That was what I’d call a classic iteration of Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun. Right in the series’ sweet spot – fairy tale surrealism, Shinto mythology with a touch of creepy horror, Hanako vamping for the camera. His absence for most of the season premiere wasn’t an issue, but it is a reminder of how much the character and the seiyuu bring to the experience. He’s the straw that stirs the drink, the prime mover. Sooner or later everything that happens in this story runs through Hanako-kun.
Nothing lends itself more to fairy tale fantasy than a mysterious elevator. That’s what Akane and Nene find themselves in after following an apparition, which scoops up Aoi’s straw basket and promises the pair that if they follow, they’ll find her. Meanwhile the School Wonders are having a meeting, at the instigation of the old man part of Number 1. He’s none too pleased with Number 7 for breaking so many yashiro, leaving the Wonders – who he describes as the guards between the worlds of the living and the dead – understaffed. Not to worry, Hanako says – they can leave any unwanted apparitional intrusions to Number 6, good old Shinigami.
Indeed, that does seem to be the matter on Six’s mind. But the problem is that he sees Aoi as the solution to the problem. Not only that, he tells her she’s to be a “sacrifice”. Given that he says he needs the Oracle’s blood it seems safe to assume Aoi is the Oracle, though I don’t think we know just what that means yet. Nene’s idea is that Hanako is the natural place to go to for help – Wonders know Wonders – but Akane is extremely hostile to the idea. It’s only in following Nene into the elevator that the two of them wind up together.
The strange world the elevator takes the pair to is one Nene has in fact visited before, though the memories are hazy. The door opens a couple of times, but these are not good floors to exit it seems. Finally Hanako-kun calls in on the emergency phone, and lets the couple know that they’re in a gap in reality – a place where they could wander aimlessly for eternity if they aren’t careful. At Nene’s suggestion that they could take the elevator to where Aoi is, Hanako agrees – he could, but he’s not inclined to. Unless of course Number One is willing to follow one order unconditionally – in his capacity as a Wonder.
The first question of course is just what Seven was going to order One to do, though it seems a safe bet it’s about Nene’s future. So begins a battle of wills between the two Wonders, which culminates in Akane declaring that Nene is his hostage. As hostile as he is towards Hanako it seems a stretch to believe Akane would actually hurt Nene, and Hanako doesn’t seem convinced. But Akane applies the harsh lesson Teru’s bullying taught him – there’s more than one kind of threat. That this is enough to bring Hanako in line is testament, no doubt, to the depth of feeling he holds for Nene. But then, I don’t think that’s any great secret at this point.
Meanwhile, Shinigami has applied some sort of mind control that seems to have worked better than intended. Either that, or Aoi’s a very good actress. He holds total sway in his boundary, Hanako warns Akane and Nene as they prepare to enter Number 1’s domain. It’s not often you see Hanako-kun seem out of his element in the other world, but he’s clearly ill at ease on Shinigami’s turf. In fact it’s Aoi who’ll meet up with them first, as she’s convinced One to let her engage the unwanted visitors (he seems happy at the idea of getting her out of his hair). Just what Aoi has in mind for that meeting – and just what she remembers and what she doesn’t – are the big questions hanging over this cliffhanger.
