Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this anime-style action cartoon is very obviously tied to an extensive line of Bakugan toys, and young fans may quickly start begging their parents to buy them. Characters in the show frequently play the central tie-in card game, and, when they aren't playing, they spend most of their time discussing it. That said, other than the obvious commercialism and some cartoon fantasy violence involving the Bakugan beasts, the show is age-appropriate for tweens.

Sexual Content

No sex or nudity. But, as in many other anime shows, some of the female characters wear clothes that simultaneously emphasize their childishness and show more skin than seems age appropriate.

Violence

A significant portion of each episode centers on "battles" based on a complicated game using cards and small balls that transform into fearsome creatures that attack each other. These beasts look dangerous, but there's little actual physical contact or violence in the fights.

Language

"Butt," "crud," "dorkus," and other mild name-calling is about as bad as it gets.

Social Behavior

The show is definitely more about entertaining kids than promoting specific positive messages, but there's a clear definition of good and evil, and good is always in the right.

Consumerism

The show often seems like a massive marketing campaign for Bakugan toys. Characters are frequently shown playing the central, complicated card/ball game, and, when they aren't playing, they discuss their strategies and rankings or arrange matches. The cards and balls are also available for sale in the real world, and -- perhaps not coincidentally -- both the cartoon and the merchandise were developed by Sega Toys.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable