How to Train Your Dragon
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to How to Train Your Dragon
The "How to Train Your Dragon" animated television series, which includes titles such as "Riders of Berk," "Defenders of Berk," "Race to the Edge," and the more recent "The Nine Realms," extends the popular DreamWorks film saga. Set in a mythical Viking realm, the series chronicles the exploits of a resourceful young Viking, Hiccup, and his loyal dragon, Toothless, as they endeavor to foster harmony between humans and dragons. The storyline delves into concepts of companionship, bravery, self-discovery, and the defiance of established societal conventions, providing a rich narrative experience. Primarily targeting a pre-teen and early-teen demographic, the various installments combine action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. The content generally aligns with a family-friendly adventure genre, but it frequently includes intense dragon encounters, dangerous scenarios, and themes of conflict and leadership. Later series, notably "Dragons: The Nine Realms," introduce more overt elements, including LGBTQ+ representation and aspects of New Age mysticism. The franchise consistently promotes positive values like teamwork and empathy, yet due to varying levels of intensity across several content areas, parental guidance is advised, especially for younger or more sensitive audiences.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The franchise includes a canonically gay character, Gobber, whose sexuality is subtly hinted at in the film "How to Train Your Dragon 2" and more overtly shown in "The Hidden World." The later TV series "Dragons: The Nine Realms" features explicit LGBTQ+ representation through one of its main characters having two lesbian mothers. There are also critical interpretations of Hiccup's journey as a queer allegory.
Gobber the Belch is confirmed as gay by director Dean DeBlois, stemming from an ad-libbed line in "How to Train Your Dragon 2" where he says, "This is why I never married. This and one other reason." In "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World," Gobber is shown admiring Eret, remarking that he is "built like a Norse god" and later openly admiring his physique. In "Dragons: The Nine Realms," the character Alex has two mothers who are in an explicitly lesbian relationship, which is a clear and visible representation of a same-sex couple.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Ages 8+ with Parental Guidance. While earlier seasons may be suitable for slightly younger audiences, the consistent presence of intense action and peril, coupled with the introduction of explicit LGBTQ+ representation and occult themes in later installments like "Dragons: The Nine Realms," warrants careful consideration and discussion for children under 8.
Good to Know
The content intensity for certain concerns, particularly LGBTQ+ representation and occult themes, escalates in the later spin-off series "Dragons: The Nine Realms" compared to the original "Dragons: Riders of Berk," "Defenders of Berk," and "Race to the Edge" series. Parents should be aware of these shifts if their children transition to watching the newer installments.
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