English Dub Review: Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary “Trains Aren’t Scary/Grandma Isn’t Scary?”

Family ties, dark mysteries, and a frozen smile…

Overview

On Kaya’s field trip, a specter separates her and Ms. Chie from others along the way, leaving them stranded on a Train until Mob swoops in to help them while revealing more about Kaya’s lineage…



Our Take

Picking up where the previous episode left off, this one stands out as a major tonal shift, blending eerie folklore with darkly ironic humor. A seemingly mundane outing quickly takes on an unsettling edge, drawing from a well-known Japanese urban legend to create an atmosphere that’s equal parts creepy and fascinating. The episode doesn’t shy away from consequences either, delivering a moment of grim poetic justice that feels harsh, but oddly fitting.

Beneath the surface horror, the episode deepens its emotional and thematic weight by focusing on Kaya and the growing unease surrounding her abilities. We also get a newly introduced subplot involving her grandmother (someone Kaya never even knew existed) that quietly reshapes the episode’s emotional core, by steering the story toward an unexpected outcome that raises far more questions than it answers. What begins as a supernatural mystery slowly hints at buried family history, with Mob’s well-meaning interference and Chie’s grounded perspective highlighting the delicate line between curiosity, responsibility, and unintended consequences.

Overall, this episode marks a clear turning point for the series, shifting from lighthearted paranormal antics to a darker, emotionally charged mystery. The lore deepens significantly, especially around Kaya and her mother’s side of the family, which raises the stakes while deliberately withholding answers to heighten suspense. It’s equal parts unsettling and compelling, as it firmly establishes that the story is no longer content with surface-level spooks, instead building toward a chilling, more personal narrative that promises far-reaching consequences.

8.5 out of 10