The highly anticipated television anime adaptation of Yuritaro’s “Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary” (Kaya-chan wa Kowakunai) manga is slated to premiere in January 2026. The announcement was accompanied by the revelation of new cast members, a commercial video, and a fresh visual for the horror-action series.
Expanded Voice Cast Joins the Supernatural Comedy
Several prominent voice actors are joining the previously announced cast, bringing key characters to life in the upcoming series. Yūki Kaji, known for his role as Kenma in Haikyuu!!, will voice Namu. Fukushi Ochiai, who played Hiromi in 365 Days To The Wedding, is cast as Mobuo. Azusa Tadokoro, recognized as Eri in CITY THE ANIMATION, will portray Akira-sensei. Additionally, Shiori Izawa, known for her role as Nanachi in Made in Abyss, is joining as Chihiro-sensei. These new additions bolster a cast that already includes Azusa Tachibana as the titular Kaya-chan and Maaya Uchida as Chie-sensei.
Production Details and Story Synopsis
The anime is being produced by East Fish Studio, with Hiroshi Ikehata (known for Dark Gathering and 365 Days to the Wedding) at the helm as director. Shigeru Murakoshi (Zombie Land Saga, Ninja Kamui) is overseeing the series scripts, ensuring the adaptation maintains the manga’s unique blend of horror and comedy. Character designs are being handled by Tarō Yamada and Hiroyuki Moriguchi, while Kohta Yamamoto (Attack on Titan Final Season) and Shun Narita (Dark Gathering) are composing the music. Yukio Nagasaki serves as the sound director.
The story centers on Kaya-chan, a seemingly ordinary but notoriously problematic kindergartner. However, her new teacher, Chie-sensei, soon uncovers Kaya-chan’s extraordinary secret: she possesses the ability to see and vanquish evil spirits with a powerful punch. The series explores the comedic and sometimes terrifying situations that arise as the five-year-old Kaya-chan tries to help others by fighting supernatural threats, often leading to misunderstandings with the adults around her.
Manga Background and English Release
The original “Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary” horror-action manga, written and illustrated by Yuritaro, began serialization on Shinchosha’s Kurage Bunch manga website in April 2022. Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed the manga for English publication and describes the premise as a gripping supernatural thriller that blurs the line between reality and the afterlife, where Kaya-chan’s obsession with ghosts leads her into a world of terror. The first English volume was released in April 2025. The manga has been collected into seven tankōbon volumes as of June 2025.
Fans can look forward to the anime’s debut on TV Tokyo and its affiliates, AT-X, and WOWOW starting January 2026.
