A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Positive Messages
a little
Jack's motivation is getting home, and he'll do anything to make it happen. He doesn't enjoy fighting or seek out conflict, but when it finds him, he does what he has to protect himself and the innocents around him. While he's a force of justice, his adversary revels in killing and controlling those who work for him.
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Positive Role Models
some
Jack's not violent by nature even though that's how he's forced to solve problems. He does what he does by necessity, whereas Aku is cruel by choice. Instead Jack fights for peace and justice.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
Jack is a sword-wielding samurai, but he mostly battles robots and other machines, so what looks like blood is actually gushing oil and other fluids. Some scenes show more human suffering, as when Jack imagines seeing his father burning alive on a cross. Much cartoon violence and weapons like knives and handguns. Stabbings, hand-to-hand combat. Kids are trained to fight for a villain.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Samurai Jack has a lot of animated violence – especially in newer episodes that air during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming – but it's a stylish cartoon that has a big following among teens and adults. As a hero, Jack does ultimately wield his sword to fight evil, but he's forced to do what he does to protect innocent figures. Most of the violence involves robots of various sizes and shapes, so there's no blood but plenty of oily fluids made to look like it. Expect to see gun use, stabbing, punching, and sword fights, as well as some slicing and dicing of bodies, mostly without gore.
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Samurai Jack
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- Parents say (19)
- Kids say (43)
age 11+
Based on 19 parent reviews
John Doe Parent of 10 and 11-year-old
March 12, 2022
age 10+
this show is great if your children are clam.
I shall say, that the fifth season have much more gore and overall not for younger kids. you most likely already because its being aired by adult swim, but all seasons before are for kids. the blood is switched out for oil and most "killing" is destroying robots. to the fighting and the art, its perfect, but I honestly doubt most kids under ten wont like it because of how silent it is, but there's always perfect music to keep you watching it. its great. the story is simple and villain steals the show, bless you Mako Iwamatsu. and it does world building better than any other show (aside from Futurama.) I for one love it.
The Professor Parent of 2 and 11-year-old
September 14, 2019
age 4+
Excellent intro to Bushido and martial virtues
This show has brought about such great joy and discussions in our family. If you think your child would benefit from the discipline of a martial arts school, then seasons 1-4 are appropriate for all ages. If the humble nobility of Jack somehow burned itself into my sons' and daughters' brain as they were infants, it would be a good thing. Season 5 is darker and age will depend on a kids understanding of love, rage, loss, loneliness, and redemption. My wife was most captivated by this season. If you let your kids watch avengers movies, they'll be fine. Seppuku is alluded to, but if your kid doesn't understand it, they won't get it. If they do know what it is, they will better understand it.
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What's the Story?
In feudal Japan, a young prince's father is killed by a demon named Aku (voiced by Greg Baldwin) in SAMURAI JACK. The prince escapes and spends his life training as a samurai, eventually challenging the demon. Before he can deal the killing blow, however, the demon opens a time portal and flings his opponent into it. The prince arrives in a frightening dystopian future Earth ruled by Aku and his robot servants and assumes the task of attempting to find a way back to his time to prevent the future he's seen, but he's also occupied by Aku's underlings who seek him out to destroy him. Haunted by memories of his family and the knowledge that they need him, Jack (Phil LaMarr) survives decades of Aku's assaults without giving up hope of returning home.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (19):
Kids say (43):
This beautifully drawn, animated, and edited cartoon is a cut above most, but the brooding hero and mature themes – especially evident in newer episodes – mean it's not for most kids. Older episodes involve some absurdity and lightheated content, but season five is decidedly more intense and violent, casting Jack as an increasingly tortured soul haunted by his extended inability to get back to his family. As such, the show is better suited to older teens and adults than it is to kids.
Violence is the biggest concern in Samurai Jack's content mostly because of how the show's minimal dialogue accentuates these exchanges. Even though most involve Jack facing off against robots, it's evident the experiences weigh on him; in those moments when his adversary is human, he's bothered long after the deed of self-preservation is done. This translates to a highly sympathetic, understated hero who maintains his own humanity despite forces that seek to undo it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how shows like Samurai Jack portray violence. Are there circ*mstances under which the use of violence is necessary? Who decides when it's justified and when it's not?
Is Samurai Jack a viable hero? Does he act like one? Are heroes always easy to spot in real life? What accounts for his ability to persevere through so many years of mental anguish?
How does this series reflect aspects of Japanese history and culture? Is it respectful in its representation? How fine is the line between stereotypes and honest representation?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 10, 2001
- Cast: Phil LaMarr, Greg Baldwin, Grey Griffin
- Networks: Boomerang, Cartoon Network
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Sports and Martial Arts, Robots
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: May 25, 2024
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Samurai Jack
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Related Topics
- Perseverance
- Magic and Fantasy
- Sports and Martial Arts
- Robots
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