Golden Boy is a story of manliness.
Well, no, not really. It’s a story of life, of the energy and ambition of youth, and-
No, no, it’s not that either. It’s a story of the manliness of youth, the energy and ambition that only true men have. If you don’t believe me, hit the jump button and I’ll try to explain what makes Kintaro Oe a man amongst men.
Only a true man could make such an astute observation… and only a true man would learn it the hard way.
Only a true man could hide in the women’s changing room while wearing a stolen bra… and live to tell the tale.
Only a true man would have the courage to lower his face to the porcelain for the sake of his burning passion.
Only a true man can impulsively transmute his hand into a reproductive organ.
Only a true man could use his weight to curve his bicycle around hairpin turns while maintaining a lead against a skilled motorbike driver.
Only a true man could maintain balance on a power line without plummeting to his death or cutting off the electricity.
Only a true man could uncover the secret of the anime industry on his first day on the job.
- – - – -
Golden Boy isn’t the kind of show that warrants a serious reflection, but I can’t say that I didn’t learn something from it. Like Great Teacher Onizuka, it’s a vulgar, crude comedy filled to the brim with sexual undertones and social stereotypes. Also like GTO, it’s ultimately a slice-of-life, coming-of-age story that hides behind a thin veil of low-brow jabs.
As the epilogue to each episode states, Kintaro Oe is a successful academic, but he chose to drop out of school to learn more about the world. Though technically unrealistic, this scenario allows him to “be himself,” allowing his youthful naivety to mix with his youthful resourcefulness. Kintaro has a knack for doing things right, despite the strength of his sex drive, and each episode shows us a different way in which his charisma and shounen-esque attitude solve a problem that a trained professional couldn’t solve. In that sense, he’s accomplishing his goal of “studying” outside of the classroom, and he unintentionally shows the viewer the value of common sense and a positive attitude.
Much like GTO’s first episode in which Onizuka unhesitatingly breaks down a literal wall to bridge the gap between a student and her parents, Kintaro’s juvenile idiocy is naturally endearing to the viewer. Nothing can take away from the show’s sheer entertainment value, but the pleasant slice-of-life moments beneath the penis jokes and the toilet fetish make the difference between the anime equivalent of a bad buddy comedy filled with sexual innuendos and a hilariously awe-inspiring tale of the passion of youth.
In that sense, Golden Boy truly is a story of burning manly passion, but it’s GAR in a bizarrely heartwarming way. Some might prefer their s’life with a side of hahii~, but Kintaro’s journey through society is unexpectedly fulfilling.
~ ETERNAL
つづく
