Pingu (1980–2006) User Reviews

Better than a lot of what's out there right now

[Mr-Fusion · 8/10 · 23 February 2015]

Netflix has its share of undiscovered foreign offerings (YouTube also knows a thing or two about dark corners), but "Pingu" is worth the dice roll. I love the dialogue (even though I have no idea how they come up with that wonderful gibberish language) and the claymation has its own physically comedic charm. I'm a cynical adult and I can watch this with my kid any time of the day, which is not something I'd say often about children's TV. There's surprising entertainment value in hearing a clay penguin squeal, "Noot Noot!". Thirty years old, and it's still fresh.

I love this stuff.

8/10

Pingu

[jboothmillard · 8/10 · 6 May 2005]

When I was really young I didn't know anything about the Arctic or penguins, I just liked to watch a very good children's show. This is a show with very short episodes about the gibberish talking penguin, Pingu and his family and friends. They have many weird and wonderful adventures and stories. Some of the best examples are those that make you laugh and have a nice ending. Some of the best short stories include: Pingu and Pinga home alone, Pingu runs away, Pingu and his friend build their own igloo, Pingu goes to the dentist, Pingu wants to play with his ball, Pingu and Pinga make popcorn, and Pingu pisses on the floor! Very good for a laugh and as a kid!

Very cute for youngsters

[sable-9 · 8/10 · 9 April 2006]

My son (3yrs old) loves this, may not be in English, but the message still gets through. Great use of humour to teach lessons to wee ones. Oh, and the penguins are incredibly cute! Pingu is a small but very smart penguin, but likes to get into trouble. He also likes to help as most youngsters do given half a chance, there are some instances of helping that arises from Pingu's play time. Another where he helps another member of his community to get some food. The animation is actually very good especially considering how long ago it was made. In New Zealand this shows on "Playhouse Disney" channel and is one of the more popular shows with my 2 wee boys. In my opinion it is as good as Bob the Builder and Little Einsteins.

Terrific educational and developmental art for children and adults, plus it's fun

[poehlmann · 10/10 · 26 August 2006]

The very idea that there are a few comments here which deride the educational and artistic merit of "Pingu" leads me to believe that the writers did not watch the programs very carefully. The first thing that struck me about "Pingu" was that the program was intelligent and subversively educational. That is to say that it teaches without being obvious. In fact, in some ways it feels very un-PC, which is great because it feels much more genuine that most of the muck posing as "educational programming" or "children's programming" these days. What we deal with here are real emotions and situations that children encounter through play and family life. There is no fear of bringing in sadness, distress, jealousy, selfishness or recklessness into the mix whether in terms of Pingu's actions or the affects of his actions on others, and the show does not shy away from showing that even if he is a good-natured penguin he is still capable of being a real pill sometimes. In short, it is not syrupy but it is definitely sweet and more satisfying than the sugar coated nonsense that fills most of the television bandwidth.

Educationally, "Pingu" is loaded to the gills with social lessons that are all the more impressive for not being preachy. Perhaps this is why some people miss them, since we are used to smothering our kids with the obvious, but that heavy-handedness often results in a rebellious rejection to what is being shoved down a child's throat and the more subversive nature of "Pingu" makes it even more brilliant. Beyond that, "Pingu" serves as a remarkable language / communication tool that teaches more about language and expression than any other show I have seen without ever using real "words" in the process. Infants and toddlers can understand the interactions without the speaking, which may in turn make it easier for them to work on their own communication skills. I am constantly impressed by the range of emotion conveyed by the characters, as simple as much of it is.

Artistically, the program is genius. The animation is whimsical and fun and always inventive. And because of the level of intelligence and the lack of condescension it truly rises above mere entertainment. As an adult, I find it refreshing to see a program that does not speak down to me, does not pander to its "intended" audience, and leaves me satisfied after every viewing.

Pingu is awesome.

[glcrumpacker · 10/10 · 16 May 2008]

All my kids like Pingu, from the 7-year-old down to the 2-year-old, and I have to admit to watching it when the kids aren't even home. It's humorous and innocent, the characters are endearing, and the fact that the characters don't speak any language -- the dialogue is in "Penguinese" -- means that they convey their stories wholly with action, vocal inflection and body language. This is extremely intriguing.

Pingu is refreshingly unlike all the mainstream toddlers' programs out there, which are either excruciatingly heartwarming, unbearably didactic or just plain inane. It's a bit hard to find; at this point we're only able to get it from Time Warner On Demand cable. There are some DVDs available too. But if you have young kids, do check it out. The whole family will enjoy it.

