A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! Season 1: A Spooky, Hilarious Dive into the Supernatural Classroom

Welcome to Hyakki Academy, where the chalkboards are haunted, the students are youkai, and the teacher is perpetually on the verge of a nervous breakdown. “A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School!” (or Youkai Gakkou no Sensei Hajimemashita!) Season 1, which aired from October 2024 to March 2025, delivers a unique blend of supernatural comedy, heartfelt character growth, and a fresh spin on the “fish-out-of-water” trope. Adapted from Mai Tanaka’s manga, serialized since 2014 in Square Enix’s Monthly GFantasy, this 24-episode anime produced by Satelight is a chaotic, laugh-out-loud exploration of what happens when a cowardly human teacher is thrown into a classroom of mischievous monsters. This article dives deep into why this series stands out, offering a next-level review that uncovers its hidden gems, cultural nuances, and why it’s a must-watch for fans of comedy, fantasy, and folklore.

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The Premise: A Coward in a Classroom of Chaos

At the heart of the series is Haruaki Abe, a timid, crybaby teacher who’s desperate to redeem himself after a disastrous stint at a human high school. When he lands a job at Hyakki Academy, he’s thrilled—until he discovers it’s a school for youkai, supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. From tanuki to zashiki-warashi to kappa, his students are a motley crew of pranksters who delight in exploiting Haruaki’s skittish nature. The show follows Haruaki’s attempts to survive his new job, manage his unruly class, and uncover his own hidden potential, all while navigating the absurdities of a youkai-filled world.

What sets this series apart is its refusal to lean solely on slapstick or predictable gags. Instead, it weaves a tapestry of humor, heart, and cultural richness, making it both a love letter to Japanese mythology and a surprisingly poignant story about overcoming fear and finding belonging.

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Why It’s Unique: A Fresh Take on Familiar Tropes

1. A Relatable Yet Flawed Protagonist
   Haruaki Abe is not your typical anime hero. He’s not a plucky underdog or a secret badass—he’s a nervous wreck who hides under desks and screams at the sight of his own students. Yet, his vulnerability is what makes him compelling. Unlike the stoic teachers of Great Teacher Onizuka or the quirky eccentrics of Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei, Haruaki’s cowardice feels painfully human. His growth isn’t a straight line; it’s a messy, relatable journey of small victories and frequent setbacks. By the season’s end, he’s not a fearless leader but a teacher who’s learned to face his fears, making his arc feel authentic and earned.
2. A Vibrant Cast of Youkai Students
   The students of Hyakki Academy are the show’s beating heart. Each youkai is drawn from Japanese folklore, but they’re given modern, relatable personalities. For example, Mamekichi Maizuka, a tanuki, is a shapeshifting trickster with a penchant for chaos, while Beniko Zashiki, a zashiki-warashi, is a hikikomori gamer who rarely leaves her dorm. The diversity of youkai—kappa, tengu, rokurokubi, and more—creates a dynamic classroom where every episode introduces new quirks and conflicts. The show’s ability to balance a large ensemble cast without losing focus is a testament to its sharp writing and character-driven humor.
3. Cultural Depth Meets Modern Humor
   The series is steeped in Japanese folklore, with each youkai’s design and behavior rooted in traditional myths. For instance, Mamekichi’s transformations nod to the tanuki’s legendary shape-shifting abilities, including the infamous scrotum-based disguises (handled with cheeky, tasteful humor). Yet, the show modernizes these myths by placing them in a high school setting, complete with cultural fairs, sports days, and school trips. This fusion creates a unique tone that’s both educational and absurdly funny, appealing to viewers unfamiliar with youkai lore while rewarding those who catch the cultural references.
4. A Balance of Comedy and Heart
   While the show leans heavily on gag humor—Haruaki’s over-the-top reactions to his students’ pranks are a highlight—it doesn’t shy away from emotional beats. Episodes like the school camp arc (Episode 13) and the cultural fair (Episode 18) show Haruaki slowly earning his students’ respect, not through grand gestures but through persistence and genuine care. These moments elevate the series beyond mere comedy, offering a narrative about acceptance and growth that resonates with both young and adult audiences.

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Standout Elements of Season 1

