The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons – Season 1 Episode 3 Recap & Review

Something Is Bothering Gakuto

Episode 3 of The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons begins with Gakuto visiting the Kirishima house and playing a game with Kojiro Kirishima. Gakuto highlights his qualms with the household. Uta and Miinato drop their things off while Gakuto tells the audience the Kirishima family is like a second home to the Yuzuki. We cut to some time after they lost their parents. Hayato, Mikoto, and Minato reflect on Mr. Kirishima’s views of them. Hayato reflects on why after dinner. Gakuto scolds Hayato for being up late and the two head to bed. 

Gakuto arrives home early the following day and notices Hayato’s not home. He appears to be sleeping at work, making his co-workers curious. Gakuto reflects on how he could make Hayato’s life easier. At the same time, we receive flashbacks of people telling Hayato to send Gakuto away because they don’t feel he’s responsible enough to look after all his brothers alone. Mr. Kirishima notices Gakuto waiting outside and asks him to come to his house while he waits for Hayato to return home from work. 

Kojiro introduces himself to Gakuto and they watch a film together. Gakuto finds the film to his liking. Kojiro states he rarely sees his grandkids and didn’t expect Gakuto to like the films. Kojirpo reveals why he’s been monitoring Hayato, Minato, Gokuto, and Mikoto. He feels bad that they lost their parents and was thinking of ways he could connect with them. Gokuto and Kojiro discuss Gakuto’s qualms about attending another kindergarten and Hayato’s stresses. 

Gakuto wishes he could do more for his brother and not be a burden because of his young age. Kojiro tells Gakuto to focus more on his youth and worry about his adult years when the time comes. Hayato arrives home and Kojiro suggests he let Gakuto stay at his place whenever he returns home from kindergarten. Hayato refuses after recounting the same memory of the people thinking he’s incapable of watching his brothers. Gakuto convinces Hayato to let him visit Kojiro after kindergarten. 

Hayato visits Kojiro and accepts his offer. While playing shogi with Kojiro, Gakuto says Waka ended up transferring to the same kindergarten as him, making Kojiro feel less lonely than before. The entire Kirishima and Yuzuki family arrive to greet Kojiro and Gakuto.

The episode closes with the two families waving goodbye at each other. 

The Episode Review

Although this chapter wasn’t as emotional as the previous one, it gives fans nice insight into the final brother of the Yuzuki family, Gakuto. Surprisingly, Gakuto is mature for his age and might be an interesting character for fans to keep their eyes on. Although many would’ve adored his qualms being thematically different from Minato’s, it’s interesting to see a child character receive depth. 

His relationship with Kojiro is wholesome and makes sense in the grand scheme of things. While some may find it strange for an elderly man to be hanging out with a kindergartner, the episode gives fans enough background on the two’s relationship to avoid making their companionship feel awkward. Nonetheless, Kojiro serves as a reminder to never judge a person by their strange actions. 

From giving Gakuto helpful advice to playing shogi with him at the episode’s start and end, he’ll remind folks of the kind-hearted neighbors they’ll see on a daily basis. Moreover, this episode delves into the Yuzuki family’s background a bit, showcasing more of what took place after Hayato and his brother’s parents died. It was heartwrenching to see them belittle Hayato in such a fashion. 

Overall, this was a decent chapter of The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons. It gives us a nice characterization of Gakuto and Kojiro and sheds light on some elements of the Yuzuki family’s troubling past. Considering the past three episodes focused on Gakuto, Minato, and Mikoto, it’s likely the next chapter will center around Hayato. We’ll have to wait and see if that turns out to be the case.