Hi everyone, been a while here, well back now.... And not leaving anytime soon.
I just finished watched Kayara and I will be honest, so going in, I did nott expect to be thinking about it in an anime context, but the more I sat with it after, the more it started to feel like something that anime fans would actually appreciate, maybe even connect with on a deeper level.
First off, the whole premise already gives strong anime energy, you have a young girl, Kayara, chasing a dream that society has basically told her is not for her, she wants to become a Chasqui, a royal messenger of the Incan Empire but it’s a role dominated by men, That kind of “against all odds” ambition instantly reminded me of characters like Naruto Uzumaki or even Mulan (not anime, but still carries that same spirit). It is that familiar theme of proving yourself in a world that keeps underestimating you.
What really made it feel anime adjacent for me is the structure of her journey, It is very character driven, Kayara isn’t just physically running across landscapes she’s growing, learning discipline, resilience, and what it actually means to carry responsibility, that internal development is something anime does really well ,It is not just about reaching the goal, but who you become along the way, there is also the training and trial aspect, the way she pushes herself, faces obstacles, and keeps going even when she’s clearly outmatched gave me serious “training arc” vibes. If this were a full anime series, I can easily imagine episodes dedicated to her endurance tests, rivalries, and gradual mastery. It has that slow burn progression that anime fans love.
Visually, while it is not anime styled, the environment plays a huge role in storytelling, which again feels very anime like, the mountains, the vast landscapes, the sense of scale , it all adds emotional weight to her journey, It reminded me of how some anime use nature almost like a character itself, shaping the tone and challenges the protagonist faces, Another thing I found interesting is the emotional tone,
Kayara doesn’t rely heavily on exaggerated humor or over the top antics , Instead, it leans into sincerity, determination, and quiet emotional moments, that grounded storytelling is something you would find in a lot of coming of age anime, It is not trying too hard to be flashy, it just tells its story with heart.
That said, I won’t pretend it fully feels like anime,the pacing is more straightforward, and it doesn’t dive as deeply into complex character dynamics or layered conflicts the way many anime series do, you don’t get that extended world building or multiple character arcs intertwining over time,It’s a more contained story, but honestly, that’s also part of its charm, It is simple, but not shallow.
If anything, Kayara feels like one of those gateway stories something that sits just outside anime but shares enough DNA that anime fans can still enjoy it, it carries themes of perseverance, identity, and breaking societal limits, which are basically staples in anime storytelling, so yeah, while it’s not technically anime, I would definitely say it is anime adjacent in spirit, If you are someone who enjoys character growth, underdog stories, and journeys fueled by determination, this is one you can appreciate without forcing the comparison.
And who knows—if this story were ever adapted into a full series with deeper arcs and expanded characters, it would fit into the anime world almost effortlessly.
Imdb***
Aikay👾