Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2

Episodes 13-15

Even in a super-strong anime season, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun manages to stand out. This show has such a strong sense of style that comes through in its backdrops, character designs, and upside-down fairytale soundtrack. Its creepy-cute aesthetic, gemlike color palettes, and increasingly Old Japan-inspired designs evoke an echo of an earlier era of goth shojo classics, reminiscent of CLAMP's wide-ranging fantasy oeuvre. As we delve deeper into the story, existing plots, places, and characters take on new dimensions. In particular, these first three episodes of season two's second part have fleshed out Aoi, a supporting character whom I thought we had already explored in totality. But still waters run deep when it comes to Nene's best friend, and I'm not just talking about the one-off gag where she got the highest test score. Aoi is at the heart of a new mystery that makes even the elusive Number Six fade into the background.

As this show went on break after the culmination of the Picture Perfect arc, I was disappointed to realize I'd be in limbo until at least July regarding Nene's lifespan. In another show, this wouldn't be such a big cliffhanger; usually, a main character has plot armor against being killed off. But Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun's titular character is deceased, as are supporting characters like Mitsuba and most of the other School Wonders. It is entirely possible that Nene will die, and maybe that's a good outcome for her. It could be the only way that she and Hanako end up together. But I don't want her to die, so I've been looking forward to the ominously named sixth wonder, the Grim Reaper, since his name was revealed right before the break. Now we have a face and a personality to match that unsettling title. This horned human figure dwells in a boundary like a water palace, waited on by adorable bloblike minions. Rich colors, ornate architecture, and vivid flowers visible beneath the ankle-deep water indicate no detail was overlooked in creating this magical, dangerous space.

In a refreshing change-up to the usual formula, it's Aoi, not Nene, who finds herself immersed in this otherworldly Boundary. Nene is shocked to find out her friend can see apparitions now; whatever the reason for this, it means she can take a larger role in the story than before. There's always been something unreachable about Aoi, a little too perfect to come across as authentic. And since the beginning, it's uncanny how her supernatural rumors have always been spot-on. In “The Reaper's Sacrifice,” Aoi has allegedly had her personality erased by Number Six, but I'm suspicious. She knows Nene is her best friend and that she always says no to Akane's proposals. But at the same time, she's no longer on Nene's side. She's able to fool Nene into falling into the garbage pit easily because she's always been putting up a front around Nene, and Nene, never seeing Aoi's true self, doesn't know any differently. Hanako, even with his knife out, is no match either because even if he wasn't fooled, he still was bound to protect Nene over his own safety. I loved the way the visual framing surprised the viewer with Akane's presence—this is a man who is so happy when Aoi says she loves him, he pukes rainbows. But he was the only one keeping guard up enough not to fall into the pit. When Aoi distracted Akane with a kiss, then stabbed him with the giant centipede's tail, that was the first time I realized this wasn't just Aoi playing a game. Everything else could have been her usual aloof front, combined with the added challenge of fooling Number Six into thinking she was under his control. But this was something extreme. The moment when Akane and Aoi fell into the trash was as beautiful as it was tragic, their silhouettes engraved in multicolor above the monsters in the pit.

While this romantic tragedy is ongoing, Kou's point of view tempers the drama with comedy. Kou is distraught over his beloved senpai Nene's lifespan; sometimes it feels like he is the only character who is properly worried about it! When Mitsuba attempts to lend a supportive ear, Kou completely misinterprets what is called for and instead puts on an even faker brave face to keep Mitsuba from worrying, which is not what the Third Wonder wanted at all! Kou and Mitsuba's comedy act is familiar ground, but this episode added Natsuhiko to the mix. With that contented w-shaped mouth, Natsuhiko has the least trustworthy face in the cast, but cannily tricks Kou into becoming his apprentice with a handful of tall tales. But where does Natsuhiko fit into this story? He hasn't been relevant in ages, not since he was in league with Sakura and Yugi in the Broadcasting Club. But Natsuhiko knows a lot about Number Six and his powers. For better or worse, Kou is going to want to stick close to this guy until he can figure out a way to save Nene. This is all going to culminate on the Far Shore, which I thought was a synonym for death, but now I'm not so sure. I'm impressed by the story-building in this episode; it feels like every main character holds one piece of the puzzle, and when they reunite, it will bring the whole thing together.

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Lauren is a freelance journalist with a focus on anime fandom. Both of her kids are named after Gundam characters.