Episode 3
Remember kids, it’s important to research a school before you submit your applications. I know it’s probably a pretty important part of Sakura’s growth to learn that things don’t have to be as cruel as he expects them to be, but it’s almost comical how many times he ends up with the surprised pikachu face at the amount of surprises he gets. I genuinely think it’s funny that Sakura’s impression of Furin High School was just about being a school for scum, when it turns out that they are actually upstanding citizens.
As much as I giggle at the situations Sakura finds himself in, I genuinely love all these surprises that he’s given. Absolutely nothing is playing out the way that he predicted. He just wanted to come to this school to fight and take the top spot. Now he’s patrolling the town and doing community service. If anything, Sugishita is the only person who has actually given him what he’s wanted and they are butting heads immediately upon meeting each other. Granted, Sugishita isn’t fighting Sakura for the sake of fighting. Rather, he’s a diehard fan of Umemiya, the top of the school. Perhaps guard dog would be a better phrase to describe him. So here we are, a school supposedly filled with delinquents only they aren’t actually constantly looking to fight and are actually good people.
I think Hiiragi describes it best. To paraphrase, a lot of them used to really look for that fight just like Sakura. It sparked something in them and it felt good. But in becoming part of Bofurin they come to realize needing and being needed by the people of the town feels even better. I’m personally hoping to see that realization come to our protagonist real time. It’s nice seeing him get the warm fuzzies :^).
As for this episode, after our brief fight and introduction to the head of the school, we’re sent out to patrol the town. It’s more of a shock to Sakura that he has to do things like this, but I loved seeing Nirei having a good time. He can be a member of Bofurin and help the town even if he doesn’t use his fists! Though this nice stroll through the town ends very quickly once they reach the train tracks. This divides the town and the territory between Bofurin and another group known as Shishitoren. And honestly, this is again why you should do research on your schools. At first introduction, this seems like the school Sakura was looking for (but I’m happy he did not end up at). Shishitoren is scary. They are strong. And that’s all they care about.
At first they seem like just another gang. A trio of members is chasing a middle schooler up until the tracks ultimately leading to an intense double kick from Sakura and Sugishita. One of the members is immediately taken out and it seems like there might just be a good ol’ fashioned street brawl. But then Jou Togame arrives. Everything about him, to Sakura, feels slow. He’s super lax in his approach to the group and generally doesn’t seem to care about the right aspects of a brawl. Through the interaction, it slowly becomes clear that this man is absolutely terrifying. And it’s only solidified when the kid that was knocked out by Bofurin tries to shout about territory only to get his face completely smashed in by Joe. Unlike Bofurin which seems to care very much about the relationships they have with others, and the ability to rely on them, Shishitoren doesn’t. If you’re weak, that means you are weak and worthless. It sends chills down the spine. Honestly, I think they did a phenomenal of portraying Jou as incredibly unnerving. I can’t wait to see what he’s like when he gets to go all out.
But! Before we see him again, it looks like we need to go report this to the boss, Umemiya. And hopefully Hiiragi will have some medication left over once all of this is over. At the very least, Umemiya seems like a pretty approachable guy! I mean, he’s got a rooftop garden and everything!
Episode 4
Wow, Umemiya,,,, everyone’s big brother,,, I care him.
This week we jump right back into where we left off. Umemiya is talking about his vegetables, and it takes us quite a while to find out why this poor middle school was being chased down in the first place. Turns out he was trying to play hero and ended up on their turf as a result. Inherently, not a bad thing for him to do! But when it comes to a whole school that seems hell bent on demonstrating their power, it is a bad situation to find oneself in.
I really liked that this episode showed the two different sides of Bofurin’s leader. We get the silly goofy guy, which seems to be the dominant personality. Everyone in the town is part of his family, and it seems that is the case because he had little family growing up. We find out mid episode that both he and Kotoha were from the same group home. We don’t know exactly what led to their placement in the home, just that both of them came from there. I’m sure we’ll find out in the future, but for now I’m using that as the reason for why he cares so much about the people around him. But on the flipside to his silly goofy guyness we have a man who can make Sakura freeze by a single order. With a flip of a switch he’s terrifying. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer to see just how strong he is 😔 – but I am looking forward to it.
Wouldn’t it be fun to find out that he’s actually not strong in the physical sense, but strong with leadership and that’s how he ended up at the top of Bofurin?
Probably unlikely, but until they show me I will continue to think about my what-ifs.
Anyways! Also in this episode we meet Tomiyama Choji, the top of Shishitoren. This guy seems incredibly restless. It appears that he’s just been itching for a fight with Bofurin… rather, Umemiya in particular. He’s quick to ask for a one-on-one and even threw a kick to poke the other leader. Unfortunately for him, that doesn’t seem to get a rise out of Umemiya, but unfortunately for Bofurin, the rest of Shishitoren arrives on scene. Now it is no longer a stage for a one-on-one. We’ve basically set up a whole tournament between the two schools. I am going to assume that this bracket is going to take up the remainder of the season. Which, I think, will be fine if the battles represent that conversation piece mentioned in the episode. Though, I must admit that I’m sad that we don’t see any of the other four kings. I wanted to see some more badass women. Oh well, one can only hope.
As for what’s coming up next, we’ve accepted Shishitoren’s challenge! Even Nirei managed to tag along, which in my opinion is incredibly funny. He’s such a good boy, I hope he doesn’t end up having to fight anyone. I don’t think he could handle it. We already have Hiiragi with stomach problems, we don’t need Nirei to develop them too.
Anyways! I’m looking forward to the fights! Go Bofurin! Go!