Even though I am 17, part of me is still very fond of Pingu

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 17 September 2009]

I think Pingu is a very sweet animated programme, and it was one of my favourites when I was little. Although I am 17, I am still very fond of it. The animation is very inventive and colourful, and the theme tune-the original theme tune that is- is one of the catchiest theme tunes ever for a children's' programme. The characters are really cute, Pingu(my favourite cartoon penguin) with his silly sound effects, the adorable Pinga and I liked their seal friend as well. The stories are original and charming and filled with social lessons for children, and although there isn't any dialogue strictly speaking, you can kind of understand what's going on from watching the screen. Some of it is very funny, and you do empathise with the characters, though I do think the new Pingu episodes aren't as charming or funny as the older ones. Overall, wonderful childhood favourite. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Spectacular program for small children

[cynobite · 10/10 · 26 July 2006]

First and foremost, Pingu is entertaining and adorable. It is one of the few shows that I care to allow my two year old to watch, mainly because she laughs whenever he makes his silly sounds, but also because she learns from Pingu. The alphabet and numbers? No, but Pingu teaches little social lessons if one cares to pay attention. For instance, Pingu becomes jealous of his little brother in one episode. He spends the entire episode trying to get his mother to stop feeding and soothing the baby so that he can have her complete attention. The episode ends with Pingu's mother rocking and playing with both of them. It's a simple and easy way to deal with a small child's jealousy of a new sibling and the attention that they must have. Pingu also throws tantrums, plays, basically behaves just like a toddler or three-year-old. Even the theme song is catchy and easy for a toddler to sing. In this day and age when courtesy is not a prized commodity on children's television, Pingu is a breath of fresh air. The message? It's normal to be angry, to be jealous, to have any of the other complex and confusing emotions, but we must learn to be courteous and respectful with each other so that everyone can be happy.

Pingu >The Godfather

[mattgrimes-69096 · 10/10 · 29 January 2018]

This is it. We have surpassed all other forms of human entertainment. This claymation penguin has tapped into a well of pure art that will never run dry. This is your life. And it will never, Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverrr, be the same, again.

Excellent and very unique kids' entertainment!

[Beta_Gallinger · 4 August 2007]

It appears that this animated kids' show from Switzerland came along the year I was born, but I first saw it many years later, when I was around eight years old. Eventually, I got hooked, watching it every day after school! In Canada, the station to see it on was TVO. I have so many memories of watching kids' shows on that station for a good chunk of the 1990s, but "Pingu" was probably my favourite of them all, at least for a while, despite the fact that most of the other programmes I saw had much longer episodes!

The show took place at the South Pole, with anthropomorphic penguins living in igloos, and speaking gibberish, possibly using bits of different languages occasionally. The main character was Pingu, a young mischievous penguin who lived in an igloo with his parents, and eventually, his younger sister. Pingu was very cheeky and often poorly behaved, which could often get him into trouble. He experienced various kinds of problems, sometimes at home, and sometimes in other places. At home, he often got in trouble with his parents, and didn't always get along with his sister. Outside, he sometimes met other adults, and also found himself on adventures with peers.

I recently re-watched some episodes of "Pingu" and found that I didn't really enjoy it that much anymore, which didn't surprise me. However, I can't forget how much I loved it when I was a kid! Without a doubt, the show was very entertaining for many younger kids, with its excellent animation, characters, humour, and probably even the gibberish dialogue! Did it have any educational value? Well, definitely not as much as some kids' shows, and kids definitely couldn't learn anything from the words, but there may have been some mild lessons to be learned from Pingu's experiences, often about getting along with others. Despite the gibberish dialogue, viewers could always tell what was happening and understand the emotions of the characters. With all these qualities, I'm sure "Pingu" is still entertaining for many kids today, regardless of what language(s) they speak!

Annoying as heck

[TheStarblazingsomethingorother · 1/10 · 25 July 2023]

What the heck? What kind of crack was whoever who made this on anyway? Okay, first off, the characters speak gibberish the whole show. They don't mutter any real words, it's all gibberish. I think I might get a migraine because of this. The animation can also get pretty creepy, like the infamous demon walrus from you-know-where (can't swear on this site). This show also is disgusting, like the bathroom episode. EW. I mean, come on? How in the world did this show get so popular? It was supposed to flop and get cancelled after three episodes! This is just awful trash. Watch Speed Racer and Inspector Gadget instead.

Pingu rocks!

[fuifuturum · 10/10 · 11 October 2005]

Pingu is a *very* refreshing break from the (many, many, many!) more mundane children's shows currently on the air. Pingu himself is an irreverent, irrepressible little fellow who relentlessly does his own thing (and often takes the heat from his parents for it). In fact, Pingu is so confident and independent that American audiences might have a hard time swallowing it.

