Cagaster of an Insect Cage – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Cagaster of an Insect Cage

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2020

38%

WISE Score

Post-apocalyptic anime where a disease turns humans into giant insects—as grim and mediocre as it sounds.

Cagaster of an Insect Cage

show

TV-14, 2020

38%

WISE Score

Post-apocalyptic anime where a disease turns humans into giant insects—as grim and mediocre as it sounds.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'll be straight with you: this is a Netflix anime that came and went in 2020 with barely a ripple. The premise sounds wild—humans turning into giant bugs—but a 6.0 IMDb rating tells you everything you need to know about the execution.

It's dark, it's violent, and it's got body horror that'll make squeamish viewers nope out fast. But more importantly, it's just not that good. If your teen is deep into darker anime, they might give it a shot, but there are way better options in this genre (Parasyte, Attack on Titan, even Tokyo Ghoul).

The 14+ rating is appropriate given the content, but honestly, most 14-year-olds would rather watch something that's actually, you know, entertaining. This one's a skip unless you've literally exhausted every other dystopian anime on Netflix.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's 14+ rating feels right—this is strictly for older teens who can handle body horror and dark themes. Even then, the mediocre execution means they might bail after an episode or two.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Dark post-apocalyptic setting with humanity exterminating infected people, disease turning humans into insects, and two-thirds of Earth's population being devoured. The tone is grim and violent, not emotionally healthy for younger viewers. Limited modeling of positive relationships beyond the protective dynamic between Kidou and Ilie.

Imaginative

The premise of a disease transforming humans into giant insects is creative and the post-apocalyptic world-building offers some originality. However, it's fairly standard dystopian anime fare without particularly innovative storytelling or world design that would inspire deeper creative thinking or exploration.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 14+, which signals moderate content concerns. The premise involves graphic body horror (humans transforming into insects), mass death, extermination of infected people, and likely violence given the 'pest exterminator' protagonist. This isn't surprise content per se—it's clearly dark from the synopsis—but the intensity and potentially disturbing imagery (insect transformation, devouring) make it unsafe for younger viewers.

Enriching

IMDb rating of 6.0/10 suggests mediocre execution. While there may be themes about survival, protection, and searching for family, the entertainment value appears limited. The show doesn't seem to offer particularly meaningful ethical dilemmas or personal growth opportunities beyond standard post-apocalyptic survival tropes. No notable awards or critical acclaim to suggest deeper value.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The body-horror premise is genuinely original if your teen is into dark sci-fi
Explores themes of protection and family bonds in a dystopian setting
Might appeal to teens who enjoy darker anime like Attack on Titan or Tokyo Ghoul
Available on Netflix with Kids Mode, so younger siblings won't stumble on it

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What to Watch For

Graphic concept: humans literally transforming into insects and devouring each other—this is body horror territory
Dark themes of extermination and genocide as humanity's 'solution' to the infected
That 6.0 IMDb rating isn't a typo—this show is pretty forgettable even by anime standards
Violence and potentially disturbing imagery throughout given the pest exterminator protagonist

Conversation Starters

"If a disease like Cagaster were real, what would be the ethical way to handle it? Is extermination ever justified?"
"The show explores survival in extreme circumstances—what would you do to protect someone you cared about?"
"How does this compare to other post-apocalyptic stories you've seen? What makes a dystopia feel realistic vs. over-the-top?"

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