Hanada Shōnen Shi


Hanada Shōnen Shi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Isshiki about a mischievous young boy, called Hanada Ichiro, who attains the ability to see and talk to the supernatural after an accident to the back of his head. It was serialized in Mr. Magazine from 1993 to 1995. Hanada Shōnen Shi received the 1995 Kodansha Manga Award for the general category.
It has been adapted into a 25-episode anime series by Madhouse and premiered on NTV on October 1, 2002.
The series was adapted into a 2006 live-action film subtitled Ghosts and a Tunnel of Secrets by Shochiku.

Plot

Hanada Ichiro is the troublemaker in a small village. After being hit by a truck and getting stitches in the back of his head, he gains the ability to see ghosts, all of whom want him to fulfill their unfinished business.

Media

Manga

The manga was published in four tankōbon volumes by Kodansha between October 1991 and July 1995. It was re-released in four tankōbon volumes between March and August 1995, then was republished again as four tankōbon volumes all on April, 2006.

Anime

The series uses two pieces of theme songs, both by the Backstreet Boys: "The One" as the opening theme and "Drowning" as the ending theme.

Film

The manga was adapted into a live-action film. The film was directed by Nobuo Mizuta and created by Shochiku. The film stars Kenta Suga as Ichiro Hanada. The remaining cast are: Ryoko Shinohara, Masahiko Nishimura, and Kazuki Kitamura.

Soundtrack CD

On March 24, 2003, VAP released a soundtrack CD for Hanada Shōnen-Shi.

Reception

The manga of Hanada Shōnen Shi received the 1995 Kodansha Manga Award for the general category in 1995.
The anime of Hanada Shōnen Shi received the Tokyo International Anime Festival Grand Prize for the TV Anime category in 2003.