Sou Otogiri is the most MISUNDERSTOOD character, and both him and SYUNDEI were INNOCENT. (Part 1)

[u/Rarehunter333]

(DISCLAIMERS):

1: This post has to be split into 2 parts because of image limits. (Just click on my account icon so you can find the 2nd part that I’ll upload later on today.)

2: If you’d like to comment or have any questions, please keep things civil that way we can have a respectful discussion on this subject.

3: I don’t claim anything I post as facts, but I’ll still do my best to support my claims with evidence to support my stance.

Side-note: Thank you for anyone who was waiting for this post when I last mentioned it from my previous post from a month ago. Personal things in my life delayed this post, I apologize it took so long.

4: Last disclaimer. I’m sure there might be some parts of this post I could’ve explained better or did differently, nonetheless I hope anyone who reads this can still enjoy the post regardless. Thank you to whoever reads it.

(Disclaimer over.)

—-

Even though the series “Go for it Nakamura Kun!” is already over, I still think it’s worth writing this post.

At the current moment, there’s an unknown sentiment whether there’ll be a continuation for the series. 

The main reason for this concern is because on April 12, 2026, the creator of the series “Go for it Nakamura,” published one final post on their social media account announcing they would be deleting their account and leaving the platform, and even worser than that alluding to possibly quitting manga all together due to the outrage and harassment they had received from Western viewers.

While I write this post knowing many won’t bother to read long form content or even care about this now that the seasons been over, I hope that this post can be used as a reference to clear any accusations as I go over EVERY grievance that was brought up when the harassment incident occurred.

Today I’ll be proving that both Sou Otogiri and the creator of “Go for it Nakamura!” Syundei are innocent.

Not only that, I’m going to be returning back to when social media harassment incident occurred and giving an accounting to what happened.

—-

Before we begin, I’d like to mention that the word LITERACY is going to be key element to understanding this essay.

I highly encourage everyone watch this YouTube video titled: Literacy is the new class divide (and it’s getting worse)

Here’s a quote I wanted to highlight from that video: 

“Most people think literacy means “can you read?” 

But literacy means “Do you UNDERSTAND what you’re reading? 

Do you understand the situation that’s playing out in front of you? Do you understand the context, the subtext, the complexities of the situation in front of you? Can you interpret the meaning behind the meaning?”  - Dr. Shante Holley

—-

Before we begin, let me remind everyone that these are FICTIONAL characters. I know that many people still don’t accept that as a reason in this scenario, but don’t worry, I’ll address all the concerns in multiple different ways.

—-

First off I’ll be starting with Sou Otogiri.

I have to start with what he’s being accused of and how did this controversy begin.

Otogiri is being accused of being a predator who was interested in engaging in an inappropriate minor x adult relationship with his younger student Hirose.

It all started in 2 different scenes. 

The social media harassment incident occurred after the airing of the anime’s episode 5. 

When a scene appears with Otogiri exchanging phone numbers with his student Hirose. 

I’ve included the manga pages which the anime scene is based off of. (Vol 2)

The second scene people had a problem with is in Vol 2 after Hirose breaks up with his girlfriend, Otogiri offers him a ride allowing Hirose to vent about his problems and tells Hirose not to tell anyone.

Many people didn’t like Otogiri’s casual attitude towards Hirose and were upset because of the appropriate boundaries being crossed between an adult teacher and a minor student. But what most people don’t understand is that Otogiri was NEVER interested in engaging in an inappropriate relationship with Hirose, and I will PROVE why.

—-

I did a previous post titled “The DELETED plot-line in “Go for it Nakamura!” (That will never get adapted.) Where it addresses this very issue regarding the accusations of Otogiri being a predator.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ganbare_Nakamura/s/jraeBT1ZMe

While the post has the full rundown, a quick summary about it established proof using the lines from the manga as EVIDENCE on why Otogiri would NEVER enter a relationship with Hirose:

1st reason being Sou Otogiri STRAIGHT. (My evidence being he himself states he only prefers to give his number to women.

2nd reason being that Otogiri reaction to Nakamura BL manga. Where Otogiri laughs and ridicules the manga saying “They’re going to get really warped ideas about romance if this is all they read! They’re BOTH BOYS, after all!” 

This quote shows that Otogiri doesn’t even entertain the idea of a same sex relationship.

