Slightly More Mature ‘Rainbow Fish’

“Rainbow Fish,” the new HBO Family channel cartoon series about a community of kids who happen to be fish, isn’t a disaster--its worthy, character-building messages are painlessly (if predictably) delivered. It just doesn’t quite live up to its roots: Marcus Pfister’s best-selling children’s books.

In the show, Rainbow Fish and pals live in an undersea town with streets and buildings, go to school carrying book bags, frequent a snack shop run by a maternal octopus, use computers and play sports. Chomper the shark and Stingo the stingray bully Rainbow and play mean tricks. Rainbow and his older sister put each other down in typical TV sibling fashion, though Rainbow’s low opinion of girls in general changes when he meets Sea Filly, a sea horse, whose head appears inexplicably human.

Pfister’s illustrations, stamped with sparkly holographic foil effects, are a major factor in little fans’ attraction to the books, and they’ll undoubtedly enjoy seeing their favorite fish glitter in the TV series, too. But that sparkle effect, along with background paintings that are more detailed than usual, are the only apparent visual innovations in otherwise typical cel animation.

And although each episode (there are two per show) resolves with good-for-you messages about honesty, loyalty, cooperation and responsibility, the books’ gentle quality has been toughened up. Transformed by family TV conventions and pop culture references, the shows are aimed more at schoolkids than preschoolers.

* “Rainbow Fish” can be seen on HBO Family today at 6:30 and 11:30 a.m. Regular schedule: Mondays-Sundays, 6:30 and 11:30 a.m. The channel has rated it TV-Y (suitable for all ages).