Child of Kamiari Month – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Child of Kamiari Month

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

68%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A grief-stricken girl journeys through Japanese mythology to meet the gods—beautiful, slow, and honestly kind of a tough watch for most kids.

100%

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Child of Kamiari Month

movie

PG, 2021

68%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A grief-stricken girl journeys through Japanese mythology to meet the gods—beautiful, slow, and honestly kind of a tough watch for most kids.

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: this movie has all the ingredients of something special—beautiful animation, rich cultural storytelling, meaningful themes about grief and resilience. Critics loved it. But that 52% audience score and dismal 5.9 IMDb rating? That's parents and kids saying "we get it, but we're bored."

It's slow. Really slow. The kind of contemplative, art-house pacing that film critics adore but makes most 8-year-olds start asking when it'll be over. If you have a kid who's genuinely interested in Japanese culture, or who's processing grief and needs to see it reflected on screen, this could be valuable. But for most families looking for Friday night entertainment? This is going to be a slog.

The mythology stuff is legitimately cool and educational, and there's real emotional intelligence here. But you need to go in with eyes open: this is medicine, not candy. Worthwhile for the right kid at the right moment, but definitely not a crowd-pleaser.

Age Fit

Best for mature 8-12 year olds who can handle emotional depth and slower pacing, especially kids interested in world cultures or dealing with loss themselves. Younger kids will get bored; older kids might find it too juvenile despite the heavy themes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Centers on a young girl processing grief after her mother's death through a spiritual journey. Models perseverance and cultural respect. The grief theme is handled sensitively for the 8+ age range Common Sense recommends, though the emotional weight is real. Pacing appears contemplative rather than chaotic based on the spiritual journey premise.

Imaginative

Built around Japanese Shinto mythology and the concept of gods gathering annually in Izumo—a rich, culturally-specific fantasy premise that introduces kids to non-Western mythology. The journey structure invites exploration of sacred landscapes and spiritual concepts. Original enough to earn 100% from critics, suggesting fresh storytelling.

Safe

Common Sense rates it 8+, suggesting age-appropriate content. The mother's death is a central plot point but appears to be handled as backstory rather than graphic trauma. No indicators of violence, gore, or inappropriate content. The 100% critic score vs 52% audience score split suggests it's emotionally heavy but not unsafe—just potentially slow or sad for some viewers.

Enriching

Offers genuine cultural education about Shinto beliefs and Japanese spirituality. Tackles grief and loss in a meaningful way that could help kids process difficult emotions. The journey framework provides character growth opportunities. However, the 5.9 IMDb and 2.9 Letterboxd ratings suggest it may not land emotionally for many viewers, limiting its impact despite good intentions.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Introduces kids to Shinto mythology and Japanese spiritual traditions in an authentic, respectful way that's rare in Western media
Tackles grief and loss with emotional depth—could be genuinely helpful for kids processing similar feelings
Gorgeous animation and contemplative storytelling that rewards patient viewers
100% critic score suggests quality filmmaking and thoughtful execution

⚠

What to Watch For

The mother's death is the inciting incident—this is fundamentally a movie about grief, so be ready for tears and heavy emotions
Slow, contemplative pacing that will lose a lot of modern kids raised on Marvel and Pixar
The 52% audience score and 5.9 IMDb rating tell the real story: critics loved it, regular viewers found it boring or emotionally exhausting
Not a fun adventure romp—this is more art film than entertainment

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the gods in the movie do when they all meet up? What would you ask them if you could go?"
"The main character is dealing with losing her mom. Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone important?"
"How is the way Japanese culture thinks about gods and spirits different from what we usually see in movies?"
"Do you think going on a big journey can help someone feel better when they're sad?"

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