Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Likable 1980s reboot has strong hero, diverse characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 44 parent reviews
Parents say this show offers a worthwhile reboot with strong emphasis on female empowerment, diverse characters, and positive LGBTQ+ representation, making it engaging for both children and adults. However, some parents express concerns about the intense themes, teenage drama, and romantic elements, which may not be suitable for younger audiences, suggesting it's better for viewers aged 8 and up.
- diverse characters
- empowering themes
- parental concerns
- age appropriateness
- positive representation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 146 kid reviews
Kids say this show is an incredible mix of fun, action, and important life lessons, making it enjoyable for both younger viewers and adults. Reviewers praise its diverse representation of LGBTQ+ characters and body types, while also noting that it touches on heavier themes such as emotional struggles and relationships, suggesting parental discretion for younger audiences.
- diverse representation
- strong messages
- family-friendly
- emotional themes
- age discretion
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER opens as Adora (voiced by Aimee Carrero) and her best friend, Catra (AJ Michalka), prepare for their first opportunity at real battle experience after spending most of their life training for the Horde's retaliation against a local insurgence. But a chance encounter with rebels Glimmer (Karen Fukuhara) and Bow (Marcus Scribner) leads Adora to a magical sword that reveals her true identity as She-Ra, a lost princess and the only hope for the planet Etheria's freedom from the Evil Horde. Faced with a difficult choice between the life she's always known and the destiny that awaits her, Adora joins the rebellion to fight against Catra and the rest of the Horde's army to free Etheria from its grasp.
Is It Any Good?
The female hero of 1980s cartoons makes a comeback in this reboot, bringing her story of personal destiny and the good fight to a new generation of viewers. This time around in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, she's untethered to a male origin story, as there's no mention of her legendary twin brother, Adam/He-Man, leaving Adora alone in the spotlight. Much as she doesn't want to be the hero Etherians believe her to be, Adora/She-Ra steps up to the role for the sake of justice and embraces the duties of her new purpose. There's much more diversity in the characters surrounding She-Ra in this version, too, including LGBTQ+ storylines and people representing a wide range of ethnicities, skin tones, and body shapes.
Adora is an excellent role model, thanks to her integrity, courage, physical strength, and impressive problem-solving and leadership skills. Her willingness to reconsider her own beliefs when faced with new truths and to stand up to her friends' pressure bodes well for what kids will take away from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. As the Etherians fight for honesty and freedom in the face of danger, they remind viewers that some things are worth big sacrifices.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about heroes in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. What makes a character a hero? Are all TV heroes good all the time? If not, how does seeing their frailty influence your admiration of them? Does She-Ra have any shortcomings? In what ways does she work on them?
How do you think it felt for She-Ra to be forced to choose between her friends and what she knew to be right? Have you ever made a decision like this that you've regretted? How do people use peer pressure to manipulate others?
What examples of integrity and courage do you see in this series? How does She-Ra respond to difficult circumstances? Do these character strengths make her a leader you'd like to follow?
The show has many non-White and queer characters. Discuss how they're portrayed. Can you think of other animated series that include underrepresented groups? Why is it important to see diversity on-screen?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 13, 2018
- Cast : Aimee Carrero , Karen Fukuhara , AJ Michalka
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : February 10, 2026
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
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