Some time ago now, we came back to volume 6 of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun. This time we come to talk about the sequel, volume 7, but also a rather special volume 0. Indeed, the latter brings together two stories, two one-shots, one of which is none other than the initial concept of Toilet-Bound.
A not uninteresting genesis, while the second story is Aildalro’s first in the fantasy genre. There is a similar vibe and themes, though the tone differs. Note also that volume 0 is a little more consistent than its predecessors in terms of pages. And it’s still published by Pika Edition.
Big Fish
We pick up where the last chapter left off. There’s only one last hand left to defeat for everything to return to normal. But it is without counting on Nene who is captured by the hand and taken inside the mirror. The opportunity for her to meet Mitsuba with whom she will join forces in order to return to the world of the living. Faithful to what has been proposed to us since the beginning, these new chapters of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun offer a rhythm that is still just as dynamic, juggling between humor and darker moments.
The antagonist here is rather striking. He will clearly take over Nene who is finally less active in this volume 7. As for Mitsuba, as was the case in previous situations, his presence impacts the story with a darker and more serious tone. He’s a relatively sad individual and one that weighs on the story and our main characters. This also coincides with the progress in the plot, more tense than before.
We said it quickly in the introduction, volume 0 of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is a particular volume, a bonus. Hence its segmentation. A first part takes up the universe that we know, although there are some notable differences, while the second one-shot only has ideas, themes and a graphic style in common.
A few minutes after midnight
For the segment devoted to the concept of Toilet-Bound, we see that the character of Nene is not exactly the same as in its final version. The same goes for the cutting here less eccentric than in the manga, with the feeling that the pages breathe better. It also gives something less dense, with logically fewer sub-plots. It works well, even if the cutting which may seem crazy in the final work adds to the charm of the universe.
That said, this genesis also brings a little freshness to the universe and enjoys a necessarily faster reading pace. We enjoyed discovering these concept premises, in addition with the information that could help to better understand certain mysteries hidden in Aidalro’s manga. Indeed, it would not be disconcerting that this volume distills some lines of thought.
Finally, the second story that ends volume 0 is called My Dear Living Dead. It is actually the artists’ first fantasy creation, but in a darker and more dramatic narrative. Humor has no place here. It’s a little disconcerting coming out of reading Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, however, we find the same appetite for gothic atmospheres and the investigative side of the paranormal, so to speak. Simple, fast and effective.
Should we fall for volumes 7 and 0 of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun?
Why stop now while everything is going so well ? Volume 7 ends the situation initiated in the previous volume and brings us even more into dark tones, with a tension that really hovers over the characters. We still have many mysteries to uncover and it would be a shame not to continue. In addition, volume 0 brings some data which could be useful for the comprehension of the universe of Toilet-Bound, as well as showing us where the story could take us.
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It’s also nice to see the evolution of some basic ideas. A great initiative therefore, to bring out this volume. Re My Dear Living Dead, we were pleasantly surprised by the proposal. More mature, with some interesting directing inspirations, this story of the living dead has the merit of being gripping. Another good overview of the talent of the artists.