Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2, Episode 12, which aired on March 30, 2025, at 4:30 PM JST, marks the riveting conclusion of the Picture Perfect Arc and the first half of this exciting season. In this climactic episode, Nene and her companions confront Hanako as they near the emergency exit of the painting realm.
During a pivotal encounter, Nene and Hanako share their deepest wishes, allowing for a heartfelt reconciliation. Nene, with Hanako’s assistance, returns to the real world, where she gets to meet the genuine Shijima.
Shijima advises Nene to consult with the First Wonder about her fate before presenting her with a Yorishiro. After an emotional exchange, Nene shatters her Yorishiro, choosing to embrace her normal life and the aspiration to continue it.
The Confrontation: Nene Faces Hanako
The episode, titled “Picture Perfect,”delves deeper as Nene and Kou discuss the nature of Hanako’s true desires—specifically, whether he has intentions of keeping Nene forever trapped in a fabricated existence.
Kou reasoned that apparitions typically opt for the easiest choices, citing Mitsuba and Shijima’s decisions as examples. This rationale prompts Nene to resolve to confront Hanako directly for the truth.
As excitement builds, Shijima unveils the emergency exit—the fleeting glimpse of the moon—as the fictional world approaches its climax.
Shijima notes that the exit shifts its location to prevent figures like Mitsuba and Yugi Amane from reaching it easily, interpreting its position as influenced by Hanako’s will. As Hanako attempts to thwart them, Nene steps forward firmly. The ensuing battle sees Kou take charge, but Hanako quickly dismantles his Raiteijou. Seizing the moment, Shijima makes her move, stopping Hanako from deploying his Haku-joudai.
Hanako’s True Wish Revealed
As the chaos unfolds, Nene and Mitsuba strategically separate from the group to navigate toward the moon unnoticed. Nene devises a plan and enlists Paintbrush-chan for assistance.
Amidst the commotion, Shijima observes the increasingly thick clouds obscuring the moon, wishing for Nene to succeed before time runs out. Simultaneously, Hanako dominates the engagement with Kou, challenging his resolve to save Nene without compromise but also expressing admiration for Kou’s relentless spirit.
However, Hanako emphasizes that, ultimately, he resolves conflicts himself. With the moon almost obscured, he urges Kou to step back, determined to manage the situation alone.
In a dramatic twist, Nene and Mitsuba spring into action, cleverly maneuvering using a bicycle to reach the moon as the atmosphere turns tense. Just as it seems things will go awry, Hanako interrupts, severing their connection.
Nene fiercely challenges Hanako’s interference, declaring her defiance against being trapped in an artificial existence. She passionately asserts her desire for her dreams to manifest in the real world and demands to understand Hanako’s true intentions.
In a moment of vulnerability, Hanako finally shares that he never meant to imprison her eternally. Once indifferent towards the concepts of life and death, he confesses his genuine wish—he wants Nene to experience life fully.
Nene, emboldened, urges him to join her on the moon, reaffirming her commitment to living authentically in the real world.
A Journey Back to Reality
In a surprising turn in the closing scene of Episode 12, Hanako cooperates with Nene’s wish, instructing her to close her eyes before unexpectedly pushing her off the clouds. In an exhilarating twist, Nene safely lands in a trailer, propelled upwards by Hanako’s Haku-joudai.
Hanako watches the events unfold, apologizing as he realizes the wishes he longed to fulfill while alive are now beyond reach. Yet, he pledges to help Nene attain her wish of a long life. Using his powers, he ensures their descent onto the moon, bidding her farewell from a distance as the underlying threads of the moon untwist, leading them to their descent.
Nene eventually awakens outside the painting, within Shijima’s domain. To her astonishment, Shijima explains that the version she met in the painting was merely a replica; the genuine Shijima has been diligently painting in the real world.
Shijima discloses that she released Kou and Mitsuba from her domain first to speak with Nene, just prior to Nene breaking her Yorishiro to liberate those trapped within the painting.
As Nene grapples with her still-limited lifespan, Shijima suggests reaching out to Akane, the First of the Seven Wonders. Given their mastery over time, Shijima believes Akane may hold the key to guiding Nene through her challenges.
A Farewell and a New Beginning
As the episode reaches its final moments, Shijima hands Nene her Yorishiro. After a moment of hesitation, Nene shatters it, while Shijima expresses contentment, clarifying that she never aspired to become a School Wonder. Created from a wish for hope, Shijima recognizes Nene’s quest mirrors her own.
Grateful for Shijima’s role in her journey, Nene acknowledges the beauty of the world Shijima crafted. Touched by her gratitude, Shijima witnesses Nene dismantle the talisman attached to her Yorishiro, effectively breaking her boundary.
As the enchanting illusion of the painting dissipates, we see Nene resume her ordinary school life, reflecting on the transformative experiences she endured.
Ultimately, Nene and Kou visit Hanako, engaging in their signature playful banter. Embracing the mundane world where she truly belongs, Nene finds peace and acceptance. This heartwarming conclusion of Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2, Episode 12, successfully wraps up the first half of the season.