REVIEW: ‘Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun’ Season 2 Episode 6 — “Make Believe”

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6, “Make Believe,” is filled with bittersweet moments in this “dream world” that teases some information about the Fourth School Wonder. On a stylistic note, this episode flexes the animators’ ability to showcase that Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun could be animated more brightly if they choose to — adding more levity and making this appear more like a slice-of-life, drama anime. As for the main characters Nene Yashiro (Akari Kitō) and Kou Minamoto (Shōya Chiba), this episode is another example showing their cunningness to sus out paranormal activity.

Studio Lerche chooses to do a cold open for Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6, and it is executed well for the storytelling of this episode. There’s no introductory speech about the latest rumor spreading around Kanome Academy; no intro theme played either. By the time Nene and Kou get an inkling that this dream world is too good to be true, all the parts that make this episode cute and charming make sense.

The opening shows off parts of the school before cutting to Nene, who’s running to class late. When Nene reaches class, she’s shocked to see a boy who looks like Hanako (Megumi Ogata) in her classroom. Everyone in class is treating the boy like he’s always been there, calling him Yugi Amane — Hanako’s name before he died in 1968. Kou, he’s stunned that Mitsuba Sousuke (Daiki Kobayashi) is alive in his class and having fun with Kou’s friends. Both Nene and Kou become suspicious about what’s happening as they slowly uncover this dream world is a facade.

Big kudos to Studio Lerche and Aidalro for the clever storytelling of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6. Many shows with episodes of alternate realities tend to have the characters who know the truth behind the alternate world come together quickly. Then, they would both try establish a solution to get back to their original reality. This episode is similar to their depiction of this dream world resembling Arcane Season 2 Episode 7, when Ekko and Heimerdinger are transported to a more optimistic alternate reality.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun Season 2 Episode 6 tackles grief with a different timeline.

Nene and Kou are given time to analyze the dream world on their own for about half the episode before finding each other at the school pool nearer to the end of the episode. Nene gets to experience this world where Hanako/Yugi Akane is her fellow classmate, while Kou gets to experience this alternate reality where Mitsuba didn’t die.

Nene and Kou can be clumsy and naive, but they’re both quick-thinkers when it matters. Despite thinking this dream world would be ideal for Nene and Kou’s happiness, they realize it isn’t their reality. This is an example of how they can’t be easily fooled from common tropes of ‘it’s too good to be true’. They both come to terms that this isn’t their original world as hard as it is for them to accept that.

As much as Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is coded for kids and young adults with its coloring and art style, its subject matter reminds the viewer it’s far from a show geared towards kids and tweens. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6 takes a huge leap in using many blues and whites to sell this dreamscape alternate reality.

In the original world, the animation color palette is centered around red and orange notes. This makes sense for the narrative that’s selling a dream world. Everything is more bright with sunshine and rainbows. It’s also an adept way to drop hints for the audience as well, alluding that something is different about this episode. Hence, the color changes are an unspoken visual signifier that something is off.

Another thoughtful animation choice that emphasizes Studio Leche’s amazing art skills is when the Fourth Wonder erases Aoi Akane and Akane Aoi. The juxtaposition of the Fourth Wonder erasing a drawing of Aoi and Akane, and their bodies getting cut up into marble statue chunks achieves major shock value for the viewer. It happens so quickly when their bodies crumble into big pieces. What’s even more fascinating is how the camera shows a top-down view of their segmented bodies as Kou holds a scared and crying Nene.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun’s unraveling mystery is what sets it apart.

One of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun‘s story mapping strengths is how it teases out the reveals of the School Wonders. It’s already evident this season when the First Wonder(s) are teased in one episode, and then fully introduced in the next. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6 is another perfect example of this format working.

The story points drop some hints about what this Wonder could do and a little bit of her backstory while upping the horror factor. For Wonder, who’s powers involve art imitating life, the director and writers make an intelligent call to incorporate the art changes from a visual standpoint, too. From a thematic perspective, this is the writers reminding the viewers that this isn’t a typical slice-of-life rom-com, it’s still a show that explores the occult and death — among numerous other adult themes.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6 has one of the best teases of introducing a new School Wonder, with her ability going as far as drastically changing the show’s art style. The episode’s title, “Make Belief,” perfectly encapsulates this dream world the story introduces. Nene and Kou get more time to spotlight why they’re funny characters to watch but are also perceptive.

Although this episode side-tracks the significant storyline of Nene’s doomed fate, it manages to develop a compelling tease of the newly-introduced Wonder. Perhaps this Wonder will hold some answers for Kou to save Nene and Mitsuba.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Episode 6 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.