Parents' Guide to Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table

Shiboyugi TV show poster: Yuuki stands in front of a grey background looking somber

Common Sense Media Review

By Jeremy Looney , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Suicide, murder, injury in psychologically tense anime.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

SHIBOYUGI: PLAYING DEATH GAMES TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE is a short-form anime miniseries featuring an all-female cast, where participants known as "players" are forced to take part in a series of deadly games for a chance at a cash prize. Yuki (voiced in English by Suzie Yeung) is an experienced player returning for her 28th round, having normalized the dangers of the games as a means of survival. As she's grouped with first-time players, Yuki often acts as a guide, offering advice and strategies that may help others survive while also increasing her own chances of making it through. Each group must navigate a trap-filled house, solving puzzles and avoiding brutal injuries or death as the games progress.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This show was able to effectively portray an eerie tone without being too gory. Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table does a great job creating a psychologically unsettling world when it combines the emotionally detached tone of the characters (who've seen so much death that it doesn't phase them anymore) with the haunting echoes of their voices and background music. This show is enjoyable for mature viewers who can handle the emotionally upsetting nature of the content.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why so many players willingly join the games. How does the cash prize for the survivors motivate people to participate in something scary like the game?

  • Why do you think Yuki really wanted to participate in so many of the games? How do you think she was able to survive every time?

TV Details

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Shiboyugi TV show poster: Yuuki stands in front of a grey background looking somber

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