Handa-kun (2016)
A laugh-out-loud anime prequel to Barakamon, where a calligraphy genius mistakes universal adoration for relentless bullying.
Handa-kun - Series Information
- Original Title: はんだくん
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: July 8, 2016 (United States - TV-14), July 8, 2016 (Canada - 14+), July 8, 2016 (Australia - M), July 8, 2016 (Brazil - 12), July 8, 2016 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: BS-TBS, TBS, MBS, CBC
- Alternative Titles: Handa-kun (JP)
- Production Companies: diomédéa
- Production Countries: Japan
Handa-kun - Plot
Set six years prior to the events of Barakamon, detailing the life of Seishuu Handa as a high school student—and a very interesting life it is. In Handa-kun, Seishuu Handa is admired by his peers as a calligraphy genius and given the utmost respect, but Handa-kun himself is under the mistaken impression that the deference and attention he receives from the other students is actually bullying. Handa just wants to live a quiet life, but hilarity ensues as one character after another challenges his position as the school idol, and somehow comes away as a fan all while Handa is horrified and clueless.
Handa-kun - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos of Handa’s school life unfold:
Everyone loves him…but him.
Where to Watch Handa-kun
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Handa-kun - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Yuya Hirose
- Nobunaga Shimazaki
- Kazuyuki Okitsu
- Tetsuya Kakihara
- Daiki Yamashita
Handa-kun - FAQs
Is Handa-kun connected to another anime series?
Handa-kun is a prequel to Barakamon, set six years before that series begins. Both are based on manga by Satsuki Yoshino. While Barakamon follows an adult Seishuu Handa finding himself in rural Japan, Handa-kun explores his awkward, comedy-filled high school years as an oblivious calligraphy prodigy.
What is Handa-kun about?
Handa-kun centers on Seishuu Handa, a high school calligraphy genius adored by everyone around him — except he’s convinced his classmates are bullying him. The result is a string of absurd misunderstandings as one student after another tries to challenge or befriend him, only to become an unwitting fan.
Is Handa-kun based on a manga?
The series is adapted from the manga of the same name by Satsuki Yoshino, serialized in Monthly GFantasy. It serves as a spin-off prequel to Yoshino’s more widely known manga Barakamon, focusing on the same protagonist during his high school years rather than his adult life.
Where can you stream or buy Handa-kun?
Handa-kun is available to purchase through the Apple TV Store. Streaming availability may vary by region, so it’s worth checking your local platforms for the most current options. JustWatch is a handy tool for tracking down where the series can be viewed in your area.
Who voices Seishuu Handa in the anime?
Seishuu Handa is voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki, a prolific voice actor known for roles in numerous anime productions. The supporting cast includes Yuya Hirose as Junichi Aizawa, Kazuyuki Okitsu as Takao Kawafuji, Tetsuya Kakihara as Reo Nikaidou, and Daiki Yamashita as Yukio Kondou.
How was Handa-kun received by critics and audiences?
Handa-kun earned a warm reception from fans of slice-of-life comedy anime, particularly those already familiar with Barakamon. Viewers praised its absurdist humor and the comedic gap between how Handa perceives himself and how others see him. It’s generally regarded as a lighthearted, entertaining companion piece to its predecessor.
Do you need to watch Barakamon before Handa-kun?
Not necessarily — Handa-kun works as a standalone comedy and can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of Barakamon. That said, watching Barakamon first adds a rewarding layer of context, since seeing Handa as a fully grown adult makes his oblivious, socially awkward high school self even funnier by contrast.
What anime are similar to Handa-kun?
If Handa-kun’s brand of school comedy appeals to you, consider checking out Daily Lives of High School Boys, Nichijou: My Ordinary Life, or Lucky Star for similarly absurdist humor. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai and Tsuredure Children also share that warm, character-driven comedic energy that makes Handa-kun so enjoyable.
More About Handa-kun
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