The highly anticipated second season of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun has finally arrived, captivating audiences with its unique blend of supernatural mystery, school-life drama, and endearing characters. After a five-year wait, the series premiered in January 2025, continuing the story of Nene Yashiro, Hanako-kun, and Kou Minamoto as they navigate the delicate balance between the human and spirit worlds at Kamome Academy. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2, from its plot and characters to its production and where to watch it.
What is Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun?
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (地縛少年花子くん, Jibaku Shōnen Hanako-kun, lit. “Earthbound Spirit Boy Hanako-kun”) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by AidaIro, a pen name for the duo Iro and Aida. Serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly GFantasy magazine since 2014, the manga has garnered a dedicated following for its distinctive art style, engaging storyline, and exploration of Japanese folklore and urban legends.
The story revolves around Kamome Academy, a school renowned for its Seven Wonders and supernatural occurrences. Nene Yashiro, a first-year high school student with a penchant for occult stories and a desire for romance, attempts to summon Hanako-san of the Toilet, the school’s Seventh Wonder. Legend says that Hanako-san, a spirit residing in the third stall of the girls’ bathroom on the third floor of the old school building, can grant wishes for a price. However, Nene’s encounter with Hanako-san reveals that the rumors are far from the truth – Hanako-san is, in fact, a boy.
The Premise
Accidentally becoming bound to Hanako-kun, Nene becomes his assistant, helping him maintain the balance between the human and spirit worlds and manage the school’s other supernatural entities. Together with Kou Minamoto, a young exorcist, they investigate and resolve various supernatural incidents, uncovering secrets and facing dangers lurking within Kamome Academy.
Quick Facts:
- Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Mystery, School
- Manga Author: AidaIro
- Serialization: Monthly GFantasy (Square Enix)
- Anime Studio: Lerche
- Original Anime Premiere: January 2020
Season 1 Recap
The first season of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun adapted the initial arcs of the manga, introducing the main characters and establishing the supernatural setting of Kamome Academy. It primarily covered the first 17 chapters of the manga, with some rearrangement of arcs and the omission of a few chapters.
Key Events of Season 1:
- Nene’s Encounter with Hanako-kun: Nene summons Hanako-kun and becomes his assistant after accidentally swallowing a mermaid scale, which curses her with a shortened lifespan.
- Introduction of Kou Minamoto: Kou, initially determined to exorcise Hanako-kun, gradually becomes an ally and friend to Nene and Hanako.
- The Seven Wonders: The season explores several of the Seven Wonders of Kamome Academy, including the Misaki Stairs and the 4 O’Clock Library, revealing their origins and the consequences of tampering with their rumors.
- Tsukasa’s Appearance: Hanako-kun’s younger twin brother, Tsukasa, is introduced as a chaotic and malevolent force, disrupting the balance between the human and spirit worlds.
What to Read After Season 1
To continue the story in the manga after finishing Season 1 of the anime, start with Volume 8, Chapter 36. While the anime adapted the main plotline, the manga contains additional details, comical mini-skits, and character development that enrich the overall experience.
Season 2: What to Expect
The second season of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun premiered on January 12, 2025, and consists of 12 episodes. Picking up where the first season left off, Season 2 delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding Hanako-kun and the Seven Wonders, exploring previously skipped arcs and revealing crucial truths about the characters’ fates.
Plot and Story Arcs
Season 2 focuses on the following key arcs:
- The Three Clock Keepers Arc: Issues arise at Kamome Academy as time begins to skip forward, causing students to age uncontrollably. Nene, Hanako, and Kou must find the Clock Keepers, supernatural beings who control the flow of time within the school, to stop the temporal anomalies. This arc introduces new characters, Kako (governs the past) and Mirai (governs the future), adding depth to the supernatural world.
- Summer Lights Arc
- Picture Perfect Arc
The season reveals a crucial truth about Nene’s lifespan and fate, setting the stage for more intense developments and challenges as the series progresses. Hanako-kun reveals that there may be a traitor among the Seven Wonders, prompting Nene and her friends to uncover the truth and restore balance to the academy’s supernatural world.
