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Answerman - Are There Really Gangs In Japanese Schools?

Where there are bullies in school, gangs are often not too far away from the area.

I was always curious about this part of the culture because you see it portrayed a lot in anime and live-action (exploitation) films all through out the 70's going forward. I'm sure the there are still underground gangs. But the one thing you do know for sure is that there is still bullying in Japanese schools. So I'm sure there are some gangs, they just might not be at the level you see in manga, anime and films. I guess it's still part of a subculture. A subculture that you probably don't want to get too close to.

Mr. Oshawott wrote:

Compelled to Reply wrote: The flag of Imperial Japan was the same as the current flag. You're talking about the "Kyokujitsu-ki," which was only used for wartime purposes. In fact, a derivative is still used by maritime forces. What's the difference between the standard Japanese flag and the Kyokujitsu-ki?

A good comparison is that Kyokujitsu-ki is like a US Navy "Union Jack" flag and the standard flag of Japan is like the US "Stars and Stripes".

Because of the relation with the use of the Kyokujitsu-ki by the Imperial Japanese Forces in WW2 there are some that don't approve of it, mostly some people in China and Korea. Their reactions is similar to some Americans to the Confederate Battle Flag. In reality even some Americans have strong reactions to the Kyokujitsu-ki because of use on WW2 by the Japanese.

"Kyokujitsu-ki" is also used like as a rebellion symbol against the system by some Japanese gangs.

Speaking of, I'd love it if some of the 90s delinquent anime got (re)licensed & released. What I wouldn't do for you to release Kyou Kara Ore Wa!!, Discotek!

Funny that you did this article considering the last article on Western perceptions of Japan through anime. I actually was going to make a comment to that.

I was always curious about this part of the culture because you see it portrayed a lot in anime and live-action (exploitation) films all through out the 70's going forward. I'm sure the there are still underground gangs. But the one thing you do know for sure is that there is still bullying in Japanese schools. So I'm sure there are some gangs, they just might not be at the level you see in manga, anime and films. I guess it's still part of a subculture. A subculture that you probably don't want to get too close to.

I watch some K-drama with my niece and you see similar things too. Gangs are far in between, but school bullies, cliques have always been a thing. That will never go away.

Actually I was wondering if with the creation of 'Tokyo Tribes' did there exist groups like that?

In fact, with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure having now been adapted into (multiple seasons of) TV anime, Rokudenashi Blues is currently the longest-running Shonen Jump manga to have never received a TV anime adaptation, and it's just as long as Dragon Ball was (42 volumes). Granted, next year marks Rokudenashi's 30th Anniversary, so there could be a chance of a TV anime to celebrate, but I'm not exactly holding my breath for that happen.

Funny you bring "cute girls doing cute things" and "delinquent gangs" in the same sentence, because I developed an idea of a show revolving around "cute girls doing...not so cute things" and its tone is the complete opposite of the overly cheerful shows that you regularly see like Yuru Yuri, K-on, or Strawberry Marshmallow.

I do wonder if there is a government initiative of some sort (or I guess disinitiative) to discourage works of fiction about gangsters from being given anime, under the idea of avoiding giving viewers ideas that behaving like this would be awesome.

I wonder the same thing since by looking at some recent manga magazines I realize there are plenty of gang/yakuza stories but in anime all I can remember is one where the protagonist used to be a gang member (GTO) or about "good" yakuza like in Nisekoi and Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan. Of those two Nura comes out as the most apologetic of Yakuza and was surprised that it got two anime series (24 episodes each) but some people might not notice since it plays the supernatural angle, albeit Nura's clan obviously mirrors the yakuza structure.

Funny you bring "cute girls doing cute things" and "delinquent gangs" in the same sentence, because I developed an idea of a show revolving around "cute girls doing...not so cute things" and its tone is the complete opposite of the overly cheerful shows that you regularly see like Yuru Yuri, K-on, or Strawberry Marshmallow.

Looks like you guys missed the point of the "cute girls doing...not so cute things" concept I developed.

Let me be clear. The show's tone is supposed to look anime girl cutesy but its also pretty dark and serious. It's starts out like any cutesy moe/loli anime but all of a sudden turns into this really dark, violent, sexual, anime that is similar to what you see in shows like say...Higurashi or Black Lagoon. Let's just say if you seen Kodomo no Jikan, the show I created makes that show look like Sesame Street in comparison.

Subject matter involves sex(lesbian), drugs, gang wars, martial arts fighting, forming relationships, and cute young girls rebelling against a system they deem to be "oppressing girls like them,". Japan grows increasingly anarchic as these girls rule the streets and only a handful group of girls can stop them. Pretty damn heavy on the yuri aspect and homophobia is also a subject matter that's tackled.

The point of the show is about "cute girls doing not so cute things to other cute girls".

There's also that character archetype where they look like a Japanese delinquent and act all tough but are actually nice and kind on the inside.

Also, Japanese teachers are controlled by communist association and they don't like report anything to police.

Heishi wrote:

Looks like you guys missed the point of the "cute girls doing...not so cute things" concept I developed. Let me be clear. The show's tone is supposed to look anime girl cutesy but its also pretty dark and serious. It's starts out like any cutesy moe/loli anime but all of a sudden turns into this really dark, violent, sexual, anime that is similar to what you see in shows like say...Higurashi or Black Lagoon. Let's just say if you seen Kodomo no Jikan, the show I created makes that show look like Sesame Street in comparison. Subject matter involves sex(lesbian), drugs, gang wars, martial arts fighting, forming relationships, and cute young girls rebelling against a system they deem to be "oppressing girls like them,". Japan grows increasingly anarchic as these girls rule the streets and only a handful group of girls can stop them. Pretty damn heavy on the yuri aspect and homophobia is also a subject matter that's tackled. The point of the show is about "cute girls doing not so cute things to other cute girls".

I like Kodomo no Jikan. I'd watch your show.

I remember that the bosozoku used to be active in the greater Kanto area, such as Chiba and Yokohama. There have been a few documentaries where they interview former members, and quite a few will decline to have their faces shown, it seems that as they mature they become ashamed of their past. Also, I thought the female version of the bosozoku type gangs were also called "Ladies," as referred to if you read the Japanese version of Fruits Basket.