Mentally, Hanako is 13-14 years old. This age reflects the point in his life when he died, and his mental development effectively ceased at that time.
Hanako's Different Ages
To fully understand Hanako's age, it's helpful to differentiate between his mental state and the overall duration of his existence:
| Aspect of Age | Description | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Age | His cognitive and emotional maturity and perspective | 13-14 years old |
| Age at Death | The age he was when he passed away | 13-14 years old |
| Soul Age | The technical duration his soul has existed as a supernatural entity | 50+ years old |
Why Mental Age Remains Fixed After Death
The concept of "aging" for a deceased individual like Hanako differs significantly from that of the living. Once an individual dies, the processes associated with aging and development come to a halt:
- Cessation of Physical Aging: The body's functions cease, and physical decay or growth stops. This means there's no further bodily aging.
- Stagnation of Mental Development: Correspondingly, mental and emotional maturity also ceases at the precise moment of death. There is no further learning, growth, or change in personality or cognitive ability from that point onward.
- Definition of Existence: The very definition of age pertains to how long something has lived or existed. For someone who is deceased, their developmental timeline is essentially fixed at the point of their passing.
Therefore, while his soul has existed for many decades, Hanako's internal world, experiences, and perspective are perpetually those of a 13-14-year-old.
