Hikikomori sensei

A slightly different kind of series, though deep down the same. This time we find ourselves in the second grade of an elementary school where – like every school – they have problems with students. In this case, they're dealing with truancy. They solve it by setting up a special class where any student from any grade can transfer in. The student can think of it as a waystation from truancy to normal attendance. One teacher, in this case an inexperienced young teacher, can’t handle it, nor can the social worker assigned by the authorities to the school, until the headmaster finds a suitable part-time teacher: a former hikikomori who, after eleven years, has finally returned among people. Not only does he understand the kids because of his experience, but the kids understand him, and they help each other because neither of them are completely ok, they are not completely socially adept. It's only five episodes long, it's short, it goes by quickly, and although there are some moments I didn't like as much, as a whole it works well. The child actors are great, Sato Jiro left the world of comedy and parody and showed up in a dramatic role, and while I recognized some of the language he uses in comedies, he was still good. It was interesting, and I watched the whole thing in a day because I couldn't get enough of it. (29/09/2021)