Mascha und der Bär

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 came across Masha and Medved while I was looking for kid's TV shows in Russian, to help me study the language. I fell in love instantly! The characters convey the same delightful spirit as Wallace and Gromit, Calvin and Hobbes, and the animal "cast" of Tundra. The animation is top quality CGI with plenty of attention to details.

My kids like to watch it with me, even though they don't speak a word of Russian. There's plenty of visual humor and the characters' expressions speak for themselves. Any parent can relate to the poor Bear's patient efforts to keep up with busy Masha, and her adventures in the Siberian forest are the stuff of every kids' dreams.

it remembers old Russian animation and its seduction. it is one of series who preserves the childhood spirit in wise clothes. it is far from common trends and it is fresh at whole. a modern fairy tale with deep roots in tradition who reminds basic things in a seductive manner. the story, the animation, the dialogs, the admirable humor, each episode are good occasions to joy again and again. the great virtue is the status of different film. like a piece from ancestors place from memories. and that fact is a real good thing because, after so many blockbusters, a refreshing meeting with two lovely characters is almost a blessing. adventures for entire family, Russian precision and characters who seems be real unique.

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.

It annoys me to be honest... The girl is a little psychopath. Thank God is just a cartoon but honestly I just can't wait for my kid to grow and stop watching this.