Japan Binary Opposition in \"Seishun No Ippo\"

Japan

Binary Opposition in "Seishun no Ippo"

The conditions of "Seishun no Ippo" are hinted at in the visuals of the opening credits, but the viewers must watch the full first episode to understand the magnitude of those conditions. Ippo is the title character. He comes from a single parent family, which is fairly uncharacteristic of Japanese culture. Where Ippo's father is not eluded to in the first episode, and the writers leave this open to play out later on in the series. One day while walking home from school, pondering his social anxieties, Ippo comes across and unlikely father figure over the course of the episode, a strong, famous boxer. Ippo was in the midst of a severe beating by bullies at school. At one point, the bully insults Ippo's mother, and while he becomes angry, his cowardice makes give up. He saves Ippo from a pack of the three bullies who constantly pick on him at school, and outside of school. Ippos learns that this helpful, yet brutish stranger runs a boxing gym for men. Though Ippo does demonstrate some physical strength, as shown in his efforts to assist his mother in their family's fishing business and by punching a huge sandbad in the boxing gym, Ippo lacks inner strength. He lacks self-confidence. The boss of the gym applies some tough love to Ippo in order to bring out the desire and will to become a boxer, become physically fit, and gain the confidence he needs to face the bullies and overcome his persistent social anxieties.

There are many examples of binary opposition within the first episode of this program. The paper will focus upon one of the earlier scenes in the episode. Ippo is at school. Class has concluded and students are congregating in groups and pairs discussing their after school plans. Ippo gathers his belongings slowly. He does not speak to anyone. He does not make eye contact with anyone. The binary opposition is two fold in this scene. On the one hand, there is the opposition of inside and outside, with respect to social circles. Inside/outside is a prominent feature of Japanese culture that is demonstrated subtly in this scene. Ippo is alone. He is the outsider. Outsiders do not have friends. The other students who have social skills, they are the insiders and they have larger numbers. Thus, on the other hand, there is an opposition between friends/groups and loners/losers. Ippo is on the outside because he has no social skills because he has no confidence. The other students have social skills, have friends, and have confidence. Eventually, the students invite him to the movies with them, but Ippo cannot attend because he has trouble expressing his wishes and he cannot go because of his obligations to assist his mother with the family business. The plot trajectory that is implied is that over time, Ippo will become a build upon the great natural physical strength he already possesses, gain confidence, and have the social life for which he deeply hopes, while still honoring his familial obligations. It is further implied that Ippo will demonstrate his superb boxing skills publically, so as to make his mother, boxing coach, and schoolmates proud or impressed.