Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun

The famous Seven Mysteries that every school seems to have are a staple of Japanese urban legends. One of the most well-known of these tales is that of Hanako-san: the ghost of a young girl who haunts the school's bathrooms.

Kamome Academy has its own version of Hanako-san's legend. Rumors claim that if one successfully manages to summon Hanako-san, she will grant her summoner any wish. Lured by the gossip, many people have tried to call upon her, yet every attempt has failed. However, when Nene Yashiro, a girl hoping for romantic fortune, dares to summon Hanako-san, she discovers that the rumored "girl" is actually a boy!

After a series of unfortunate events involving Yashiro's romantic desires, she is unwillingly entangled in the world of the supernatural, becoming Hanako-kun's assistant. Soon, she finds out about Hanako-kun's lesser-known duty: maintaining the fragile balance between mortals and apparitions.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Hanako-kun Main

Ogata, Megumi Japanese

Yashiro, Nene Main

Kitou, Akari Japanese

Minamoto, Kou Main

Chiba, Shouya Japanese

Mitsuba, Sousuke Supporting

Kobayashi, Daiki Japanese

Yugi, Tsukasa Supporting

Ogata, Megumi Japanese

Tsuchigomori Supporting

Tsuda, Kenjirou Japanese

Aoi, Akane Supporting

Toki, Shunichi Japanese

Akane, Aoi Supporting

Satou, Minako Japanese

Nanamine, Sakura Supporting

Anzai, Chika Japanese

Minamoto, Teru Supporting

Uchida, Yuuma Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Higa, Yuuji Producer

Komatsu, Shouta Producer

Fukuda, Anju Producer

Reviews

Mar 14, 2025

starcarver

Recommended

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is an anime that blends supernatural mystery, comedy, and heartfelt moments into a visually unique experience. Adapted from the manga by AidaIro, the series follows Nene Yashiro, a high school girl who accidentally gets entangled with Hanako, the ghost of a boy who haunts a school bathroom. Together, they navigate the world of spirits and urban legends, uncovering secrets about both the supernatural and themselves.

One of the most striking aspects of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is its animation and art style. The show embraces a distinct, almost storybook-like aesthetic with bold outlines, vibrant colors, and panel-like framing reminiscent of manga. This visual approach creates a ... whimsical yet eerie atmosphere that perfectly suits the supernatural themes. However, while the art is stunning, the animation itself can sometimes feel static, as the series relies heavily on still shots and limited movement rather than fluid, dynamic animation.

The story is intriguing, with its mix of mystery, supernatural lore, and character-driven narratives. Each episode introduces different urban legends that evolve and change as the characters interact with them, making for an engaging episodic format. However, the anime only scratches the surface of the manga’s deeper and more complex storytelling. Some arcs feel rushed, and crucial emotional beats don’t always land as powerfully as they could due to limited episode count.

The pacing is one of the show’s weaker points. While the episodic structure helps maintain a steady flow, certain character relationships and plot developments feel underdeveloped. Important backstories and emotional turning points are sometimes glossed over, making it harder to fully connect with the characters. Given the depth present in the manga, the anime adaptation could have benefited from a slower, more immersive approach.

The characters are a highlight of the series. Hanako is charismatic and playful yet layered with a dark past that adds depth to his character. Nene is a likable protagonist, though her role often leans into comedic relief rather than strong development. Their dynamic is fun, filled with humor and occasional emotional tension. Side characters like Kou and the antagonistic supernatural figures add variety, but some remain underexplored due to the limited scope of the adaptation.

Worldbuilding is fascinating, presenting a school filled with supernatural mysteries and unspoken rules. The concept of ‘Wonders’ governing different parts of the school adds a structured yet eerie charm to the setting. However, the anime doesn’t expand much on these ideas, leaving many unanswered questions that the manga delves into more deeply.

The soundtrack effectively complements the series, with an opening theme that captures its playful yet eerie tone. The background music enhances the whimsical yet dark nature of the story, though it doesn’t particularly stand out as groundbreaking. The voice acting, on the other hand, is excellent, with Hanako’s voice actor perfectly balancing his mischievous and serious sides.

As a supernatural comedy with hints of romance, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun executes its genre well but falls short in balancing lighthearted moments with more emotional depth. The comedic elements often take precedence, which can sometimes undermine the impact of the darker themes. While it delivers an enjoyable experience, it leaves many deeper themes and character arcs unexplored.

The anime ends without a clear resolution, feeling more like a midpoint rather than a conclusion. Many plot threads remain open, which may frustrate viewers who want a more satisfying wrap-up. However, this is more of an issue with the adaptation rather than the source material itself.

In terms of moral messages, the series subtly touches on themes of regrets, moving forward, and understanding others beyond surface appearances. While these ideas are present, they aren’t fully fleshed out in the anime adaptation, making them feel more like background elements rather than central themes.

In summary, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is a visually distinct and entertaining anime with great characters and an intriguing supernatural setting. However, its rushed pacing, limited exploration of deeper themes, and somewhat static animation prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a fun watch, but those wanting a richer experience should consider reading the manga to get the full depth of the story.

P.S. Anyway, as much as I like this anime, I rarely meet its fans, where are you guys actually hiding?

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Oct 12, 2023

Lastdeadn1

Mixed Feelings

This anime is using the same recycle theme of Seven wonders but seems to not go for any character growth, meaningful lessons or feeling of progression towards a goal. This is a slice of life with tint of humor, horror and some supernatural.

The only memorable aspect was the unique art style of the show. A unique color palette and style of framing was the only salvation of the show.
The animation is very limited and subpar, the character are quite forgettable and their goals or motivation are absolutely weak.
The movement are very stiff, they put a lot of still frames which are okay but when your ... show is half still frames, I am watching a visual novel or manga with some little tit-bit of animation.
We are presented with Nene the main protagonist which has a desire to be in a romantic relationship but her way to judge a person is pure superficial and it won't change or progress. They are stuck in a trope, she will remain the naive, innocent, and superficial character she is from the beginning to the end.
The antagonist will cause mayhem but never gave a clear reason for doing so, the resolution of those are also very un-satisfactory.

I would define this anime as the void, being neither earth or heaven. You are stuck in the void with no progression, low story-telling, bland characters and just nice art style to drive the show. The sound design is not memorable.
If you are bored, it could help you pass time. I've seen worse show.
For those reading the manga, you might just be happy to see it "animated" or mostly colored.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jul 18, 2022

sayalied

Not Recommended

As much as I enjoyed the artstyle I would say this series is pretty average and doesn't really present anything original. The fight scenes were anticlimactic because of the animation style, and for me personally it was hard to get emotionally invested in any of the characters since the show either presented the characters backgrounds, personalities and lives too fast or too slow. Like with Mitsuba. It just killed any form of emotional reaction to anything that happened in the show.

This is however just the first season. I haven't read the manga so if the characters show more substance in the future maybe I'll give ... it a go.

As of right now the anime was just... Plain

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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