Parents' Guide to Team Zenko Go

Without any of the suspense or violence usually found in this genre, Team Zenko Go makes superhero fun accessible to the youngest kids. It feels full of adventure and cool, even though the missions are preschooler-relatable problems like returning a lost baby tooth so that the tooth fairy can visit. Zenko somehow manages to be both dynamic and fun without falling into the typical preschool show habit of the characters delivering every line at maximum energy. Characters talk about their emotions and own up to making mistakes. This animated series borrows from The Incredibles stylistically, which of course itself is inspired by many of the greatest movie superhero characters. The incredible animation and design, as well as the understated style, make this show uber-watchable (even for grade school kids and grown-ups). Grown-ups will love the repeated emphasis on doing good deeds and acting selflessly to help people in the community.

Team Zenko Go's positive representation also deserves mention. With the four superheroes each from a different cultural background, and with there being two boy and two girl superheroes, many preschoolers will find a character that they can identify with. Ari uses a wheelchair, and the other characters treat him with assumed competence and focus on his incredible inventions instead of the fact that he uses a wheelchair. One drawback is that none of the kids' personal identities are explicitly discussed, which would make them more memorable for preschoolers who do not typically pick up on subtleties. Japanese culture is celebrated throughout, though again in a fairly subtle way. That said, Zenko is clearly trying to bring all kids along on its fun ride.