Bancho Manga: Discover Why People Like Japanese Delinquency

Bancho, a word that denotes delinquency in Japan. Depending on who you ask it either refers to a juvenile delinquent gang leader or a modern ronin. This depiction of noble delinquency appears in several manga to the point of becoming a genre. But unlike sub-genres with arguably more controversial undertones like harem, the bancho scene almost never gets the limelight. Even stranger is that their adult counterparts, yakuza make more appearances. But what is it about juvenile delinquency that makes such a romantic niche?

Bancho Definition

During Japan’s Asuka period, the officials implement the Ritsuryo law system during Japan’s earliest unification. This system defines a code for both criminals and administrators to centralize authority. Among the many ranks, Bancho serves as a lower Imperial Guard position. Meaning despite not directly serving the emperor’s family, they command troops surrounding the towns. This would eventually lay the foundations of Daimyo as well as samurai.

Starting in the 20th century however, juvenile delinquency becomes more rampant. Any specific reasons why are not well understood. All that does come up is how students rebel against their schools’ strict management. From refusing to keep their hair the “proper” dark color to using drugs. Being minors, students who don’t do more serious crimes are able to get away with this. The role of the bancho is to make sure these students don’t step out of line and become bullies. All without any real authority, only fighting skills, charisma, and gang honor.

The Tropes

Pretty boys are delinquents too ya know.

Anyone familiar with the video game series Kunio-Kun (River City) and Kenka Bancho likely have expectations on bancho. Many of the tropes involve street fights and being the best fighter; but that’s just the accessory side. One of bancho series’ main traits are about loyalty. Aside from the Defeat Means Friendship tropes, this main enforcer has to ensure that there is no bad blood. While Banchos are gang leaders, they treat their underlings and classmates like friends. Because running gangs or territory through fear would just make them bullies. Something Be-Bop High School takes into special account.

The classic Bancho manga

Obsolescence of Bancho

Kongoh Bancho crew

The Bancho lifestyle becomes more and more romantic as an ideal. Some manga even illustrate this up to eleven like in Kongoh Bancho. In that series every one who has the title is some kind of superhuman. The title character, Akira Kongoh, is practically what Superman would be if he went to a Tokyo high school. Heck, the principal antagonists are “revolutionaries” who pose as a “student council”. This two-way fantasy shows the ideals of such a character and how far away it actually is.

With the Yanki lifestyle becoming more like fashion, it started to lose its appeal. Not to mention with student councils and school staff taking violence more seriously, there was little point for banchos. Not to mention the safety nets of youth are gone after high school. Series like Drop even show how unrealistic this ideal is with a main character in over his head. That suggests a conservative view on why delinquent series don’t get animated; there’s a good chance people will take up the Yanki lifestyle and hurt themselves or others over a power fantasy.

Yankis vs. Yakuza

The above view of Yanki’s is also what separates them from Japan’s organized crime. Yakuza may be criminals but they uphold traditions more similar to samurai. This includes the cult-like loyalty where members are prepared to sacrifice anything for their crime family. One of the most notable practices include cutting off a finger… or worse. Yet they get more tolerance from the public when some groups make positive effects on Japan like charity work. Compare that to teenagers who spend their days being public nuisances.

Legacy of Loyalty

Yet that in no way means the ideals of a bancho are worthless. With bullies appearing more viciously than ever, a bancho is necessary to discipline these delinquents. Even in deconstructive manga like Clover and Drop, the themes about being this ideal adapt. In Clover, rather than just having the main character be the ideal hero the supporting characters step up. Sometimes they don’t even need to be the best fighters, just help each other study. Friendship and loyalty are still necessary for a cold cruel world, especially if that leads to being your own hero.

It’s little wonder kid friendly franchises like Digimon, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and SD Gundam feature banchos. Having a capable friend who fills a niche doesn’t just make a plot element, it provides development for the other characters. Other times the bancho doesn’t have to be a student, Great Teacher Onizuka provides how the teacher can fill this role. Especially given how teachers in Japanese media are usually passive with bullying.

The Modern Bancho

Drop on image and substance.
This iconic scene means more than people think.

The Bancho may be a romanticized character with lower notoriety than say Yakuza, but it’s one that values connection. Being in a gang might seem like trying to make yourself look big; but defying a status quo means finding yourself when the social systems don’t work out. Like any subculture/subgenre things aren’t going to click or apply in real life. Anyone in the Yanki lifestyle can become a bully so they need both a friend and an ideal. The ideal being not a paragon of badassery, but a loyal friend ready to go through Hell. Because getting anywhere in life requires discipline and fighting for the best in others.

What do you all think, is the Bancho truly an artificial concept? Or do these rebels without cause offer some personal development? Thanks for coming and as always, remember to look between the panels.