English Dub Review: Toilet-bound Hanako-kun “Encounters”

Overview

Nene and Kou retrace Mitsuba’s footsteps, looking for a way back to the Boundary.


Our Take

This time around, we get an episode that strikes a balance between emotional weight and chilling atmosphere, weaving tragedy with unsettling mystery. Kou and Nene’s investigation into Mitsuba’s past offers a poignant glimpse into his life and the bond he shared with his mother, painting a picture of love hidden beneath sharp words and a heartbreaking fate. These revelations not only deepen Kou’s grief but also raise difficult questions about what it means to cling to someone who is already gone, and whether humanity itself is something one would give up for the sake of love.

The tone shifts sharply from sorrowful reflection to horror, pulling the characters into a setting filled with dread and unanswered questions. Encounters with eerie remnants of the past and the sudden reappearance of familiar faces intensify the tension, suggesting that the boundary between the living and the dead is far more fragile than it seems. Themes of loss, longing, and dangerous temptation are framed against haunting imagery, keeping both the characters and possibly the audience unsettled yet captivated…

Overall, this installment excelled the most by blending quiet, heartfelt character drama with genuine suspense. Its exploration of grief, love, and moral ambiguity feels impactful without relying on constant action, while its unnerving twists ensure the story maintains momentum. By closing with revelations that expand both the emotional stakes and the supernatural mystery, the episode leaves viewers deeply moved and eager to see where the threads of past and present will lead next.