// Genres: Comedy, School, Shounen, Supernatural //
Hello! I’ve had the pleasure of watching an anime called: Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun (a.k.a. Toilet-bound Hanako-kun). I heard this anime was great for fans of romance as well!
I discovered this series after hearing from my male buddy that this reminded them of the art style from Radiant. I beg to differ, but at the same time, I can understand why. The characters look adorable and chibi-like at first glance. It’s so mesmerizing.
What intrigued me the most was the title in the name:
Toilet. Toilet.
Wait…What? Is this a bathroom anime?
Why is Hanako-kun stuck in a toilet? Hold on, let me rephrase that. Why is Hanako-kun bound to a toilet? This certainly sounds comedic.
Then I become reminded of a certain ghost girl climbing out of TVs and crawling on ceilings for some reason. Or maybe it’s one of those ‘catch all the yokai’ in every bathroom series! No?
Disclaimer:
Please be aware that I’ll be relaying information that may contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion. Without further ado, let’s dive right on in then.
Episode 1 – Hanako-san of the Bathroom
Initial Impressions: The art style is beautifully eye-catching. The characters look adorable.
We first learn of the seventh of the seven wonders described by two unknown silhouettes telling of a girl named, Hanako-san. Within the third stall of the girl’s bathroom and on the third floor of an old building, a wish can be granted to anyone who successfully summons her. There is a catch though.
Hanako-san will take something precious from them in return for granting that wish. All you gotta do is knock on the bathroom door three times and say the magic words: “Hanako-san, Hanako-san, Are you there?” This reminds me of Blood Mary in a way, but my curiosity has been piqued at this point. What a great starting point to a horror scene I must say! Or is it?
However, there’s a gender twist! Hanako-san is a boy. He doesn’t seem so bad. There are many humorous aspects and comedy displayed in this show. We learn that our main female lead, Yashiro Nene wants her said love interest to reciprocate her feelings. Romance? I’m all for it! A ghost boy helping a girl get her first love will be something I can look forward to. A unique combination of supernatural romance. Sounds like my cup of tea.
Nene isn’t a patient girl it would seem. Out of foolishness, she ate a mermaid’s scale without knowing what the consequence would entail. She ends up turning into a cute fish as her curse. She isn’t happy of course. A mermaid has come to retrieve her new servant until Hanako-kun sends her off with his trusty knife!
Hanako-kun decided to grant Nene’s new wish to be human again, but in return, she must offer her body….through labor! Heh… Hanako-kun is a sly boy. So, now she’s half-fish and half-human! Can I ship these two instead?
Overall Enjoyment: 8 / 10
I’ll admit I wasn’t showing interest at the very beginning with low expectations. I’m not a fan of toilets. Heh. It was around near the end of the episode which got me hooked to find out what’s going to happen next!
What’s Next?
Go watch it on Funimation!
Episode Review List
- Episode 1 – Hanako-san of the Bathroom
- Episode 2 – Yousei-san
- Episode 3 – The Misaki Stairs, Part 1
- Episode 4 – The Misaki Stairs, Part 2
- Episode 5 – The Confession Tree
- Episode 6 – The 4 O’clock Library
- Episode 7 – Donuts
- Episode 8 – Mitsuba
- Episode 9 – Tea Party
- Episode 10 – The Hell Of Mirrors, Part 1
- Episode 11 – The Hell Of Mirrors, Part 2
- Episode 12 – Little Mermaid
- Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun: Final Review
