Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (Japanese: 地縛少年花子くん, Hepburn: Jibaku Shōnen Hanako-kun, lit. "Earthbound Spirit Boy Hanako-kun") is a Japanese manga series written by Iro and illustrated by Aida, which results in their conjoined name 'AidaIro'. It has been serialized in Square Enix's magazine Monthly GFantasy since 2014. It has been collected in 23 tankōbon volumes as of December 2024. The story follows Nene Yashiro, a first-year high school student fond of occult stories, who ardently desires a boyfriend. For this, she tries to invoke Hanako-san from the toilet.
The manga is licensed in North America by Yen Press. An anime television series adaptation produced by Lerche aired from January to March 2020. A new anime project was announced in December 2022, and was subsequently described as a "restart" of the series. The "first installment" of the project, an adaptation of After-School Hanako-kun, aired from October to November 2023; a four-episode sequel aired in October 2024. A second season of the original anime aired from January to March 2025, with the second cours set to premiere in July of the same year.
As of February 2024, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun had over 10 million copies in circulation.
Kamome Academy is famous for its rumors regarding its Seven Wonders and supernatural occurrences. Nene Yashiro, a girl who wishes for a boyfriend, and a first-year high-school student, summons the Seventh and most famous Wonder, "Hanako-san of the Toilet", the spirit of a girl who allegedly haunts the bathroom and can grant wishes for the right price. Upon summoning her, Nene discovers that "Hanako-san" is nothing like the rumors say; Hanako-san is a boy. With a turn of events, she is spiritually bound to Hanako and becomes his assistant, helping him destroy evil supernaturals and change rumors in order to maintain the balance between the spirit world and the human world. Along the way, Nene learns about her connection to the spirit world and the dark secrets regarding Hanako and his past.
The Seven Wonders of Kamome Academy are the seven most famous supernatural rumors in the school, and their corresponding supernatural serve to maintain the students' safety from murderous supernatural. Leading them is Hanako, who is the Seventh and most famous school Wonder. Each one has their own Boundary, a divine yorishiro, and an aspect of the school that they control. Their Boundary is a section of the school where their power is the strongest. Boundaries are the 'sea' between the Near Shore, where the living reside, and the Far Shore, where other apparitions exist and thus contain a small amount of water on the ground. A divine yorishiro is an item they cherish that acts as the source of their power. When a yorishiro is destroyed (by removing its seal), the Wonder's designated seat as a School Wonder and their power is removed. Thus, they are usually kept in the deepest region of the Boundary or safeguarded by the wonder themselves.
No. 6 – The Reaper
Apart from the Seven Mysteries, there are other, less powerful supernaturals that roam the school. They rely on student rumors to gain power, unlike the Mysteries who already have theirs so popular and widespread among the student body.
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is written by Iro and illustrated by Aida, resulting in their conjoined names 'AidaIro' . The series started in the July 2014 issue of Square Enix's Monthly GFantasy, published on June 18, 2014. Square Enix has compiled its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on May 22, 2015. A volume 0 was released on December 27, 2019. As of December 27, 2024, 23 volumes have been published.
In North America, Yen Press announced in July 2017 that they would publish the manga digitally. In July 2019, Yen Press announced the print release of the series.
A spin-off manga series titled Hōkago Shōnen Hanako-kun launched online on February 22, 2018. It was licensed by Yen Press under the title After-School Hanako-kun; and released in April 2021.
An anime television series adaptation was announced in the April issue of Monthly GFantasy magazine on March 18, 2019. It is animated by Studio Hibari's subsidiary Lerche and directed by Masaomi Andō, with Yasuhiro Nakanishi handling series composition, Mayuka Itou designing the characters, and Hiroshi Takaki composing the music. The series aired from January 10 to March 27, 2020, on TBS, SUN, CBC, and BS-TBS. The opening theme song is "No.7", performed by Jibaku Shōnen Band, while the ending theme song is "Tiny Light", performed by Akari Kitō. Funimation licensed the series for a SimulDub, which following Sony's acquisition of the namesake platform thereafter, it was moved to Crunchyroll.
In December 2022, a new anime project was announced, and was subsequently described as a "restart" of the series. In August 2023, a short anime television series adaptation of After-School Hanako-kun was announced, and is labeled as the "first installment" of the project. It is produced by Lerche and directed by Masaki Kitamura, with scripts written by Kazuma Nagatomo, character designs handled by Aya Higami, who also served as chief animation director, and music composed by Hiroshi Takaki. The series aired from October 13 to November 3, 2023, and is composed of 10-minute episodes. Akari Kitō, Yu-ri Yoshida, Chitose Morinaga, and Mai Kanazawa performed the ending theme song "Koi! Koi Koi" (来い！濃い恋, "Come to Me, Deep Love!"). Crunchyroll licensed the series.
In November 2023, a four-episode sequel to After-School Hanako-kun was announced, and aired from October 7 to 28, 2024. It was also revealed that a second season of the original anime had been greenlit, which aired from January 12 to March 30, 2025, on all JNN affiliates, including TBS. The opening theme song is "L'oN", performed by Masayoshi Ōishi, while the ending theme song is "With a Wish", performed by Akari Kitō. Following the finale of the second season, a second cours was announced, and is set to premiere in July 2025.
A stage musical adaptation produced by Polygon Magic ran in the Cool Japan Park Osaka TT Hall from January 22 to 24, 2021 and at the Tokyo Dome City Theater G-Rosso from January 28 to 31, 2021. It was directed by Kо̄tarо̄ Yoshitani, with Sayaka Asai writing the screenplay and lyrics, tak composing the music, Rika Mizuno as the music director and singing instructor, and Mamoru as the choreographer. The musical starred Eito Konishi as Hanako, Akari Takaishi as Nene Yashiro, Riki Tanimizu as Kou Minamoto, Ginga Shitara as Tsukasa Yugi, Daiki Mihara as Mitsuba, Fuyuna Asakura as Aoi Akane, Karen Sakura as Yako, Yūna Sekine as Sakura Nanamine, Hiromu Kuroda as Natsuhiko Hyūga, and Yūya Asato as Ryuujirou Tsuchigomori.
By February 2024, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun had over 10 million copies in circulation.
The series ranked fifth on AnimeJapan's "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll in 2019.
In a review of the anime series for NEO, Jones Alex praised the series and characters for being engaging, as well as the unique visuals, comparing Hanako-kun to a comic book brought to life, utilizing thick outlines, vibrant colors and distinct character proportions.
In 2024, the series' first box set published by Yen Press was nominated for the Eisner Awards in the "Best Publication Design" category.