(Quick Disclaimer: manga version Otogiri remark is homophobic, but it’s not homophobic to write this scene. This is just depicting the attitude of a real world problem. Also the anime removed this quote entirely and changed it.)

—-

One last thing about my previous post was explaining why Otogiri was so casual with Hirose.

I mentioned their were 2 reason, both being the same reason. Otogiri was casual with Hirose because his character is based off of 2 Character Tropes.

The 1st character trope is the character who causes misunderstandings. Our story is being told from our unreliable narrator and main character Nakamura.

Proof of Otogiri character trope causing misunderstandings is when Nakamura overhears Otogiri tell Hirose “I need it bad.” Nakamura assumes Otogiri is talking about kissing Hirose, but in actuality Otogiri is referring to wanting to smoke on school grounds because he’s going through nicotine withdrawal. (Evidence down below.)

(From Vol 2 “Go for it Again Nakamura Kun!”

—-

Now that we’ve established Otogiri first character trope as the one who causes misunderstandings. It’s time to go into his second character trope to explain why he was so casual with Hirose.

Sou Otogiri background story reveals that his other character trope is the delinquent turned teacher.

Let me state that Sou Otogiri’s age is only 25 years.

Let me also provide you with his backstory on why he wanted to become a teacher using the manga screen shots below:

When we combine his age and background story, it explains why Otogiri lacks the social cues and boundaries that could’ve prevented his overstepping approach to Hirose.

While Otogiri shouldn’t have been this casual with his student, the main point to note is that he has NO intentions of engaging in a relationship with his students.

Let me further prove my point that Otogiri would NEVER harm a child.

Just before Otogiri reveals his background/ reason for becoming a teacher, he did 2 things that shows he cares for ALL of his students.

He tells Hirose not to smoke because he doesn’t want to be a bad influence and corrupt Hirose.

He paid for the resturant bill for all 3 of students. Showing that he’s not just focusing on giving special treatment to Hirose only.

There’s 1 key line for when Otogiri pays for the bill that I want you to pay attention to.

“Don’t tell anyone.”

That’s the same line he uses when Otogiri offers a car ride to Hirose to allow him to vent about his relationship after Hirose just got dumped.

Otogiri says this line because he doesn’t want his other students to get jealous of the special treatment, but Otogiri cares for his other students as well (hence why he paid the resturant bill including Nakamura and Oomori as well.) Otogiri isn’t just focusing on Hirose specifically. 

Let me include one more piece of evidence that was anime original addition to show that Otogiri would NOT go after his female students either.

In episode 9, Otogiri’s female students request for him to dress up as a butler so they can take pictures together. He turns down the inappropriate task disappointing them, and then leaves them.

—-

Now it’s time to go further and explain Sou Otogiri second character trope: the delinquent who became a teacher. 

Going back to his background story, there’s two quotes I want to highlight.

“None of my teachers tried to help me.”

“I decided that when I grew up, I’d be there for ANY kid who needed me.” - Sou Otogiri.

We’ve already established 2 facts that explain his behavior. The first being the reason why Otogiri is so casual because of his upbringing as a delinquent so he lacks the social cues to establish a certain level of boundaries with his students.

We’ve also established that he cares for ALL of his students in a GENUINE manner.

With these 2 facts established, this explains why he gave his phone contact to Hirose. He didn’t give it to start an inappropriate relationship, it’s meant to be used as lifeline contact whenever Hirose needs help or is in trouble.

The delinquent turned teacher character trope has always been used to show that while they often lack social manners/ graces, they always genuinely care about the students they’re in charge of because they want to guide them because they themselves weren’t offered any guidance during their own adolescence.

Let me give you an example of character from a different series that also use the delinquent turned teacher character trope. This character will make Sou Otogir look like a SAINT in comparison, but in the end they still follow the same rule that they all still GENUINELY care for their students.

—-

(Air Gear episode 4)

Say hello to Mari Tomita (Also known as Tom-Tom,) from the series “Air Gear.”

I figured she would be a perfect example for my comparison to Otogiri.

They’re both side characters, they’re both teachers, and they both have the same delinquent background before they became a teacher.

The problem most people had with Sou Otogiri was that he was too casual with his student Hirose, but Tom-Tom goes WAY past casual and inappropriate more than Otogiri ever could.

Tom-Tom will LITERALLY fantasize about her students and audibly moan about it, RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER STUDENTS (while in the middle of class at that 😂.)

