The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
かぐや姫の物語
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
かぐや姫の物語
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
3/5
Complex
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a family animated film with a highly poetic style, stunning visual beauty, and an overall melancholic mood rather than a threatening one. Its sensitive material comes mainly from sadness, social pressure placed on a young girl, a few scenes involving pursuit or physical constraint, and a death mentioned in connection with a quest, without graphic detail. The intensity stays moderate in visual terms, yet the emotional weight is present throughout the story and may affect young children more than the actual danger does. There is no meaningful coarse language, no explicit sexual content, and no substance use. For parents, the main value of watching together is helping children process themes of freedom, parental expectations, and sorrow, while offering reassurance during scenes of separation, public humiliation, or emotional distress.
Synopsis
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her fate.
Difficult scenes
When Kaguya is taken away from her simple country life and trained to live as a noble in the capital, the film shows strong psychological pressure. A young viewer may be affected by her loneliness, the sudden loss of her familiar world, and the way she is forced to follow rules that make her unhappy. During a ceremony connected to her new status, Kaguya hears people mocking her father and belittling her background. This social humiliation is emotionally painful, and her distressed escape into a winter setting may be upsetting for a sensitive child. The suitors create tension that feels more mature than truly frightening, because several men pursue Kaguya as if she were a prize rather than a person. One quest story is clearly associated with a death, which adds seriousness even though the presentation remains restrained and not graphic. At one important point, the emperor tries to physically impose himself on Kaguya and take her away against her will. The scene is not explicit sexual content, yet it may feel uncomfortable because it involves fear, loss of control, and a clear lack of consent.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2013
- Runtime
- 2h 17m
- Countries
- Japan
- Original language
- JA
- Directed by
- Isao Takahata
- Main cast
- Aki Asakura, Takeo Chii, Nobuko Miyamoto, Kengo Kora, Atsuko Takahata, Tomoko Tabata, Shinosuke Tatekawa, Takaya Kamikawa, Hikaru Ijūin, Ryudo Uzaki
- Studios
- Studio Ghibli, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, KDDI, Mitsubishi Shoji, Nippon Television Network Corporation, TOHO, T2 Studio
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
3/5
Complex
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a family animated film with a highly poetic style, stunning visual beauty, and an overall melancholic mood rather than a threatening one. Its sensitive material comes mainly from sadness, social pressure placed on a young girl, a few scenes involving pursuit or physical constraint, and a death mentioned in connection with a quest, without graphic detail. The intensity stays moderate in visual terms, yet the emotional weight is present throughout the story and may affect young children more than the actual danger does. There is no meaningful coarse language, no explicit sexual content, and no substance use. For parents, the main value of watching together is helping children process themes of freedom, parental expectations, and sorrow, while offering reassurance during scenes of separation, public humiliation, or emotional distress.
Synopsis
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her fate.
Difficult scenes
When Kaguya is taken away from her simple country life and trained to live as a noble in the capital, the film shows strong psychological pressure. A young viewer may be affected by her loneliness, the sudden loss of her familiar world, and the way she is forced to follow rules that make her unhappy. During a ceremony connected to her new status, Kaguya hears people mocking her father and belittling her background. This social humiliation is emotionally painful, and her distressed escape into a winter setting may be upsetting for a sensitive child. The suitors create tension that feels more mature than truly frightening, because several men pursue Kaguya as if she were a prize rather than a person. One quest story is clearly associated with a death, which adds seriousness even though the presentation remains restrained and not graphic. At one important point, the emperor tries to physically impose himself on Kaguya and take her away against her will. The scene is not explicit sexual content, yet it may feel uncomfortable because it involves fear, loss of control, and a clear lack of consent.