Kazoku Game Ep 1: Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

It is crucial to establish a reputation for toughness. Remember that when you punish your son, you have lost the battle but are winning the war: the discomfort of imposing discipline should be weighed against the future misbehaviour you are preventing. [...] Perhaps this all seems like common sense, but you should be aware that two Nobel prizes have been awarded for this analysis. Economists have worked hard to demonstrate to you that sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

- Tim Harford, Dear Undercover Economist (2009)

I just finished the first episode of Kazoku Game and I can't wait to write about it! Here's my recap, as well as translations of bits of Yoshimoto wisdom! Feel free to join in the discussion about his outrageous behavior.

The drama starts off with the Numata parents and Yoshimoto staring at each other in silence. I swear I thought something was wrong with my TV until I saw Kayoko blink.



Mannequin Sho.


"Sir, I say, Sir."


Shigeyuki checking out his future tutor. And very rightly so.


"How surprising," says Yoshimoto. Numata Shinichi is the perfect picture of the model son.


"And here I was, thinking that the problem child was YOU."


Ho ho ho, look who's here.


"Super private tutor Yoshimoto Kouya! Any student that passes through my hands will definitely make it into Tokyo University!! (The most prestigious university in Japan)"




Check out the matching looks of disgust on his elder brother and father's face. Clearly there's no lack of love in this family.


"As you can see, this fella is a piece of thrash." If only I could laugh it off as a line from a drama, but I've seen many a parent compare their underachieving kids to their excellent older siblings, while calling them "bloody useless".

"Any specific requests you might have?"
"We want him to go to school. But he's not going."
"And why's that?"


"Because of bullying." Shinichi chips in.


"Is that so?" Clearly, Kayoko isn't the brightest mom on the block when it comes to her children.


"Ain't that so, Shigeyuki?" says Shinichi with a snigger.


"No comment, no comment." This kid is kinda annoying but cute.


"Say, kiddo, do you want to improve your grades?"
"Computer, uncontrollable. Computer, uncontrollable."


"Computer, unco---"



This guy is serious shit.


"Do you... want to improve your grades?"


"Just give me 5 days, and he'll be going to school."


Random moment, because an Enomoto appears in this drama. Fuji TV, are you forgetting SOMETHING? Where's my Kagiheya SP!?


"Hey missus, what does Shigeyuki like? For example, his favorite food, games, dramas and stuff."


... ... This mom is clueless.


"I said, stop photographing!"

"Lemme see!"


There's nothing like reading someone else's private diary when you're just getting to know them.


Are they playing Street Fighter!?? *cough*SF fan here*cough*





I want Yoshimoto's smartphone if it's capable of taking paparazzi pictures like this. By the way, he has the makings of a great private detective.


Hi, AKB girl which I do not know!



Kamiki Ryunosuke! Why are you so adorable?


HOSHIT.


It's my brother's private tutor! Why, hello.


"That's when I thought, 'Oh, so this is a kid who will calmly walk home even after he's heard that his mom was terribly injured.'"


Seriously, Shinichi gives me the Yagami Light vibes. I vote for him to star in a Death Note remake if there ever is one.


This tutor is kind of interesting.


Bratty Shige.



"Sensei, what are you doing?"
"Oh, just some renovation work."


"Please talk to my husband." Kayoko is the perfect example of the stereotypical housewife who's totally dependent on her husband.


"Hey Mr Numata? Thanks for your hard work. But I've locked your son in a safe."


Some naked-Sho, for those who've found it too long since the last Anan.



There's a hint of Kayoko suffering from some anxiety disorder. I think.


Cue to Mr Numata, who's clueless and doesn't share a bed with his wife. Is this normal in Japan?


Yoshimoto stuffing his face in!! I bet Sho suggested salad so he wouldn't pile on extra calories for the sauna scenes.


"Our parents do not care about us at all." Wise words from a model student.


"So I'm guessing, they won't be angry even if Shigeyuki-kun dies?"


Yoshimoto's smartphone. Honestly, I prefer Enomoto's.


By the way, kid, let me read out some of your classmates' verbal abuse.




There was a brilliant use of social media here. You have to watch the drama to appreciate its role in the plot.


Uragami Seishu is such a sensitive child. His outbursts may not be as terrifying as Sugisaki Hana's in Yakou Kanransha, but he's a moving child actor nonetheless.


