated kids' series that blends martial arts with a touch of magic and heavy doses of desperate, unrequited love. The mix is a recipe for disaster that will leave parents (especially those with daughters) with a bad taste in their mouths. While Pucca and Garu's problems could be resolved by some effective communication, the situation is complicated by the fact that neither of them speaks in actual words. Inexplicably, they're among the few characters on the show who rely on sounds -- mostly giggles and grunts -- to communicate.

Pucca is plagued by storylines and subject matter that can't find age-appropriate common ground. The complicated love/hate relationship and the prevalence of violence pushes the show toward the upper end of the age spectrum, but the otherwise simplistic plot drags it down and will bore older kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about relationships between boys and girls. What's the difference between liking someone as a friend and liking someone as a boy/girlfriend?

  • How can you let someone know that you like him/her? How does it feel when someone has a crush on you? How would you react if the person you liked didn't feel the same about you?

  • Can a crush be taken too far? This show offers parents the chance to clarify their rules about dating and might even be a starter for the birds-and-the-bees conversation.

TV Details

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