In addition to shrugging off parental objections to his activities, Pingu sometimes quarrels with his friends (I'm talking about rolling-around-in-the-snow, knock-down/drag-outs here), and is not afraid of a bit of "biological" humor.

These things are, however, a part of the charm. If you are looking for good, edgy children's programming, Pingu is the way to go.

Hey, everyone make nice by the end of the episode! Go on...check it out!

Well, I used to like it...

[general-melchett · 9/10 · 18 February 2007]

I really used to like Pingu as a young kid. To be honest, which 3-year-old idiot doesn't like seeing a little clay penguin getting into rather childish adventures? Well, I did. Pingu is always enjoyable - though there's no real wit or any words spoken, it speaks a lot through action and sound. The animation isn't Happy Feet standard, but Pingu's charm lies in its simplicity, and it isn't badly done either, considering it's 20 years old. If only more Antarctic fun could be produced by TV nowadays rather than s**t like cooking shows and bilge like Tweenies. Other characters included Pinga who was Pingu's sister, Pingu's mum and dad, and that grey seal - I've forgotten his name. They all had their charms too, and helped to make this show even more fun. The shows are only 5 minutes long each, ensuring Pingu never gets boring. I mean, I'm just 14 years old, and already this can give me a sense of nostalgia. Those were the good old days... when the Simpsons was good, when we didn't have cr*p like Strictly Come Dancing on, when the music charts weren't full of rubbish... 9/10

Fun For All Ages

[MoffatLP · 1 September 2011]

Who doesn't like watching clay penguins running around talking random gibberish for 5 minutes? Even though the show is only 5 minutes an episode and half of the time you don't understand a thing that is coming out of the mouths of these funny little creatures it gets the message through to you, the message that not everything need to make sense to be brilliant. There is pretty much no plot but has the characters of the show and every episode creates some whacky scenario for Pingu. Scenarios vary from fishing (which is where he meets Robbie the seal), the dreaming about a very disturbing walrus that made me cry as a child. Pingu is lots of fun to watch especially if you aren't looking for something intelligent to watch. The older I still love this show.

this show got me into harvard

[safeaumaira · 10/10 · 12 June 2020]

One of my favorite quotes of all time was from this show. the quote really stuck with me and got me to where i am now. the quote 💫 :

"HSUWJDVSBWUWHUDIWOQBISBYEOWKAJ" -pingu

Pingu is the cutest penguin on Earth!

[Remeud · 10/10 · 24 December 1998]

Pingu is a young penguin from the South Pole. He lives with his mother and father-the local postman and younger sister, Pinga. Pingu just loves to play, but he is rather mischievous. When he's not playing he likes to help his father with the post. Like most little sisters, Pinga never misses a chance to tease Pingu. But they still enjoy playing together sometimes. Robby the Seal is one of Pingu's best friends. Whether they're fishing or just playing hide and seek, they always have great adventures. Pingu teaches children lessons of life. In each episode the benefits of co-operation, and good behaviour are stressed. The negative consequences of greediness, teasing and disobediance are explained to younger viewers through Pingu's actions. I highly recommend that you watch Pingu - he appeals to all age groups - from children, who like the animations (and the trouble that Pingu gets up to) to teenagers and adults, who can appreciate the pathos and humour in the series.

Perfection

[bearduck · 10/10 · 7 January 2021]

This is truly one of the greatest THINGS ever conceived by a human being. It depicts the story of a young penguin living out his life, but the people behind the scenes pack it full of betrayal, pain, but also love. Pingu helped me grow as a person by teaching me so many valuable life lessons and I think the reason for that is, because the creators truly cared about it. You can see they put their heart and soul into this. I don't think anybody deserves to watch this, for it isn't a show, but rather an experience.

I want to return to my childhood ! 😃🤣😂

[lekkelmendi-16102 · 10/10 · 6 April 2020]

I'm 18 and I've watched this when i was 7 months to 5 years old. It still reminds me the childhood, and how much did I laugh with this program. Theme song's catchy, funny and entertaining. I put a ringtone tone alarm when I was in 12th class. The acting of penguins was so adorable, also their voice speaking's so funny. They are so cute and brilliant to watch, also they love each other and they are friends and family. But at the beginning Pingu was a little bit of jealous for his little brother, but they love each other. I want to tell my little cousin 4 yrs old to watch this program together to enjoy it. Compliment about this program : Funny, entertaining, nice, masterpiece, adorable, amazing and brilliant. 10/10

Pingu needs to be given more credit.

