
Hanako
Hanako |
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Japanese | 花子 (self-assumed) 柚木普 (real name) |
Romaji | Hanako (self-assumed) Yugi Amane (real name) |
Nickname | Yugi Amane (柚木普 Yugi Amane?) (as a human) Hanako-kun (花子くん Hanako-kun?) (Nene) School Mystery Number 7/ Number 7 (七番 Nanaban?) Honorable No.7 (七番さま Nanaban-sama?) Hanako-san of the Toilet (トイレの花子さん Toire no Hanako-san?) Crazy Knife (クレイジーナイフ Kureijī Naifu?) (Mitsuba) Amane (あまね Amane?) (Tsukasa) Gon (ゴン Gon?) (Sumire) |
Statistics | |
Age | 13 (at death) 55+(chronologically) |
Race | Supernatural Ghost Human (formerly) |
Gender | Male Female (Temporarily) |
Occupation | 7th Mystery Representative Student (formerly) |
Affiliation | Seven Mysteries |
Status | Disconnected (as a ghost) Deceased (as a human) |
Cause of Death | Alleged participation in family suicide |
Debut | |
Manga | Chapter 1 |
Anime | Episode 1 |
Voice Actor | |
Japanese | Ogata Megumi (緒方 恵美) |
English | Justin Briner |
Hanako (花子, Hanako), known as Yugi Amane (柚木普, Yugi Amane) in his human life, is a mysterious ghost who resides in the old building of Kamome Academy. He is the seventh of the Seven Mysteries, governing over the Seven Wonders of the school. Hanako is primarily known for granting wishes, but with a price. He is one of the most infamous spirits within the academy, attracting curiosity and fear among students who seek out his help. However, beneath his mischievous and playful demeanor, Hanako hides a dark and tragic past, making him one of the most enigmatic figures among the school’s supernatural entities.
Background

Appearance in Anime
Only fragments of Yugi Amane’s past have been revealed throughout the series, but the details that have surfaced paint a tragic and mysterious history.
As a child, Amane suffered from a severe birth defect that caused his circulation and heart to function abnormally. Due to the lack of medical advancements during that time, there was no proper treatment available for his condition, and he was expected to live for only a short time. His younger twin brother, Tsukasa, often brought him small souvenirs from the garden toys, flowers, and even a kitten as an attempt to bring joy to Amane’s otherwise frail and isolated existence. However, when Tsukasa learned that Amane would not live past the next month, he made a wish that carried a heavy, irreversible price. Miraculously, on the twins’ birthday, November 25th, Amane’s condition suddenly improved—but at a devastating cost: Tsukasa had mysteriously disappeared.
Amane later attended Kamome Academy, where he had Tsuchigomori as his homeroom teacher. According to Tsuchigomori, Amane had no friends and would frequently arrive at school wounded. Despite being questioned, Amane never revealed who was responsible for his injuries, keeping the source of his suffering a secret. At some point, Amane gave Tsuchigomori a moon rock, which he considered his “treasure,” and confided in his teacher about his dream of going far away, only to later decide not to go anywhere at all a statement that ominously hinted at his future death before reaching adulthood.
Amane’s original fate, as recorded in the books of fate, was to grow up and become a science teacher at Kamome Academy. However, something changed his future drastically he killed his twin brother, Tsukasa, with a knife. The circumstances leading to this event remain shrouded in mystery, as does the manner of Amane’s own death, which occurred shortly afterward. After his death, Amane became the ghost known as Hanako, taking the position of the Seventh Mystery of Kamome Academy.
At some unknown point before meeting Nene and Kou, Hanako’s powers were sealed by the Minamoto family’s grandmother, a powerful exorcist. The seal on his cheek is believed to be a remnant of this event, suggesting that Hanako’s abilities were once far greater than they are now. However, why his powers were sealed and what led to that moment remains unknown.
Appearance
Hanako is a short boy, standing at approximately 150 cm (4’11”). He has choppy black hair and large, amber-colored irises that resemble crescent moons. His eyes are particularly striking, adding to his ghostly and enigmatic appearance.
Hanako wears the old Kamome Academy male uniform, which consists of a black gakuran with gold buttons, a white-collar, and red hems. Underneath, he wears a white, long-sleeved western shirt, paired with black shoes and red socks. Completing his signature look is a black hat with a white underside, a gold emblem, and red strings along the front seam to match his uniform. Hanako is often seen with two hakujoudai, mysterious floating white fire-like orbs with red and green circular cores, which he commands at will. On his left cheek, he bears a white seal with a red kanji “封” (Seal), which acts as a binding charm, restricting his full spiritual powers.
