Student council in Japan is called Seitokai [生徒会], and it is common to see its presence in animes, mangas, and doramas. Have you ever wondered how the student council works in Japan? What are the similarities with the animes?
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What is the Student Council?
Also known as the student union, it is a group of people responsible for taking care of the activities and actions of each student, with clubs and extracurricular activities, being a kind of student organization.
It can be literally translated as student association, this organization aims to improve and solve problems and issues of school life. In Japan, it is defined as one of the special activities along with home activities.
Moreover, in Western countries, student associations are placed on the same level as parents and teachers as part of school management, and certain rights are granted. In Brazil, we do not usually see this system; at most, we have one chosen from the class.
The class council is established in Chuugaku and Koukou schools. The goal is to form desirable human relationships, participate in creating a better school life as a group member, and promote a voluntary attitude by working together to solve problems.
The History of the Student Council in Japan
Based on the organization of the Alumni Association established before the Second World War, several autonomous student organizations were established in schools with the aim of promoting voluntary activities.
The self-management bodies of students received autonomy as a right and carried out various activities. Later, around 1949, under the direction of the military government, all autonomous organizations in the country were unified under the name of “student council.”
The intention of unifying the name was to avoid the appearance that the “Autonomous Student Association” was not under the authority of the principal, but received its own authority from the autonomous association. There was also the perception that it was left to students to work within the responsibilities and rights conferred to them.
What is the Power of the Japanese Student Council?
The organization of student councils varies greatly from school to school; thus, in some places, the council may have less or more power. Nothing as exaggerated as what animes and mangas show.
In animes, student council members are seen with unparalleled power and freedom – they do what they want on campus, invent arbitrary rules that punish the masses, and give themselves and their allies special privileges. None of this is true!
In some places, the student council approves basic matters, resolves budget issues, and financial demonstrations. Some are responsible for submitting school bills, resolving various issues, and taking care of the school clubs and others.
There is an organ responsible for the overall functioning of the student council; they develop the annual activity plan, present agendas, and call committee meetings. The organization also represents the students of the school, promoting initiatives and disseminating information outside the school.
The faculty or students can determine who holds positions in the student council, such as the president of the student body, who represents the entire school, and the secretary, who assists them. There may be treasurers and other types of members.
There may be several committees composed of elected members from each classroom focusing on practical activities. Some are designated to take care of specific things like school events, festivals, traditional culture, sports events, and others.
Animes about Student Council
Most school animes have a way of fitting the student council or the council president in some way. Often in an exaggerated and unrealistic manner, below we will recommend some animes about student councils.
The typical themes in these animes include student council elections, planning school events, such as cultural festivals, or interactions between council members.
Kaguya-Sama Love is War
As leaders of the student council of their prestigious academy, Kaguya and Miyuki are the elite of the elite! But they are lonely at the top… They are secretly in love with each other, but there is just one problem – both are too proud to admit it.
And so begins the daily plot to make the object of their affection confess their romantic feelings first… Love is a war that you win by losing. An extremely funny comedy anime, being one of the best in the genre.
Seitokai Yakuindomo
Seitokai Yakuindomo is a dirty comedy anime; despite the theme, it is not so appealing with ecchi. The story takes place in a popular all-girls school called Ousai Private Academy, which recently became co-ed due to the decline in birth rates.
Takatoshi Tsuda, a boy who just started attending Ousai because of its proximity to his home, is quickly forced to become the vice president of the student council and the male representative of the school by president Shino Amakusa.
Now seen as nothing more than a filthy pig by his classmates, Takatoshi must deal with learning a new side of the opposite sex, listening to a lot of dirty sex talk and period jokes along the way!
Seitokai no Ichizon
There is never a dull day in the life of the student council at Hekiyou Academy! President Kurimu loves sweets and easily neglects her duties, while secretary Chizuru skillfully manipulates those around her.
The otaku Mafuyu is obsessed with writing online guidelines and is constantly pursued by Ken, the only man on her team and an eroge addict whose ultimate goal is to turn the entire council into his harem.
Fortunately for Mafuyu, she is protected from his advances by Minatsu, her sporty and tormenting sister! Together, the five repeatedly fight against boredom, making constant otaku references and battling the journalism club along the way!
Okusama Ga Seito Kaichou!
High school freshman Hayato Izumi lost the student council president election to Ui Wakana, a girl who shocked the entire student body by promising to “remove all relationship restrictions” and distributed condoms for free.
On that day, Wakana, the elected president, brought her belongings to Izumi’s residence and claimed to be his promised bride. A comedy anime with several seasons and quite interesting within the proposed theme.
Other Student Council Animes
We also recommend the following animes:
- Kaichou wa Maid-Sama;
- Medaka Box;
- Gokujou Seitokai;
- Shoujo Kakumei Utena;
- Charlotte;
- Kill la Kill;
- Prison School;
- Kakegurui;
List of Student Council President Characters
The president of the student council is called seitokaicho [生徒会長], and is practically the most powerful student in the school, as they are essentially a class representative for the entire school. They are quite popular in animes and mangas.
Below we will leave a ranking with characters who are presidents of their school’s student council. Perhaps some of these names will interest you. I hope you enjoyed the article.
- Akemi Souryuuin
- Akira Yukishiro
- Ako Suminoe
- Amelie Azazel
- Anna Nishikinomiya
- Apollon Agana Belea
- Ayari Shiki
- Benio Yonomori
- Celia Cumani Aintree
- Chiho Hyuuga
- Chitose Karasuyama
- Claire Harvey
- Eichi Tenshouin
- Eli Ayase
- Fumika Shinshijuin
- Furan Takaki
- Gakuto Sougetsu
- Haruma Yamazuki
- Hayata Mukunashi
- Hina Hikawa
- Ichiri Minagawa
- Irie
- Issei Ryuudou
- Itsuki Myoudouin
- Jou Edogawa
- Kaguya Otonashi
- Kanae Hayashizaki
- Karen Hijiri
- Karen Minazuki
- Karura Hiougi
- Kate Takenomiya
- Kinshirou Kusatsu
- Kinuyo Kasuga
- Kirari Momobami
- Koma Jinguji
- Kyou Goshouin
- Lily Shiraishi
- Machi Tokiwa
- Madoka Kaguya
- Mahiro Sasamori
- Makoto Takei
- Mana Aida
- Manabu Horikita
- Mari Kurihara
- Mari Ohara
- Masafumi Akagi
- Medaka Kurokami
- Megumi Sokabe
- Mei Aihara
- Milly Ashford
- Mimori Seiteikouji
- Mirei Kudou
- Misaki Ayuzawa
- Mitsuki Shiina
- Mitsuki Sonoda
- Nanana Wanibe
- Nao Tomori
- Opposite Student Council President
- President
- Rei Jinjuji
- Rem Kaginuki
- Renge Shiratsuyu
- Rinko Shirokane
- Ryosuke Kamijo
- Sakura Akino
- Satsuki Kiryuuin
- Sawako Tennouji
- Seima Takajou
- Shinji Kamuro
- Shino Amakusa
- Shirayuki Hotogi
- Shizuku Sangou
- Shuya Arisada
- Sojun
- Song Lingya
- Soushun Murasame
- Student Council President
- Tanabe
- Teru Minamoto
- Tes Kinokuni
- Tomoyo Sakagami
- Tora Igarashi
- Touga Kiryuu
- Touko Nanami
- Touta Shiroouji
- Ui Wakana
- Unko
- William Satou
- Xun Li
- Yamazoe
- Yotsuya
- Yuki Sohma
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