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.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe 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.
Violence
MediumThe series features frequent and intense sequences of fantasy violence, including battles between Vikings and dragons, as well as dragons fighting each other. While graphic gore and blood are largely absent, the action can be impactful, depicting destruction, peril, and implied injuries.
Throughout the various TV series (Riders of Berk, Defenders of Berk, Race to the Edge), characters like Hiccup and the dragon riders engage in numerous aerial and ground battles with hostile dragons and human adversaries. Villages are frequently attacked and burned by dragons. For instance, in an early movie, a human character is seen repeatedly striking a dragon's eyeball with a hammer in a dramatic fight scene to stop its attack, though without explicit gore. Many Viking characters, including Gobber and Hiccup, have prosthetic limbs as a result of past conflicts, visually representing the consequences of violence without depicting active bloody injuries.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe series includes mild romantic elements, primarily centered around the developing relationship between the main characters, Hiccup and Astrid. This content remains age-appropriate, focusing on affection and innocent physical contact without explicit sexual undertones.
Hiccup and Astrid's relationship evolves from friendship and rivalry into a clear romance across the TV series and movies. This includes scenes of them holding hands, expressing mutual affection, and sharing chaste kisses. For example, during their journey in "Dragons: Race to the Edge," their bond solidifies through shared adventures, culminating in various moments of romantic gestures. A teenage boy and girl are depicted kissing.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumWhile the earlier series are largely free of explicit witchcraft, "Dragons: The Nine Realms" introduces elements of New Age and folk mysticism, which may be a concern for some Christian parents.
In "Dragons: The Nine Realms," the character Jun uses tarot cards, claiming they can show her the future, despite denying them as magical. She speaks of actions being "fated" and "written in the stars." Jun also expresses belief in the power of crystals, convincing another character, Tom, to carry one into battle to "absorb negative energy."
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe series frequently features scary and intense situations involving large, often aggressive dragons, perilous battles, and moments of high suspense. These elements can be frightening for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Dragons are depicted with realistic detail, including sharp teeth, claws, and fire breath, and descriptions of how they kill prey can be unsettling. Characters are often in life-threatening situations, running and hiding from dangerous dragons or human enemies. For example, the live-action movie (a remake of the animated film) is rated PG for "sequences of intense action, and peril" and mentions "big menacing dragons that cause lots of destruction" including burning and trampling homes and injuring characters without blood.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumA central theme of the series involves the protagonist, Hiccup, challenging and rebelling against traditional Viking societal norms and his father's authority. While ultimately portrayed positively as leading to progress, this involves frequent defiance and disagreements.
Hiccup consistently defies his father, Stoick the Vast, and other elder Vikings by befriending dragons rather than killing them, a stark contrast to their established culture. This often involves him secretly training Toothless and going against direct orders. In "Dragons: The Nine Realms," the main character Tom and his friends are noted for acting "bafflingly dangerously and recklessly" to advance the plot, with peers supporting these risky plans.
Profanity
LowProfanity is minimal and generally non-offensive, primarily consisting of mild exclamations appropriate for the Viking setting. There is no use of strong or explicit curse words.
Characters occasionally use mild exclamations such as "Odin's Beard!" or "Thor's Hammer!" which serve as cultural expressions rather than offensive language. The official content ratings often state 'None' for profanity.
Substance Use
LowDepictions of substance use are generally absent or extremely minimal. While a Viking setting might imply the presence of alcoholic beverages like mead, overt consumption or intoxication is not shown.
No explicit scenes depicting alcohol consumption, drunkenness, or drug use are present in the TV series. Content warnings typically list 'None' for alcohol/drug use.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series is set in a pre-Christian Viking world with elements of Norse mythology, which presents a worldview distinct from Christianity. While not overtly anti-Christian, the inclusion of New Age/occult practices in later series might be a concern for Christian parents.
The narrative is based on Viking culture and mythology, which inherently differs from Christian theology. The series does not contain explicit mockery or criticism of Christian beliefs. However, in "Dragons: The Nine Realms," Jun's use of tarot cards and belief in crystals could be viewed by some Christian parents as an embracing of practices outside of Christian doctrine.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
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.
Additional Notes
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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