1.I think it is effective for education. But it would depend on the ages. If it was taught to kindergarten it would be effective. They could understand it, but for older people that would not be able to tell the main point.
2.Since the characters look childish, the problem does not seem serious.
3. I prefer the Japanese one because the other one's character looks scarier.
4.I would not want to put either poster in my room. I'll have a bad dream.