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Bernard

Bernard

1998–2012Ended4 seasons210 episodes~3 min/epTV-YMidcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

Bernard is a series of animated shorts centered on the fictional polar bear and main character of the same name. It is a Korean-Spanish-French co-production. Each three-minute episode focuses on the bear's curiosity and have many moments of slapstick. Bernard never speaks with the exception of unintelligible noises Bernard is accompanied in the cartoons by a few other characters: Lloyd and Eva the penguins, Zack the lizard, Goliat the chihuahua, Sam the baby, Pilot the dog, Pokey the porcupine and Santa Claus. He usually gets knocked unconscious or severely injured at the end of an episode, due to some calamity caused by his bumbling

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Bernard?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Bernard streaming on The Roku Channel (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

Subscription

Free

Rent / Buy

Buy

Highlights

What stands out about Bernard?

Bernard earns 2 badges, led by Heavy for a TV-Y show and Fun.

  • Craft and mood
  • Content

Reception

Is Bernard worth watching?

Bernard's Midcredits score is the 14th percentile of all shows, from 2K ratings across 2 sources. 51% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

14th percentile

Better received than 14% of shows

17th percentile among Animation7th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)12th
Approval (how many liked it)19th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

59 /100

12th percentile of all shows

13th percentile among Animation5th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

51% liked it

19th percentile of all shows

22nd percentile among Animation10th percentile among 1990s
51% rated it 7–1049% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

74th percentile

2K ratings across platforms

69th percentile among Animation59th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 46% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A short-form slapstick cartoon with simple, physical humor.

Fans praised

  • 3D animation quality and texture
  • simple slapstick comedy that lands
  • short runtime fits between other shows

Detractors panned

  • low value for kids and family
  • outclassed by other claymation works

What stands out

HumorDivisive65

simple slapstick comedy, often violent but amusing

Pacing60

3-minute episodes, short and digestible

Atmosphere55

environment animation and texture praised

Effects and spectacleDivisive50

3D animation, claymation comparison

Characters40

Bernard's simple premise, life in civilization

Episodes

8 seasons

Season 8 · 2024 · 52 episodes

  • S8E1

    Episode 1

    Nov 22, 20244 min
  • S8E2

    Episode 2

    Nov 22, 20244 min
  • S8E3

    Episode 3

    Nov 22, 20244 min
  • S8E4

    Episode 4

    Nov 22, 20244 min
  • S8E5

    Episode 5

    Nov 23, 20244 min
  • S8E6

    Episode 6

    Nov 23, 20244 min

Watch experience

What is Bernard like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ManicJoyful
Heaviest: throughout
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 6% of shows: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season
ToneThe series plays its physical comedy straight, treating Bernard's constant misfortune as pure slapstick without irony or deeper meaning.
The rideFast-paced slapstick and constant misfortune sustain a chaotic, energetic mood from start to end of each episode.
StructureEvery episode has a simple setup, a series of mishaps, and a final calamity that ends with Bernard unconscious.
Episode formatEach self-contained three-minute episode restores the status quo by the end, with Bernard's unconscious body as the reset button.
Season formatSeasons are interchangeable batches of standalone slapstick shorts; any episode is an entry point.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe short, silly episodes deliver quick amusement and leave a light, entertained feeling, perfect for a momentary laugh.
How it ends · evidence
Cyclical ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

12% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeEach typical episode follows Bernard's curiosity leading to a chain of slapstick mishaps that escalate into absurd chaos, culminating in him getting knocked out.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfComingof age
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

Coming of age · 9% of showsPurpose
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores Bernard's fumbling attempts to navigate ordinary tasks and interactions, presenting a playful, wordless take on learning one's way in the world.
StanceThe show celebrates curiosity and resilience, framing Bernard's mishaps with affection and humor.

The world

TimelessRuralDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral classicalBackground music · original score
SettingA colorful wilderness where Bernard the bear lives with his animal friends.
MusicThe score provides a light, bouncy accompaniment that heightens the slapstick timing.

Content guide

Is Bernard okay for kids?

TV-Y

Bernard is rated TV-Y. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at mild (26/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (17/100) and frightening material at intense (67/100). Its sexual content and drug and alcohol content have too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 97% of TV-Y shows.

Ratings in 10 other countries
  • CanadaG
  • Germany6
  • South KoreaALL
  • FinlandS
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoAA
  • MYU
  • Spain7
  • Switzerland0
  • TürkiyeGenel İzleyici
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 47% of all showsHeavier than 97% of TV-Y shows
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a TV-Y show
heavier than 98%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Profanity
Mild
typical for a TV-Y show
heavier than 54%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a TV-Y show
heavier than 98%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what TV-Y shows usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Bernard have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Bernard?

Cast

Max Normica
as Bernard
Ken-Sheun Nai
as Bernard

Crew

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What are shows like Bernard?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Bernard include Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (2002), Alvinnn!!! And the Chipmunks (2015) and Blaze and the Monster Machines (2014).

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What other shows share a tag with Bernard?

50 other shows share the rarest tag below, up against: animal. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.