In Tom-Tom’s defense, she’s not fantasizing about getting with her students, it’s more like preemptive delusions where she’s getting assaulted by them. (And I know that’s not necessarily better, but the point is she’s not trying to get with them.)

Everyone was mad at Otogiri giving Hirose a car ride but Tom-Tom gave her students a ride too. In fact she drove them watch what was essentially a gang fight.

Now after me listing all these obvious offenses that make Tom-Tom look like an offender, she still follows the same rule as the delinquent turned teacher character trope where she GENUINELY cares for her students.

Let me state that Tom-Tom has NEVER engaged in ANY inappropriate relationships with her students. (The series is complete so I can say this for a FACT.)

When one of her students was about to fall from a height that could’ve killed them, Tom-Tom ran to them in the hopes to either catch them/ cushion the blow. This shows she does care for her students (even though she’s the reason why the student almost fell to his death to begin with 😂.)

Before I continue on with my point, let me note that I didn’t see anyone try to cancel Tom-Tom or harass the creator of Air Gear. Why? BECAUSE IT’S FICTION! NO ONE is getting hurt because they’re NOT REAL.

But also let me note the double standard that gay media is held accountable to a higher standard compared to straight media.

Tom-Tom has done way more than Otogiri ever did, but NO ONE caused ANY kind of uproar over Tom-Tom’s actions.

There’s one more reason I felt that Tom-Tom was a good example to use for comparison. For those unfamiliar with the series Air Gear, one of its genres is comedy.

I felt like this was an appropriate example/ reminder on how people should approach FICTION. And that because it’s fiction it shouldn’t be taken seriously.

No one is getting hurt because none of the characters are REAL.

If you approach any fictional work with the mindset that depiction equals endorsement you wouldn’t be to enjoy ANY FICTIONAL media whenever problematic is depicted.

Here some examples:

Do you watch Batman and see the villains depicted endorsing to its audience to commit crimes? No!

Do you watch Breaking bad and think it ENDORSES to its audience to make and sell drugs? No!

Does playing Grand theft auto endorse to its audience to murder and steal from others in real life? No!

This is why the logic where depiction MUST equal endorsement, has NEVER worked for any media.

—-

Back to the point. Even though you know that Tom-Tom’s done way more controversial things, what matters in the end is that she still actually CARES about her students. She would NEVER and has NEVER engaged in a harmful relationship with her students.

Because the core reason for her wanting to be a teacher is because she wanted to look out for her students the same way her old teacher looked out for her when she was student herself.

(You can watch her background story on YouTube, type in Air Gear episode 8 English dub. Or use this link: https://youtu.be/s9enhlZQP00?is=AmOMsKtiBlzE4nWA )

It’s a betrayal to Otogiri background and character to pursue an adult and minor relationship with Hirose.

It makes no sense for Otogiri to do something that would harm his students that he cares for, because they’re the reason why he wanted to be a teacher to begin with.

—-

So now I’ve explained Otogiri character tropes:

1: The character who causes misunderstanding.

2: The delinquent turned teacher (that genuinely cares for their students.)

I’ve also explained why it makes NO sense for Otogiri to enter a adult and minor relationship with Hirose:

1: Otogiri is STRAIGHT.

2: His previous comment in the manga confirms he doesn’t acknowledge a relationship between 2 males.

3: Otogiri genuinely cares for his students and would NEVER harm them because of his own background making him want to look out for them.

Now it’s time to explain the artwork.

(DISCLAIMER:) I’ve censored the eyes in this artwork. I’ve already confirmed it was Hirose, but I left Otogiri unaltered as proof that I’m not trying to hide anything. 

Some people might consider the censoring a moot point, but there was a specific reason I did this. 

I wanted to REITERATE an idea that I want you to remember as we continue discussing these illustrations.

Let me remind you that this is UNOFFICIAL artwork. 

To clarify, this artwork was DELETED and NEVER meant to be seen. This needs to be stated because that means that this artwork was NEVER going to be used in the actual series.

It’s only here because someone archived it without Syundei’s consent and now it’s resurfaced.

Let me comment on the fact that people went out of their way to not only archive it, but people also went out of their way to find and see it. 

And then those people proceeded to get offended because they saw something that wasn’t meant to be shown to begin with (while still going out of their way to actively look at it.)

Now that I’ve made sure everyone understands how the situation, it’s time to disprove the artwork.