"Hey Shigeyuki, before I go, there's just something I want to tell you. There's hope in this world."


"So don't take everything upon your own shoulders, okay?"


Yoshimoto putting on his best Sincere Look.

[Insert plot twist here where Shigeyuki turns out in school to encounter an unpleasant surprise.]


Oh money! Yoshimoto loves money!


Oops, did he give it away?


"There's no way for a savior to descend upon your world in such a convenient manner."


"You play way too many games, kiddo."

"LOOK AT ME! STOP AVERTING YOUR EYES!

Are you thinking of running away again?

Away from me? From this reality?"

"Shin-chan! Stop him!"

"Let go of me! Mister Perfect! I bet you couldn’t care less about your disgraceful brother, could you?"


"Just let it all out, you’ll feel so much better that way."

"Today, in the early morning, a male middle school student from prefecture A’s public school jumped from his school building. A note was left in the boy’s room, detailing every form of bullying via humiliation, verbal and physical abuse; It was highly probable that such bullying led to his suicide."

"Why was he bullied? Why was he driven to commit suicide? The Education Board is currently seeking an explanation from the school. What's the meaning in seeking the truth at this point!? That child is no longer in this world!"


"Today, in the early morning, a male high school student pushed his classmate from the train platform, causing his death."


"The boy, who’s currently in custody, was a model student whom everyone trusted. What went wrong with him!?"


"While their teachers were baffled at their actions, their peers grieved over them. Didn’t their parents notice the darkness residing their hearts?"


“I didn’t realize things would turn out like this! We were too busy to listen to what they had to say.”


"Who the hell are you giving excuses to!?"




What the hell do you want with me?


I want to break you.

Listen up, kiddo. There is hope in this world. It does exist.


But you know, reality can be harsher than you think.



That’s why you have to become stronger.


Okay kiddo, time for lessons.

Credit: screen caps taken from the subbed video by YYeTs

Comments

[qonyta.livejournal.com]

loving this drama XD
it depicts bullying in school one of the social problem in japan

maybe they incorporate the sauna scene after seeing sho kun in anan :D

speaking of bullying in japan, my friend recently comeback to indonesia from japan so she can put her child into the school there, since she is feared that her daughter will face off this problem too..:(

[kimichichan.livejournal.com]

"sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind."
i have to agree with this phrase after watching the drama just now. There are no other way to face that kind of problematic child other than by a little violence, i think. You couldn't fight reality, but there are always a hope there. I believe yoshimoto has a reason for all of his action, and i love watching him when he rages over shige, his brother and his mom by a speaker in the living room, it's really interesting in a creepy way.
And i think sho's acting improves a lot here, he really does his best for this drama. I can't wait for the next! ^^

[demy-arashi.livejournal.com]

As a human science student, I don't agree with Yoshimoto's methods. Especially how he hits the kid. It teaches him hitting other people is okay and it makes the child preoccupied with feelings of anger and revenge. I don't believe you can consider it as a necessary part of discipline, or to control someones behavior. It's clearly not all right for people to hit people, and especially for big people to hit little people, and stronger people to hit weaker people, doesn't matter for what reason. (It seems like Yoshimoto is trying to bring out the kid's anger so he can react to him, in order to develop his weak character into a strong character. But still, that doesn't give him the right to hit him.)

Yoshimoto applies the guilt-relieving method, first he's really cruel and than he changes into a kind person all of sudden saying things like 'there's still hope'. That doesn't remove the sting. The child is likely to feel the abuse inside for a long time.

But of course, everything I'm saying are things that the society taught me. I'm saying things that are totally in contrast from what the drama is portraying (in short: 'this society is sick'). It's too early to have a fixed opinion.

Also, not agreeing with him doesn't mean I don't like the drama. I really, really love it! I watched it so many times already!

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

Having taught in an all boys middle school for many years, I think corporal discipline, when administered in a controlled and systematic environment, works to modify some behavior positively.

Of course, corporal discipline is not the panacea for curing bad behavior. Character building activities need to be incorporated into all aspects of a child's life, not just when he behaves badly, and it begins in the home. There's so many facets as to a child's misbehavior, I don't think this drama seeks to find a solution to that. Instead, what I think this drama is doing is highlight several social problems that Japanese families tend to avoid or sweep under the carpet.

