WHY FROG CHOOSES KATAGIRI

1. Jackson Brown said, “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” This wise quote overlooks other outward qualities such as strength in favor of the principles that one holds dear. Stories of men who lacked good character have been told in various fields such as religion and folktales. Their end is always disastrous. On the other hand, people of character are always admirable. A study of Haruki Murakami’s short story “Super-Frog Saves Tokyo” reveals the importance of character. It tells the heroic story of a giant frog who is on a mission to save Tokyo from a deadly earthquake. The frog’s mission will involve a fierce battle that requires only the best participants. However, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that the battle does not only require strength, but also good character. The story “Super-Frog Saves Tokyo” shows that moral character is more valuable than physical strength by holding the protagonist, Katagiri, up as a model of good behavior.

One of the qualities Frog values Katagiri for is courage. Katagiri is a collection officer for the Tokyo Security Trust Bank, which is not a job for the faint-hearted. It involves getting his hands dirty in the field as he pursues defaulters. To make matters worse, he has to collect debts within the dangerous neighborhood of Kabukicho, which is rife with violence[1]. Despite such a harsh working environment, Katagiri is not shaken, even after he receives death threats. His courage inspires Frog to choose him to fight the deadly battle with Worm. Frog realizes that this battle requires courage, something that even he, Frog, lacks when he admits that he is frightened.

Another reason that informs Frog’s decision is the deep respect he has for Katagiri. He reveals that he has been keeping an eye on Katagiri as he goes about his daily activities. Through the years, he has seen him readily undertake the most dangerous tasks without much appreciation from his colleagues or superiors[2]. Despite that, Katagiri has never complained. He has also extended the same qualities to his family as shown by his sacrifices to raise his two siblings single-handedly and educate them. Despite all this, the two who are now grown-up show no respect for their selfless benefactor. Even so, Katagiri has no complaints about their behavior. Frog finds such a selfless character respectable and is proud to go to battle with Katagiri, since the fight with Worm will provide no glory to either himself or Katagiri.

Frog finds Katagiri’s kindness admirable, which is one of the reasons he chooses him. Katagiri’s selflessness in raising his siblings at the expense of his time and income proves this virtue. This kindness costs him his marriage prospects, and yet, he goes ahead and arranges for his siblings’ marriages. No appreciation is accorded to him despite such praiseworthy actions[3]. Frog knows that the battle with Worm requires such a level of selflessness. It is a battle without glory; one that requires them to put their lives on the line without anybody knowing that they have done so. Thus, selflessness is required virtue in the one chosen for the battle.

Frog believes that Katagiri can offer the encouragement that he needs to fight Worm. He makes it clear that he does not expect the middle-aged, inactive Katagiri to fight the battle. Frog is prepared to do all the fighting. However, given that the battle is tough and scares him, he knows that he needs someone to keep cheering him on to fight the good fight. Katagiri fits this description. He is identified as a man who has a passion for justice and everything right[4]. Over the years that he has worked for the bank, he has performed his duties diligently, unafraid of threats from loan defaulters. He is not shaken by the hardcore criminals of Kabukicho. Frog hopes that Katagiri can extend this passion into the fight, and thus help him win it.

Katagiri has earned Frog’s trust. Out of the millions of people, Frog has identified him as the most trustworthy person[5] in Tokyo. His resolution is not made merely by guesswork but rather by thorough observation of Katagiri’s life through the years. To defeat Worm, Frog acknowledges that he does not only need a fighting partner, but also a person he can trust to have his back. He recognizes the importance of mutual trust as is shown by his actions. He does not merely convince Katagiri to join him in the fierce battle; rather Frog assists him in collecting a debt that has proven a headache for his new friend. This earns him Katagiri’s trust, which is essential for the fight.

Although Katagiri lacks physical strength, he possesses other qualities that lead Frog to choose him for the battle. These include Katagiri’s courage which has been proven through effective discharge of his duties despite the harsh working environment that exposes him to grave dangers. Also, Frog has a deep respect for the unappreciated debt collection officer who carries out difficult duties without thirsting for recognition. Katagiri’s kindness to his siblings further amazes Frog. Despite being strong, Frog needs encouragement in the battle. He believes Katagiri can provide this due to his passion for justice and all that is right. Out of all the people in Tokyo, Frog trusts Katagiri the most as his fighting partner against Worm, which proves that a good moral character transcends great physical strength in the world of the story. Considering this, there is need for each person to evaluate their character. For instance, most of the global crisis we experience can be solved if people emulate Katagiri’s traits. Furthermore, one does not need to have great strength or powerful influence to make our world better. Instead, all one needs is to stand firm for justice and all that is moral.

 

Bibliography

Murakami, Haruki. “Super-frog saves Tokyo.” In After the quake: Stories (2002): 111-140.

Welch, Patricia. “Haruki Murakami’s Storytelling World.” In World Literature Today, 79, no. 1 (2005): 55-59.

 

[1]. Murakami, Haruki. “Super-frog saves Tokyo.” (After the quake: Stories, 2002), 115.

[2]. Welch, Patricia. “Haruki Murakami’s Storytelling World.” (World Literature Today 79, no. 1, 2005), 59.

 

[3]. Haruki, “Super-frog saves Tokyo”, 117

[4]. Ibid., 118

[5]. Ibid.