• Animation and Art Style
  Satelight’s animation is vibrant and expressive, with character designs by Natsuki that bring each youkai to life with distinct visual flair. The youkai’s monstrous features—elongated necks, glowing eyes, or scaly skin—are rendered with a mix of charm and menace, making them both endearing and intimidating. The slapstick sequences are fluidly animated, with Haruaki’s exaggerated expressions stealing the show. The background art, particularly the eerie yet whimsical Hyakki Academy, adds a Halloween-esque atmosphere that perfectly suits the series’ tone.
• Soundtrack and Voice Acting
  Takahiro Inafuku’s soundtrack blends playful, spooky melodies with upbeat school-life tracks, capturing the series’ dual nature. The opening and ending themes, composed by Akihiro Honda and chinozo, are catchy and set the mood for each episode’s antics. The voice cast, led by Ryôta Ôsaka as Haruaki, is stellar. Ôsaka nails Haruaki’s panicked shrieks and quiet moments of resolve, while the ensemble cast—including Gakuto Kajiwara, Ryōhei Kimura, and Tomokazu Sugita—brings infectious energy to the youkai students.
• Writing and Pacing
  Under the direction of Katsumi Ono and series composition by Deko Akao, the show maintains a brisk pace across its 24 episodes. Each episode introduces a new challenge—whether it’s a youkai TV station following Haruaki (Episode 9) or a chaotic sports day (Episode 15)—while advancing the overarching story of Haruaki’s growth. The humor is varied, ranging from physical comedy to clever wordplay, and the show avoids over-relying on repetitive gags. However, some episodes, particularly early ones, can feel formulaic as Haruaki repeatedly freaks out, but the back half of the season introduces more depth and variety.

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Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag with a Loyal Following

Season 1 has garnered a dedicated fanbase, particularly on platforms like Reddit and MyAnimeList, where viewers praise its lighthearted humor and unique premise. A Reddit post from r/anime noted the series’ “silly situations” and “well-done inversions of clichés,” calling it a “delight to watch” when you want pure entertainment. Fans on The StoryGraph lauded the manga’s humor and lovable characters, with one reviewer calling it “one of the better manga series” for its artwork and plot.

However, not all reviews are glowing. Anime Feminist criticized Haruaki’s characterization, particularly his obsession with sailor uniforms, which some found creepy and off-putting. Anime News Network’s review echoed this, calling Haruaki “annoyingly unfunny” and the comedy “bland” for relying too heavily on his cowardice. These critiques highlight a subjective divide: viewers who enjoy over-the-top, cowardly protagonists find Haruaki hilarious, while others find him grating. The show’s humor is polarizing, but its heart and creativity have won over many skeptics by the season’s end.

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What Makes It Next-Level?

1. Subversion of Expectations
   The series plays with familiar tropes—cowardly teacher, delinquent students, magical school—but subverts them in clever ways. Haruaki’s “exorcist powers,” revealed mid-season, aren’t a deus ex machina but a source of further comedic mishaps, as he’s too scared to use them effectively. The students, while initially antagonistic, aren’t just bullies; their pranks often stem from their own insecurities or cultural differences, adding depth to their interactions.
2. A Love Letter to Youkai Lore
   By showcasing a wide array of youkai, from obscure spirits like the rokurokubi to well-known ones like the kappa, the show serves as an accessible introduction to Japanese folklore. It’s educational without being preachy, weaving cultural details into the comedy. For example, the zashiki-warashi’s hikikomori lifestyle is a modern twist on their traditional role as house-bound spirits, making the lore feel fresh and relevant.
3. Universal Themes in a Supernatural Setting
   At its core, the series is about belonging. Haruaki, an outsider in a world of monsters, mirrors anyone who’s ever felt out of place. His students, despite their supernatural nature, grapple with typical teenage issues—identity, acceptance, and rebellion. This universal appeal makes the show resonate beyond its niche premise.

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Areas for Improvement

While Season 1 is a triumph in many ways, it’s not flawless. Haruaki’s uniform obsession, while played for laughs, can feel uncomfortable and dated, alienating some viewers. The early episodes lean heavily on repetitive gags, which may test the patience of those who prefer faster character development. Additionally, some youkai characters, like the kappa or tengu, could use more screen time to flesh out their personalities. The spin-off manga, A New Student at Ghoul School!, suggests there’s room to explore these characters further, and Season 2 could benefit from diving deeper into the ensemble cast.

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Why You Should Watch

A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! Season 1 is a delightful surprise in the Fall 2024 anime lineup. It’s a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it delivers more than just laughs. Its blend of supernatural shenanigans, cultural richness, and heartfelt moments makes it a standout for fans of comedy, fantasy, and slice-of-life genres. If you enjoyed Interviews with Monster Girls for its human-monster dynamics or Great Teacher Onizuka for its teacher-student chaos, this series is a perfect fit. It’s available on Crunchyroll, Prime Video, and Apple TV, with new episodes dropping Tuesdays at 23:00 JST.

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Final Verdict: 8.5/10

This series is a ghoul-tastic romp that balances humor, heart, and horror with surprising finesse. Haruaki’s journey from terrified teacher to reluctant hero is both hilarious and inspiring, and the youkai students steal the show with their mischievous charm. While it stumbles with occasional repetitive humor and polarizing protagonist quirks, its creativity and cultural depth make it a must-watch. Season 1 sets the stage for what could be an even stronger follow-up, and with a confirmed 24-episode run, there’s plenty of spooky fun to come. So, grab your sailor uniform (or don’t, Haruaki), and dive into the wild world of Hyakki Academy—you won’t regret it.

For more information, check out the manga on Yen Press or the anime on Crunchyroll. And if you’re curious about pricing for premium streaming, visit https://www.crunchyroll.com for details.