[demy-arashi.livejournal.com]

In my opinion corporal discipline is the most superficial thing to do when you're dealing with problem children with uncontrolable behavior. There are Time-out projects and many other possibilities to help students with problems. And I just can't imagine corporal discipline that's controlled and systematic, since it's based on scaring people to have control over their behavior. So I think the controlled and systematic part is basicly one-sided.

I agree with you about the fact that corporal discipline isn't the panacea for curing bad behavior. And indeed, the drama doesn't try to find a solution to that, but it's a important factor that effects the kid's behavior and gives the story a direction, so it can't be unseen.

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

There are Time-out projects and many other possibilities to help students with problems.

I agree with you that there are various ways of changing behaviors. I've found time-out projects to be effective in the long run but very time-consuming on the part of staff if there is no supporting system or staff to administer it.

And I just can't imagine corporal discipline that's controlled and systematic, since it's based on scaring people to have control over their behavior.

I'm not sure if this boils down to a difference in cultural context. We may have to agree to disagree. I have seen it work over many years, and that is because the students actually realize that the person who welds the cane also loves them as well. I would also like to state that I believe corporal punishment is used as a last resort when other behavior modifying activities have failed.

[muharami79.livejournal.com]

I swear the mother is going to snap any days now..she's like a walking ticking bomb..so full of silent anger and dissatisfaction..so much so that she forgets to live and breathe..that she forgets the people who needs her the most..her sons

I kinda understand where Yoshimoto is heading..but it's hard..and I can relate to it..there's no other objective than just to be successful..but you'll probably end up being hated or that person to be ever so grateful to you..

everything about this drama intrigues me..from the dysfunctional family..Yoshimoto's history..his bizarre methods..maybe I should try shocking my students one of these days..haha..the first ep is good..tight script..smooth flow of plot..Sho's somewhat controlled acting..except for the end part where he beat the heck out of that kid..now, THAT is scary..reminded me that despite his goofy and cool appearance, he's also capable of such anger

anyway, thanks for sharing your review..sorry for my long nonsense rambling..but I got a little excited..haha

[senna23.livejournal.com]

seems interesting, I like it.
And it's good that there's issue of bullying here; it is one of the problems in Japan after all. People may learn from watching this, I think.

I haven't watched it yet though. Still,Thanks so much! :)

[goddess-of-ice.livejournal.com]

It's strange seeing Sho in this kind of role. I think I'll have to watch more episodes before I can really comment on the drama. Right now, Sho's character's actions seem too extreme to me.

[simopimo.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed the first episode. This drama is so good! It has a full of meaning. I'm happy Sho has this role! He's good! (I love Sho but he's not the best actor, but in this he's so good!)

[fma245.livejournal.com]

More Kazoku Game recaps!

[itsme-malay.livejournal.com]

A few weeks ago I've watched the '83 film and I was pretty impressed by it. Of course, it had its little faults but I could overlook that since it was such an amazing film. I'm really delighted to see that the drama shows that what I missed in the film like Yoshimoto's past. I wanted a bit of exposure regarding his figure since he's very mysterious. The only things I knew after finishing the movie was that Yoshimoto is very eccentric, crude and totally unpredictable. He slaps when you expect it the least and good gracious, he trashed the Numata's kitchen-dining room without any warning. Matsuda Yusaku was absolutely perfect in that role.

Sho's reprise of that role was just as impressive as Matsuda Yusaku's performance back then. Even though Sho's Yoshimoto is even more extreme. While the '83 Yoshimoto could only be considered mad, I've got to say that Sho's Yoshimoto pretty much steps on the border line between mad and insane.
I really adore the whole cast in the drama. I'm actually not into amuse talents but I really have to praise Kamiki and Uragami. Especially Uragami since it's his very first big role, I believe. I also really like Suzuki Honami's role as a 'bad' mother that puts outward appearance over her son's welfare.
Besides the Numata family and Yoshimoto, I was actually really excited for Kutsuna Shiori's appearance but after watching the first episode I'm a bit confused regarding her role but well, it's just the first episode so I can't make a proper judgement yet.

