Kaya-chan Isn't Scary Episode 1 Review: A Weird Little Girl and a Ghost
The review highlights a rare anime portrayal of a young girl as authentically weird and inconvenient rather than cute, while critiquing a technical choice that undermines the horror aesthetic.
Reporting from 1 sources: Anime Feminist.
Anime Feminist reviewed the first episode of "Kaya-chan Isn't Scary," a new anime about a kindergarten teacher named Chie who discovers her sullen student Kaya can punch ghosts. The review praises the show for presenting Kaya as a "certified Weird Little Girl," a character whose strange behavior makes sense to her but not to adults, and who is reluctant to discuss ghosts due to past disbelief. The reviewer notes that Chie is portrayed as a responsible teacher working hard to support her student, grounding the supernatural elements. However, the episode has a notable flaw: loud distortion effects that accompany most hauntings, which the reviewer says betray a lack of confidence in the visuals. The episode ends with a dramatic reveal that Kaya's mother may be possessed by a spirit even Kaya cannot fight, a development the reviewer calls a potentially potent metaphor. The review concludes that the show's jokes land in the "sensible chuckle" range and that the emotional base is solid, but the off-putting sound effects may determine whether viewers continue watching.
Anime Feminist's review of "Kaya-chan Isn't Scary" episode 1 focuses on the show's treatment of its young protagonist, Kaya, as a "Weird Little Girl" whose actions are not always endearing but are internally consistent. The reviewer contrasts this with a common anime tendency to treat little girls as soft and harmless. Chie, the teacher, is described as a grounding presence who takes Kaya seriously, crouching down to her level and working to understand her. The supernatural elements are handled with a visual style the reviewer compares to a "Spirit Halloween" aesthetic, but the heavy use of distortion effects during ghost scenes is criticized as a crutch that distracts from otherwise competent boarding. The episode's final reveal-Kaya's mother possibly possessed by a spirit-is noted as a metaphor with potential for meaningful exploration, though the intrusive sound design undercuts the moment. The review suggests the show's appeal will depend on how much viewers tolerate this clumsiness, while acknowledging a solid emotional foundation and mild humor.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime Feminist Kaya-chan Isn't Scary - Episode 1