PEN15: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

What did Maya get diagnosed with Pen15? ›

They spend time reminiscing with each other, and whether they've made the right choices in their lives. When Yuki returns home, she spends time alone with Maya and Shuji, and tells them both how much she loves them. Maya is diagnosed with ADD and Irlen syndrome.

Conversation Starter. Have been watching with my 11 yo daughter . Some of the content is mature and uncomfortable but has been a great way to talk about stuff that is sure to be on my kiddos mind. Maya and Anna make some awful mistakes about friendships and popularity and boys, and these are all learning moments.

It feels like this episode was written for live action, but given the pandemic and the young age of some of the actors, animation was a good way to still put out the episode and keep the cast and crew safe.

Maya Ishii-Peters is one of the main characters of Pen15 on Hulu. She is the thirteen year old version of her actress, Maya Erskine in the 2000s. Family and background: Similar to the actress who plays her, Maya is born to an ethnic Japanese mother (played by her real life mother) and a Caucasian father.

Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle know what “Pen15” fans are thinking — that the two ended their hit coming-of-age Hulu series after just two seasons because things got too complicated to do more because of COVID.

The show used real-life experiences and behind-the-scenes details to create a personal and natural feel. Despite production delays and challenges, PEN15 remained a popular and well-received series that ended on its own terms after two seasons.

Being a gay tween in 2000 wasn't fun. Erksine and Konkle know this and are bold with their delivery. While it is what it is, at least the ladies embrace our pain and express our struggle. Trust, the gay storyline isn't the only reason why anyone interested in this genre should be watching PEN15.

Erskine and Konkle are both 33 years old — an age that's a little too old, even in Hollywood, to be playing young teens. And although they're styled in middle-school-appropriate ways, the show makes absolutely no effort to conceal the actresses' ages; in fact, their adulthood is a key part of the show's quirky concept.

Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle understand that better than anyone else in Hollywood. That's why their Hulu series "PEN15," which features the 33-year-old actors as 13-year-old misfits who crave popularity more than perfect grades, is more grueling — and more relatable — than any season of "Survivor."

Protagonist Maya's mom, Yuki (played by Pen15 co-creator and star Maya Erskine's real-life mom, Mutsuko Erskine) has been central to many of the show's most genuinely heartfelt moments.

What was Maya doing in the bathroom in Pen15? ›

Maya, whose masturbatory habits were interrupted by Ume's visit, sneaks off to a bathroom to get some alone time. Unfortunately for her, Ume winds up catching her fully nude, jerking off. Every fear Maya's had about her burgeoning sexuality looks as though it's going to come true.

As Maya eventually discovers, it's an acronym that stands for—gulp—“ugliest girl in school.” If the idea of anyone being labeled UGIS doesn't make your blood pressure spike, then I guess you're more over your middle school experience than me.

The Irlen Institute on X: "Check out Pen15 season 2 episode 12 "Grammy"! Maya has Irlen Syndrome! Thanks for helping to raise awareness @pen15show!" / X.

Miller said they glued Maya's eyebrows down, and used concealer and contour to give her face a younger look. For her hair, Maya wore a wig, but Cilento said they strived to make the hair appear as natural as possible, which meant less combing, and a more natural fall to the bangs.

It was so major for us to put that out there. Doing “Yuki”, that was not from real life, but there were things about that episode that were from my real life or my mom's real life.

The name belonged to a 10-year-old girl who had just been admitted for abdominal pain. Smith listened as a doctor detailed the case. The girl's parents, Beata and Jack Kowalski, had told the hospital that Maya suffered from a neurological disorder called complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS.

The Irlen Institute on X: "Check out Pen15 season 2 episode 12 "Grammy"! Maya has Irlen Syndrome!

Many of the symptoms shown below are shared with Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Syndrome can co-exist with ADD and ADHD but can also be the sole cause of a child's difficulties.

Maya, whose masturbatory habits were interrupted by Ume's visit, sneaks off to a bathroom to get some alone time. Unfortunately for her, Ume winds up catching her fully nude, jerking off. Every fear Maya's had about her burgeoning sexuality looks as though it's going to come true.