Japanese Drama Review 9 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Makino Escapes

Makino’s response to the students of Eitoku’s bullying of another student is escape. She runs from the scene of the bullying after observing her peers happiness, and excitement at what is taking place. Makino is angry and frustrated. Who can blame her? As she runs from the cruel scene we are caught in her emotional distress, we understand her frustration. She is right to question why a student body idolizes and finds enjoyment in the F4’s sneaky game, and to call it wrong. We agree with her that no one should find happiness when another is being beaten up. It is wrong!

How would you respond? Would you have escaped with Makino? Would you have run away from an attack on another, or would you have remained to watch, or to defend the one being assaulted?

Can we fault Makino for not staying to put an end to the bullying? Would this have been the wise choice for her to make, or for you? What would you have done?

My initial response was, she should have stayed. She should have defended the student who was being attacked. But, would this have added to the assault, or alleviated it? Which decision is the right one? We all want to be a hero, we want Makino to be the hero, but what would have occurred had she remained and fought for the one being bullied?

If we examine what we know about the school, the administrators who allow the F4’s to have free reign over the school, controlling it, we slowly begin to change our view of considering Makino’s actions. Would her staying to defend the student have brought about his protection, or would it have added to the bullying – we don’t know. However, we still need to counsel Makino on the wisest choice to make, and that is to seek peace. If not in the moment, to have a plan of action for another time, or to prevent it from occurring again. I do not believe her staying would have calmed the situation. Mocking and scorning would have been the result, or maybe something worse. Walking away and seeking the help of trusted adults would be the appropriate action, together with calling her parents, and appealing to appropriate authorities for help.

What do you think? How would you counsel Makino?

• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).

• Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight (Proverbs 20-22).

• Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (Jams 3:16-18).

• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18).

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