TV Review: PEN15 (2019–2021) — A Bold, Hilarious, and Painfully Relatable Nostalgia Trip




Trailer provided by Hulu via YouTube


Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Release Date: Season 1 – February 8, 2019 | Season 2 – September 18, 2020

Genre: Coming-of-Age, Comedy, Drama

Platform: Hulu

Creators: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam Zvibleman

Executive Producers: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam Zvibleman, Debbie Liebling, Becky Sloviter, and others

Cast:


  • Maya Erskine as Maya Ishii-Peters
  • Anna Konkle as Anna Kone
  • Mutsuko Erskine as Yuki Ishii-Peters
  • Richard Karn as Fred Peters
  • Taylor Nichols as Curtis Kone
  • Dallas Liu as Shuji Ishii-Peters






Introduction



In a television landscape saturated with coming-of-age series, PEN15 manages to carve out a space entirely its own. Created by and starring Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, the series is both a love letter and a cringe-fueled ode to the early 2000s and the emotional whirlwind of middle school. What sets PEN15 apart is not just its originality, but its willingness to lean fully into the raw, awkward, and often humiliating moments that define early adolescence.


Set in the year 2000, the show follows 13-year-old best friends Maya and Anna—played by the adult Erskine and Konkle—navigating their seventh-grade experience surrounded by a cast of actual teenage actors. This bold creative choice highlights the inherent surrealism of middle school, where everything feels like the most important moment of your life, and self-consciousness reigns supreme.





Plot Summary



Season 1 introduces Maya and Anna as they begin seventh grade at the fictional school known as Charles A. Lindbergh Middle School. From the first episode, the series sets its tone: unflinching, hilarious, and heartbreakingly real. Whether they’re dealing with their first crushes, experimenting with AOL Instant Messenger, obsessing over their appearances, or trying to fit in with the “cool” crowd, the pair stumble through adolescence together in an endearingly chaotic way.


Season 2 delves deeper into their evolving identities and family issues. Maya begins to question her sense of self, battling insecurity and cultural identity, while Anna copes with her parents’ divorce. The second season takes a slightly darker and more introspective turn while retaining the hilarious absurdity that made Season 1 so beloved.





Performances



Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle are the emotional backbone of the show, delivering performances that are as fearless as they are funny. Their chemistry is the heart of the series, capturing the intense, co-dependent nature of early teenage friendship. Erskine, in particular, gives a standout performance as Maya, showcasing incredible range from slapstick comedy to raw vulnerability. Her portrayal of a 13-year-old girl navigating puberty, peer pressure, and cultural identity is both hilarious and deeply moving.


Konkle’s Anna is the perfect counterpart—earnest, sensitive, and occasionally naive. She brings a touching realism to the character, particularly in scenes depicting her struggles with her parents’ divorce and her self-esteem.


The supporting cast, including real teenagers, adds authenticity to the series. Mutsuko Erskine (Maya’s real-life mother) plays her fictional mother Yuki with a deadpan brilliance that complements the show’s tone perfectly.





Writing and Direction



The writing in PEN15 is razor-sharp. Every episode balances humor and heart in equal measure. While the show doesn’t shy away from raunchy or awkward content, it never feels exploitative. Instead, it leans into the discomfort to tell the truth about adolescence—the hormones, the confusion, the embarrassment, and the need to be accepted.


The direction from Sam Zvibleman and others keeps the episodes grounded, while often experimenting with tone and visuals. Whether it’s through the lens of a middle school play, an awkward pool party, or a cringe-inducing sleepover, PEN15 always manages to feel uniquely cinematic despite its middle-school setting.





Themes and Commentary



PEN15 excels at exploring the emotional chaos of being 13. It addresses issues like puberty, racial identity, parental divorce, bullying, and body image with unflinching honesty. One of the show’s most remarkable aspects is its willingness to tackle topics rarely explored in such depth on television, especially from a female perspective.


The series also serves as a powerful commentary on nostalgia. For viewers who grew up in the early 2000s, the show is a treasure trove of cultural references—from dial-up internet and gel pens to boy bands and butterfly clips. But instead of romanticizing the past, it reconstructs it in all its awkward, messy glory.





Visuals and Soundtrack



The show’s production design is a time capsule of the early 2000s. Every poster, outfit, and pop song feels meticulously chosen to transport viewers back to middle school. The soundtrack, featuring everything from NSYNC to The Cardigans, hits just the right note of emotional resonance and millennial nostalgia.


Even the cinematography plays into the idea of adolescence as an emotional battlefield. Camera angles often exaggerate the drama, giving viewers a peek into how everything—no matter how small—feels colossal at 13.





Reception and Legacy



Critics and audiences alike have praised PEN15 for its originality, humor, and emotional depth. It boasts near-perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes (94% for Season 1 and 100% for Season 2) and has been nominated for several awards, including a 2021 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.


What makes PEN15 so special is its fearless approach to truth-telling. It doesn’t sanitize adolescence—it celebrates its messiness. And in doing so, it creates a shared experience for viewers who recognize their own teenage selves in Maya and Anna.





Final Verdict



Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)


PEN15 is not just a comedy—it’s a therapy session wrapped in a Lisa Frank notebook. With its groundbreaking concept, authentic performances, and pitch-perfect writing, the series manages to capture the essence of adolescence in a way few shows ever have. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, hilarious, and heartbreakingly beautiful.


Whether you grew up in the 2000s or not, PEN15 is an unforgettable ride that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even tear up a little. For anyone who’s ever felt out of place—or simply survived middle school—this show is for you.