Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary Anime: Release Date, New Cast, Story & Why This Horror Series Is One to Watch

The Winter 2026 anime season is quietly hiding one of its most intriguing wild cards — Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary, a horror-comedy series that flips kindergarten innocence into something unexpectedly chilling.

At first glance, it looks cute.

Five minutes later, it’s unsettling.

And by the end, it’s punching evil spirits in the face.

With its official premiere set for January 11, 2026, and three new voice cast members now confirmed, Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary is shaping up to be one of the most unique genre blends of the year.

Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary Anime: Release Date & Studio Details

• Anime Title: Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary

• Japanese Title: カヤちゃんはコワくない

• Release Date: January 11, 2026

• Studio: East Fish Studio

• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Dark Comedy

• Setting: Kindergarten (yes, really)

The anime is adapted from the manga by Yuritaro, which has steadily built a cult following for its unsettling contrast between childlike art and genuine horror elements.

New Voice Cast Members Announced (January 2026)

The official anime website recently revealed three new voice actors, all portraying Kaya’s classmates at Hanamugi Kindergarten — and they add far more personality than you’d expect from a preschool cast.

🧒 Saku-chan — Voiced by Misaki Kuno

• Sharp-tongued and strong-willed

• Loves scary stories

• Fully believes Kaya can see spirits

• Terrified of the dark despite her bravado

🧒 Kenken — Voiced by Mutsumi Tamura

• Mischievous troublemaker

• Often bullies Kaya but owns up when wrong

• Loud, annoying, but surprisingly honest

🧒 Yuzu-chan — Voiced by Chiemi Tanaka

• Gentle, responsible, and kind

• Possesses unconscious psychic abilities

• Can sometimes see and speak to spirits without realizing it

These characters aren’t filler — they actively shape how the horror unfolds.

What Is Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary Actually About?

Here’s where the series stands apart.

Kaya is labeled a “problem child.”She hits people. She causes chaos. Teachers don’t trust her.

But the truth is far stranger.

Kaya can see evil spirits — and she doesn’t scream or run.

She punches them.

When a new teacher, Chie-sensei, takes charge of the class, she uncovers Kaya’s secret ability and realizes that many of the “incidents” around the kindergarten aren’t childish misbehavior… they’re supernatural threats.

This is a horror story where:

• Adults are clueless

• Children are the frontline

• Evil hides in ordinary places

And the scariest part?

Kaya is just trying to help.

Why Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary Feels Different From Typical Horror Anime

Most horror anime relies on:

• High school settings

• Gore or shock value

• Loud supernatural spectacle

Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary goes the opposite direction.

What makes it stand out:

• Horror seen through a child’s logic

• Spirits treated as annoyances, not monsters

• Violence that’s sudden, blunt, and disturbing precisely because it’s casual

It’s closer in tone to Dark Gathering than traditional cute supernatural shows — which makes sense, given the director.

Staff & Creative Team Behind the Anime

The anime is being handled by a team with real horror credibility:

• Director: Hiroshi Ikehata (Dark Gathering)

• Series Composition: Shigeru Murakoshi (Ninja Kamui)

• Music: Kohta Yamamoto

• Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki

This isn’t being treated as a joke project — it’s a carefully built supernatural thriller hiding behind soft colors and kindergarten chaos.

Manga Origins & English Availability

The original manga:

• Began serialization in April 2022

• Published by Shinchosha on the Kurage Bunch platform

• Licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment

Seven Seas describes the story bluntly:

“Kaya-chan can see evil spirits — and vanquish them with a punch.”

That line alone explains why the series works.

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary?

If you’re looking for:

• A typical cute supernatural anime ❌

• Safe, predictable horror ❌

But if you want:

• Horror that feels wrong in the best way

• A genre mix that shouldn’t work but does

• A series that uses innocence as its sharpest weapon

Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary should be on your Winter 2026 watchlist.

January 11, 2026 might look harmless on the calendar —but this kindergarten is anything but.