The paintings and prints of illustrator and artist Kaori Kasai feature a complicated, albeit cute, little character named Monchan, whose name comes from the Japanese term for monster (“mon”) and the suffix used to denote endearment (“chan”). The non–gender-specific creature echoes all of the artist’s struggles as a landed immigrant, the sense of loneliness, and inner turmoil. Monchan will take on a much more cheerful, adorable persona in Kasai’s forthcoming children’s book, Monchan’s Bag, but to see the darker side of the character, check out Ura Monchan, a new show at Blim (197 East 17th Avenue), copresented by the Powell Street Festival until March 27. As part of her exhibition of paintings and prints, Kasai will present storyboards, curate a film night on March 26, and produce a limited-edition screen-printed T-shirt.