The raunchy comedy
Shin-Chan (originally
Crayon Shin-chan, 1992) is a translator's nightmare: the original dialogue relies heavily on puns, word plays, and topical references, which are virtually impossible to render in English. The American story crew tries to hit the main story points and create comparable humor. The result suggests a mean-spirited blend of
South Park and
The Family Guy. The Noharas, Mom, Dad, baby Hima, and five-year-old Shinnosuke, put the "dis" in dysfunctional family. The parents bicker endlessly, Hima cries, and Shin never misses an opportunity to drop his pants and comment on his (or anyone else's) sexual anatomy and digestive problems. The jokes all seem to be pitched at a junior high locker room level, with endless references to pee, Number 2, boogers, "Mr. Elephant," etc. What's missing is any sense that the members of the Nohara family care about each other. Matt Groening said, "
The Simpsons is about a family whose members love each other but drive each other crazy, which everyone can identify with."
Shin Chan lacks that sense of underlying affection. In Episode #15, which revolves around Mom's arachnophobia, she comments, "These spiders aren't animated and neither are we"--which sums up the program's visuals. The drawings look like elementary-school scribbles and the animation is so limited, hardly anything moves. But
Shin Chan scored a bit hit in Japan, and for viewers who like their comedy low, gross, and cynical, it more than fills the bill. (Rated TV MA: cartoon violence, nudity, urination, profanity, alcohol use; gross humor involving sex, drugs, flatulence, and bodily functions)
--Charles Solomon (14. More of a "Snug" than a "Magnum," 15. In the Interest of Increased Ratings… 16. Sticky's my Favorite Flavor, 17. OK, But I'm a Power Bottom, 18. The Girls of 34C, 19. The Herpes Effect, 20. Gratuitous Child Nudity, 21. At Least They Pay for the Ouchie… 22. Damn You, Telepathy! 23. Your IQ's Like 5, Right? 24. Stop Referencing the Show! 25. Condescending Spanish for Heiresses, 26. Gratuitous Grandparent Nudity)
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