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Previously on Gokusen 3: n/a
As members of a society that values liked-mindedness above all else, these wild boys are doomed to fail. Feared by the masses, the teachers have given up on them. Administrators only tolerate them as a source of income and their families live in despair. Still, they are allowed to receive an “education.”
Safely tucked away in their own corner of the school, their classroom is both a haven and a prison. Containing them is relatively easy. In
The episode opens with a glimpse into utter chaos. The corridor leading to the classroom is littered with destruction. Within it, the young men are playing their “bad boy” roles to the hilt. Like a pack of rabid beasts, they break windows, jump across desks, parade around with a wooden gun, draw graffiti, fight, scream, and eat.
The only hint of civility can be found on a tiny portion of the blackboard. The words “opening ceremony” are written there. Perhaps there is a way to reach them.
In the midst of this chaos, we are privy to something we’ve never seen before in a Gokusen series: the establishment of the class leader. Until the “atama” (head) is clearly determined, it will be impossible to hold class. This is because
Nakane Chie argues in Tateshakai no ningen kankei (Japanese Society, 1970) that “the basic principle of Japanese society is any group that shares the same ba, or “frame,” and that the internal organization of such groups is a marked preference for relationships in which the constituent members tied vertically.” The consciousness of ranks plays an important part in the maintenance of social order.
In this case, there must be an atama and that atama will be served by a “committee” (my definition) and the class will follow their leads. In this way, everyone knows their place. In addition, without the atama as a mediator/negotiator, the teacher doesn’t have a chance.
So here we are with six boys squaring off in the back of the classroom. Two are vying for the position of atama. One must yield.
A pretty boy with cinnamon-colored hair and a small face is flanked by two lieutenants. Something akin to naked hatred emanates from the bottom of his young soul. His two friends, one with dyed blond hair and the other who is dressed like a pimp, mimic his stance.
The second group is headed by a peacock. Arrogant and beautiful, dressed in black, red and purple, he does not wither under the hate-filled stares. Instead, he seems to savor the moment. His two companions follow suit.
Despite the intensity, neither group advances towards the other. The time hasn’t come yet.
It’s unlikely a normal high school, which is three years (10th, 11th and 12th grades), has a notorious 3D class (3rd year, D classroom). Students are sometimes assigned to classes A, B, C, D, and so forth based on the entrance exams. Under this system, the top 30 students are assigned to class A, the next 30 are in B, and so forth. Others schools might put the top 30 in class A and then scatter the remaining students among B, C, D.
Cut to the faculty room. Three men and two women discuss whether or not a new teacher can control “that 3D” class. This gets the attention of a young cute female teacher. She’s new, too. “What do you mean by ‘that’ 3D?” Someone explains that 3D a collection of students who were troublemakers in the first and second years. She understands and she writes this information in her notebook.
If the new teacher can subdue 3D, it would be a miracle. That person will truly be a savior.
While they talk, a person in running shoes and warm-ups is headed down the 3D corridor. As the person enters the classroom, the students briefly end their campaign of terror and concentrate on the new arrival. The teacher slides the door shut. We smile. We know who it is. It’s her! Wonder!Woman. She’s there to rescue them!
Then the camera pans upwards to reveal finally the teacher.
The background music aptly reflects our disappointment at seeing vice Principal Sawatari Goro (surname first). He introduces himself and tells the students he’ll take over their class, too. The boys are less than impressed. Sawatair orders them to take their seats. At first, they ignore him. He yells and they follow suit. Even thugs-in-progress can respect authority. Sawatari then congratulates himself with a fist pump.
Then he buries himself by attempting to give one of her signature speeches. “There's only one more year left of an important period in your life. You guys don't realize yet how precious this coming year is going to be. I am going to teach you. Let us share together, the efforts of our souls!”
The students are moved... moved enough to throw his ass out the door and down the corridor head first. Clearly, they aren’t going to take that shit. At least, not from him.
Back in the faculty room, the other teachers hover over Sawatari, concerned. Takano Aoi asks, “Are you all right, vice Principal Saruwatari?” Offended, he immediately corrects her. “It’s Sawatari.” She writes this down, too.
The word “saru” means “monkey” in Japanese. Hee.
Sawatari then screeches in pain as the cutesy school nurse, Ayukawa Sakura, administers to his injured arm.
Poor Ushijima Hosaku can’t believe that someone like Sawatari has failed. The students are absolutely dreadful. Tsuruoka Keisuke jumps in out of the blue to warn Aoi to be careful of the boys, too. Apparently, they eat sweet little English teachers for breakfast.
The nurse confirms this by telling her that they never show respect to teachers. Ushijima tells her to never turn her back on them. She dutifully writes this down. An elderly geezer, Hatoyama Yasuhiko and Tsuruoka are impressed by Aoi’s brand-new-teacher enthusiasm.
A female voice rangs out. “I never thought you’d fail my expectations from day one.” Enter the Rijichou (Chairman of the Board/Superintendent/Fund-raiser). Dressed in a severe black outfit with just a hint of a white shirt, her tone almost guarantees that Sawatari’s days are numbered. The other teachers respectfully say, “Good morning” and bows.
Her name is Akagi Ryoko and she makes it clear that she was led to believe that Sawatari had successfully graduated countless troublemakers at Shirokin and Kurogin academies. A new tone in her voice causes the others to raise their heads as Sawatari assures her he did.
She sighs in resignation. “At this rate, you too, may share the fate of our principal.” Sawatari wonders what she means by “the same fate.” The other teachers turn to stare at the empty Kouchou (Principal’s desk). Sakura clarifies that the principal was fired because he was useless.
The Rijichou turns to walk away. The others bow again. Sawatari begs for his job. He tells her that he knows of a teacher who could subdue (nice choice of words) the students. Naturally, he’s speaking of her and her incredible intensity.
Page 1 - Hell is an
Page 2 - The Return of Yamaguchi Kumiko
Page 4 - Don’t Turn Your Back on Them
Page 6 - Cheers, Crime and Boyz on the Loose
Page 8 - Misconduct, Punishment and a Lie
Page 12 - The Fight to Save an Innocent
Page 13 - Redemption: A Leader is Born
Page 14 - To Protect What is Important