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