Barefoot Gen (1983)
Kernel Score: 85% · 235 ratings
Genres: Animation, Drama, War, History
Released: 1983-07-21
Runtime: 83 minutes
Where to watch Barefoot Gen
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome, Retrocrush, Plex, Cineverse
- Rent: Prime Video
- Buy: Prime Video
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
A story about the effect of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a boy's life and the lives of the Japanese people.
Barefoot Gen parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Barefoot Gen is an animated drama depicting the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, including graphic injury and radiation sickness affecting children.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts the horrific aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing, including burned bodies, death, and radiation sickness among civilians and children.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Barefoot Gen
If you liked Barefoot Gen, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- In This Corner of the World (2016) — 86%
- When the Wind Blows (1986) — 82%
- The Boy and the Heron (2023) — 85%
- The Breadwinner (2017) — 88%
- When Marnie Was There (2014) — 90%
- From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) — 84%
- BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- (2024) — 84%
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) — 89%
Director
Mori Masaki
Cast
- Issei Miyazaki as Gen Nakaoka (voice)
- Masaki Kouda as Shinji Nakaoka (voice)
- Seiko Nakano as Eiko Nakaoka (voice)
- Takao Inoue as Daikichi Nakaoka (voice)
- Yoshie Shimamura as Kimie Nakaoka (voice)
- Takeshi Aono as Hidezo (voice)
- Katsuji Mori as Seiji Yoshida (voice)
- Taeko Nakanishi as Hana (voice)
- Tatsuya Jo as Narrator (voice)
- Junji Nishimura as Boku Pak (voice)
Barefoot Gen FAQ
Is Barefoot Gen good?
Barefoot Gen has an 85% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 235 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Barefoot Gen?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Fawesome, Retrocrush, Plex and Cineverse and rent it from Prime Video.
Is Barefoot Gen OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Barefoot Gen is an animated drama depicting the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, including graphic injury and radiation sickness affecting children.
What movies are like Barefoot Gen?
If you liked Barefoot Gen, try In This Corner of the World, When the Wind Blows, The Boy and the Heron and The Breadwinner.