Episodes
11 episodes · 2011
Fifth grader Shuuichi Nitori is considered by most to be one of the prettiest girls in school, but much to her dismay, she is actually biologically male. Fortunately, Shuuichi has a childhood friend who shares similar feelings of gender dysphoria: the lanky tomboy Yoshino Takatsuki, who, though biologically female, does not identify as a girl. These two friends share a similar secret and find solace in one another; however, their lives become even more complicated when they must tread the unfamiliar waters of a new school, attempt to make new friends, and struggle to maintain old ones. Faced with nearly insurmountable odds, they must learn to deal with the harsh realities of growing up, gender identity, relationships, and acceptance. Lauded as a decidedly serious take on gender identity and LGBT struggles, Takako Shimura's Hourou Musuko is about Shuuichi and Yoshino's journey to discover their true selves as they enter puberty, make friends, fall in love, and face real and difficult choices. Note: The full version of Hourou Musuko was originally intended to be 12 episodes, but the programming block it aired on only had space for 11 episodes. Therefore, episodes 10 and 11 were edited together and aired on TV as episode 10. Episode 12 was aired on TV as episode 11. The full versions of episodes 10 and 11 were included on the BD & DVD releases and are included in the Hourou Musuko Specials entry.
E01What are little girls made of? ～Roses are red, violets are blue～
Shuuichi Nitori is a boy who wants to be a girl and Yoshino Takatsuki is a girl who wants to be a boy. They meet in grammar school and learn one another's secrets. They become able to confide in each other as they grow up.
E02Hate, Hate, Despise
Yoshino and Saori have started their new lives in middle school. Things continue to be awkward as they go through their day to day. They join the various teams at the start of the semester; Yoshino to basketball and Saori to volleyball.
E03Romeo and Juliet
Per Saori's suggestion, the class decides to do a gender bender play for the upcoming cultural festival.
E04I Give You My Name
Shuichi starts to grow concerned about Yoshino, who has been spacing out recently.
E05The End of Summer
As the gang come over to Saori's house to work on the script, Saori reveals to Makoto that she intends to enter the running for the role of Romeo.
E06Cultural Festival
The cultural festival is underway, with some commotion caused when Anna brings popular model Maiko to the event.
E07Rosy Cheeks
Both Shuichi and Saori get scouted for the drama club, with Saori still expressing her hatred for Yoshino.
E08Spring
A new school year starts, with the group split into separate classes.
E09Cool Girlfriend
Having previously checked with Anna if it was okay to hang around Shuichi, Yoshino decides to wear a male uniform to school, much to the surprise of the other students and teachers.
E1010+11
Following the incident, Shuichi feels frustrated to be treated differently from the times Chizuru and Yoshino came to school dressed opposite of their birth gender.
E11Forever a Wandering Son
Once more, barbs and insults are exchanged when Yoshino and Saori meet. And despite animosity between Shuichi and Doi, Doi is asked to help write the script for the cultural festival play.