At times, Hanako is seen wearing a long, flowing black cape that covers his shoulders and chest, complementing his usual attire. The cape features gold and red collars with clasps, a red underside, and possesses the ability to neutralize spiritual lightning.
Before becoming a ghost, Amane Yugi wore the old Kamome Academy summer uniform, consisting of a white short-sleeved western shirt, black pants, a belt, and white shoes. He was often covered in bruises and bandages, with a cotton gauze placed on his left cheek—the same spot where his seal would later appear after his death. His human appearance often reflected his troubled past, hinting at a life filled with pain and suffering.
As a child, Hanako appeared even younger, resembling a grade-school boy with minimal differences from his current form. During festivals, he wore a dark yukata that ranged from dark teal to blue, featuring cloud and moon patterns imprinted on the fabric. His dragon-like mask, colored teal-green, was worn on the side of his head. He also carried a purse slung around his neck and wore a pair of open-toed sandals, giving him a more traditional and festive look.
In the Picture Perfect Arc, Hanako’s attire changed to the current Kamome Academy high school uniform, consisting of a teal short-sleeved shirt with brown stripes on the sleeves, a cream-and-brown striped tie, black pants, and blue-and-white shoes. This temporary look contrasted with his usual black gakuran, giving him a more modern and school-appropriate appearance while navigating through the Mitsuba’s Boundary.
Personality
As the Seventh School Mystery and the leader of the Seven Mysteries, Hanako is responsible for maintaining the balance between humans and supernaturals at Kamome Academy. He is often seen helping others and protecting the school, even if his methods sometimes appear mischievous or morally ambiguous. Despite his youthful and playful demeanor, Hanako is respected by other school mysteries, such as Yako and Tsuchigomori, who follow his orders without question.
Hanako is naturally cheerful, outgoing, and fun-loving, often using his mischief and pranks to tease those around him. He can be very playful, sometimes bordering on sadistic, as seen when he happily threatened to turn Yako into fox udon or when he enjoys scaring others with his kitchen knife. His flippant attitude makes him seem unpredictable, as he shifts between serious and playful moods with little warning. This makes him difficult to read, which Yashiro Nene herself has acknowledged.
Hanako’s ghostly personality shares many similarities with his human self, though his past self was far more reserved and passionate about astronomy. He once dreamed of becoming an astronaut, but after his tragic death, he never speaks about it anymore. Additionally, in his human days, he was noticeably shy and closed-off, much different from his current mischievous self.
One of Hanako’s most defining traits is his tendency to hide his emotions. When upset, he often isolates himself, sometimes going to the school rooftop to be alone. He masks his negative emotions behind a smile, making it difficult for others to understand what he is truly feeling. He rarely talks about his past and actively avoids the topic, possibly due to the shame or guilt associated with it. This habit of bottling up emotions results in his tendency to make decisions alone, often refusing to ask for help or advice. Hanako strongly believes he knows what is best, sometimes making ruthless choices if he thinks it will ultimately help someone, even at a high cost to himself or others. He has even been known to lie in order to manipulate situations for what he believes to be the greater good, making him appear deceptive or cold-hearted at times.
Despite his detached and mysterious nature, Hanako shows genuine affection and care for those he values, especially his human companions. Although he denies having emotional attachments, his actions prove otherwise. He frequently goes out of his way to help Yashiro Nene, even apologizing sincerely when he realizes he has hurt her feelings. He often cheers her up, even kissing her on the cheek to lift her spirits. He also searches the entire school to recover the Mokke’s stolen trinkets, which included Minamoto Kou’s lost earring. Although he rarely shares personal details, he gradually opens up around his friends, revealing small but meaningful parts of himself, such as his love for donuts, which surprises even Tsuchigomori.
While Hanako is kind and deeply protective of those he loves, he can also be apathetic or ruthless toward others he does not value highly. If it means protecting someone important to him, he is willing to harm or sacrifice others, particularly if they stand in the way of Nene’s well-being. This contrast between kindness and coldness highlights his moral ambiguity, making him an unpredictable and enigmatic figure within the school.
