Masha y el Oso

This is a really fun Russian animated series, and our 3 year old can't get enough. In fact, our daughter's antics reminds us of Masha all too often!

You don't need to know Russian as the series generally keeps dialogue to a minimum. All the episodes are presented FREE on YouTube by the company that makes the show, so it's easy to give it a go and see if you'll like it. Some of the episodes are real classics and a crack up to watch.

The only downside is the recent English version. It's horrible. Masha is only about 3 or 4 years old in the show, but the English dialogue makes her sound like she's 8 years old. All the charm is lost, the English dialogue is just too mature and poorly written -- it does not suit an innocent three year old. Not only that, but the voice acting isn't great and sounds stilted. Although that could be a result of the poor lines. Now Masha sounds more like an annoying school-age kid in a Disney movie.

Some of the Russian episodes have English subtitles, and even they are more charming to read than watching the botched English version.

Occasionally Masha sings a Russian song, and again the English translation is a real mess, they could've done a much better job translating the lyrics.

Bottom line: Don't let the English version taint your experience, go see the original episodes. Your young children will love it.

As someone who grew up on classic Russian 2D animation, I was leery of watching anything CGI, no matter where it was produced! I've seen bits and pieces of stuff made by the various animation studios in so-called "3D" animation - they all stink! I don't care what outfit produced it, I hated it.

Well surprise, surprise when I caught Masha and the Bear the first time I was VERY impressed with the quality of the animation and attention to detail. Once again the Russians have proved the grasp they have on the animation media. no matter what format! The series is an updated version of an old Russian folk tale. In this series a terror tot (Masha) is semi adopted by a retired circus bear and there the fun begins! Masha constantly drives the poor bear to distraction with hilarious results. It's on you tube and is easily accessible! Oh yeah, in case you have doubts, how many you tube programs have nearly 11 million hits! Watch it!

The English version is great. Our six year old has no idea it's dubbed. Very cute. It's nice to hear the talking instead of just noises.

My Russian fiancée introduced me to this gem of an animated series, My Russian is very poor but you can follow these story's easily even if you know no Russian and they are great for kids. Masha is adorable and the bear and other animals are very funny too. You can follow their adventures on you tube and I think you can get the DVD's too. All together a lovely CGI animation from Russia. I really cannot recommend this highly enough, the kids will love it and I suspect a few adults will too, me included. The animation is fantastic and the detail in these short little story's is superb. A charming, heart-warming and funny series of adventures of a lovable little Russian girl and her friend the bear. I don't know if there is an English version but don't worry as the story's are quite charming even if you cannot speak any Russian. Well worth a look for animation fans of any age.

I was not prepared for how delightful this show was. It is something special.

I happened to be familiar with the fairytale with which this shares a title and I happen to be quite the russophile so this was almost made for me. And it's SO RUSSIAN! Not only in the brilliant cultural details like the bear, Snegorochka or that cool tea thing but in the unusual elegance and restraint in a show made for very small children.

The success lies in letting Masha be all the energy you need. Only humans talk on this show and (usually) Masha is the only human where other animals can understand her but cannot vocalize Russian. This means that less time is taken up by painful dialog and becomes a delight of visual story telling.

I like to watch it raw: I can't even understand Masha but I don't care. In fact I prefer it. I know this isn't exactly the show's genius showing but there is something hilarious about an adorable little girl speaking the a language so immense and formidable as the Russian language (I love the Russian language by the way) and it makes for a very satisfying narrative experience which never halts or delays the plot. They're pretty clever about it.

Masha that kind of little girl: one who is just too cute not to love and yet can be a bit much. The animals indulge her to an extent, but often she is held accountable to her actions when she needs to be. She embodies everything that is enriching and also frustrating about life with a small child and (with infrequent exceptions) she does not cross the line into being completely obnoxious. And I love that she wears a veil. It's so cute when she takes it off and you see how short her hair is.

The animation is surprisingly competent. You get a lot of excellent character models with convincing fur effects and expressive faces. Masha herself is always a treat to watch for all the energy and personality she puts into everything she does.

This is a show that manages to mix a vision of the idyllic, slavic countryside with so many agreeable bedtime story type anecdotes. It's rarely painful to watch and end with a good sense of karma or reward.

The music is enchanting including the songs when they appear.

I have noticed that the latter day episodes seem more like a more typical animated show for this demographic, relying on a lot more modern references at the expense of the show's quaint charm to mixed effect.

Overall an excellent cool down show after you've just watched something heavy.