Rainbow (2010) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

This season includes severe sexual themes. Dr. Sasaki is a pedophile who sexually exploits the boys, leading to an implied sexual assault of Joe in Episode 8. There are scenes in brothels involving prostitution, including Uncovered falling in love with a prostitute. Male characters are stripped and checked for medical purposes, shown non-explicitly. Sexual harassment and objectification are present.

Violence is pervasive and graphic. The boys are subjected to frequent brutal beatings, torture, and starvation by guards and other inmates, often resulting in blood and visible injuries. These include being stomped, hit with weapons, and left for dead. There are intense fights between inmates and guards, often with realistic and prolonged depictions of pain. A character is shot and killed by military police in Episode 12.

Profanity is frequent and strong, including terms like 'bastard,' 'damn,' 'hell,' and instances of 'f***' and 's***' in translation. Characters often use crude and aggressive language, particularly guards towards the boys, and among the delinquents themselves in moments of frustration or anger.

Alcohol consumption is casual and frequent among adult characters outside the reformatory, often in bars. Characters are shown smoking cigarettes regularly, reflecting the period. Black market selling of cigarettes is a plot point. There are no explicit scenes of drug use or overdose.

The series deals with severe and distressing themes including child abuse, sexual exploitation, systemic corruption, the trauma of war, and extreme poverty. Other themes include friendship, loyalty, survival under oppressive conditions, revenge, and the struggle for dignity and freedom in a broken society. Death and loss are constant presences.