Despite Yoshimoto being pretty extreme with his actions, I have to say that I was actually anticipating his punishments. I believe that a Yoshimoto that doesn't slap his student is just wrong. Even though I do think that crashing Shigeyuki into the shelf or tossing the mother to the floor was definitely not the right thing to do. Not to forget him completely locking Shigeyuki into his room.
Yoshimoto is definitely someone I'd rather not have as a teacher. I wouldn't even want him as my neighbor. Or anywhere around me.

I'm very sorry about this ridiculously long text. I think I got too excited.

[clara-maria.livejournal.com]

oh oh ohohohoh~

Sho is creepy! and this drama is great!

catching up on up-to-date ways of bullying and not-caring

and yes, I think it's not so uncommon not to share a bed, especially after kids are born...

[literarylemming.livejournal.com]

I absolutely LOVED this first episode. Even though I didn't have a clue WHAT was being said, I could figure out what was MEANT in each scene. The acting is just fantastic by all of the actors, and Sho's ability to go from giggly and cute to menacing in a heartbeat is amazing. I CANNOT wait until episode 2!

[harangkaori.livejournal.com]

GOSH THIS DRAMA IS FANTASTIC! i really cannot wait for it to get subbed and watch it soon!
sho's acting here must be pretty good am i right?

[fullmoon312.livejournal.com]

just for an information, bunnyandclover community actually has subbed this episode. But, they are having an issue right now coz an ex-member steals their sub. :( I hope that will not happen in this community.

[orenji-kiseki.livejournal.com]

Sorry to butt in, but honestly, maybe let's try putting some distance towards the education system? I know we all had to go through it, and incorporated it's laws deep inside us (and lots of this process I would call actually traumatic), but it doesn't mean we can't try to try to search for some distance.

You say corporal discipline, if executed properly brings out positive changes in behaviour. While I understand the idea, and I swear this is related to Kazoku Game 1st episode, just give me time to sketch out my thoughts. This required limitation sounds logical, but let's try to look closer on this problem. I especially find this "executed properly" part suspicious, or how you said it: "administered in controlled and systematic environment". Actually, what are the reasons for applying that? How is that not just an excuse? Doesn't it just say in the end that "who has power, and also some responsibility attached to it, can use corporal punishment if they're done for good purposes". Problem is, those who are at power are harder to control, and unless they behave really in monstrous ways, the accidents of abusing power will be present forever and swept under the rug for a lazy excuse of "this is just the way this system is. It was made this way for good reasons". Think of the famous prison experiment? I'm afraid teachers can easily fall into the same scheme. "We use corporal punishment because the system is holding the responsibility over that, not me personally, besides it has good effects". But it is YOU personally who applies that corporal discipline. System shouldn't erase your private conscience.

This is actually problematic. Though I'm not going to deny this is just the base of our social system: we can't work without this surveillance concept rooted in hierarchy, adn what prison experiment proves to us is that it has many, many flaws. You say it yourself, it doesn't cure bad behaviour, though it "works to modify some behaviour positively", meaning it works temporarily. But what is actually the true effect? Isn't it making the kid believe indirectly that he/she needs to watch out, because if someone higher in hierarchy can punish it, then it's better to sit quiet. But once this kid reaches power, it will abuse it whenever anyone isn't in position to punish him, she/he will think nothing wrong of it. Sure, you can ask now: but where will it manifest? Where is an environment where you can't peek into and punish people for bad behaviour? Now let's think of this drama and the kid's parents. They call his kid many awful names, from trash to worse. Will they be even punishable for that? Of course not. The kid is somehow their property and unless they don't do something monstrous (f.e. beat him up, use hot iron on his skin, sexual violence) that kind of abuse won't mean anything to outer world. Because verbal abuse is somehow not a problem - we all have to deal with it on daily basis! And now let's think from where could people get such insensitive ideas? Their own home? Probably. School system? For sure! It's actually not only the peers intereactions, but also the whole of school system that allows abuse of many kinds, like verbal and power violence forcing us to go through many, unlikely positive experiences, that affect us for life. I would dare to say teachers use not only corporal punishment, but verbal abuse and psychological manipulation a lot in their attempts at fixing kids improper behaviour. From school to home, from home back to school, and this is how you create an endless cycle of violence. No one tries to break it. It's the sacred law of our system after all. And we tend to minimalize it's impact: because what bad can some psychological manipulation and few devalueing words do? Well, actually, a lot bad. Simply because, every abuse is WRONG.

