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Al's Anime Reviews - Kaya-chan Isn't Scary
a month ago
General
Kaya-chan is a notorious problem child at her kindergarten, but none of the adults know her secret, until Chie-sensei is put in charge and learns of Kaya-chan's hidden ability to see evil spirits and vanquish them with a punch. It turns out Kaya-chan is one of the world's most powerful psychic prodigies.
Kaya-chan Isn't Scary highlights one of the core things children need while growing up: Someone in their corner. Kaya is a kindergartner, literally like 5 years old. Over her short life, she's learned two things. The first is that only she can see, hear and defeat the monsters looming around every corner. The second is that no one will ever believe her.
This has left her as a troubled child when viewed from the outside. She seemingly does mean things constantly, like blocking children from using the swings or taping books shut. Yet this never seems to be for selfish reasons or personal gain. She doesn't want to play on the swing or keep the books for herself. and she never seems to have any ill intent--she's not relishing in the misery she's causing others, she just gives blunt orders with no additional rationale or explanation.
New teacher Chie has been saddled with her, implying it's sort of a rite of passage. Or low-key workplace bullying. Chie's got the right attitude for the situation, and just enough psychic ability that she figures out what's really going on. Maybe she's simply more open-minded than the other teachers, but she's able to put the pieces together about accidents on the swings coming to an abrupt halt after Kaya refuses to let classmates on them, and she actually SEES the evil spirits Kaya-chan destroys. But more than anything, she believes Kaya, which seems to be a new experience for the little girl.
It's clear that she's used to people not understanding what she's doing. When her dad has an evil spirit enveloping his head, she doesn't tell him, she instead makes up an excuse to touch his hair to banish it. She doesn't tell Chie the books she tapes shut are haunted, she just says no one should read them, which is both a fair approximation of what a child her age would say and a sign that she's aware she sees what others can't. Kaya's not old enough to really disguise her actions or make excuses for what she does, but she clearly is acting out of a desire to keep others safe. Does this stem from whatever's going on with her mother? It seems likely--right now, her mom has either been possessed by something or become some horrible creature herself. Kaya's obviously afraid of her, even though she desperately loves her, which raises the question of whether or not she's always been this way or if it's a recent development. Either way, we see plenty of little clues that Kaya misses her mom and that her dad is trying his best, even if he is always the last parent to pick up his child.
Chie, while frustrated with Kaya initially, is at least able to understand that she's missing something vital. Kaya's actions don't fit with normal child logic or emotions. It's only after experiencing one of the supernatural events personally that Chie can connect the dots. And for the first time, Kaya has an ally, someone who doesn't write her off as a troublemaker and is willing to stand up for her and even take blame and punishments for her. Chie doesn't even need to hear Kaya's explanations to take action, she has trust that Kaya is acting in everyone's best interest.
Kaya has gone from a lone, tragic hero doing what's right and receiving only condemnation in return to a girl with at least one person who sees her for who she truly is, and that makes all the difference. And perhaps now, when she returns home to face the unstoppable monster possessing her own mother, she'll have the strength she needs to fight on for another day.
Some people may respond negatively to seeing a horror series that puts children in danger, but real children deal with scary, confusing things in their lives all the time. Kaya-chan Isn't Scary speaks authentically to behaviour as the language of needs and how adults can support children through these challenges. Do yourself a favour and give this one a watch.
Also there's one VERY effective jumpscare in this premiere. I'm not telling you when or what it is.
Kaya-chan Isn't Scary highlights one of the core things children need while growing up: Someone in their corner. Kaya is a kindergartner, literally like 5 years old. Over her short life, she's learned two things. The first is that only she can see, hear and defeat the monsters looming around every corner. The second is that no one will ever believe her.
This has left her as a troubled child when viewed from the outside. She seemingly does mean things constantly, like blocking children from using the swings or taping books shut. Yet this never seems to be for selfish reasons or personal gain. She doesn't want to play on the swing or keep the books for herself. and she never seems to have any ill intent--she's not relishing in the misery she's causing others, she just gives blunt orders with no additional rationale or explanation.
New teacher Chie has been saddled with her, implying it's sort of a rite of passage. Or low-key workplace bullying. Chie's got the right attitude for the situation, and just enough psychic ability that she figures out what's really going on. Maybe she's simply more open-minded than the other teachers, but she's able to put the pieces together about accidents on the swings coming to an abrupt halt after Kaya refuses to let classmates on them, and she actually SEES the evil spirits Kaya-chan destroys. But more than anything, she believes Kaya, which seems to be a new experience for the little girl.
It's clear that she's used to people not understanding what she's doing. When her dad has an evil spirit enveloping his head, she doesn't tell him, she instead makes up an excuse to touch his hair to banish it. She doesn't tell Chie the books she tapes shut are haunted, she just says no one should read them, which is both a fair approximation of what a child her age would say and a sign that she's aware she sees what others can't. Kaya's not old enough to really disguise her actions or make excuses for what she does, but she clearly is acting out of a desire to keep others safe. Does this stem from whatever's going on with her mother? It seems likely--right now, her mom has either been possessed by something or become some horrible creature herself. Kaya's obviously afraid of her, even though she desperately loves her, which raises the question of whether or not she's always been this way or if it's a recent development. Either way, we see plenty of little clues that Kaya misses her mom and that her dad is trying his best, even if he is always the last parent to pick up his child.
Chie, while frustrated with Kaya initially, is at least able to understand that she's missing something vital. Kaya's actions don't fit with normal child logic or emotions. It's only after experiencing one of the supernatural events personally that Chie can connect the dots. And for the first time, Kaya has an ally, someone who doesn't write her off as a troublemaker and is willing to stand up for her and even take blame and punishments for her. Chie doesn't even need to hear Kaya's explanations to take action, she has trust that Kaya is acting in everyone's best interest.
Kaya has gone from a lone, tragic hero doing what's right and receiving only condemnation in return to a girl with at least one person who sees her for who she truly is, and that makes all the difference. And perhaps now, when she returns home to face the unstoppable monster possessing her own mother, she'll have the strength she needs to fight on for another day.
Some people may respond negatively to seeing a horror series that puts children in danger, but real children deal with scary, confusing things in their lives all the time. Kaya-chan Isn't Scary speaks authentically to behaviour as the language of needs and how adults can support children through these challenges. Do yourself a favour and give this one a watch.
Also there's one VERY effective jumpscare in this premiere. I'm not telling you when or what it is.
Drag0nK1ngmark
~drag0nk1ngmark
Getting dark gathering vibes now
