Content & Trigger Warnings for PEN15 (2019)
13 content warnings identified across 2 seasons for this show.
Quick Summary
Yes, PEN15 (2019) contains 13 content warnings : Homophobia / transphobia (depicted), Racial slurs / racism (depicted), Stalking / harassment, Eating disorders, Gaslighting / emotional manipulation, Infidelity, Vomit / emesis (emetophobia), Explicit sexual content / nudity, Sexual coercion / non-consensual situations, Alcohol abuse (depicted), Drug use (depicted), Domestic violence / intimate partner abuse, Self-harm / suicide (depicted).
Check the full breakdown below before you watch.
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Does It Get Worse?
3 series-wide warnings apply across all seasons.
| Warning | Season | Severity | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identity & Discrimination | ||||
| Homophobia / transphobia (depicted) | S1 | 3/5 | Depicted | Middle school homophobia depicted realistically as students use slurs and bully perceived queer kids |
| Homophobia / transphobia (depicted) | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | Continued exploration of queer identity met with peer hostility and social stigma |
| Racial slurs / racism (depicted) | S1 | 2/5 | Depicted | Racial microaggressions and stereotyping experienced by the Japanese American protagonist |
| Racial slurs / racism (depicted) | S2 | 2/5 | Depicted | Racial identity and discrimination continue as themes in the school setting |
| Racial slurs / racism (depicted) | All | 3/5 | Depicted | Racism and racial microaggressions experienced by the main characters as Japanese-American teens in a predominantly white school are a recurring theme. |
| Stalking / harassment | S1 | 2/5 | Depicted | Awkward adolescent crush behavior borders on obsessive following |
| Mental Health & Emotional | ||||
| Eating disorders | S1 | 3/5 | Depicted | Body image issues and disordered eating behavior explored among the young teens |
| Eating disorders | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | Body image pressures intensify as the characters enter later adolescence |
| Other | ||||
| Gaslighting / emotional manipulation | S1 | 3/5 | Depicted | Social manipulation and emotional cruelty depicted as part of middle school dynamics |
| Gaslighting / emotional manipulation | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | Emotional manipulation among friend groups and romantic interests intensifies |
| Infidelity | S2 | 2/5 | Depicted | Parental relationship issues including infidelity affect the protagonists |
| Phobias & Sensory | ||||
| Vomit / emesis (emetophobia) | S1 | 2/5 | Depicted | Vomiting depicted in scenes involving illness or anxiety |
| Vomit / emesis (emetophobia) | S2 | 2/5 | Depicted | Vomiting scenes occur during party and anxiety-related situations |
| Vomit / emesis (emetophobia) | All | 2/5 | Depicted | Some scenes involve vomiting as part of the awkward and gross-out humor of middle school life. |
| Sexual Content | ||||
| Explicit sexual content / nudity | S1 | 3/5 | Depicted | Puberty and sexual curiosity explored frankly including masturbation discovery |
| Explicit sexual content / nudity | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | Sexual exploration continues with more explicit discussions and situations |
| Sexual coercion / non-consensual situations | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | Peer pressure around sexual activity depicted in uncomfortable detail |
| Substance Use | ||||
| Alcohol abuse (depicted) | S1 | 2/5 | Depicted | Underage drinking depicted at parties and social gatherings |
| Alcohol abuse (depicted) | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | More frequent underage drinking depicted at social events |
| Drug use (depicted) | S1 | 2/5 | Depicted | Teens experiment with drugs in a middle school context |
| Drug use (depicted) | S2 | 3/5 | Depicted | Drug experimentation becomes more prominent in the social environment |
| Violence & Physical Harm | ||||
| Domestic violence / intimate partner abuse | S1 | 2/5 | Referenced | Dysfunctional home environments hinted at for some characters |
| Self-harm / suicide (depicted) | All | 1/5 | Referenced | Brief references to self-destructive thoughts related to adolescent emotional distress. |
Identity & Discrimination
Middle school homophobia depicted realistically as students use slurs and bully perceived queer kids
Continued exploration of queer identity met with peer hostility and social stigma
Racial microaggressions and stereotyping experienced by the Japanese American protagonist
Racial identity and discrimination continue as themes in the school setting
Racism and racial microaggressions experienced by the main characters as Japanese-American teens in a predominantly white school are a recurring theme.
Awkward adolescent crush behavior borders on obsessive following
Mental Health & Emotional
Body image issues and disordered eating behavior explored among the young teens
Body image pressures intensify as the characters enter later adolescence
Other
Social manipulation and emotional cruelty depicted as part of middle school dynamics
Emotional manipulation among friend groups and romantic interests intensifies
Parental relationship issues including infidelity affect the protagonists
Phobias & Sensory
Vomiting depicted in scenes involving illness or anxiety
Vomiting scenes occur during party and anxiety-related situations
Some scenes involve vomiting as part of the awkward and gross-out humor of middle school life.
Sexual Content
Puberty and sexual curiosity explored frankly including masturbation discovery
Sexual exploration continues with more explicit discussions and situations
Peer pressure around sexual activity depicted in uncomfortable detail
Substance Use
Underage drinking depicted at parties and social gatherings
More frequent underage drinking depicted at social events
Drug experimentation becomes more prominent in the social environment
Violence & Physical Harm
Dysfunctional home environments hinted at for some characters
Brief references to self-destructive thoughts related to adolescent emotional distress.