part 2

[orenji-kiseki.livejournal.com]

Okay, this will be purely experimental now, but let's think for a moment about how school influences people's future sexual choices? Why so many young people decide to put up with sexual abuse from their boyfriends and peers? Because they're just too silly and mentally incapable of a consentful, physical relationship? Or maybe is it because they are taught their whole lifes that they need to tolerate many kinds of violence directed towards them and can't do anything about it, because they're at the end of power chain? What kind of behaviour can they learn through corporal discipline and verbal coercion other than the fact that violence is the way to achieve their goals, be it to coerce someone into sex favours, or to verbally abuse your own children when they do something you don't approve of and don't find patience to deal with?
Of course, it's not a full answer. But it's a damn important answer to the question of "why does stuff happen". An answer that we do nothing with, to make the situation even a bit better. But well, I guess school cares only for temporary results. Because reaching this "curing bad behaviour" is an unreachable ideal, so why even trying?

And this is where I think Kazoku Game proposes some alternative. It's for sure not a "positive attitude" alternative, because one involving abuse and violence isn't really anything close to positive method. But what this Yoshimoto tries is to plant strength in his pupil to oppose all sorts of abuses, even if in the end he might grow up just as twisted as Yoshimoto himself seems to be. He isn't fighting the system. But for sure he isn't proposing some "temporary" method, and what he is trying to achieve is to save this kid's life, be it literally, or in more social sense.

No idea (yet) how he came to reach such methods, but it seems his thinking is just as twisted as the quote at the top of this post. But this "you have to be cruel before being kind" golden thought is actually expressing idea of fighting violence by violence, and defeating abuse trauma by adding more abuse trauma. It's really well illustrated in this funny, philosophical story about a guy with one goat who complaines how hard and poor his life is. One day some "wise man" listens to his story and gives him a second goat, telling him it will improve his situation. They meet after some time and the guy with now two goats complaines even more, because now he has two times more smell, two times less space, two times more work, and he didn't get richer by it at all because he has to feed now two goats, and has even less time to rest. His life turned into an even worse nightmare, to put it short. "Wise man" nods, takes away the second goat, and tells him "now you will appreciate what you had and will find it lighter to deal with, and become a happy man". Funny, right? But maybe also tragic? Or maybe tragical dimension of this story is lost in our times. This man's situation from the begining didn't really change, right? He is still poor man who has a smelly tiny room which he needs to share with his goat, but since he knows it can be worse, he started to appreciate his original situation. Beautiful. But now let's try to use the same situation for the poor boy in the drama. He slowly knows it can be worse, since he is abused even more than he was, so he should just go back to school and appreciate his bullying situation there as not something so awful, though it actually is pretty awful. Should we accept it in such a way? I wonder. I really wonder. Is this what we want to tell to abused kids? "Just put up with it, you could have been born as poor kid in Africa, you don't have it the worst", like many parents dare to say. Will you tell it even to a kid who is also sexually abused? Where is the borderline of this "teaching through violence"?

trigger warning for my comment/comments, especially p2.

[orenji-kiseki.livejournal.com]

I don't think the "administrated by system" is such a great choice for setting the borderline, as I said before. But for some reason we're so attached to this idea of violence being needed. I wonder if it's not because it's just the simplest way out. Sure, theory can stay theory, but in practice it's hard to take control over a kid who is rampaging without even sending it to stand in the corner, I am sorta aware of that. But I also think this is just a manifestation on how we cultivate wrong methods and don't want to give up and search new ones, because the ones we have "are working, so why changing something that isn't broken"? It actually is broken, but it still works, and that's all what matters, so who cares? Well, let's hope the broken machine won't explode then.
For me, Yoshimoto's methods are taken even more to the extreme, but they're exactly the same as what school system proposes.
And explosions... I hope we can see them in the drama. But that's probably my miserable hope and this show won't aim that high.

But besides his fishy, though not really against education system methods, he also showed something more. I still can't wait for more episodes. Oh how I loved Sho screaming on the family through the megaphone, such a lovely, sick, and impactful moment. Ironically, through the sick means he sounds like the only sane voice there.

Re: trigger warning for my comment/comments, especially p2.

