We Bare Bears
We Bare Bears is an American animated sitcom created by Daniel Chong for Cartoon Network, following three anthropomorphic adoptive bear brothers, Grizzly, Panda, and Ice Bear, as they humorously attempt to integrate into human society in the San Francisco Bay Area. The series, based on Chong's webcomic "The Three Bare Bears," explores themes of friendship, family, acceptance, and the challenges of fitting in, often juxtaposing the bears' animal instincts with human customs. It is known for its slice-of-life adventures and has garnered praise for its heartwarming storytelling and diverse character representation. The show ran for four seasons, concluding with "We Bare Bears: The Movie," and later spawned a prequel spin-off, "We Baby Bears," which explores the bears' adventures as cubs.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series includes background depictions of same-sex couples, and its spin-off, 'We Baby Bears,' explicitly introduces non-binary characters with pronoun usage and features characters voiced by transgender actors. Creator statements confirm intentional LGBTQ+ representation.
In the We Bare Bears episode "Bear Lift" (Season 3, Episode 25), a scene depicts the bears assisting a newlywed lesbian couple, explicitly showcasing a same-sex relationship in the background. The spin-off series, We Baby Bears, features non-binary characters such as Box and Polly the Pirate Captain, who explicitly state their 'they/them' pronouns in the episode 'Polly's New Crew.' Additionally, the character Cassi in We Baby Bears is an anthropomorphic cat voiced by transgender actress Dominique Jackson.
Violence
MediumThe show contains mild, comedic slapstick violence and occasional implied threats, with some scenes requiring censorship in international airings. The movie and certain episodes introduce more intense situations, including implied police brutality and one character attempting to harm others.
The pilot episode included censored scenes, such as Ice Bear holding a 'dead deer while several children cower in terror,' and Grizzly 'messing with a child in a porta-potty,' indicating potentially disturbing imagery. In the We Bare Bears movie, themes of 'police brutality' are portrayed, and the bears are depicted 'outrun[ning] the police' after being deemed guilty, escalating the level of conflict with authority figures.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic content is generally mild, focusing on crushes and innocent expressions of affection. There are no explicit sexual scenes or graphic depictions, though background same-sex romantic relationships are present.
Panda frequently experiences crushes and romantic interests, such as his affection for the saleswoman Lucy, as seen in the episode 'Lucy.' While not explicit, the series features background lesbian couples, such as the newlywed women in 'Bear Lift' who are clearly in a romantic relationship.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumWhile generally lighthearted, some episodes delve into more suspenseful or psychologically intense scenarios, which may be frightening for very young children. These can include moments of peril, character distress, or unsettling situations.
The episode 'The Island' (Season 1, Episode 26) is described as 'batsht insane' due to a plot where a character purposefully sabotages efforts to leave a deserted island, intending to trap others indefinitely, creating a psychologically disturbing and intense scenario. In a fan discussion about 'terrifying' episodes, 'Coffee Cave' is cited where Ice Bear, suffering from severe coffee withdrawal, experiences hallucinations and attempts to harm his brothers with an axe, presenting a sudden and alarming threat.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe bears occasionally exhibit mischievous and rule-breaking behaviors. In 'We Bare Bears: The Movie,' more significant themes of mistrust towards authority and implied police brutality are present, escalating the depiction of defiance and societal friction.
In 'We Bare Bears: The Movie,' the narrative includes elements of 'police brutality,' and Ice Bear expresses a past negative view of the police, stating he was 'never happy to see the police' until a specific incident of rescue, suggesting a critical stance on law enforcement. The bears frequently engage in 'occasional mischief and rule-breaking' in their attempts to fit into human society, often leading to comedic but sometimes defiant actions against social norms or minor laws.
Profanity
LowProfanity in the series is minimal and limited to very mild terms, if present at all, aligning with typical Cartoon Network programming for younger audiences. Fan community guidelines for user-generated content note that minor swears are permissible, but strong profanity is prohibited.
The We Bare Bears Fanon Wikia, which outlines community content rules, states that 'Minor swears such as 'ass,' 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'bastard,' (when not directed towards other users) are allowed,' implying that these terms might sparingly appear in the show's context or are considered mild enough for fan discussion. There are no confirmed instances of frequent or strong profanity ('f-word,' 's-word') directly within the show's dialogue from reliable sources, suggesting an overall clean language policy for the series itself.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe series and its spin-off feature elements of fantasy and mild supernatural occurrences, such as magical objects or curses, but do not depict explicit witchcraft, sorcery, demons, or dark occult rituals.
In the spin-off We Baby Bears episode 'Polly's New Crew,' the character Polly the Pirate Captain reveals they are under the effect of a 'pirate curse,' introducing a magical element into the plot. The premise of We Baby Bears itself involves the three bears traveling through different worlds in a 'magic teleporting box,' establishing a foundation of fantasy and non-real-world capabilities.
Substance Use
LowThere is no identifiable depiction or explicit reference to illegal drug use, alcohol consumption, or smoking as a plot point or background element within the series or its spin-off.
In the episode 'The Cleanse,' the bears are advised by a doctor to go on a healthy cleanse, focusing on diet rather than addressing any issues of substance use. Throughout various episodes depicting human social settings, such as restaurants or parties, there are no instances found of characters consuming alcoholic beverages or engaging in any form of substance use.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes. While it promotes messages of diversity, acceptance, and inclusion, which may differ from certain religious viewpoints, it does not overtly criticize, mock, or depict sacrilegious acts against Christian beliefs or symbols.
The show is praised for its messages of 'representation and belonging as a minority' and normalizing diverse cultures, such as Asian culture, without specifically targeting or opposing Christian doctrines. The primary themes revolve around family, friendship, and the challenges of social integration, focusing on universal values rather than engaging with religious critique.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
8+ due to mild violence, occasional intense themes, and the introduction of LGBTQ+ and gender identity discussions in related media.
Additional Notes
The spin-off series, We Baby Bears, significantly escalates the explicit inclusion of LGBTQ+ and gender identity themes compared to the original We Bare Bears series, which primarily featured background representation. Parents should be aware that the content evolves across adaptations, particularly regarding social and identity themes.
Related Reviews
Is We Bare Bears right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required