Themes
- Friendship and Loyalty: The bond between Nene, Hanako, and Kou deepens as they face new challenges together, highlighting the importance of friendship and loyalty in the face of adversity.
- Fate and Destiny: The revelation about Nene’s shortened lifespan raises questions about fate and whether it can be changed, adding a layer of emotional tension to the story.
- The Balance Between Worlds: The series continues to explore the delicate balance between the human and spirit worlds, emphasizing the consequences of disrupting that balance.
- Identity and Self-Acceptance: Characters grapple with their identities and come to terms with their pasts, showcasing themes of self-acceptance and personal growth.
Characters
- Hanako-kun (花子くん): The Seventh Wonder of Kamome Academy, Hanako-kun is a mischievous and enigmatic spirit who resides in the girls’ bathroom. He can grant wishes for a price and plays a vital role in maintaining the balance between the human and spirit worlds. Voiced by Megumi Ogata.
- Nene Yashiro (八尋 寧々): A first-year high school student with a love for the occult and a desire for romance. She becomes Hanako-kun’s assistant after accidentally becoming bound to him, embarking on supernatural adventures and forming close bonds with Hanako and Kou. Voiced by Akari Kitō.
- Kou Minamoto (源 光): A young exorcist from a family of exorcists, Kou initially seeks to exorcise Hanako-kun but eventually becomes an ally and friend to Nene and Hanako. He is brave, kind, and protective of his friends, often finding himself in trouble due to his inexperience. Voiced by Shōya Chiba.
- Tsukasa Yugi (柚木 つかさ): Hanako-kun’s younger twin brother, Tsukasa is a chaotic and malevolent spirit who delights in disrupting the balance between the human and spirit worlds. He often acts as an antagonist, creating challenges for Hanako, Nene, and Kou. Voiced by Megumi Ogata.
- Kako (過去): One of the Three Clock Keepers who governs the past. Voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka.
- Mirai (未来): One of the Three Clock Keepers who governs the future. Voiced by Rie Kugimiya.
- Sakura Nanamine (七峰 桜): A student at Kamome Academy and member of the Broadcasting Club.
- Teru Minamoto (源 輝): Kou’s older brother and also an exorcist.
Production
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 is produced by Lerche, the same studio that animated the first season and the After-School Hanako-kun spin-off. While Masaomi Andō directed the first season, Yōhei Fukui takes over as the director for Season 2.
Key Staff:
- Director: Yōhei Fukui
- Series Composition: Yasuhiro Nakanishi
- Character Design: Mayuka Itou
- Music: Hiroshi Takaki
- Animation Studio: Lerche
Music
The opening theme song for Season 2 is “L’oN” (pronounced “Lion”), performed by Masayoshi Ōishi, who also performed the opening theme song for Season 1. The title “L’oN” is intended to evoke the title of the first season’s opening theme, “No. 7,” with the number and letters turned upside-down. The ending theme song is “With a Wish,” performed by Akari Kitō, the voice actress for Nene Yashiro.
Where to Watch
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 is available for streaming on various platforms, including:
- Crunchyroll: Crunchyroll is streaming the second season in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and India.
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
Related Media
- Manga: The original Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun manga series is ongoing and available in English from Yen Press.
- After-School Hanako-kun: A spin-off manga and anime series that focuses on the everyday lives of Hanako-kun, Nene, and Kou.
Anime Like Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun
If you enjoy the supernatural themes, school-life setting, and unique art style of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, here are some other anime you might enjoy:
- Dusk Maiden of Amnesia
- Noragami
- xxxHolic
- Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
- Mob Psycho 100
- Jujutsu Kaisen
Conclusion
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 offers a captivating continuation of the supernatural adventures at Kamome Academy. With its engaging storyline, endearing characters, and exploration of Japanese folklore, the series continues to delight fans old and new. Whether you’re a long-time follower of the manga or a newcomer to the series, Season 2 promises an unforgettable journey into the world of Hanako-kun and his friends.