[asaphira-sachi.livejournal.com]

I read your whole post, and I think you made some valid points. I do agree with you that the drama may be proposing an alternative. It's true that there are viewers who disagree with his "violent" ways, but I think the beginning and last scene speaks the loudest for me in showing his character within a very specific context that rings true in Japan. Shige doesn't care, the family doesn't care. For the lack of better words, he's giving a "slap back to reality" for not only Shige, but the whole family by speaking out the irony of the society at the end. I think when Yoshimoto asked "Do you want to improve your grades?" in the beginning says more than his slap. Also how he proposed to leave as long as Shige willingly goes to school. If the family turns an eye on the problem, if Shige has no desire to face reality and stays in the comfort of his home, the problem doesn't go away.

Re: trigger warning for my comment/comments, especially p2.

[orenji-kiseki.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't think anyone would read my comments. I guess I had too many thoughts about the first episode and the discussion happening around it xD

Besides the very down-to-earth interpretation I had, I do agree that on symbolic level what Sho's character is doing in this drama is giving a slap for the family to finally face their problems. This is actually a great aspect, and I guess Japan constantly tries to give itself such a slap of realization and to shift it's direction, too bad it usually stays exclusive to jdramas.
But despite the symbolic impact, I can't ignore the fact and excuse all the happening abuse. Ignoring family members isn't good, allowing kid to shut itself in his room without any help is no good, but using violence to drag this child to school isn't any good either, no matter the softer means used (though whether humiliation and psychological manipulation is better than literally dragging that kid by arm is any better I honestly don't know, but I would rather say both actions are wrong). Sure, escapism won't solve this kid's problems, but forcing the kid to just withstand whatever others will throw at him isn't really solving anything either. While we think it's for whatever unknown reason better for him to "face" the reality this way, I actually think this is just another way of cultivating violent means over anything. Usually most jdramas about bullying end it at this, with the pretty words thrown "just fight back!!!" and problem solved. In reality, it's rarely ending this way. This problem won't solve just because the boy gets back to school and has more guts, or whatever other superficial thing we want him to have. Sure, maybe nothing starts before he goes back to school, but him going there by itself won't solve anything either. But I wonder if this drama will go this way or actually will try to say something new. I wonder what other "help" this Sho character can propose, and as I mentioned, I have some hopes related to this drama :)

Re: trigger warning for my comment/comments, especially p2.

[asaphira-sachi.livejournal.com]

I have a habit of reading other people's comments before inserting my own to see if others have covered grounds already XD

He technically didn't use violence to drag him to school, but manipulation definitely yes. That itself remains in question. But since we've given the setting that 6 tutors have tried to change Shige (implied: "conventional" tutors), then this is how Yoshimoto steps into the picture. I'd like to think more than just getting through the kid, he's trying to get the family to realize the core of the issue, but I guess we'll have to wait and see? I was under the impression Yoshimoto primarily tackle things from the internals of the family, but from the preview of the next episode, Yoshimoto enters Shige's class and speaks to the class LOL. Well, I'd say ep.1 did a good job raising many questions for the drama to answer :)

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the late reply. I have actually been thinking over your comment for the past few days, and wondering how I should reply to this. I thought about whether our inherent differences in our attitude towards corporal punishment lies in our cultural heritage.

Firstly, let me clarify some misconceptions which might have arisen out of this:

- What I mean when I say corporal punishment: in my school, corporal punishment refers to the caning of students.
- As a teacher, I was never allowed to carry out corporal punishment on students. Nor have I done so. The only people who are authorized to do so are the headmaster, and disciplinary head.
- The caning of students takes place with the written permission of parents.
- Caning is reserved for the most severe of misbehaviors, and only as a last resort. It is administered in conjunction with counseling of the student.

I asked a few friends from the West about why corporal punishment is so frowned upon by Western societies, and they mentioned corporal punishment in most Western societies is conflated with child abuse. Interestingly, as I read about the subject, I found that Poland was one of the first countries to attempt to abolish corporal punishment for children.

Is there a possibility that the power to inflict corporal punishment can be abused? Yes, I agree. Are there checks in places to prevent this sort of abuse from taking place? Yes, there are. Parents (who should have their children's interests at heart) are always involved and they have a free hand to write to the Board of Education if they think that their children are being abused. Headmasters who abuse their authority (be it via corporal punishment or financial fraud) are shamed in the papers with lawsuits filed against them.

