Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun 2

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Season 2

Aired: 2025-01-12

Status: FINISHED

Ratings: 79/100

Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural

Tags: Urban Fantasy, Ghost, Twins, Exorcism, Shounen, Suicide, Alternate Universe, Tragedy, Youkai, LGBTQ+ Themes, Mythology, Time Manipulation, School, Steampunk, Primarily Child Cast, Boys' Love, Body Swapping, Zombie, Femboy, Female Protagonist

Total Episodes: 12

Duration: 24 min

Studio: Contents Seed

Source: MANGA

Format: TV

Season: WINTER

Release Year: 2025

Season No: 1

Director: Youhei Fukui

Watch:Twitter, TikTok, Official Site, Crunchyroll, Hulu

Synopsis

The second season of Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun. Hanako, Nene, and Kou race against time to uncover the traitor among the Seven Wonders. (Source: Crunchyroll News)

Trailer

Characters

Hanako

MAIN

Nene Yashiro

MAIN

Kou Minamoto

MAIN

Teru Minamoto

SUPPORTING

Yako

SUPPORTING

Lemon Yamabuki

SUPPORTING

Kodama

SUPPORTING

Mokke

SUPPORTING

Tsuchigomori

SUPPORTING

Aoi Akane

SUPPORTING

Sousuke Mitsuba

SUPPORTING

Akane Aoi

SUPPORTING

Natsuhiko Hyuuga

SUPPORTING

Tiara Minamoto

SUPPORTING

Mei Shijima

SUPPORTING

Mirai

SUPPORTING

Tsukasa Yugi

SUPPORTING

Kako

SUPPORTING

Sakura Nanamine

SUPPORTING

Satou

BACKGROUND

Yokoo

BACKGROUND

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2: A Hauntingly Beautiful Return to Kamome Academy

After a five-year wait, the beloved supernatural comedy Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun returned with its highly anticipated second season, premiering on January 12, 2025, as part of the Winter 2025 anime lineup. Based on the manga by AidaIro, serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly G Fantasy since 2014, this season continues the whimsical yet eerie adventures of Nene Yashiro and the mischievous ghost Hanako-kun at Kamome Academy. Produced by Studio Lerche, Season 2 has already captivated fans with its vibrant animation, heartfelt storytelling, and deeper exploration of the school’s Seven Mysteries. With a confirmed 12-episode run and a second cours set for July 6, 2025, here’s everything you need to know about this enchanting sequel.

A Refresher on Kamome Academy’s Supernatural World

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun follows Nene Yashiro, a first-year high school student with a penchant for the occult and a dream of finding romance. In Season 1, which aired from January to March 2020, Nene summons Hanako-san, the Seventh Wonder of Kamome Academy, expecting a female spirit who grants wishes. Instead, she meets Hanako-kun, a charming yet mischievous male ghost who haunts the girls’ bathroom. After becoming spiritually bound to him, Nene becomes his assistant, helping maintain the balance between the human and spirit worlds alongside exorcist-in-training Kou Minamoto. The series blends humor, romance, mystery, and horror, wrapped in AidaIro’s distinctive art style, which Studio Lerche brings to life with vibrant colors and expressive animation.

Season 1 covered roughly the first 17 chapters of the manga but faced criticism from some fans for skipping key character development and foreshadowing. The spin-off After-School Hanako-kun, which aired in 2023 and continued with a four-episode sequel in October 2024, addressed some of these gaps, setting the stage for Season 2’s deeper narrative.

What’s New in Season 2?

Story and Arcs
Season 2 dives into three major arcs from the manga: the Three Clock Keepers, Summer Lights, and Picture Perfect arcs, delivering a mix of emotional depth, supernatural intrigue, and character growth. The season kicks off with the Three Clock Keepers arc, introducing the First Wonder(s) of Kamome Academy—Kako, Mirai, and Akane Aoi (voiced by Shunichi Toki). This arc reveals a shocking truth about Nene’s lifespan, setting a darker tone as Kou grapples with her impending fate and takes on a more active role. The Summer Lights arc explores Hanako’s past as Amane Yugi in 1964, offering poignant insights into his life before becoming a ghost. Finally, the Picture Perfect arc introduces the Fourth Wonder, Shijima Mei (voiced by Kana Hanazawa), and delves into a surreal alternate world, contrasting vibrant and muted color palettes to highlight the tension between reality and illusion.

