When Commies Were Worse Than Jerks...

In episode 8 of the Pachinko TV series, we get introduced to villains worse than the Japanese fascists who want to turn Japan into a warmongering rogue state administered by a tyrannical regime that has friendly relations with the Hitler-Mussolini Axis responsible for World War 2, and the Japanese upper class who, by being arrogant jerks, may have been the inspiration for Ash Ketchum's original nemesis Gary Oak. We're talking about the Japanese communists. They wanted voters to vote for them in elections, and they influenced Koreans in Japan to join their cause. It just so happens that Isak was arrested for allegedly sympathizing with both Japanese and Korean communists, both of whom are classified as severe threats to Japan in the 1930s. While Russian and Chinese communists did contribute to the bitter division of the Korean Peninsula that continues to this day, we must not forget that Japanese communists influenced Korean communism as well.

No Justice for Zainichi Koreans

For those wondering what pachinko is, pachinko is a pinball variant originating from Japan that combines pinball with slot machine elements, and involves shooting balls into bonus areas to win more balls. Eventually, players win a prize that they can trade for other prizes, if they can win one that is.

Ever wondered why many pachinko parlors are run by Zainichi Koreans? To start, pachinko bypasses a Japanese gambling ban by having the prizes sometimes being exchanged for cash. Despite this advantage, pachinko received a dubious reputation as a result. This give Zainichi Koreans, who are often treated as second-class citizens in Japan an opportunity to make a living. Sadly, this does not prevent them from becoming hate crime targets, and almost no legal action, if any, had been taken against these hate crimes.

The novel Pachinko and its TV series adaptation focuses on more than just the titular pinball machines and why Zainichi Koreans became synonymous with them. It explores the trials and tribulations Zainichi Koreans go through. To quote Mozasu, the likes of him would be called a Japanese [REDACTED] in South Korea, and in Japan, he would just be another dirty Korean no matter how much money he makes or how nice he is.