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

we can't work without this surveillance concept rooted in hierarchy,

You made a very valid point. In fact, I think most "positive" behaviors in my country are rooted in the fact that negative and sometimes punitive consequences await those who misbehave. Which then begs the question, in the absence in these surveillance measures, how do people in your country behave themselves?

[mjlights.livejournal.com]

Okay XD keep this up and I might really watch this. The plot looks interesting.

[aga88.livejournal.com]

To be honest I didn't expect it to be this good. While watching the drama I could feel completely opposite emotions. Sometimes I was laughing like a crazy person and sometimes I got upset with some methods used by Shos character. One thing that made me feel really worried is bullying in japanese schools. I hope this drama will force people to think about this problem and help them find some solutions. Children shouldn't go through that hell...
Ok now summarising Kazoku Game is very interesting drama and Sakurai Sho did an amazing job. He's intriguing and creepy in the same time, completely unpredictable character. I can't wait to see another episode. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/___varying/]

Ty for the recap!! :) Frankly, I wasn't planning on watching this since I'm not a fan of Sho's acting at all, but everyone seems to find it good (or at least interesting) so I'll probably give it a go at some point.

[fullmoon312.livejournal.com]

lol.. i also already watched this!
The first two minutes was only silence,
I was like, "isn't this the same with just an image?" until they start to move a little.
And I was wondering what should I do until that awkwardness silence breaks.
Sho is kinda creepy, very different from his usual character. xD
and it's very sad to see the bullying scene. Does this kind of stuff really happen often in Japanese school? In my country, the bullying only goes far till ignoring each other only.
Although I love Japan, it makes me wonder if I should at least let my children *if i have one someday* graduate first before I decide to move and live in Japan.

[asaphira-sachi.livejournal.com]

I definitely didn't notice the separate bed bit until you pointed out! Thanks :D

[hana-kiree.livejournal.com]

Omg... U just made me want to watch this so baddddd~~~ but i guess i'll wait till all the episodes are out and subbed 1st... Don't want to wait for long when it's such a good drama ^^

[kumoarashian.livejournal.com]

I work as a Math mentor for 4th graders in an elementary school close to my campus. A couple week ago, a boy tripped and a group of his friends fell on top of him. He seemed to be hurt at first, but then refused to get up for the next 10 minutes. For all my experience of ever being a kid and having 4 cousins currently at the same age, I knew he was faking it. Another mentor came and she literally pleaded the kid to stand up. She called him sweetheart this and sweetheart that and Aw~ and ooh~; as if he were her own infant baby. I had to turn my head away; the whole scene just grossed me out.

When I watched ep.1 yesterday, I suddenly remember this kid. He normally behaves very similar to Shigeyuki. When Yoshimoto slapped him early in the episode, I was shocked at first, but thought it was THE right thing to do. In stead of the overly sweet ooh~ and aw~, adult figures like parents and mentors should enforce a role of authority if they ever truly wanted to be of guidance to the kid. Children grow up without knowing what they must be like, where they should go, what they should do; I don't think it is wise at all to let them find things all by themselves.

However, I agree that pushing Shigeyuki and his mother into the broken glass was too much. But it them followed by him crying out the suicidal facts which shows his pain and feeling on Shigeyuki's situation. Sho's acting was weird and stiff at some places, but I'm looking forward to knowing Yoshimoto better!

[orenji-kiseki.livejournal.com]

un, sorry, I just read your comment a few times, but... how is a tripping child refusing to stand up in any way related to the harsh and very conscious bullying happening to the kid in this drama? It's not just some obstacle on his way, or him behaving spoiled, honestly, I just don't see any common ground for both of the situations.

But regardless of that, I'm just curious: why would you think that slapping a child is "the right thing to do"? I agree children need proper guidance, or otherwise they might grow up hurting themselves or end up in very bad situations (but you don't have to show them that by hurting them), because our world is hardly a safe place. But somehow I have an impression that you're saying that if a child/person doesn't behave according to some social manual then it's an unforgivable situation, why? It kinda smells of authoritarianism...

[hanasanai-yo.livejournal.com]

yay recap. in reply to the comment on your lj post, yes, i watched the english subbed one right away. it was just so good.

and sorry, but i don't mind Sho slapping me....*yup, i said it*
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I also approve of a half-naked Sho.

