Tales of ghosts and spirits—for kids?

What would make kids watch a show about Los Angeles history and culture? Ghosts, of course! Netflix’s new animated series City of Ghosts (rated TV-Y7) will likely also draw adult viewers into its authentic explorations of communities throughout the City of Angels. But while the show contains nothing scary, parents might object to its un-Biblical spirituality.

Zelda and three young journalist friends interview adults in Boyle Heights, Venice, Leimert Park, and other LA neighborhoods who experience strange things. For example, a vegan café owner’s coffee machine turns on by itself. The Ghost Team finds friendly ghosts who “tell us their stories.” The team mediates conflicts between adults and ghosts, all of whom talk about their old haunts.

Although the child characters’ voices sound like those of kindergartners, the show’s sophisticated dialogue targets tweens (or older). Three episodes I watched had much to like: fun animation and tidbits of local history. Yet, one child declares, “I use ‘they’ and ‘them’ for my pronouns.” And there’s no shortage of spiritism, including an adult character who, having visited a medium, claims, “The spirits love you and are protecting you.”

Concern that kids won’t separate fact from phantasm will spook many ­parents.