A legendary television series and cultural asset, Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B is famous for putting many social issues on the front burner of the public conscious over its long run, as filtered through the emotionally volatile lives of third year middle school students. The heartfelt relations between a devoted schoolteacher, Kinpachi Sakamoto, and his unique students have won the show high praise for several decades. Whether due to the pressures of exams, family relations, teachers and friends, graduating middle school students navigate a turbulent hormonal sea of “hope” and “frustration”, constantly shaped by the social environment of the times. Standing as a beacon in the storm and emitting messages of hope for each generation is one Japanese teacher, Kinpachi Sakamoto, who has come to be adored and admired by a nation through the adventures of Class 3B.
Showing Season 5 of 9
Kinpachi Sensei 2000
1999
After an absence of four years Kinpachi Sensei, everyone's favorite teacher, returns to the television screen in a new series. When the series first went into production in 1979, delinquency and on-campus violence were big social problems. Over the years, the pressing problems became truancy and bullying, and more recently, disorderly conduct in classrooms and children with explosive tempers. Kinpachi Sensei returns to the classroom to help teenagers caught between childhood and adulthood, who suffer many social and emotional strains.
01. Episode 1
1999-10-14
Sakura Middle School management has decided to open a day care center for the elderly using vacant classrooms. Of course, the center would be run by professionals. Kinpachi's role is to provide the students with the proper information and outlook in dealing with the elderly. One day, the grade 3-B (9th grade) teacher is rushed to the hospital after being beaten up by his students. Kinpachi takes over the class while the teacher is mending.
02. Episode 2
1999-10-21
Rikiya gets into trouble when he breaks the school windows. His reasons are unclear. He starts working at the day care center in order to pay for the damages. Of course, that means he can't attend classes, but he's not losing any sleep over it.
03. Episode 3
1999-10-28
Atsushi, an excellent student, collapses at school for no apparent reason. Kenjiro visits him at home, feigning concern, to warn him to keep quiet about the incident with Mr. Nakano. The next day, Atsushi skips school and finds himself before Mr. Nakano's home instead...
04. Episode 4
1999-11-04
Although Kenjiro plays the innocent in front of his teachers, he continues his pranks behind their backs. When Rikiya drops an envelope full of cash, Kenjiro hides it and watches as Rikiya searches frantically for it. Kinpachi just can't seem to get a grasp of his class.
05. Episode 5
1999-11-11
Kinpachi's class must decide what to do for the school's Cultural Festival. Class leaders are nearing the end of their rope when the Karate Club members suggest a karate demonstration. Their advisor doesn't believe it's appropriate, but Kinpachi steps in to help.
06. Episode 6
1999-11-18
It's finally time for the Cultural Festival. Overwhelmed by the fervor of their advisor, Mr. Endo, the unity of the students of 3B shows signs of crumbling. Kinpachi has his own problems with Endo, who shows up at the Sakamoto home in Kinpachi's absence, with a gift for Otome, his daughter.
07. Episode 7
1999-11-25
Asumi declares that she wants to become a star. Getting hints from Barbara, who's been modeling since she was scouted in the sixth grade, Asumi works toward her goal. Kenjiro and the other boys tease her mercilessly, but one day, she dresses up and goes to town in hopes of being scouted.
08. Episode 8
1999-12-02
Atsushi, who has been refusing to go to school, goes to Mr. Nakano's home, and for the first time, he confesses that Kenjiro was behind the delivery of the funeral flowers. Even the attack on Mr. Nakano had been engineered by Kenjiro. Kinpachi learns the truth about Kenjiro for the first time.
09. Episode 9
1999-12-09
Kinpachi calls Kenjiro to his home in order to talk to him about Atsushi and the person behind the attack on Mr. Nakano. Kenjiro refuses to tattle. The next day, some students catch another teacher, Mr. Kita, apparently trying to pick up a young girl in Harajuku!
