Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary is a supernatural horror series that surrounds a kindergartner named Kaya Satou. Essentially, Kaya is capable of defeating supernatural beings known as specters. As the title states, Kaya’s character is brought into question because she is viewed as a troublemaker and abnormal among kids. Of course her powers are abnormal.
One of the strengths of this series is how the series treats Kaya. Despite having these powers, she very much acts as a kid her age. Hell, even her exorcising specters is simple. It makes Chie-sensei’s role in the series really nice because she is essentially Kaya’s supporter in this series. She has Kaya’s back much like how an adult is supposed to look out for kids. There are situations that Kaya is too young to deal with, which makes Chie’s work well.
The horror in this series surrounds things that happen to young kids. Like getting lost, dealing with strangers, etc. It twists it in a way that allows the horror to be executed well. Despite the production values being middling at best, Hiroshi Ikehata has done a good job directing this series with what he has. There is a bit of a glitchy environment used when horror happens, which doesn’t add too much, but how much it gets used is variable.
Unless you can’t stand horror stories, “Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary” is worth a shot. Just be warned, the story is darker than what you might expect if you’ve only seen the first 2 episodes.
With the anime finished, I want to add how well done the dynamic between Kaya and Chie is. As it gets shown constantly throughout the series that there are scenarios that Kaya can’t punch her way out of. Much like a kid, she doesn’t know what to do. This anime really is one that adults would enjoy because they can put themselves in Chie-sensei’s position. This dynamic is well done as it stretches out to Namu and Mobu. At the same time, it shows scenarios when this dynamic is poorly done when the adults fail to guide the kids. The key example of that being Mutsu and her two daughters, which is part of the main conflict in the series.
As mentioned before, despite the production values not being anything of note, the staff does a good job with direction. The horror is done well enough because of this. As it lets the horror of the situation breathe.