Ikebukuro West Gate Park became famous as a TV drama series, but it was originally a short story written by Ishida Ira, which won the 36th All Yomimono Mystery Novel Newcomer Award. This work has been developed in many ways, including novels, TV dramas, comics, and stage plays, and it deals with various social issues, with many of the stories being based on real events. The screenplay for the TV drama version was written by Kudo Kankuro, and the chief director was Tsutsumi Yukihiko. It has also been decided that it will be made into an anime in July 2020, and IWGP will once again attract attention. This time, we would like to introduce the main character, Majima Makoto.
Character Profile of Mashima Makoto
A lazy man living in Ikebukuro, he earns pocket money by helping out at his family's fruit shop and hangs out with Masa at Ikebukuro West Gate Park.
Nicknamed the "Troubleshooter of Ikebukuro," he has O blood type and is quite tall at 180cm. Curious, with a strong sense of justice, and fearless, Makoto is trusted by Takashi, the leader of the G Boys, and has become relied upon by many people. Makoto solves various difficult problems, and in the process, he experiences many things he has never experienced before. He also discovers hobbies such as classical music and reading, and later becomes a columnist for a fashion magazine.
Makoto Mashima (Makoto) in the TV version
He is played by Nagase Tomoya. Nagase was 21 years old at the time, and he looked very young and cool in a different way than he does now.
He is extremely good at bowling, and earns pocket money by bowling. Bowling plays an important role as a comedy element in the TV version, such as in battles with Yokoyama and the old lady bowler who appears frequently.
He is an avid fan of Kawasaki Mayo and Yazawa Eikichi, and there is an episode where he is overjoyed when he gets an autograph from Mayo. His first sexual experience was forcibly taken by a prostitute, which has caused him to suffer from erectile dysfunction, and even when things get going with a girl, he often kneels down and apologizes. What's more, his mother knows about this fact... He loves yakisoba, his mother's specialty dish, and wherever he goes, he orders it first.
His catchphrase is "It's such a pain!" and he is generally foul-mouthed, but at heart he is a good young man who is serious and cares about his mother.
Famous quotes by Makoto Mashima
"You don't have to accept it from the whole world, I'll accept it for you"... A line that Sho said to encourage Asumi when he helped her in the gorilla episode (episode 5).
"What kind of family are you if you can't even do the obvious things, you idiots"... A line that he shouted at Hiroki's parents in the Channel 6 episode (episode 6).
"What's wrong with being a thief? She's my mom! Whether she's a thief or a yakuza's mistress, she's still my one and only mom!" - What he said to a Dream Connection executive in the episode about Nanao (episode 7).
"I want to wear what I like and hang out where I like. If that wasn't the case, there'd be no point in living in Bunkyo." - What he said in the episode about Kyushu (episode 9), when Kyoichi asked him why he didn't join G-Boys.
"Hey, Takashi... don't die." - What he said in the episode about the police corps (episode 10), when Takashi asked him to be a witness.
"You know, even CDs, back when records were still around, there were A-sides and B-sides, but CDs are all on the front. So hurry up and become a CD... what am I saying...." - What he said to Hikaru, who was revealed to have multiple personalities in the episode about Tsukasa (episode 11).
"Hey Takashi... I don't think you're the King... I won't call you King even after I die!... You're the Takashi from the sauna! You're the Takashi who ate the same bread as me since we were little!..."
... A word he said while being hit by Takashi in the episode about Tsukasa (episode 11).
The kind personality of Makoto Mashima, who wants to save anyone
In the episode about Mikan (episode 3), Makoto was forced to search for the monkey and the princess. Using the clue that Kazunori was at a convenience store called LICS, the two start gathering information at LICS.
With no progress, Makoto feels something is off about the light coming from the apartment building in front of them. Maybe it's an apartment building where his middle school classmate lives? He thinks so and asks Saru to bring his middle school yearbook.
After seeing the yearbook, Makoto is convinced and heads to Kazunori's house, but Kazunori has become a recluse and his mother doesn't know what to do. Makoto visits Kazunori again and again, telling him old stories and saying she'll come to play again.
She doesn't get angry or try to persuade him, but simply talks to him as a friend and tells him she'll come to play again before leaving. This repetition of actions moves Kazunori's heart and opens the closed door.
Kazunori observes LICS from the window of his room and records what he sees, which becomes a major clue in the search for Hime. However, I don't think Makoto was acting with such calculations in mind, but just wants to bring his friend out into the world.
This time Kazunori can't go home
Thanks to Makoto, Kazunori is now able to go out into the world, and he comes to Makoto's house to play as promised, but this time he comes close and goes home right away.
However, the next time they meet, Kazunori is working as an information broker at a family restaurant, and when he gets home, he says, "I feel like I'll never be able to go out again," and spends his time at the family restaurant except when he sleeps.
Kazunori's information network is amazing, and he helps Makoto solve cases after this.
Kazunori is played by Issei Takahashi, but since he was not yet famous and had long hair, some people may not have noticed him.
A regrettable mistake at a crucial moment...
In Yohachi's episode (episode 8), Masa impregnates a 16-year-old girl he met at a phone club, and the high school girl demands a large amount of compensation. At first, Makoto and the others tell him to do something about it himself, but after hearing Masa's serious feelings, they decide to earn money by doing what they can. Once they've saved up half the target amount (about 400,000 yen), Makoto bets it all on bowling, his specialty, to double it. "Isn't it just double it? OK! I'll be happy to!" Makoto says as he takes on the challenge. His teammates are already happy, confident of victory. The middle-aged woman bowler is taking on the challenge to raise money for her children's tuition fees, and tempts them with her miniskirt. Hikaru warns him not to do the same, but in the end, he only manages to knock down one pin, and loses all his money. He's a reliable guy at all times, but in this scene we see his cute and goofy side as he gets flustered by a shot of an older woman's panties.
The pathetic side of the brave Makoto
In the first episode of Ichigo, while the five of them were enjoying karaoke, Rika invited Makoto out and suggested that they go out together. Makoto refused, but Rika half-forcefully took Makoto out and the two of them went to a hotel.
I had no choice but to do it! Makoto wanted to show his manliness, but he had his virginity forcibly taken by a prostitute and had erectile dysfunction, so he was unable to do it. At first, he tries to get away with it by saying he'll wait a bit, but it seems he can't do it, so he kneels down and apologizes to Rika. Makoto's sincere attitude makes Rika fall in love with him. He's so handsome, so he's forgiven... (laughs)
Even in his interactions with Hikaru...
There's a similar scene in Yohachi's episode (episode 8). When Hikaru presses him, Makoto lies and says, "Let's go eat ramen," but it seems that his attitude of refusing so many times was obvious...
Hikaru is relieved to know that "I can't do it with Hikaru" means "I can't do it with anyone else either."
After this, he burns out with Kana...
What kind of person is the main character "Makoto Mashima"? Summary
What did you think?
His catchphrases, favorite foods, and personality are consistent throughout the work, so the character of Makoto Mashima is very easy to understand,
he is passionate, strong, kind, and a little mischievous, just like the main character.
I'm looking forward to seeing how he is portrayed in the anime scheduled to air from July 2020.
