Way Better Than The Title: ‘Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun’ Reviewed

When a girl investigates a rumor about a ghost living in the school bathroom the ghost turns out to be a cute boy. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun combines, slice-of-life, romance, and comedy with the Yokai genre. Is this series popular because of its gimmicky title or is there something deeper going on?

THE BAD

Overall I enjoyed the series but I don’t feel invested to continue watching it.

THE GOOD

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun excels in its art direction, characterization, and world-building. The background art employs lush painterly aesthetics and the color choices convey mood by shifting between the realm of ghosts and humans.

The characters are all fully developed and the monsters are given humanity. Hanako in particular is a joy to watch; his calming demeanor masks an underlying danger and sadness rooted in his mysterious origins.

A clever hook for the series is how the ghosts are spiritually tied to the rumors spread about them. The nastier the rumor the scarier the ghost.

THE VERDICT

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is the kind of wacky premise that only anime can pull off. While I don’t think this series will be everyone’s jam, those that are willing to give the show a shot are in for a surprise.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is currently streaming on Funimation and the manga is available from Yen Press.