But yes, where is the KagiHeya SP?! FujiTV needs to get with it.

<3

[eeyore-kun.livejournal.com]

I haven't finished watching the whole episode 1, I think I stopped with the sauna scene. But I will continue later despite lack of Japanese understanding hehehehehehe...

Honestly Sakurai-san's acting scares me, he really pull the part of being an eccentric cruel sensei, and it really makes me doesn't want to see the drama. But don't worry the story still intrigued me >.<

Sakurai-san's acting does improve and he totally become a different person. And I'm glad that his team won the VS Arashi last week hahahahaha... At the moment I also watching Kamiki-kun old drama, and he is mecha mecha kawaii!

back to the drama, I got the same vibes as when I was watching Kaseifu no Mita, so I hope this drama will break down the stereotypes and entertaining :P although I have to admit the subject of dysfunctional and breakdown family doesn't always appealing to me. each to their own I guess.

thanks for the screen cap and translation, look forward to enjoy this! yoroshiku!

[nakabibighani.livejournal.com]

Loved your review! I have not seen it yet but this gave me feelings of anticipation ^^ Sho seems cool and scary here. I would not want someone like that near me in real life, hahaha! But then again, if it's Sho, I might not be able to resist :p Thaaanks!

[blood-opal.livejournal.com]

I've only skimmed the first episode so far but Sho kinda scares me in this drama, in a good way. I think I stared blankly at the monitor screen for 10 seconds with my mouth wide open when he slapped the little boy in the beginning and I was seriously cringing when he was slamming his fist into the ground at the end. I was a little iffy about Sho taking on this kind of role at first but it seems like he's doing pretty good in it. I can't wait for the second episode.

[syakeera1995.livejournal.com]

thank you so much for the screen caps :)
I definitely going to watch this drama :)
Sho's acting is so superb although the way for the tutor to teach the student in this drama quite not right..

[matchaan.livejournal.com]

About the drama tackling issues about corporal discipline with students (and just kids being disciplined in general), I think coming from a country that implements such methods both in school and at home it can be an option, if only kept at a certain level. It's effective but sometimes it gets out of hand. There have been issues with teachers here in the Philippines that implement the method in public schools. Some kids end up badly injured because because of it, both physically and mentally. Our government is currently working on revising/reviewing policies concerning the method and how it's implemented in schools. But then again, there will always be a gray area when it comes to rearing children well and making sure you're doing it right. No method can be absolute.

Anyway...loving this drama already! Sho looks promising in this role. Hopefully J.E. will give Arashi more opportunities to explore their acting range in TV/film projects now that everyone's nearing their 30s (only Jun and Nino left!). Looking forward to the boys taking on more complex, serious acting roles in the future. Thanks for sharing your translation!

[bheej.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for sharing.

[chuline.livejournal.com]

Hi! Thanks for the screencaps, you noticed a couple of details I think I missed. After watching it, I didn't know what to think really, and actually I wanted to wait until watching the second chap before making up my mind about this, but I think it's quite interesting the debate. I think I didn't quite understood what they meant with this, not just because of the language lol, but because of the cultural differences. What surprised me the most about the slapping part was the non reaction from the parents! I mean this totaly stranger that you contacted from internet and allowed into your house is slapping your kid! You can not just stare at it, well at least is not what I'm use to, in my country teachers have to be extremely careful even about how they talk to kids or their lose their job because of parent's complains, so this was odd to me. And that was just the beginning, because they didn't do anything at all to stop sensei *sorry I'm terrible with names* after that either.
About corporal discipline I'm not totally against it, I think it's good in rare cases and just in order to protect the child, but I think it has no use when the kid is all grown up. And above all I think parents should be the ones in charge of discipline in first place, like the dad, he probably thought that maybe that was what the child needed but he is allowing a perfect stranger to do it, why? maybe because he just don't want to do the hard work?
So, in my point of view, the most creepy character is not Sho's one, but the whole family, their unattached reactions, but mostly because it's hard to see it in the way it's intended, because I'm not Japanese.
Anyway I think it's a different character for Sho, in a good way, it really suits him, and he is soo funny at times *and he is looking great!!*, I'm really intrigued about the plot and of course the final outcome =D

[meenutrust.livejournal.com]

I watched the drama, Yoshimoto sensei is scary....

Going to go watch it again~ XD