Liked Gugure! Kokkuri-san? Watch Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun (Toilet-bound Hanako-kun)!
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: January 2020 – March 2020
One of the 7 wonders of Nene’s school is said to be if you go to the girls’ bathroom and knock on the third stall while calling for Hanako-san, she will grant your wish while taking something special from you. Well… they got the wish-granting part right, but it’s Hanako-KUN. Nene is terribly embarrassed when she has to tell a boy ghost about her unrequited feelings for a guy in her school but tries to get his help all the same. When things go terribly wrong and Hanako has to save her, Nene, unfortunately, has to give up much of her free time to help Hanako manage the other wonders of their school!
Major Similarities Between Gugure! Kokkuri-san and Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun (Toilet-bound Hanako-kun)
1. The Spirit Doesn’t Quite Match the Legend
As is the case in both Kokkuri-san and Hanako-kun, young girls are drawn to a creepy legend in how to summon a spirit out of loneliness. While Kohina was hoping to make friends with the spirit, Nene just wanted some help in connecting with another human. Seeing the sorry state of these young girls, neither Kokkuri nor Hanako could leave them alone. Both these spirits spend a lot of time bothering their human charge but are also quick to come to their defense and are very powerful. It almost makes us want to try summoning a demon on those lonely winter nights!
2. A Whole Roster of Spirits from Japanese Folklore
Beyond our main characters being based on Japanese legends, the spirits we see in Hanako-kun are also based on various folklore and urban legends native to Japan. The 7 wonders are all based on or are inspired versions of popular urban legends in Japanese schools. Fox spirits, yosei, tree spirits, much like the cast of Kokkuri-san, they have human and demon versions they change from as they please and some even act in the human world as regular people.
Liked Gugure! Kokkuri-san? Watch Mairimashita! Iruma-kun (Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun)
- Episodes: 23
- Aired: October 2019 – March 2020
Iruma-kun has dealt with much abuse in his short life but instead of growing jaded and mean, he’s become very complacent. Even when he’s kidnapped by the demon Sullivan and told his parents sold him away, he begrudgingly accepts that’s something they’d do. But it turns out instead of a slave, Sullivan just wants a cute grandkid to love on! Not wanting to disappoint someone, Iruma accepts… only to find out that if any other demon learns he’s a human, he’ll be eaten!
Major Similarities Between Gugure! Kokkuri-san and Mairimashita! Iruma-kun (Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun)
1. Demon Father Figure
Kokkuri and Sullivan both appear initially frightening, very fitting of their demonic nature, but really just want to take care of their tiny humans. Sullivan is more a grandfather but like Kokkuri with Kohina, he looks after and loves Iruma. Both demons are also adamant about their human attending school and making friends. Watching them grow up and become more self-sufficient brings these powerful demons to tears! Kokkuri is more independent for sure as he can cook and clean for himself, but at least Sullivan makes good use of Opera to make sure Iruma wants for nothing!
2. Expanding Demon Circle
It seems like Kohina, Iruma is a demon magnet. Without even trying to, he defeats and endears Asmodeus to himself. When Clara joins, the two are often at odds as they try to be closest to Kohina. Asmodeus is more like Kokkuri as he tries to do what’s best and Clara takes more after Inugami with her constantly trying to indulge her own selfish desires for attention. Both Iruma and Kohina manage to attract demons without meaning to despite their humanity. Sometimes their uniqueness is what attracts danger to them but thankfully their mostly-well-meaning demonic friend groups are there to help!
Final Thoughts
Author: May
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