[niki-liska · 10/10 · 23 November 2010]

Pingu portrays real human emotions, which made it fun to watch. It is educational without the norm of ABC's and 123. at the end of each episode, one could grasp the moral lesson that eventually surfaces in the episode. for example, the one episode where pingu refuses to help his mom and wanted to spend the day playing outside, but at the end of the day, he came back home and helped his mom to clean the floor. this is how pingu brings up the educational part, which plays a big role in our daily human life. It deals with family problems and relationship between a brother and a younger sister. it is real, and not in any way made up or fake, which is why as an adult, i caught myself watching all of the episodes on youtube. yes pingu is naughty, and "noot noot" at each dissatisfaction, but this animation is very unique that it doesn't make the moral lessons obvious... if you watch it carefully, you will then know what it is all about... for a kid, it is indeed enjoyable because how pingu reacts and how his parents then response to him... well it is like how we humans are. i give this 10/10 because by far, no cartoon animation has made me watch it for whole day long... not even the simpsons or the family guy, though i don't understand penguinese... but "ama caprada forday" anyway.

I am 20 and I love Pingu.

[blkmgcbhl · 10/10 · 29 June 2013]

When I was 9, Pingu used to air on Cartoon Network. I found it quite meaningless back then and usually waited for it to get over (not a long wait, each episode is just five minutes long) before a show that I enjoyed watching was on air. Not a long while ago, I came across this meme on the internet regarding Pingu. It went along the lines of "Why does Pingu's dad always iron clothes when no one in his family wears clothes?" This meme really cracked me up and I felt like watching an episode of Pingu. This time around, I viewed it in a whole new light. I absolutely enjoy everything about this show now, especially how Pingu turns his beak into a horn and goes NOOT NOOT. Another interesting thing about this show is how the makers have smartly imbibed the qualities of clay in this claymation cartoon. It is a common sight to see Pingu roll about like a ball made out of clay. This show has a timeless feel to it, I can't seem to assign a time period to it. I think this must have to do with it being a clay animation. Most importantly, this show stands out for the fictional language that its characters speak. It's a remarkable approach to creating cartoons, making them equally appealing to every linguistic group.

Pingu

[kineshashekhar · 10/10 · 5 April 2021]

Pingu is awesome. I mean who doesn't like watching an adorable little penguin having fun with his family? I loved this show as a kid, and I still love it.

Sickest penguin show

[chrispilky · 10/10 · 14 December 2020]

Great plot, character development and setting. Would recommend on ket. 10/10

Meep meep!

[Torgo_Approves · 10/10 · 23 February 2007]

Not much needs to be said, really. Pingu is a sweet, adorable little show which has shaped an entire generation of kids. The plot lines are simple, the characters very cute and likable, the claymation charming and the beaks ludicrously stretchable. The show's brilliance lies in its almost ridiculous, brain-comforting simplicity which the smallest child can enjoy. It is also impervious to soccer mums; they can't attack it because there's nothing to attack - they can't create gay rumours about the main character, for example (poor SpongeBob). Writing a twelve paragraph review about Pingu would be the ultimate exercise in futility. Pingu is what it is - sweet, simple, adorable, innocent, and utterly brilliant. 10 meeps out of 10.

Educational and extremely adorable!

[Animany94 · 10/10 · 18 October 2017]

Where do I start? Pingu is among the very few children's TV-series you cannot grow too old to enjoy. I certainly feel that way.

These shorts all have valuable lessons for the little kids who definitely can identify its titular character's everyday adventures and misadventures.

I think it is a clever idea to have them speak in this nonsensical penguin language, because children do learn about body language and reading situations.

The characters are all likable and realistic depictions of everyday kinds of people and it suits the educational side of the series. The series also has its fun with creating Pingu's silly gimmick of making these sounds with his beak which iconic and amusing. It never gets old.

I have not seen all of the episodes and I am not sure about the value of the later ones, but the older episodes are treasured childhood memories of mine and I really recommend it to all children.

Perfect for children.

[afonsobritofalves · 8/10 · 21 December 2018]

One of the best children's series ever. This series had a second stop-motion animation, has a second argument and manages to hold any puplico (whether child or adult). Highly recommend.

Verdict is pingu

[ThunderKing6 · 10/10 · 16 January 2021]

Pingu is a stop motion clay interlude show that premiered on TVO kids after school back in the golden age. It came on before and/or after Arthur. Pingu is just about a penguin who just does penguin stuff with his penguin pals and family.

The show lasts from 2 minutes to 5 minutes.

Animation was flawless No voice work at all. Not even narration. Theme Song is retro

Verdict: if you like penguins you might like this timbit.