"The Classroom is Full of Ghosts" Review: The perfect balance of horror and laughter

"The Classroom is Full of Ghosts" - An OVA based on a picture book that combines horror and humor

The OVA "The Classroom is Full of Ghosts," released by Toei Video on July 21, 1998, is based on the picture book of the same name, written by Sato Makiko and illustrated by Hara Yutaka. This OVA is set in a haunted house popular among children, and tells the story of the main character, Dai-kun, who meets ghosts and goes on an adventure that combines horror and humor. In the short 20-minute run, it is fun for children, but also a little scary.

■ Story

The most popular attraction at the school's children's festival is the haunted house. Dai-kun brags, "Ghosts don't really exist! I'm not scared at all!!" and heads in. However, no matter how far he walks, the road is pitch black. Then, accompanied by a frightening voice, real ghosts appear! Dai-kun can't return to his world no matter what he does, and he's in a complete panic!

This story depicts the emotions that children often experience, such as "morbid curiosity" and "testing one's courage," and Dai-kun's panicked state resonates with viewers. Another highlight is seeing Dai-kun grow through his encounters and interactions with the ghosts.

■Cast

Yoshiko Kamei, Taeko Kawada, Sayuri Ikemoto

The cast of this OVA is made up of veteran voice actors who have appeared in many children's works. Yoshiko Kamei, in particular, is active in children's anime and educational programs, and her voice gives children a sense of security. Taeko Kawada and Sayuri Ikemoto also liven up the work with their performances that are tailored to their respective characters.

■ Main staff

・Original story/written by Makiko Sato and Yutaka Ehara (published by Akane Shobo)
Director: Toshiya Shinohara, Key animation: Yumiko Kanaumi, Art and background: Kaoru Homma, Animation production: Group Tuck, Production: Toei Video, Tohokushinsha

Director Toshiya Shinohara is an experienced creator who has worked on children's anime and educational programs. Under his guidance, Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of key animation, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, faithfully reproduced the atmosphere of the original work while pursuing the visual beauty that only an OVA can offer. Group TAC, which was in charge of animation, is a studio with a reputation for producing children's anime, and provides high-quality animation.

■Subtitle

・The classroom is full of ghosts

The subtitle of this OVA is "The Classroom is Full of Ghosts," the same as the title of the original picture book. This is the result of choosing a title that is familiar to children while retaining the worldview of the original. The title also succinctly expresses the content of the work, which has the effect of building up expectations in the viewer.

■ Related works

・Title: The classroom is full of ghosts ・Original story: Written by Makiko Sato, illustrated by Yutaka Hara ・Price: List price 897 yen (854 yen + tax)
・Target age: 5 and up ・Format: A5 ・Number of pages: 85 ・First edition: September 1992

The picture book on which this OVA is based, "The Classroom is Full of Ghosts," was first published by Akane Shobo in September 1992. Aimed at children aged 5 and above, this picture book is 85 pages long in A5 format, and features a humorous story by Makiko Sato and cute illustrations by Yutaka Hara. It is also reasonably priced at 897 yen (854 yen + tax), making it a popular read among children.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" has been highly praised as an OVA for children. It has been particularly praised for faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the original work while skillfully depicting horror and humor through its visual expression. The story and characters that children can empathize with, as well as the stable performances of the veteran voice actors, also add to the appeal of the work.

This film is recommended for children aged 5 and over. It is a great film for children who are curious about scary things and want to test their courage, as it allows them to have fun while also feeling a little scared. Also, watching this film together with your child can be a good opportunity to talk about your child's emotions and growth.

■ Detailed information and supplementary information

This OVA is a joint production between Toei Video and Tohokushinsha, with animation by Group TAC. In its short 20-minute run, each episode is a complete story, intended to entertain and slightly frighten children.

The original picture book was written by Sato Makiko and illustrated by Hara Yutaka, and was first published by Akane Shobo in September 1992. Aimed at children aged 5 and above, this picture book is 85 pages long in A5 format, and is appealing for its humorous story by Sato Makiko and cute illustrations by Hara Yutaka. It is also reasonably priced at 897 yen (854 yen + tax), making it a popular read among children.

The cast includes veteran voice actors who have appeared in many children's works. Yoshiko Kamei, in particular, is active in children's anime and educational programs, and her voice gives children a sense of security. Taeko Kawada and Sayuri Ikemoto also liven up the work with their performances that are tailored to their respective characters.

The main staff includes director Toshiya Shinohara, key animation artist Yumiko Kanakai, and art and background artist Kaoru Homma. Director Toshiya Shinohara is an experienced creator who has worked on children's anime and educational programs, and under his guidance, the film faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original while pursuing the visual beauty that only an OVA can offer. Group TAC, the studio in charge of animation, is well-known for producing children's anime, and provides high-quality animation.

The subtitle of this OVA is "The Classroom is Full of Ghosts," the same as the title of the original picture book. This is the result of choosing a title that is familiar to children while retaining the worldview of the original. The title also succinctly expresses the content of the work, which has the effect of building up expectations in the viewer.

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" has been highly praised as an OVA for children. It has been particularly praised for faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the original work while skillfully depicting horror and humor through its visual expression. The story and characters that children can empathize with, as well as the stable performances of the veteran voice actors, also add to the appeal of the work.

This film is recommended for children aged 5 and over. It is a great film for children who are curious about scary things and want to test their courage, as it allows them to have fun while also feeling a little scared. Also, watching this film together with your child can be a good opportunity to talk about your child's emotions and growth.

Furthermore, this OVA can be expected to have an educational effect on broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others.

This work was produced by Group TAC, which has a reputation for producing children's anime, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the key animation, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" can be expected to have an educational effect in broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's animation, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

This OVA can be expected to have an educational effect on broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's anime, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" can be expected to have an educational effect in broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's animation, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

This OVA can be expected to have an educational effect on broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's anime, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" can be expected to have an educational effect in broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's animation, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

This OVA can be expected to have an educational effect on broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's anime, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" can be expected to have an educational effect in broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's animation, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

This OVA can be expected to have an educational effect on broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's anime, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

"Classroom is Full of Ghosts" can be expected to have an educational effect in broadening children's emotional range by making them feel both fear and humor at the same time. Please watch it to help children understand their own emotions and develop the ability to share them with others. This work is also produced by Group TAC, which has an established reputation for producing children's animation, so you can enjoy high-quality animation. In particular, the technical skills of Yumiko Kanaumi, who was in charge of the original drawings, and Kaoru Homma, who was in charge of art and backgrounds, stand out, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.