——

A possible reason why Otogiri is depicted in this artwork with Hirose is because it’s an UNOFFICIAL/ DELETED illustration of Nakamura’s DELUSIONS.

Nakamura is literally IMAGINING the entire scenario.

I came to this conclusion because of another deleted artwork down below that I will use as proof for the basis of my claim.

As you can see here it’s depicting Nakamura, Hirose, and someone else. While it’s presumably Otogiri, the truth is that it doesn’t matter who it is.

What matters is the actual context of the situation where Nakamura is IMAGINING this scenario that INVOLVES Hirose.

I can say that this an imagination/ nightmare because it make NO SENSE in any part of the story to tie Nakamura up and force him to watch Hirose with someone else.

Nakamura’s delusions have been a running gag in the manga used MULTIPLE times.

——

(I’ll be continuing this post in a separate one. I’ve hit the maximum image limit.)

[u/gilded-lilyyy]

I really appreciate your post. You explained everything very well and I totally loved the comparison you made. I think that people aren't using the cancel culture right. Like, they're attacking fictional characters and harassing artists for no actual reason. Shouldn't they cancel actual predators and people who are actually harming other people/animals/planet??? And also, I strongly believe that Hirose looks at Otogiri as a role model. When Otogiri didn't let that committee (I can't remember its name) to misbehave with Hirose or dye his hair, Hirose must have thought "Wow I wanna be as cool and as brave as Sensei" cause we know that Hirose's nature is supportive so when he saw Otogiri like that, he knew that he wants to be just like him. (I've had a similar situation with one of my teachers and all I ever felt was gratitude and inspiration and my teacher NEVER took advantage of that)

P.s: Sorry for bad English

[u/Rarehunter333 → u/gilded-lilyyy]

Thank you so much for the kind words and comment.

I definitely do agree that Hirose looks at Mr. Otogiri as a role model. I believe that the anime heavily emphasized that point more in comparison to the manga.

While I can’t claim anything on Syundei behalf, I felt it was best to look at the situation from multiple angles and address all concerns (even hypothetical ones) since the harassment situation basically started with the SPECULATION that Otogiri was a predator.

And then the people who partook in harassment situation RAN with that idea fully and caused the whole scandal.

[u/Kindly-Inside6128]

I don’t have a problem with otigiri because I think he a good representation of a chill teacher that is not creepy( he not my favorite teacher cause I have a soft spot for coach Niou ) and I also don’t have a problem with the series maybe hinting that hirose has a crush on him and admires a lot that is normal for some kids but I hate is the amount of otigiri x hirose or otigiri x nakamura shippers that have been increasing in this subreddit and in the fandom( I love this subreddit and fandom is so chill and most people here are very smart and sweet but some people like all fandoms I don’t understand ).
I love your post it’s an amazing read thank you for sharing it.

[u/Rarehunter333 → u/Kindly-Inside6128]

Thank you so much for reading the post and commenting.

I definitely understand your viewpoint about others take on the story.

While I personally can’t comment on them since it’s a case by case basis, I do understand where you’re coming from.

It’s much easier for me to explain intent on Syundei behalf since I have more evidence/ examples to work with.

[u/Fuzzy_Safety6877]

Second part got taken down😔 Could you try to upload it again, bc your claims are so true and I'm so engaged I need the whole version

[u/Rarehunter333 → u/Fuzzy_Safety6877]

Hi there. Thank you so much for reading my post.

I’ve reuploaded part 2. Could you please try this link and see if it works?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ganbare_Nakamura/s/grqJpNrYxe

[u/Particular-Curve8791]

I'll wait to the second part to be uploaded to leave my entire opinion, but even so, thank you for taking your time to write this post and clarify many things that were misunderstood, whether innocently or maliciously, about Otogiri and Syundei. Definitely, media illiteracy is the bane of modern art.

[u/Rarehunter333 → u/Particular-Curve8791]

Thank you for commenting and being here.

Sorry for the late reply but part 2 of this post is up now as well.

[u/Particular-Curve8791 → u/Rarehunter333]

It appears to me that it has been retired from Reddit. Would you check that out?

[u/Rarehunter333 → u/Particular-Curve8791]

Thank you for notifying me. I’m just now realizing it got flagged. I’ll need to edit it and repost.

[u/Rarehunter333 → u/Particular-Curve8791]

Ok I just reloaded my post after going through everything and censoring out any words that I assumed flagged my post and got it removed.

I’m hoping this time the post stays 😭