Super Cub – 10

「雪」 (Yuki)
“Snow”

WINTER HIGHLIGHTS

Before our episode took a dramatic turn and left us with a cliff-hanger–a first in our Super Cub journey–we finally got snow! I was wondering if we’d ever see Koguma get into an accident/fall with her Cub only to have it ‘happen’ during winter playtime with Reiko. This entire sequence was too wholesome and got me grinning the entire time. That snow-storm attack on Reiko was pretty epic, this sneaky side of Koguma appeals to me very much. But seriously, wear helmets, regardless!

One of the things I find very appealing about Super Cub is how much meaning lies behind every character, personality trait, personal quirks, choice of words and actions. And perhaps that’s why Shii-chan’s approach to befriending the girls never felt forced to me, because teenage interactions are a bit awkward.

SHII’S PURPOSE

I’ve been wondering about Shii’s role for the past two episodes. She was the first person who Koguma took a personal interest in. But I knew there was more to her character. And in this week’s episode one thing that caught my attention was: Shii has a dream, a purpose. “No parents, no hobbies, no money, no friends, no goals.” In the original Japanese quote she uses the words 将来 (shourai) “future” and 目標 (mokuhyou) “goal, objective”. So far Koguma hadn’t been directly exposed to anyone who was walking this path. Not to discredit Reiko’s own personal goals–such as climbing Mt. Fuji on her Cub. But if we consider Reiko’s goals as a target, Shii’s are more like ambitions. They mean similar things, but are partially different.

It was thanks to her Cub that Koguma had the opportunity to notice someone else and expand her own perceptions (and even have them turned around). We have yet to see the outcome of what Koguma is internalizing about Shii’s character, but I’m looking forward to finding out how this will positively impact her personal journey and vice versa.

KOGUMA’S STRENGTH

And some might ask: why is Shii so taken with Koguma? Isn’t she just rude, unfriendly and ungrateful? Well, if looking from the perspective of someone who ranks high in agreeableness, I can see how that interpretation can be made. But at the end of the day, that’s all they are, interpretations, descriptive terms and not actual facts. I find Koguma’s strength of character in the fact that she’s unapologetically herself. According to Shii’s father, Koguma is a source of inspiration for his daughter, someone she wants to be like. Even if one might dislike her, it can’t be due to lack of character. Koguma is consistent, coherent and clear. The combination of these traits are a great recipe for trust. 

I particularly liked a quote from my fellow colleague and writer FJ Freeman and wanted to bring it to this post (from the school festival episode): “Even though Koguma wanted to help, she didn’t mold or extend her personality to satisfy Shii or bring her comfort that ‘everything was going to be alright’.”

Shii was acquainted with Reiko, but it was only after meeting and interacting with Koguma-san that she decided to take it upon herself to establish a link with the Wonder Cub Duo. Something about our introverted and disagreeable girl won her over. I wonder why she decided to call Koguma and not her parents.

As always, thanks for reading and have a lovely week!

 

Full-length images: 36.