Title: Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun
Genre: Paranormal, School-life, Romantic- Comedy
Season(s): 1
Release date: January 10, 2020
Status: Completed on March 26, 2020
Synopsis: “Kamome Academy is known for its famous Seven Mysteries and supernatural occurrences, popularized by student rumors. Nene Yashiro, a first-year occult-loving student who yearns for a boyfriend, decides to summon the seventh mystery “Hanako-san of the Toilet”, a girl who died in the bathroom a long time ago and can grant wishes for the right price. However, upon summoning the ghost, Hanako-san is revealed to be a boy. With a turn of events, Nene becomes his assistant and the story follows their adventures in maintaining the balance between the spirit world and the human world, as well as her discovery of the many secrets revolving around a loser” (Wikipedia).
First Impression: The art, for some reason reminded me of Panty & Stocking. Yashiro also annoyed me to no end in the first episode because she reminded me too much of how I used to be as a teen. I also had some Ghost Hunt vibes as I was watching it—mostly because of the idea of apparitions being controlled by the rumors made for them. SPOILER: To be honest, I also laughed a bit when Yashiro turns into a fish, but I was also a bit creeped out by the giant fish ghost that tries to take her away.
Overall Thoughts: I’ve always had a love for anything that’s paranormal related so this anime was rather refreshing. Each apparition was unique in their own way—along with the stories behind them. I haven’t done any research on any of them (the mythology/paranormal stories that inspired the apparitions within the anime), but they’re certainly something I’d check out soon. The bond/ relationship between Hanako and Yashiro is adorable (knowing my younger, teenage self, I’d have most likely been squealing at every move he makes on her). With that being said, I don’t like how annoying the characters (especially Yashiro) can be at times. If you take into account that they’re middle-schoolers, it is understandable, but that doesn’t mean that certain things that they do (especially Yashiro wanting to have a boyfriend in any way possible) aren’t extremely annoying. I also don’t think Yashiro had much character development other than growing closer and more concerned for Hanako.
Final rating: With that being said, I give Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun 3 paws out of 5 🐾🐾🐾. I do think this anime was fun to watch and I loved all of the paranormal aspects. I don’t like how annoying the characters tend to be at times—which made me nearly throw my phone across my room (which I shouldn’t do now that everyone’s quarantined where I live). However, if you want to watch something funny with cute moments, do watch it. I recommend it.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you all are taking care with everything that’s been going on! Please stay safe! Remember to wash your hands and take care! Until next time, keep your paws and bowls of ramen up, everyone! Nya! 🐾
The Kitten Who Eats Ramen 