I'll be honest, this cartoon has been a major source of frustration for me since my kid started watching it at 2.5 years old.
He was obsessed with it for a few years, but around five, his interest started to wane. Now he's seven, and he still watches it occasionally, but it's not as big a deal as it used to be.
As for me, I've never been a fan of this cartoon, even when my kid first started watching it. But now it's just plain annoying.
When my kid was 2-3 years old, he watched this cartoon and 'Paper Cut' a lot, and we didn't really think twice about it. We didn't know much about how different cartoons affected kids, so we didn't limit his screen time.
So, what do my husband and I dislike about this cartoon?
The music.
The music is just grating – it's annoying and gets stuck in my head.
The pacing.
The fast-paced cuts are really jarring – it's like a strobe light. Psychologists say that cartoons with quick cuts like this can be bad for kids, making them hyperactive, nervous, and disobedient. I've seen it happen with my own kid and his cousin.
And honestly, even the background cartoons were affecting me negatively. I have a sensitive personality, and I'm the first to pick up on annoyances.
The animation.
First of all, the animation was a major turn-off for me.
Take the main characters, for example – their faces are all wonky, with mouths on the side of their heads and just dots for eyes. The only one who's not too bad is Cypsy.
One thing that really stood out to me was the color palette in the movie - it's way too bright and the contrast is just harsh on the eyes. It's almost like a psychedelic experience.
I've got to say, I'm really not a fan of the voice acting for Kasha. It's just so grating, especially with the voice of Medvedeva from Comedy woman - it's just not my cup of tea.
Characters.
1) Kasha.
What really gets my goat is how Kasha positions himself as some kind of genius, but then proceeds to do all these silly things without even knowing the basics. And yet, he does it all with complete confidence.
He's got this entitled attitude, like he's some kind of spoiled kid who thinks the world owes him a living.
And to make matters worse, he's constantly belittling Liska because she's a girl, basically teaching kids to disrespect women.
Also, Kasha is just too hyperactive, always fidgeting around like a kid with ADHD.
2) Tuchka
I have to say, Tuchka's got a bit of a hippie vibe going on, and sometimes I feel like he's just been smoking something.
But he's got some good qualities too - he's way friendlier than Kesh, more hardworking, and actually thinks things through.
3) Lisichka
Lisichka's got a bit of a housewife vibe going on, and she seems to be acting like the mom of the group, not just a peer.
Her behavior's really grating on me.
4) Cyipa
Cyipa's the most normal character in the bunch, I guess. He's pretty quiet, just makes a few noises, and looks the best out of all of them.
But why doesn't he talk when all the other animals do? It's like he's just a pet or something.
5) Krot Valy
Valy's always looking to help out, a bit too trusting, and easy to take advantage of.
It's great that he's so willing to lend a hand, but it's not okay to just use him for your own gain.
6) Dva ynota Sanya and Sonya
Sanya and Sonya are pretty selfish, always looking out for number one and willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.
So what's the takeaway?
I think the movie teaches kids about entitlement, deception, and selfishness. And let's be real, the characters are pretty creative with their lies, which is even worse. Some kids might pick up on that, especially the little ones who are still learning how to interact with the world around them and tend to mimic the behavior they see.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, there's a pretty clear disdain for women, implying that their place is in the kitchen, which is just sad.
It's also pretty common to see the characters getting away with their bad behavior, which is a big problem. The little ones watching this show won't develop the connection between doing something wrong and facing consequences.
I'm not trying to be a buzzkill, but where are the parents in all of this? It's a question that comes up a lot when I'm watching shows like this.
My husband actually pointed out a scene where the characters got into a fight over who's better, boys or girls. And poor Cyka was confused, not knowing which side to take. It's a small thing, but it's a pretty subtle hint at the content.
What really bothered me about this cartoon is that it doesn't teach kids about being good, showing empathy, or taking responsibility. And the moral they try to cram down your throat at the end? It's basically meaningless. On the other hand, it does encourage kids to imitate bad behavior.
The Verdict.
I've been putting off writing this review for a while, but I finally decided to share my thoughts on this cartoon. My kid used to love watching it, but now I'm not so sure.
As a parent, it's my job to make sure my kid is exposed to good content, and this cartoon just doesn't cut it. It's not the worst thing out there, but it's definitely not the best either.