By normalizing — and even celebrating — one in every of life’s most awkward phases, “Turning Pink” does one thing not typically seen on movie and tv, particularly media aimed toward children. It treats intervals and feminine puberty as one thing to be embraced, fairly than be embarrassed about.

‘Turning Pink’ normalizes intervals

Nonetheless, these examples are usually the exception, not the norm. Tackling the topic of intervals feels particularly radical for an animation large like Pixar, on condition that 20 of the 24 movies launched by the studio middle males. However by addressing menstruation with candor and levity, the creators of “Turning Pink” intend to destigmatize it — for everybody, not simply younger women.

It additionally embraces the emotional extremes of puberty

All through the movie, Mei navigates the awkwardness, pleasure and embarrassment that include altering hormone ranges and manifest in her physique as a crimson panda. She grapples with lust and attraction, crushing on the teenage comfort retailer cashier and members of her favourite boy band 4*City alike. She imagines her objects of want as mermen, then berates herself for doing so when her drawings are came upon. She longs to see 4*City in live performance together with her finest mates, and vents to them angrily when her mother says no.

However maybe essentially the most profound problem for Mei throughout this era of her life is determining tips on how to be herself whereas additionally respecting the desires of her dad and mom — a coming-of-age dilemma absolutely acquainted to many kids of immigrants. As Mei discovers extra about who she is, she finds that elements of herself battle with the picture her mom has of her. Studying to simply accept these elements of herself, whereas discovering the braveness to face as much as her mom, is a part of Mei’s pubescent transformation, too.