Parents' Guide to

Speed Racer

By Brian Camp, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Fast, sleek and explosive classic TV series.

TV Syndicated Kids' Animation 1967
Speed Racer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Speed Racer TV Show: Scene #1
  • Speed Racer TV Show: Scene #2
  • Speed Racer TV Show: Scene #3
  • Speed Racer TV Show: Scene #4

Community Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 2 parent reviews

LovinMyGift
LovinMyGift Parent of 2-year-old
June 9, 2011
age 2+

Cautions for young ones, but lots of positive msgs, enjoyment fluff.

My daughter is almost 3 and loves this! I still think it would have been better to wait until she was a bit older to introduce her to Speed, but now she's hooked, telling me Speed loves tickles and wanting to go to the park in the Mach 5. There is a lot of fist fighting and explosions. No language, and a strong sense of right and wrong. At this age, parents may want to be extra vigilant about the messages. I talked to my daughter about not hitting and she responded well to that and it hasn't been an issue. She loves the cars and the characters and the family dynamics and friendships. I think Speed is her first "hero," saving the day and taking care of people and making sure they're okay when they are hurt.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
marceladns
marceladns Parent of 3 and 5-year-old
March 4, 2011
age 3+

Cheesy but harmless

My son is obsessed, scratch that, possesed by things that have wheels. Speed racer was love at first sight. And while my daughter enjoys it too, she often gets tired of it because my son would watch it over and over again. The animation is cheesy, and the stories are over the top and so are the accidents. Speed is always doing the good deeds but the explosion and the accidents could scare little kids. Chim-chim & Spritle are fun. For a 3 year old this is car heaven. Nothing to worry about it.

This title has:

Too much violence
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The beginning of this SPEED RACER tells an exciting, if simply animated, adventure story. Here, our hero Speed races to win prize money for a new car, while fending off villains trying to steal plans for the car. By the end of the series, after going up against a number of villainous characters, dangerously tricked-out cars, and shady schemes -- while sticking to his good-guy image -- Speed is a seasoned driver ready for the title of best racer in the world.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (4 ):

This hit 1960s Japanese cartoon has a sleek look and an emphasis on car crashes and other explosions that kids will love almost as much as die-hard anime fans. The beginning of Speed Racer is more awkwardly animated and less streamlined than later episodes, but there are still plenty of fast-paced thrills. As the series progresses, fans will find more psychological themes and drama mixed with the action and suspense.

The best in this series is Episode 21, "The Fastest Car on Earth," where Speed falls under the spell of a powerful new racing engine. The series' usual emphasis on action and movement is heightened by some very dramatic visual effects and a fully orchestrated, suspenseful music score.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of Speed Racer. Why do you think it became popular in the U.S., and so long after it came out in Japan? What do you think about Speed's good-guy image? Is he such a good character if there are always explosions and dangerous situations all around him? Does he ever solve something with violence that could have been solved another way?

TV Details

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