Redakai: Conquer the Kairu

Kids say
Based on 7 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 anime series is designed specifically to promote a collectible card game, so the entire half-hour functions as a form of product placement. That said, the content is comparable with typical after-school or Saturday-morning animated fare. There's an attempt in each episode to present a personality conflict or emotional problem that gets solved by the end of the show, illustrating a lesson that kids can take away (along with their sudden desire to buy cards and play the game). Expect plenty of fantasy violence; a few of the monsters may scare very young children.
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What's the Story?
REDAKAI: CONQUER THE KAIRU focuses on Ky Stax, a 15-year-old student of ancient martial arts. Aided by his friends Maya and Boomer of Team Stax and his mentor, Master Boaddai, Ky journeys around the world on a quest to find all of the Kairu -- a primordial alien energy source -- on Earth. As they search, Ky and his friends must make sure that his extraterrestrial teenage alien enemies don't find it first. Led by the evil Lokar, the forces of Team Radikor want to gather the energy of the Kairu to further Lokar's evil goal of world domination.
Is It Any Good?
Although merchandise-driven animated series for kids often get a bad rap, they do deserve some credit. In their best moments, they package half-hour commercials with an attempt to share somewhat valuable lessons about meaningful topics for kids. Everything from the importance of friendship to the dangers of smoking has been covered over the years.
Redakai: Conquer The Kairu is a fairly harmless half-hour infomercial for a collectible card game. At the same time, the concept has enough imagination to engage young viewers, and each episode does at least attempt to impart a lesson that underscores important common values. It would be ideal if every kids' TV series had nothing but creative concepts designed to impart important lessons without a hint of merchandising, but that's not the world we live in (as evidenced by the piles of Sesame Street and Elmo toys clogging up shelves). Kids tend to be drawn into whatever interests their forming minds, and Redakai will at least offer some vitamins and minerals in the form of life lessons alongside the less-than-healthy brain candy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how television is used to sell toys. What other ways do companies influence kids to buy or beg for things? Did watching Redakai make you want to try the card game?
Did you learn any lessons from watching the show? Do you think having friends to help you solve problems is important?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 9, 2011
- Network: Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Sports and Martial Arts, Adventures, Friendship, Space and Aliens
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: September 30, 2020
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