#samforce

It really bothers me when people turn Gr*an or J into total nerd stereotypes. I guess they are nerdy to an extent, but Grian is an architect and J is an inventory. They could be book-smart and academically driven, but that’s not their main focus at all. And personality-wise, it’s even more outlandish!!! Being softhearted just isn’t their niche.

And it bothers me a lot just on principle, but also because there are other characters who do fit these tropes almost completely. I am talking of course about Silly J. Artist-Artifex, Yuro Lovell, and my beautiful king Starforce36!!!

They all fit different archetypes of nerds, too. Silly is the child prodigy who's easily swayed (her parents are even the teachers)!, Yuro is the shy introvert, and Starforce is the stickler-for-rules.

You know... the kind of stereotype that people try to push on Gr*an.

And it sucks! A lot! Because each character is credited under some sort of label/stereotype in the earlier episodes--

--Which almost makes me wonder if there is something to be said about how YHS's social-hierarchy completely crumbles the fictional high-school stereotypes. (Yes I know some of the "labels" aren't really labels, but just pay attention to "Friendly Kid" and "Cool Kid" etc)

Look at the Cool Kids, for example! Yuki is a weeb. Soul is a theater kid. Sookie is awkward. And PD is an entire club leader! A computer club leader, to be exact!!! I know they don't do actual work, but he had to have some credentials to be allowed that right, especially since "computer club" would allude to coding. And yet, despite these typically being traits of "weird kids" in fictional high-school stories; these are all people considered cool.

Because coolness in YHS isn't measured by hobbies or appearance. It's measured by threat-level. Confidence. Apathy. YHS invented cool nonchalance... before it literally did become "cool."

So what does this say about Starforce???

Well, if any character is considered a loser in YHS, it's pretty obviously Sam. Even characters like Yuro or Pepe are respected to a degree. They might not have too many friends, but they aren't necessarily talked down to. At worst, they might be ignored or targeted by one person-- but it's never by an entire group.

Starforce however doesn't get this luxury. This is because he lacks everything that defines someone as "untouchable" in YHS.

He isn't apathetic. He isn't nonchalant. He cares, and it's almost too much. Not just when people are considered "lame," but even when they're on the other extreme end; "threats."

Starforce, for his lack of screen time, and dry tone, is so full of personality. And yes, this is bias, but I extend this same attitude to every character!!! And no other character fills this niche just as well as Starforce does. Because while there are other nice characters, like J, or nerdy characters like Silly and Yuro, or even empathy-driven characters like Chan-- none of them strike the chord that Starforce's small presence does.

Because he never actually gets anything done. He might try to defend Sam when he's being bullied, but he doesn't actually ward off the crowd of harassers. Sam never actually thanks him. When Sam and Taurtis are caught sneaking in Gareth's home, everyone is shocked and immediately assumes the worst; but Starforce defends them and says my favorite line of the entire series!:

Because what did I say earlier about the "coolness" in YHS's school? It's about being a threat. Starforce is the opposite; even with how cold he may seem, or how stuck-up he tries to be. Because he just can't help but care, and he knows. He's so aware of it! Which is exactly why he puts up this front of being "stoic," since it's the only thing that could keep him from being out of Sam's position.

(Also, I just realized-- is this not kind of foreshadowing Sam's eventual descent?? Starforce pointing out that other people are picking up on the hidden strength in Sam, and so they're trying to keep him down out of fear?? Gord, what can't he do??? He's handsome. He's smart. He's kind. And he's a narrative tool?!?!? FUCK, he's perfect!!!)

Speaking of which, I think in general, Starforce has a really strong fixation on Sam in specific. Yeah, Sam is just also the most lame kid in the school, so Starforce is drawn to those who are victimized; but there is a third instance of this defense that I want to point out.

When Taurtis leaves Sam, joking that he's gonna join The Cool Kids instead of staying with a loser... Starforce shows up?? And tries to sit with Sam?? To comfort him??

And again, he's not acknowledged. Sam never acknowledges Starforce. And you'd think that after the second time, Starforce would stop caring, but he never does. He's persistent in his empathy. Sam could glare at him or brush him off, or straight-up ignore him TO HIS FACE--

(Like there is a scene where Starforce tries to talk to Sam, and even teasingly calls him "bunny-boy" like????)

--but it wouldn't matter. Starforce cares.

Starforce is a loser because of this. And that's why Starforce is one of the few characters who can't break out of their stereotype. The Cool Kids are allowed to be geeky, The Rich Kid is allowed depth to his wealth, The Yandere isn't even the actual yandere, and Sam is the definition of a Wolf-In-Sheep's-Clothing. None of these characters are what they seem.

But Starforce is. And he has to be. That's his role in YHS.

(Also none of this even touches on how his moral integrity is what really sets him apart from the cast. I did mention how he is empathetic, but it's really the morals that gets him such a special spot in my heart. The characters consistently brush off bullying, sure, but they brush off literal tragedy too. Starforce never does. He tries so hard to be a leader. He tries so hard to protect people. But he's useless in every attempt, and it's so so painful to me....)

((LIKE WHEN THE KIDS ARE MAKING JOKES ABOUT GARETH'S DEATH?? SLEEPING DURING IT?? NOT GAF'ING AT ALL???? MOVING ON SO FAST???!??! Starforce gets so upset with them AS HE SHOULD!!! But hardly anyone else seems to have this same sense of basic morality!! Except for Sam... but let me save that for a Samforce analysis one day...)