Japanese elementary schools are deceptively similar in appearance to their western counterparts. Classrooms are lively with energetic children who spend their day learning about the various school subjects you'd expect. There is time to play outside, and other ordinary activities like gym class and music class: all and all, the essential experiences of being a young person.

That said, there are some differences you may or may not expect. Most likely readers are aware that Japanese schoolchildren eat lunch in their classroom, and they are tasked with cleaning their room daily. Janitors, like in North American schools, are not part of the payroll.

Perhaps less well-known is the importance of groups and group activities. Japanese students are typically divided into groups, and children spend a lot of time with their groups. Groups will wait together before the school day begins and are assigned tasks to accomplish throughout the term.

Taking your work home with you

With groups playing such a prominent role in elementary school life, it's only natural to assign group leaders to take the reigns. Known as hancho, manga artist Gura Hamuco (@gura_hamuco) recently wrote about her son's experience at school. He was assigned to be group leader, and, lo and behold, he certainly stepped up to the challenge:

As you can see, a hancho's work is never done. Fortunately, it seems this young boy is up to the challenge, at school and at home.

Readers of the manga couldn’t help but blush over his stalwart antics. They commented:

If you liked the manga, you can find more like it on the Gura Hamuco’s Twitter page. The artist also runs a website. Check them out!