Children of the Sea (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Children of the Sea is a 2020 animated drama directed by Ayumu Watanabe, starring Hiiro Ishibashi as Umi, Benjamin Niedens and Mana Ashida. It is partly based on Children of the Sea, Vol. 1 by Daisuke Igarashi. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $5.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Ayumu Watanabe
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- GKIDS
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Children of the Sea About?
The premise of Children of the Sea without spoilers, adapted from Children of the Sea, Vol. 1 by Daisuke Igarashi.
Raised by dugongs, the mysterious brothers Umi and Sora possess a profound connection to the ocean. When strange occurrences begin to silence the world's oceans, a young girl named Ruka is drawn to them. Working at an aquarium with her father, Ruka finds herself entangled in a quest to uncover the secrets behind the oceanic disturbances and the brothers' unique bond with the sea. A journey of wonder, mystery, and adventure unfolds as she seeks answers to the world's deepening enigma.
Children of the Sea Cast & Characters
Hiiro Ishibashi leads the cast as Umi, with Benjamin Niedens as Sora and Mana Ashida as Azumi Ruka. Directed by Ayumu Watanabe; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ayumu Watanabe
- Hiiro Ishibashi as Umi
- Benjamin Niedens as Sora
- Mana Ashida as Azumi Ruka
- Anjali Gauld as Ruka Azumi
Also Starring in Children of the Sea
· 13 more- Sumiko Fuji
- Min Tanaka
- Karen Strassman Kanako Azumi, Students
- Win Morisaki Angurâdo
- Marc Thompson Masaaki Azumi, Additional Voices
- Denise Lee Dehdeh
- Yû Aoi
- Lynden Prosser Umi
- Beau Bridgland Anglade
- Seishû Uragami Sora
- Gorô Inagaki
- Sanurzhan Suleimeniv
- Tôru Watanabe
More from Ayumu Watanabe
More films directed by Ayumu Watanabe, best-rated first: Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, Children of the Sea, Space Brothers: Number Zero and The Big First-Grader and the Small Second-Grader.
Children of the Sea Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Children of the Sea 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (35).
Children of the Sea Echo Score Breakdown
Children of the Sea offers a visually immersive journey while struggling with narrative clarity. Critics and users alike celebrate its stunning animation, cohesive audiovisual design, and thematic ambition exploring human-nature connections. However, the nonlinear pacing and enigmatic plot garnered frequent remarks about confusion and lack of cohesion, with some praising its surreal originality and others finding it frustrating. Despite these divisions, the film delivers an atmospheric experience that rewards viewers open to ambiguity.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 92
In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual execution stands out as its primary asset. Reviews consistently praise the detailed hand-drawn-CGI animation, from vibrant color palettes to fluid motion. Critics note the sweeping cinematography of skies and oceans, and users highlight the textured production design. The direction balances whimsy and technical precision to create an immersive canvas. Overall, the animation’s artistry is the film’s most compelling element.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, responses are divided. Some reviews highlight a poignant sense of human and more-than-human connection, noting occasional heartwarming moments and thematic resonance. Others find the romantic undertones awkward and the emotional arcs underdeveloped amid the film’s abstraction. While the central figures evoke curiosity, their motivations remain elusive at times. Overall, the character dimension achieves intermittent resonance but never fully coalesces.
- Story & Flow 35
In terms of story and flow, the film’s nonlinear structure and measured pacing received mixed reactions. Critics and users describe the plot as enigmatic, with fragmented sequences that challenge narrative coherence and leave thematic threads unresolved. While some appreciate the surreal originality, many find the progression slow and the storyline difficult to follow. Ultimately, the film’s narrative ambition yields a thought-provoking experience for some but a confusing one for others.
- Sensory Experience 85
When considering sensory experience, the film’s audiovisual design stands out for its immersive qualities. Multiple reviews commend the evocative score and detailed sound design, which complement the striking visual style and cohesive color palette. Users and critics both cite the synergy between music and imagery as instrumental in creating an atmospheric journey. Overall, the film delivers a compelling sensory tapestry that enhances its thematic exploration of nature and wonder.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch value, the film’s intricate imagery and thematic depth encourage further viewings for attentive audiences. Some viewers report discovering new symbolic details and emotional nuances on subsequent watches, while others cite the ambiguous narrative as a barrier to repeated enjoyment. The enchanting visuals and environmental motifs may reward engagement, but the unresolved storyline can diminish the impulse to return. Overall, the rewatch appeal is present yet selective.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 62% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
930 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Children of the Sea Box Office
Children of the Sea grossed $5.2 million worldwide. $81,237 came from the US and Canada and $5.1 million (98%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$5.2M
- US & Canada
- $81.2K
- International
- $5.1M
Children of the Sea Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer CHILDREN OF THE SEA [Official US Trailer] - APRIL 20
- Clip Children of the Sea [Official Clip #1 - GKIDS] - Out now on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital!
Cars in Children of the Sea
14 cars on screen, including the 1981 Honda City and the 1996 Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great.
-
1981 Honda City Minor role -
1996 Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great Minor role -
1966 Toyota Publica Truck Minor role -
2001 Fiat Palio Background role
Children of the Sea Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Kaijuu no Kodomo” and “Kaijū no Kodomo”.
- Also known as
-
- Kaijuu no Kodomo
- Kaijū no Kodomo
- Les Enfants de la Mer
- Los niños del mar
- 해수의 아이
- Marine Mammal Children
- รุกะผจญภัยโลกใต้ทะเล
- 海兽的孩子
- 海獣の子供:2019
- Espíritus del mar
- Дети моря
- I figli del mare
+7 more Show fewer
- 海兽之子
- 海獸之子
- Діти моря
- Những Đứa Con Của Hải Thú
- Denizin Çocukları
- Dzieci morza
- ילדי הים
Seen Children of the Sea?
Children of the Sea FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Children of the Sea, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Children of the Sea?
Children of the Sea runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Children of the Sea released?
Children of the Sea was released on September 1, 2020.
Who directed Children of the Sea?
Children of the Sea was directed by Ayumu Watanabe.
More films by Ayumu Watanabe Who is in the cast of Children of the Sea?
Children of the Sea stars Hiiro Ishibashi as Umi, Benjamin Niedens as Sora and Mana Ashida as Azumi Ruka, among 17 credited actors.
How much did Children of the Sea make at the box office?
Children of the Sea grossed $5.2 million worldwide ($81,237 domestic, $5.1 million international).
How is Children of the Sea rated?
Children of the Sea has 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic, 71% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.
Is Children of the Sea based on a book?
Yes. Children of the Sea is partly adapted from Children of the Sea, Vol. 1 by Daisuke Igarashi.
Does Children of the Sea have a post-credit scene?
No. Children of the Sea has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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