Abilities
Hanako possesses a wide range of supernatural abilities, making him one of the most powerful spirits in Kamome Academy. His primary power comes from his command over his haku-joudai, two floating spirit orbs that serve various purposes. He can use them for surveillance, following and monitoring individuals like Yashiro Nene. They also assist him in combat by dispersing supernatural entities, such as the monstrous form of the Mokke. Additionally, Hanako can teleport by sending his haku-joudai ahead and appearing through them, allowing him to move quickly across the school. His haku-joudai also contribute to his defensive abilities, as seen when they form his cape, which enhances his combat skills and shields him from attacks like spiritual lightning. Interestingly, Hanako has demonstrated the ability to manipulate objects through them, such as when he used them to summon an elevator.
Despite their versatility, Hanako’s haku-joudai have limitations. He cannot use them inside territories controlled by other school mysteries unless he has their permission. This was evident in the Misaki Stairs’ domain, where he was unable to use them, yet in Tsuchigomori’s 4 PM Bookstacks, he was able to, likely due to Tsuchigomori granting him permission. Furthermore, his haku-joudai can be blocked by spiritual barriers, such as Teru Minamoto’s lightning cage, preventing them from reaching him. Despite these restrictions, Hanako remains physically strong, as demonstrated when he was able to temporarily destroy the Misaki Stairs’ scissors with a single kick and fend off attacks using only his knife.
As School Mystery No.7, Hanako wields significant authority and power. He has been shown to be a skilled supernatural fighter, even driving back the Mermaid, who was surprised at his strength despite his relatively short existence as a spirit. He is also capable of suppressing supernatural curses, such as the mermaid’s curse on Nene, preventing her from turning into a fish. Additionally, Hanako can place seals on objects, such as Kou’s spirit staff, restricting its full power. Though Kou was unable to remove the seal, Shijima later managed to undo it in her false world. Another unique ability Hanako possesses is the power to grant protection spells through physical contact. This was seen when he kissed Nene’s cheek, which later revealed a visible “七” (seven) mark, protecting her from supernatural attacks.
Beyond his combat skills, Hanako holds a special position as a school mystery that allows him to alter supernatural rules. Unlike other school mysteries, who must abide by the conditions of their rumors, Hanako can manipulate them to prevent supernatural beings from harming humans. Rather than eliminating dangerous spirits, he circumvents their hostility by having Nene alter their rumors, effectively changing their behavior. Strangely, despite being different from the original Hanako-san legend, Hanako does not disappear like other supernaturals who deviate from their rumors, suggesting that he may be exempt from this rule.
Hanako also has strong combat abilities that do not rely on his supernatural powers. His main weapon is a large kitchen knife, which he can summon and dismiss at will, even in areas where he cannot use his haku-joudai. While he primarily wields the knife with his right hand, he has occasionally used it with his left hand. He also has the ability to levitate, though his floating range is limited to a few meters off the ground. His hand-to-hand combat skills are impressive, allowing him to block attacks and counter supernatural threats effectively.
Aside from his physical prowess, Hanako possesses various supernatural techniques. He can induce sleep by pressing two fingers to a person’s forehead, a skill he shares with his twin brother, Tsukasa. This technique was used during the Picture Perfect Arc to put Nene to sleep, preventing her from reading a dangerous message. Additionally, Hanako can erase memories by forming a V-sign with his fingers and touching someone’s forehead. He attempted to erase Nene’s memory in Chapter 71, but failed due to the charm protections placed on her by Akane Sumire.
In summary, Hanako is one of the most formidable supernatural entities in Kamome Academy. His haku-joudai grant him teleportation, surveillance, and combat enhancements, while his authority as School Mystery No.7 allows him to alter supernatural laws and manipulate rumors. He can suppress curses, place seals, and protect others, showcasing his immense spiritual energy. His combat skills, both supernatural and physical, make him a powerful fighter, though his abilities have limitations in specific territories controlled by other school mysteries. Despite his remarkable strength, Hanako has yet to reveal the full extent of his powers, leaving much about him still shrouded in mystery.
Legacy
Hanako is one of the most iconic and emotionally complex characters in Toilet Bound Hanako-kun. His duality—playful yet sorrowful, protective yet secretive makes him an unforgettable protagonist. As the guardian of Kamome Academy’s supernatural realm, he continues to struggle with his past sins while forging new connections in the present. His bond with Nene Yashiro serves as the heart of the series, making his story both heartwarming and tragic.