Sakamoto Desu Ga Episode 8 [Finally!]

Today I sat down to take another look at ‘Haven’t you Heard? I’m Sakamoto’ and expected it to continue on the trope it seemed most proud of: Sakamoto’s Invulnerability. The show’s thesis statement is that Sakamoto is perfect and can solve every conflict in a way that is nothing short of ‘cool’. For the most part every episode before 8 was such a simple matter that 2 to 3 skits could be put in the same episode, making it seem like Sakamoto would forever be just a gag comedy show that didn’t have a ‘villain’ and making Sakamoto seem completely invincible. Episode 8 of Sakamoto has proven not only that the show cares about the trope that makes up its’ premise but that it also finds importance in reminding everyone that Sakamoto is not truly infallible, but instead succeeds typically because all of his solutions involve bringing everyone closer together.

This episode Sakamoto’s most determined nemesis appeared. Fukase is a third(?) year student who all of the delinquents know and, as it turns out, a student who all of the delinquents fear. Fukase is notably older than the other high schoolers and has a shattering yet cool demeanor. Oh, and he shoves Hayabusa’s face into a homemade cotton candy maker. As Hayabusa was previously the top ranked ‘antagonist’ of the show, seeing Fukase outright intimidate and injure him was unsettling. Fukase sets his sight on Sakamoto with the most chilling reasoning: He’s just doing it to kill time.

Sakamoto’s classmates are trying to set up a display for the School Festival and two of their classmates are being generally jerks about it: all they have are balloons and the ‘morons’ are whining that they shouldn’t have to help because it’s pointless. Sakamoto, however, makes sure all of their displays end up fitting into the theme of the ‘unknown’. (It’s convincing enough because Aina tries to fight the yeti, even climbing the curtain when she knows the yeti is just balloons) Fukase’s plan ends up based around the morons and it works: Sakamoto is framed for ruining the display the entire class worked on completing.

Here’s where it gets interesting: Fukase is excellent at framing Sakamoto. His frame job works and a good number of students chase him around in order to punish him. Sakamoto’s normally mischievous but effective methods are instantly seen through by Fukase. The shows entire build up to this point pays off and shows us why friendship and community are imperative: Sakamoto is saved by Hayabusa and the delinquents. If Sakamoto had not made an effort to solve their issues in his quirky manners, none of these people would have the mutual respect they have for him. Because Sakamoto respects everyone and always does his best to bring people closer they in turn save him. This is probably the first time Sakamoto has not done his own saving and it’s incredibly refreshing.

Ultimately, what does Sakamoto do? He fixes the problems with his classmates by being logical and clever. But even once the true culprits of ruining the display are revealed he does his best to make everyone accept them and make them all closer. Despite that, it seems Fukase is the first true villain who doesn’t seem to care about Sakamoto or anyone else. Even so, everyone works together and they all run around in cotton candy. It’s nice to finally see Sakamoto as a person who isn’t magically perfect: the reason the show works is because of a cause and effect where Sakamoto doesn’t simply bask in his own awesome, he reaches out and helps people. I like the theme of this show and how Sakamoto is really just a bird dork husband who wants everyone to be friends. I hope to see more of Fukase and Sakamoto before the season ends, and hope we get more phenomenal episodes like this one!

Oki