Hanako reigns as the seventh and most prominent of Kamome Academy's Seven Wonders, haunting the third stall in the old building's girls' bathroom. Though matching the "Hanako-san" rumors in essence, he manifests as a boy. His attire consists of an antiquated black Gakuen winter uniform from the Showa era, complete with a stand-up collar, gold sleeve buttons bearing school year insignia, and a formal cap. This naval-inspired uniform sets him apart from modern students and echoes his human past. A white cape frequently accompanies it, serving practical and symbolic functions tied to his supernatural authority. Two perpetually floating hakujodai (hitodama) orbs accompany him, acting as extensions of his power for surveillance, combat aid, and teleportation. A talisman seal on his cheek marks the partial suppression of his abilities by an exorcist. Physically, he possesses straight black hair resembling a hime cut and round eyes with crescent moon-shaped irises, reflecting his lifelong passion for astronomy and unfulfilled dream of becoming an astronaut. His human identity was Amane Yugi, a second-year middle school student at Kamome Academy around 1969. Amane displayed a gentle nature and keen interest in astronomy, frequently expressing a desire to visit the moon. However, he attended school bearing visible bruises and cuts, indicating sustained abuse from an undisclosed source. According to his former teacher Tsuchigomori (the Fifth Wonder), Amane's original destiny involved becoming a science teacher. This fate changed abruptly when he murdered his younger twin brother, Tsukasa Yugi, under unresolved circumstances. Amane himself died young shortly afterward, transforming into the supernatural entity "Hanako." He remains the only known individual to have altered his predetermined fate. His role as the Seventh Wonder involves monitoring all supernaturals within Kamome Academy and maintaining balance between the spirit and human worlds. He fulfills this duty under a promise from a deity that completion will absolve his past sins. Hanako typically exhibits a mischievous, playful demeanor, often teasing others and using a melodious, sing-song tone of speech. This cheerful facade conceals profound guilt, regret, and emotional pain stemming from his violent past and premature death. He demonstrates strategic intelligence when confronting other supernaturals or manipulating rumors, frequently wielding a kitchen knife as his primary weapon. Despite his lighthearted exterior, he displays fierce protectiveness, particularly toward Nene Yashiro. After Nene accidentally ingests a mermaid's scale, cursing her to transform into a fish, Hanako consumes another scale from the same mermaid. This action binds their souls together, mitigating her curse while tethering her to him as an assistant. He frames this bond as transactional but increasingly prioritizes her safety and emotional well-being, even concealing the truth about her shortened lifespan (revealed to be one year) to spare her distress. He experiences possessiveness and jealousy regarding Nene's romantic interests but struggles to acknowledge or express his deeper feelings directly. His relationship with Nene evolves significantly through their shared experiences. He relies on her ability to destroy Yorishiro (objects anchoring a Wonder's power), which causes her to witness associated memories upon their destruction. While he frequently invades her personal space or engages in playful physical contact like cheek kisses, ostensibly for protective spells, his actions gradually reveal genuine affection. This culminates in actions like imprisoning her within a painted tower during the Picture Perfect arc to prevent her escape from an artificial world, believing it would extend her life. He confesses his ultimate wish is for her survival, even at the cost of their relationship. With Kou Minamoto, a young exorcist from the Minamoto clan, Hanako transitions from initial hostility to reluctant alliance and eventual mutual respect. Their cooperation stems from shared goals, such as protecting Nene or confronting Tsukasa. Kou's persistence challenges Hanako's perception that all exorcists indiscriminately target supernaturals. Hanako harbors profound trauma regarding his twin brother, Tsukasa. Tsukasa exists as a powerful, malevolent supernatural who delights in chaos and cruelty. Flashbacks depict Tsukasa's disturbing behavior, such as dissecting living creatures out of curiosity. Hanako reacts with visceral fear or aggression toward Tsukasa, reflecting unresolved guilt and horror over his murder of Tsukasa and his brother's subsequent transformation. Tsukasa actively undermines Hanako's efforts to maintain balance, exemplified by forcibly altering the rumor of Kou's deceased classmate Mitsuba, turning him violent and necessitating Hanako's intervention to destroy him. The Clock Keepers' attempt to erase Tsukasa by creating an alternate timeline—where Amane lived to become a teacher—backfires when Amane emerges as a murderous entity within the Red House. Hanako ultimately severs Tsukasa's bond as his Yorishiro, an act carrying significant emotional weight. Hanako's character arc revolves around reconciling his past actions with his present responsibilities and relationships. His initial detachment gives way to deepening bonds with Nene and Kou, compelling him to confront his vulnerabilities and secrets, such as his knowledge of Nene's fate. The mermaid's curse binding him to Nene symbolizes his willingness to share burdens, while the moon imagery underscores his lost dreams and enduring hope. Despite his supernatural status, he retains human-like desires for connection and redemption, often prioritizing others' happiness over his own absolution.

Titles

Hanako

Guest