Džibaku šónen Hanako-kun - Season 1

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun is a very peculiar anime series. The animation is quite original, although I have been having a hard time getting used to it. It reminds me that quite often an anime series is actually just a manga in motion, which looks and feels weird in this particular show. Also, (as SonGokussj says in his review), on the whole the atmosphere changes all the time, and the changes sometimes feel too unnatural. There are interesting characters, and the individual narratives and the mystery regarding the two brothers are also intriguing. On the other hand, I somehow could not get on with the characters. Yashiro is incredibly naive at times, and her desire for a girly romance and popularity does not really help a guy in the thirty-plus age bracket relate to this show - again, as SonGokussj writes, I guess I am not the target audience. Still, unlike my colleague, I did not give up, my curiosity would not let me, because I wanted to know how it would turn out, and I also wanted to know more about the relationship between the two brothers. I was even interested in how the kind of Twilight-style romance, and maybe even how Mitsuba would turn out, even though once again I was not really into that particular character. It is an imaginative show, and it is even funny, however, at the same time there are things that made me go "meh". After saying all of that, I am sticking with it. I am going to finish the whole of the first season, and then I will probably give the next one a go. I have been conflicted, however, as to what extent this anime series is entertaining, enjoyable and intriguing. Am I awarding it a strong three stars or weak four stars? In the end, on reflection, I am going with a strong three stars, so 6.4/10. (09.11.2023)