Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fantasy and anime tribute has some violence, bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Iké Boys
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In IKÉ BOYS, Sean (Quinn Lord) and Vik (Ronak Gandhi) are two anime- and Japanese pop culture-obsessed teens growing up in Oklahoma in the final days of December 1999. As the news runs nonstop stories on the catastrophes likely to occur due to Y2K, Sean and Vik befriend Miki (Christina Higa), a foreign exchange student from Japan who will be staying with Vik's family. Shortly after she settles in, Sean gets a DVD in the mail: a pirated copy of a nearly impossible-to-find anime movie that was released in 1972 and bombed at the box office. As they sit down to watch the movie, it goes to static shortly before the movie ends. Shortly after this, both Sean and Vik discover that they have superpowers and start to take on the actual appearance of two anime superheroes. While Sean wants to use his powers for good, Vik wants to use them to shed his unpopularity, even if that means ending his friendship with Sean. Meanwhile, Miki is in Oklahoma because she's obsessed with Native American culture and folklore, and her obsessions connect with Sean and Vik's transformation. They'll all soon learn who else is involved with what's happening and how it connects to Y2K.
Is It Any Good?
This is a mostly enjoyable homage to anime and Japanese pop culture. Iké Boys is a clever coming-of-age fantasy set in Oklahoma in late 1999, and while the setting and the time come into play, they're more of a backdrop and setup for the story. It's a mix of live action and some animation, and while it doesn't really break any new ground with the story, there's a clear love for Japanese entertainment on display.
The story, like a lot of anime, gets a bit wonky in the second half. There are some side stories, and these don't always successfully play out. In terms of secondary characters, there's a bullying teen who doesn't really get a satisfying comeuppance, especially given that he was violent toward one of the main characters and made racist jokes at the expense of Native Americans. Then there's the crush of one of the lead characters who meets an outsized fate for her actions. Overall, it's a low-budget movie whose sincerity in its tributes outshines the weaker points.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fantasy movies like Iké Boys. How is this story similar to and different from other fantasy movies you've seen?
This film also has elements of a coming-of-age movie. What are these elements, and why do stories about growing up have such a wide appeal?
How does this movie pay homage to anime and Japanese pop culture?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2022
- Cast : Quinn Lord , Ronak Gandhi , Christina Higa
- Director : Eric McEver
- Studio : Shout! Factory
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Superheroes , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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