Bancho… depending on who you ask it means a juvenile delinquent gang leader or a modern ronin. So how did a bunch of troublemakers make so manga that it’s a genre? And how is it not the limelight as much as harems? You’d think horny teens would like be stronger. Or are they waiting to become yakuza?
Alright, alright-what does juvenile delinquency get this romantic niche?
Bancho Definition
Where did the word Bancho even come from?
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Japan’s Asuka period? What year was… not important!
Apparently the fancy pants made some laws called Ritz…or…yo? This “Ritsuryo” system was for Japan’s earliest union bring the government under one roof. All while giving a code for crooks and officials to follow in a social ladder. Among the many ranks, the Bancho was a lower Imperial Guard position. Meaning despite not directly serving the emperor’s family, they command troops surrounding the towns. That sounds like this was the foundations of Daimyo and samurai.
Then around the 20th century, the word mutates. For reasons nobody really knows, juvenile delinquency starts to keep happening. Some of it sounds good to your inner rebel with how students go against their schools’ strict management. From refusing to keep their hair the “proper” dark color to using drugs. Since people see them as dumb kids they shouldn’t take seriously, students who don’t do more serious crimes are able to get away with this. As for the bancho… they step in 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
Anyone who knows the video game series Kunio-Kun (River City) and Kenka Bancho likely have an idea of a bancho. Many of the tropes involve street fights and being the best fighter, but that’s just a look like dyed hair. One of bancho series’ real traits is loyalty. Aside from the Defeat Means Friendship tropes, this main enforcer has to keep some kind of peace. 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.
Obsolescence of Bancho
The Bancho lifestyle becomes more and more fantastic 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 real bad guys 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 look like a passing trend. 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. My guesses on why delinquent series don’t get animated… somebody’s scared that taking up the Yanki lifestyle will hurt someone or it’s just a dated phase.
Yankis vs. Yakuza
That’s also what separates Yanki’s 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. Sometimes that’s cutting off a finger… or worse. Yet the public puts up with them more since some groups do charity work. Compare that to teenagers who spend their days being public nuisances.
Legacy of Loyalty
But 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.
That’s why 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 helps develop other characters. Sometimes the bancho doesn’t have to be a student, Great Teacher Onizuka shows how the teacher can be one. Especially since how Japanese teachers, have a reputation of ignoring bullying.
The Modern Bancho
The Bancho might not be as famous as Yakuza, but it values connection and growth more. 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 in real life. Anyone in the Yanki lifestyle can become a bully so they need both an ideal. The ideal isn’t a paragon of badassery, but a loyal friend ready to go through Hell to inspire confidence. 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.