10. Episode 10
1999-12-16
Kinpachi finds Nakano a teaching position at a non-traditional school. Perhaps he will be able to heal while helping these students with their problems. Among the students are three former delinquents. The teachers are wary of them, but the boys are soon enjoying themselves.
11. New Year's Day Special
2000-01-06
Kinpachi Sensei submits his resignation after hitting his students! In all the years that Kinpachi has been teaching, he has been nothing but patient with his students, talking out their problems with them. But this year's crop is completely different and he can't seem to figure them out. At 50, he's not a hot-headed young teacher anymore, yet why does he resort to violence this time?
12. Episode 12
2000-01-13
Will Kinpachi really resign his position at Sakura Middle School? Some parents are outraged by the corporal punishment, and the media have dubbed Kinpachi a "violent teacher," but the students lay the blame upon themselves. The final decision is made by the principal.
13. Episode 13
2000-01-20
It's time for the students to take their high school entrance exams. Everyones under a great deal of pressure, and tempers are short. A "love" triangle has Kinjiro and Kinpachi's son, Kosaku, fighting it out. Kanae forgoes her own exam in order to be with Kota.
14. Episode 14
2000-01-27
When it comes to his own daughter, Kinpachi does everything he can to discourage her suitors. First there was Endo Sensei, and now there's Odagiri Sensei. When he discovers Otome wants to become a teacher, he is vehemently against it. He wants something better for her.
15. Episode 15
2000-02-03
It's time for the first high school entrance exam results to be announced. Across Japan, students wait with bated breath. Kinpachi, who had prayed to the gods that his son would pass his exam, is disappointed. Of the students, Kenjiro in particular, seems extremely dejected.
16. Episode 16
2000-02-10
Kenjiro's brother, a bright scholar who was supposedly studying in the U.S., lands in the hospital. He had been suffering from neurosis and acting violently at home. All this, the family kept quiet. And Kenjiro, forced to be the "good son" at all times, has no one to turn to.
17. Episode 17
2000-02-17
Kenjiro's family is falling apart. His mother's only thought is to escape from the eyes of the community where she has "lost face" since the truth about her first son came out. Kinpachi and Dr. Yasui do their best to help keep the family together.
18. Episode 18
2000-02-24
The results of the public school entrance exams are announced. Which of the students will pass? Akihiko packs his sleeping bag and some food and sets out on a solo journey. Worried that he's running away from home, Officer Omori, Kinpachi and Odagiri follow him.
19. Episode 19
2000-03-02
With entrance exams over, Kinpachi takes the students to his former student's family ramen restaurant to get a taste of a "real" work situation. Then, an unexpected diner walks into the restaurant, and anger flares. Meanwhile, students learn another life's lesson when tragedy strikes at the hospital.
20. Episode 20
2000-03-09
Kenjiro's brother, Yuichiro, is released from the hospital, but he and his mother have a confrontation which goes out of control after Yuichiro grabs a hold of a knife. While trying to stop his brother, Kenjiro accidentally stabs his mother. During the confusion, Yuichiro disappears.
21. Episode 21
2000-03-16
The police interrogates Kenjiro about the stabbing, while Yuichiro and his mother give conflicting accounts. Will Kenjiro be sent to a correctional facility and miss his graduation? Also, Asumi is in police custody after she had been spending nights at her classmate boys' homes.
22. Before Graduation Special
2000-03-23
With graduation day approaching, the 3-B class has a series of special classes, which Kenjiro is unable to attend. His classmates make great effort to keep him abreast of the goings-on at school. Kenjiro pays a visit to Nakano, the teacher he injured half a year ago, who has since left Sakura Intermediate.
23. Graduation Special
2000-03-30
A judge will announce Kenjiro's fate three days after the graduation day, which means he will be barred from participating in the ceremony. Will he even be allowed to go to high school? The ever-escalating Nakano incident and Kenjiro's family conflict come to a touching conclusion on graduation day.
