Television Review: Bakugan Battle Brawlers
What Parents Should Know
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.
Families can talk about the connection between entertainment
and marketing. Like many shows aimed at kids, this series is
tied to lots of merchandise. But this link may seem more
obvious here than in other shows. Do you think this show can be
enjoyed on its own, or is it too much of a toy commercial? How
has connecting toys and TV shows two changed the way we choose
what shows to watch -- and what toys to buy? Do you think a TV
network would want to air a show that didn't have any good toy
tie-ins? Why or why not?
Dan (voiced by Scott McCord), the main character in BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, has only one ambition -- to be the top-rated Bakugan player -- and most of this anime series focuses on his efforts. It shows him playing Bakugan (a complicated game that combines playing cards and small monster figurines that transform into huge creatures and attack each other), making plans for his next match, coming up with new strategies, and gossiping about other players. In fact, the entire show centers on the Bakugan game. The series tries to add another dimension to this fairly limited story by introducing a parallel plot about a different dimension, Vestroia, where an evil monster is trying to take power. Through a mysterious accident, the monster ends up on Earth as a Bakugan beast. His rival, Drago (Jason Deline), follows, hoping to foil the nefarious plan, and becomes the most powerful Bakugan creature in Dan's collection.
Though many modern kids shows are tied to merchandising campaigns, the marketing message in Bakugan (which is associated with an extensive line of toys and other products) is much more overt than most other programs and will be obvious even to tweens. But young kids may not notice it, and those who like the show will almost certainly start clamoring for a trip to the toy store.
Bottom line? The show isn't much fun for anyone who realizes it's just a big commercial, and it's consumerism waiting to happen for anyone who doesn't.
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