A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School
Not every anime that flashes across our screens during a given season leaves a lasting impression or sparks genuine excitement. Sometimes, among the most anticipated premieres and unexpected gems, some titles simply exist, neither undesirable nor memorable, merely adequate, functional, and little else. A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! falls squarely into that category. Among the varied offerings of the Winter 2025 season, it was one of those shows you approach more out of a sense of completion or casual curiosity than genuine interest. And once watched, it slips quietly into the background, eliciting a mild shrug and perhaps a fond smile or two. Without further ado, let’s move on to the review.
The premise of A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! is laid out from the very first episode: Haruaki Abe, a timid and emotionally delicate young human teacher, is assigned (due to a bizarre string of administrative misunderstandings) to a special academy that educates the children of supernatural beings, monsters, and legendary creatures. Utterly unprepared to handle such an unusual student body, Haruaki is caught up in increasingly absurd situations. He faces his fears while trying to survive his teaching days among vampires, yōkai, demons, and other entities that constantly test his sanity and patience.
Rather than offering a dramatic story or a profound emotional growth arc, the series presents gags, misunderstandings, and endearing slice-of-life moments, all filtered through a supernatural lens. The ever-looming threat is that Haruaki might be scared (or eaten) by his students, though in reality, the tone is far more lighthearted and cartoonish than his prejudices would have him believe.
Produced by Satelight (Log Horizon, Skeleton Knight in Another World) under director Katsumi Ono, the series adapts Mai Tanaka’s 2014 manga with a clear focus on low-stakes episodic pacing. Scriptwriter Deko Akao (Noragami, Fruits Basket) leans into her knack for balancing the humor and character beats. Natsuki's designs complement the humor and character beats, which soften the manga’s sharper edges into more approachable, rounded forms. The 24-episode, two-cour structure allows gradual worldbuilding but reinforces the show’s reluctance to escalate stakes beyond classroom antics. Airing from October 2024 to March 2025, the series’ two-cour, 24-episode structure reinforces its episodic comedic rhythm. Blending supernatural fantasy with gag humor, it leans into genre staples like yōkai mythology and school-life tropes while avoiding darker horror elements.
From the outset, A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! does not attempt to pursue complex narratives or ambitious story arcs. Its progression is episodic, rooted in situational comedy, and leans heavily on a “monster-of-the-week” format, reimagined here as “student-of-the-week.” Each episode introduces a new creature or variant of the usual chaos, placing Haruaki in the middle of supernatural shenanigans from which he must learn to emerge unscathed, or at least emotionally intact. This simple yet effective formula allows the series to move forward without the burden of a strong overarching plot, creating space for smaller interactions that gradually shape the group’s dynamic. One could reasonably point out a certain repetitiveness in its approach (and that would be a fair critique).
Still, it's also true that the variety of characters and scenarios keeps the pacing afloat. There’s a conscious effort not to take anything too seriously. That attitude permeates every scene: the threats are more comedic than real, the conflicts are resolved through sweetness or humorous misunderstandings, and the lessons learned often revolve around empathy and embracing differences. It’s a gentle, accessible development, catering to an audience that values charm over sophistication. The themes aren’t explored in any depth, but there’s no pretense of depth either. Its strength lies in knowing its limitations and operating comfortably within them.
One of the show’s main appeals lies in the colorful cast that populates its afterlife-themed school. While most characters follow familiar archetypes—the mischievous demon, the haughty vampire girl, the misunderstood creature, etc.- the series handles its clichés with enough wit and charm to keep them likable. At the center, of course, is Haruaki Abe, whose defining trait is his constant state of panic. Far from the heroic or adaptable protagonist, Haruaki represents the everyman thrust unexpectedly into a fantastical world completely beyond his comfort zone. Instead of being annoying, his cowardice and clumsiness grant him a pitiful charisma that makes him easy to root for. He’s not brilliant or brave and rarely has the correct answer, but his sincerity, sense of responsibility, and genuine effort to understand his students make him more endearing than admirable. His growth is subtle but noticeable: from avoiding all contact with monsters to caring about them, wanting to help, and even genuinely considering them his students.
On the other hand, his pupils are eclectic and eccentric. There are creatures drawn from traditional Japanese folklore (like yōkai and tengu) alongside monsters from different mythologies, all reimagined with a comedic twist. While not all receive the same development level, they inject dynamism and variety into each episode. Some stand out due to their unique designs or strong personalities, others because of their amusing interactions with Haruaki, but as a whole, they create a chaotic and affectionate sense of community. It’s worth noting that not every character escapes their role as a running gag. At times, the series relies too heavily on caricatured traits without offering much insight into individual motivations. However, for a show that opts for a light, episodic tone, the issue feels more like a structural limitation than a flaw in execution.
Visually, A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! plays it safe: adorable character designs, soft color palettes, and functional backgrounds. The animation studio favors simplicity over technical complexity, choosing clarity and charm over visual dazzle. The show feels lightweight even in its visual presentation, with expressive character models and color usage emphasizing warmth rather than fear, which aligns with its comedic take on the supernatural.
The monsters are drawn to be more adorable than terrifying, reinforcing the show’s whimsical tone. Rather than evoking fear, their exaggerated forms and bright eyes resemble something from a children's book, a fitting aesthetic for a story like this. There are no grand feats of animation, and action or scare scenes are resolved with basic camera work and editing tricks, yet the execution never feels lazy or underdone. The art direction does just enough to give each setting its own identity, be it the classroom, the forest, or the magical nooks of the academy. And while the details may be modest, the world-building is coherent and pleasant.
The only honest criticism might be the lack of ambition: no particularly memorable scenes or standout visual techniques exist. It feels like a modest production that knows its purpose and fulfills it without reaching for more. The minimalism may disappoint viewers seeking a visually striking experience, but in a show like this, functionality trumps flashiness, and that is enough.
The musical portion of A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! is consistent with the rest of the production: modest, nice, with no noteworthy highlights. The soundtrack does its job, accompanying situations with light songs that vary from cheery to naughty depending on the situation. Wind instruments and percussion are noticeable to emphasize the humorous beats, as are some more atmospheric songs for sequences that lean toward fantasy or emotion.
The opening track is lively and memorable, instantly establishing the show's unique feel of playful chaos. It's not especially fresh, nor the kind of music that lingers in your mind after the performance, but it effectively leads the audience into Haruaki's quirky universe. In contrast, the conclusion is gentler and more musical, with a tone reminiscent of a fairytale, emphasizing the core message that this is fundamentally a narrative about connecting worlds and fostering mutual understanding. In short, the music acts more as a backdrop than a spotlight, but it helps cultivate an atmosphere consistent with the narrative. Although the music never truly shines, it also never distracts, which is a significant accomplishment for a production that prioritizes functionality.
In a season like Winter 2025, full of highs, twists, and emotionally or technically outstanding titles, this series found itself in the "ok" category, which is reserved for shows that neither disappoint nor delight. It wasn't torturous, but it didn't leave a lasting memory. There are enjoyable moments, fascinating characters in their own right, and an atmosphere that may be comforting if viewed without high expectations. Still, it’s hard to imagine the show being one to last in the minds of the broader audience for long, not even among slice-of-life fans with supernatural overtones. In short, it’s a well-meaning, gentle, and fairly forgettable production. And occasionally, that kind of anime has its place too.
Please Like, Comment, Share, or click one of the links below to read another post.
https://pinnedupink.com/blogs/random-thoughts-because-mondays-suck
https://pinnedupink.com/blogs/on-screen
https://pinnedupink.com/blogs/flashbacks
