Mr. Bean will always be for Kids
I can still remember my mom turning off the television while I was crying out loud because of a funny man that I was watching on our television. Then she would tell me, “Ano ba ‘yang pinapanood mo, puro kalokohan” (What are you watching? It’s all nonsense).
Then I grew up, walking into different doors with the look-alike line of “that’s not for kids,” a line from my aunt, grandmother, and sisters, who would always try to warn their kids about this cartoon.
Well, maybe that’s how it really is when you are popular: you will always have your doubters, right? He is indeed a popular man all over the world, known for his mischievous and witty behavior, a man of all generations—Mr. Bean.
Started as a beloved sitcom “Mr. Bean” by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, it now also has a cartoon animated series. The first pilot episode of the British sitcom aired in January 1990 and ran until November 1995.
It then had its own cartoon animated series, which had its pilot episode on March 2, 2002 and originally ended on November 1, 2004. It first appeared on ITV in a Saturday slot but was later moved from the night slot to being broadcast daily due to its popularity with young audiences.
However, Mr. Bean, known for his slapstick comedy and silly actions, has always been met with caution regarding its suitability for kids.
Can it really teach a meaningful lesson for a young audience?
Genre | Animated series, Slapstick, Comedy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Created by | Rowan Atkinson | |||
| Based on | Mr. Bean | |||
| Directed by | Tim Fehrenbach (series 2) Dave Osborne (series 3–4) Filippo Cigognini (series 4) | |||
| Voices of | Rowan Atkinson |
Mr. BEAN is “young at heart”
While many people will see Mr. Bean’s witty actions as coming from his selfishness, immaturity, and tendency to act out in disruptive ways, Mr. Bean is just a “child at heart.”
Its creator, Atkinson, described Mr. Bean as a “child in a grown man’s body.” He is 11 years old and has to face different situations and adventures in his everyday life. Solving problems with his playful and mentally childlike approach, he lives in a body that does not suit how he sees things.
So, in his nature, Mr. Bean has the humor of a kid, and that’s probably the reason why many children are engaged with Mr. Bean. As a child, I just found it hooked me in a way that problems could be solved in playful ways.
And as I grew older, these took me to see how problems could really be taken more lightly and solved creatively.
MY FAVORITE MR. BEAN EPISODE
My favorite Mr. Bean episode is “Back to School,” an episode that truly shows me why Mr. Bean will always be for kids.
It is an episode where Mr. Bean is mistakenly taken as the new teacher for the worst section of kids, who are so playful. However, Mr. Bean makes himself known and teaches them a lesson about how playful his mind could be, just like theirs.
It has such a meaningful impact, showing how kids just need guidance, and that there will always be hope for those who most people have given up on. Mr. Bean was different here. He showed a side of himself that was somehow indifferent as a kid, yet mature at first glance. But what if it just shows that being a kid will always be with us?
And the kid in us is also the hope that we can reflect for the younger generation that we want to leave something to. The kid in us will always be the one who appreciates Mr. Bean at any moment of our lives. That’s why Mr. Bean will always be for the kids.
3rd Year Communication Arts
Philippine Women's University
"Passionate creator and service-oriented communicator, driven by learning, growth, and making a meaningful impact."
- Mr. Bean will always be for Kids - August 22, 2026
