REVIEW: ‘Toilet-bound Hanako-kun,’ Volume 10

If you thought last volume was a kick in the feels, then brace yourself. Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Volume 10 may shatter your heart into a million pieces. The supernatural manga series, known in part for its distinctive art style, comes from mangaka AidaIro. The story follows young high school student Nene Yashiro and friends after she gets sucked into the world of supernatural creatures by school mystery Hanako-kun, a ghost harboring his own secrets. The English edition of the manga is published by Yen Press, translated by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley, and features lettering by Nicole Dochych. The manga series was also adapted into an anime in the 2020 winter season.

Nene and Kou are trapped in a fake world within the canvas of School Mystery Number 4’s boundary, and according to her, the only way out is to kill the Amane and Mitsuba of this world. Refusing to accept this, the two desperately search for another way. Nene sticks with Amane, trying to convince him to run away with her and find an exit outside of the school grounds. Meanwhile, Kou confronts Mitsuba about his motivations for sending them after the school mystery in the first place.

The major thing to keep in mind about Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Volume 10 is that there is very little that can be said/reviewed about the plot without spoiling. There were multiple moments while reading in which I audibly gasped at what happened on the page. This volume truly feels like a culmination of all the pain the characters have been smiling through this series. All four main characters shine, but huge applause must be made for Kou. How much he has matured throughout this story and his experiences with Mitsuba specifically are enough to make one tear up. There are multiple panels that focus in on his face, and a look in his eyes that is borderline madness in his desperation to empathize with Mitsuba.

Additionally, this volume adds yet ANOTHER layer of suspense to everything previously established by its predecessor. Volume 9 ended with Tsukasa revealing his awareness of everything going on. It begs the question of just how much the Amane and Mitsuba of this world know. It is a tension that is surprisingly sinister because these are characters readers normally trust. If they are aware of the situation and still refuse to help Nene and Kou, why? If they aren’t, Kou and Nene risk spoiling their attempts to convince their friends to run away.

AidaIro’s eye expressions excel in Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Volume 10, ranging from pain and horror, to love and joy. You can almost see a character’s irises shake in betrayal of their smile. Or in surprise when their hand is held in a quiet and tender confession. Even with supernatural beings, and whimsical artwork, this volume is grounded in a rawness that feels painfully realistic. Frankly, the next volume can’t come soon enough, because the ending of Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Volume 10 may leave readers screaming.

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Volume 10 is phenomenal. Just when I thought nothing could quite top Volume 9, AidaIro goes above and beyond with both storytelling and artwork that had me gasping on the couch. Pick this series up. Now.

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Volume 10 is available now wherever books are sold.