Hanada Shounen-shi
Summary: Ichiro Hanada is a hyperactive little boy who lives with his parents, sister, and grandfather in a rural town. He is always up to some kind of mischief, often teasing his sister or making rude comments to others. Consequently, his mother constantly scolds him, and even the neighbours express disturbance from time to time on how rowdy he can be.
One day, after pulling a terrible prank, Ichiro sprints onto the streets as his mother chases him. He steals a nearby bicycle and takes on a dangerous route, eventually being hit by a truck. Miraculously, he survives the crash, requiring nine stitches to the back of his head and balding for the surgery. However, the near-death experience gains him the ability to see ghosts—the last thing he needs in his life.
Since Ichiro is the only one who can communicate with them, several ghosts of people who have recently died come to him, seeking help to fulfill their last wishes before achieving enlightenment. Each adventure with a ghost leaves the young and curious boy with a different lesson that gradually makes him wiser.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Ichiro Hanada is a hyperactive little boy who lives with his parents, sister, and grandfather in a rural town. He is always up to some kind of mischief, often teasing his sister or making rude comments to others. Consequently, his mother constantly scolds him, and even the neighbours express disturbance from time to time on how rowdy he can be.
One day, after pulling a terrible prank, Ichiro sprints onto the streets as his mother chases him. He steals a nearby bicycle and takes on a dangerous route, eventually being hit by a truck. Miraculously, he survives the crash, requiring nine stitches to the back of his head and balding for the surgery. However, the near-death experience gains him the ability to see ghosts—the last thing he needs in his life.
Since Ichiro is the only one who can communicate with them, several ghosts of people who have recently died come to him, seeking help to fulfill their last wishes before achieving enlightenment. Each adventure with a ghost leaves the young and curious boy with a different lesson that gradually makes him wiser.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Hanada Shounen-shi Pictures
Hanada Shounen-shi Review
Hanada Shounen-shi — Ichiro Hanada is a hyperactive little boy who lives with his parents, sister, and grandfather in a rural town. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Comedy, Drama, Supernatural conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 7.98). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Hanada Shounen-shi offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Comedy, Drama, Supernatural, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Hanada, Ichiro
Main
Kumai, Motoko
Japanese
Abe, Shizue
Supporting
Sakuma, Rei
Japanese
Amanojaku
Supporting
Kiyasu, Kouhei
Japanese
Aota, Seiji
Supporting
Koyama, Rikiya
Japanese
Butaman
Supporting
Yoshizawa, Kiri
Japanese
Gouda, Yuutarou
Supporting
Hori, Katsunosuke
Japanese
Gouda, Yuutarou
Supporting
Kazama, Yuuto
Japanese
Hana
Supporting
Ohara, Sayaka
Japanese
Hana's Aunt
Supporting
Yoshizawa, Kiri
Japanese
Hanada, Daijirou
Supporting
Yao, Kazuki
Japanese
Hanada, Hisae
Supporting
Tanaka, Mayumi
Japanese
Hanada, Tokujirou
Supporting
Nozawa, Nachi
Japanese
Hanada, Tokuko
Supporting
Takeuchi, Junko
Japanese
Haruhiko's Mother
Supporting
Ono, Miyuki
Japanese
Ichimura, Katsura
Supporting
Yukino, Satsuki
Japanese
Ichimura, Father
Supporting
Tatsuta, Naoki
Japanese
Jiro
Supporting
Matsumoto, Rica
Japanese
Jiro
Supporting
Hong, Beom Gi
Korean
Kana
Supporting
Kobayashi, Sanae
Japanese
Machida-sensei
Supporting
Kida, Ayumi
Japanese
Staff
Maruyama, Masao
Producer
Tamura, Manabu
Producer
Yamashita, Hiroshi
Producer
Yoshimoto, Satoshi
Producer
Kojima, Masayuki
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Masuda, Toshihiko
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Nakamura, Ryousuke
Episode Director
Negishi, Hiroki
Episode Director
Oono, Kazuhisa
Episode Director, Storyboard
Oyamada, Keiko
Episode Director
Shimazaki, Nanako
Episode Director, Storyboard
Tanaka, Atsuko
Episode Director, Storyboard
Fujita, Shinzou
Script
Mochizuki, Takeshi
Script
Takayashiki, Hideo
Script
Aoyama, Hiroyuki
Storyboard, Key Animation
Hirata, Toshio
Storyboard
Kanemori, Yoshinori
Storyboard, Animation Director, Character Design, Chief Animation Director
Mochizuki, Tomomi
Storyboard
Takahashi, Atsushi
Storyboard