The season builds on the evolving bond between Nene and Hanako, with themes of fate, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between the living and the dead. Side characters like Kou and Mitsuba Sousuke (voiced by Daiki Kobayashi) gain more agency, enriching the story’s emotional stakes. While some pacing issues arise, particularly in the slower Summer Lights arc, the narrative remains compelling, balancing silly gags with heart-wrenching moments.

Production and Staff
Directed by Yōhei Fukui, who replaces Season 1’s Masaomi Andō, Season 2 maintains Studio Lerche’s signature visual flair. Yasuhiro Nakanishi returns for series composition, and Mayuka Itou reprises her role as character designer, ensuring continuity in the anime’s vivid adaptation of AidaIro’s art. The opening theme, “L’oN” by Masayoshi Ōishi, cleverly references Season 1’s “No. 7,” while the ending theme, “With a Wish” by Akari Kitō (Nene’s voice actress), adds a wistful tone that complements the season’s emotional depth.

Voice Cast
The returning cast delivers stellar performances:

• Megumi Ogata as Hanako-kun and Tsukasa Yugi, bringing charm and complexity to the twin brothers.
• Akari Kitō as Nene Yashiro, capturing her earnestness and vulnerability.
• Shōya Chiba as Kou Minamoto, emphasizing his growth as a determined ally.
• Minako Sato as Aoi Akane, with new additions like Kana Hanazawa as Shijima Mei and Shunichi Toki as Akane Aoi.

Reception and Impact

Season 2 has been praised for its stunning visuals and faithful adaptation of key manga arcs, though some fans note pacing inconsistencies. The anime’s unique blend of humor, romance, and supernatural mystery continues to resonate, bolstered by its viral popularity on social media platforms like X, where fans have shared excitement over new trailers and visuals. The series’ manga has sold over 10 million copies as of February 2024, surpassing many popular titles, and its cultural impact is evident in its stage musical adaptation and ongoing fan enthusiasm.

Critics highlight the season’s ability to balance lighthearted moments with heavier themes, such as Nene’s fate and Hanako’s tragic past. Anime News Network notes that the show’s ghost stories carry a “sadness” that Season 2 subtly weaves into its narrative, making it a standout in the supernatural genre. The Picture Perfect arc, in particular, uses contrasting color schemes to enhance its storytelling, creating a visually striking experience.

Where to Watch and What’s Next?

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 airs weekly on Sundays at 4:30 PM JST across 28 TBS-affiliated stations in Japan and is available internationally on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, with both subbed and dubbed options. The first four episodes have already aired, with the full season expected to conclude its 12-episode run by March 30, 2025. A second cours, announced on March 30, 2025, will premiere on July 6, 2025, continuing the story and potentially adapting additional manga arcs.

For fans eager to catch up, Season 1 and the After-School Hanako-kun spin-off are available on Crunchyroll and Funimation. The manga, licensed by Yen Press in North America, offers a deeper dive into the story, with 23 volumes published as of December 2024.

Why You Should Watch

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 is a must-watch for fans of supernatural anime with a knack for blending humor, heart, and horror. Its gorgeous animation, compelling character arcs, and unraveling mysteries make it a standout in the Winter 2025 season. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, the series’ unique premise—centered on a boyish ghost and his human assistant—offers a fresh take on school-based mysteries. As one IMDb reviewer put it, “Don’t let the title scare you. This is a cute, adorable, funny, sad, and beautiful show with a good story.”

With the second cours looming in July 2025, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun promises more supernatural shenanigans, emotional depth, and answers to lingering questions about Hanako’s past and Nene’s future. Mark your calendars and step back into the haunted halls of Kamome Academy for an unforgettable journey.