Ponyo – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ponyo

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2008

87%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Studio Ghibli's gorgeous, gentle tale of a goldfish who wants to be human—think Little Mermaid meets pure childhood magic.

7.6/10

91%

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Ponyo

movie

G, 2008

87%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Studio Ghibli's gorgeous, gentle tale of a goldfish who wants to be human—think Little Mermaid meets pure childhood magic.

7.6

91%

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7.6/10

91%

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Screenwise Verdict

Ponyo is Studio Ghibli magic at its purest—gorgeous, gentle, and genuinely imaginative. It's not trying to be Pixar; there are no pop culture references, no winking-at-the-adults jokes, no frenetic pacing. Instead, you get Miyazaki's signature hand-drawn beauty and a story that trusts kids to sit with wonder and emotion.

The catch? If your kids are used to the dopamine hits of modern animation, they might struggle with the slower, more contemplative vibe. And yes, the tsunami sequences are intense—the ocean literally comes alive and floods everything—so younger or anxious kids might need some prep or a lap to sit on.

But if you want to introduce your family to animation as art, not just entertainment? This is your entry point. It's wholesome without being saccharine, imaginative without being chaotic, and enriching in that quiet way that sticks with you. Just maybe save it for a cozy afternoon when everyone's in the mood for something beautiful rather than high-energy.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 4-10, especially kids who can handle some mild peril and slower pacing. Older elementary kids might still enjoy it if they're into animation or fantasy, but tweens will likely find it too young unless they're Ghibli fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Studio Ghibli film centered on pure childhood friendship and unconditional love between a 5-year-old boy and a magical goldfish. Models kindness, responsibility, and devotion without cynicism. Gentle pacing that respects young viewers' emotional intelligence. No mean-spirited humor or sarcasm.

Imaginative

Miyazaki's signature hand-drawn animation brings a fantastical underwater world to life with stunning originality. The premise itself—a goldfish princess who wants to become human—is pure fairy-tale magic. Invites wonder about ocean life, transformation, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy. Visually inventive throughout.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 5+. Some mild peril during tsunami/flood sequences that younger or sensitive kids might find scary, but no violence, gore, or inappropriate content. The natural disaster elements are fantastical rather than traumatic. No surprise disturbing content. Studio Ghibli's track record for age-appropriate storytelling is solid.

Enriching

Explores themes of environmental balance, responsibility, and sacrifice in accessible ways. The boy's devotion to Ponyo models loyalty and care. However, the plot is intentionally simple and dreamlike—it's more about feeling than lesson-learning. Strong critical scores (91% RT, 86 Metacritic) suggest artistic merit, but younger kids will engage more with the spectacle than deeper meaning.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning hand-drawn animation that's a masterclass in visual storytelling—your kids will see what movies looked like before AI and algorithms
Models pure, uncomplicated friendship and devotion without any cynicism or snark
Introduces kids to Studio Ghibli's slower, more contemplative storytelling style that respects their intelligence
Strong environmental themes woven naturally into the story without being preachy
Critically acclaimed (91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic) and beloved by animation fans worldwide

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What to Watch For

Tsunami/flood sequences that are fantastical but might scare younger or more sensitive kids—the ocean literally comes to life and floods the town
Miyazaki's pacing is deliberate and dreamlike, which means kids raised on Pixar's rapid-fire jokes might find it 'boring'
The plot is intentionally simple and fairy-tale-like—don't expect tight narrative structure or clear explanations for everything

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Ponyo wanted to become human so badly? What would you give up to be with your best friend?"
"The ocean in this movie is kind of alive and magical. How was that different from how we usually think about the ocean?"
"Sosuke took really good care of Ponyo even when it was hard. Have you ever had to take care of something or someone?"
"What did you think about how the movie ended? Were you happy with what happened to Ponyo?"

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