Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!! is kind of two stories, actually. While the romcom side is the more obvious, I think it’s a look at introversion to a virtually equal degree. More pointedly at the experience of being in love as a teenage introvert. And with an extrovert at that. Obviously this is not virgin territory (no pun intended) for manga. One need look no further than Bokuyaba for another example of this dynamic at work, and anyone reading this probably knows how I feel about that series.
This week we got a little of both. And a fair bit of a third mode for Nakamura-kun, which is the slapstick comedy route. To be frank I don’t think it’s up to par with the other stuff the series does, and as such the A-part this week wasn’t among my favorite chapters. It saw the return of Matsumura Kou, Hirose’s creepy stalker. That first appearance by him was funnier, but at least there was no really cringy stuff this time around. The premise finds he and Nakamura-kun trying to chase down a special “Aquapet” promo T-shirt Nakamura heard Hirose say he wanted, so as to present it as a Christmas gift.
In fact he finds one – at Tower (not one but two ad placements this week – HMV paid up too, but Tatsuya opted out so names were changed to protect the innocent). Unfortunately Matsumura arrives at the same moment, acting on a hunch rather than an observation. And while the two knuckleheads are fighting over the last T-shirt someone comes along and snags it. HMV is getting some in too, but they’re massively packed and sell out while the boys are in-line. Finally they overhear someone saying “Chutaya” on the second floor of the mall has it, setting off a race that’s derailed when both guys stop to help a lost child.
All of this is pretty stock and trade comedy – funny enough (especially Nakamura jumping to try and find an alternative escalator), but I like this show better when it’s being singular than when it’s being generic. The T-shirt gambit having crapped out, Nakamura winds up buying matching octopus pens for himself and Hirose, and can only manage to pass it off as an extra he wants to be rid of. But Hirose thinks it’s cute so all’s well that ends well (and besides, I’m sure Hirose didn’t get anything for Nakamura so that saves him some embarrassment).
The B-part – though only maybe 7-8 minutes – is easily the highlight of the episode for me. It actually overlaps a Bokuyaba story, with the protagonist dealing with the stress of getting a haircut. It’s not surprising to see it as a repeated theme because believe it or not, for introverts this can be a really traumatic ritual – especially with a new person who doesn’t know how we’re wired. The whole thing is necessary because Kana causes a bangs incident, and Okuto’s regular barber is closed for the New Year’s holiday (with some shops that can be like a week). Desperate, he turns to a stylish stylist, and the discomfort begins.
None of this is exaggerated, believe me – not much anyway. I was right there in that chair with him (“Please, stop talking to me!” – it’s all too real), having been subjected to the stylist who won’t stop talking – it’s an absolute nightmare if small talk doesn’t come naturally. Worse, she goes rogue and way short, because Nakamura mumbled his instructions so inaudibly. At least he got the cut for free, but this is yet another trauma for the poor kid – we never get to see a close-up of the new ‘do, and it may just have caught Hirose’s eye so perhaps this will all work out for the best.
