Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action, adventure, and positive messages for tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 24 kid reviews
Kids say the show features impressive animation and strong character design, but it also contains mature themes and some violence that may not be suitable for younger audiences. Many fans express frustration over its cancellation, highlighting its combination of action, humor, and valuable life lessons which make it appealing for a mixed audience of children and adults.
- animation quality
- character depth
- mature themes
- cancellation disappointment
- mixed audience appeal
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When the peaceful existence of the planet Galaluna comes under attack from the power-hungry General Modula (voiced by Don Leslie), the king sends his daughter, Princess Ilana (Tara Strong), away for her safety. Accompanied by her protector, Lance (Kevin Thoms), and an adaptable android named Octus (Brian Posehn), Ilana lands on Earth and attempts to blend into her surroundings. Once Modula locates her landing site, he sends his minions to Earth after her, but she, Lance, and Octus don their Galalunan battle gear -- in which they can join forces as the power Titan -- to protect themselves and their new human neighbors.
Is It Any Good?
SYM-BIONIC TITAN chronicles a battle of large-scale proportions, so it's no surprise that violence in many forms (guns, tanks, bombs, etc.) is commonplace. Human destruction is implied in scenes where city buildings are leveled or burned, but no injuries or death are shown on a personal level. The show centers on outsiders trying to navigate the uncertainties of teen life, so things like dating, social castes (jocks, geeks, popularity queens), and fashion are exaggerated for humor.
On a positive note, there's a gentle side to the show that sets it apart from many action-adventure cartoons for kids. While Lance is brash and balks at assimilating into high school, Ilana welcomes the challenge and tries to unify what she sees as a divided population. Her strong character and protective instinct for her new human peers make her a likable heroine and give the show a surprising softness that offsets the violence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about leadership. What does it take to be a good leader? What attributes are important? Do you enjoy being a leader?
Tweens: How does this series compare to others like it that you've seen? Were the characters any more or less believable than others? What are some of your favorite action-adventure shows?
Did the amount or intensity of violence in this show surprise you? Did any of it strike you as realistic? What effect do you think TV violence has on kids?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 17, 2010
- Cast : Brian Posehn , Kevin Thoms , Tara Strong
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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