How Numbuh 4 REALLY Got Into Harvard With Such A Low IQ...

Ever wonder how Numbuh 4 got into Harvard AND became a doctor in Codename Kids Next Door? Here how!
There were a lot of surprising moments throughout the Codename: Kids Next Door series, but I don’t think anything was as shocking as learning what happened to Numbuh 4 at the end of the finale. The one that blew my mind the most was when we learned what happened to Wallabee Beatles, AKA Numbuh 4. While it’s no surprise that the rest of the Kids went on to live successful and seemingly happy lives, I never expected Numbuh 4 to arguably be the most successful out of all of them, at least on paper. I mean, can you believe that he went to Harvard?
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[@LRG97]

I think Numbuh 4 definitely got a scholarship for wrestling, and probably became a either a sports medicine doctor or a physical therapist. He's probably been injured enough throughout his life he knows how to diagnose and treat most physical injuries in athletes

[@dustinbragg1921]

And conditional to his HS sports team placement that got him scouted would be maintaining acceptable grades. As for why he would care about college at all; he got injured in his junior year of HS and had to go to PT to fully recover. There he learned to appreciate the time, effort, and sheer dedication it takes for people to get back on their feet after going down hard, not just of the patients' but also of the physical therapists'. Senior year he gets scouted for college wrestling/boxing/football/whatever, thinks "Yeah, sure, I'll keep playing for a few more years," and has to pick his major. A talk with his girlfriend later and he's on the medical track.

[@comettamer]

I agree, but I also think he did apply himself to his studies with Kuki's help, which she provided after he maybe broke down one day and told her how he really felt and that he thought he wasn't good enough.

[@TheAllSeeingEye2468]

Number 4 isn't dumb hes just smart in a different way

[@johnynoway9127]

he can be smart but he has ADD aand anger issues

[@delinquenter]

autism explained for "normal" people.

[@ajerjavec4723]

What about the theory that number four isn’t dumb he just has a learning disorder which it’s not unheard of people in real life to go to school believe they are dumb but later they have a disorder

[@TheCartoonCorruption]

Facts

[@ajerjavec4723]

@@TheCartoonCorruption the most popular disorder to give number four dyslexia because at times he’s borderline illiterate plus I’m not exactly sure when school started to take care of people with disorders plus with how bad the schools are I wouldn’t be surprised that they don’t care. I mean this is the school that basically was forcing the kids to work to get out olive oil so not allowing a kid with a learning disorder the help he requires would fit in

[@dubledolix0956]

@@ajerjavec4723Depressingly, a lot of youths flunk or drop out of school because of the apathy of the staff.

[@hunterwillis3775]

Also there's a difference between intelligence and education. It's entirely possible that numbah 4 was deceptively smart but not educated. As he grew up he became more educated.

[@ajerjavec4723]

@@hunterwillis3775 about what you said many people with disorders have said that no one know how to tech them

[@luiz4200]

Alternate theory: instead of getting over his fear of blood, he became a psychiatrist.

[@Falishan]

Hah, I somehow see him figuring psychology would make a fun new addition to his combat abilities.

[@darkfire1044]

I'd also say he probably majored in psychology too. Numbuh 4 is an excellent judge of character, in the episode where the team get kidnapped by negative versions of themselves via a pool he not only figures out they're fakes almost instantly, but by simply looking at their eyes and the way they talked. Adding onto that same episode he uses deductive reasoning to out his negative self as a coward because the original knew full well he was brave and had experience to back up his claim.

[@demonic_myst4503]

You dont go medschool for psychology psychiatry maybe nit clinical psychology

[@JP-eh4ee]

I think Kuki's mom told Wally that Kuki can only marry a doctor.

[@zoefurlong8031]

And knowing number 4 he'd say "Challenge accepted".

[@Falishan]

Along this point, I'm pretty sure Kuki's parents would figure out pretty quickly that the best way to motivate their future son-in-law was give him the "I dare you look".

[@shimmyking4]

"Don't come asking to marry my daughter unless you have a degree from Harvard" "Say less"

[@Radents_TWO]

Said like an Asian parent would.

[@SamuraiGamingMikejr]

i mean she is asian so it makes sense

[@coffeelover0876]

Numbuh 4 probably wanted to impress his girlfriend's parent's, who were both strict and successful, but your theory on sports is good too. Id like to think he applied himself academically & physically.

[@WhatTeamBlckGrlz]

When you dive deeper that than, it makes even more sense. For instance, Kuki's role on the team is Diversionary Tactics and Medic. She's also had experience in dealing with medicine and doctoring. Going off on this theory about Numbuh 4 majoring in medicine and becoming a doctor later on in life, this makes the both of them a power couple in a way.

[@bradleychan5684]

Not really. Oddly enough, this fits. Numbuh 4 has always been depicted as eager to participate in school but never had the patience to excel. That's why he loved physical violence: it was fast, usually effective, and didn't take much thinking on his part because he had an absurdly high battle IQ that rivaled Numbuh 1. My guess is that his temper cooled off as he grew up leading to more patience and tolerant which led to his academic side finally flourishing. In summary, his eager (but hasty) mind finally grew enough to match his gifted physical power leading to explosive synergy.

[@henrymcbark7337]

I agree,

[@ianandersen265]

I would have thought he'd become a violent criminal when puberty hit.

[@virginiavallek1654]

We wll know thats the ONLY way #3's parents would even acknowledge him

[@mhikari92]

And since they are "traditional" Asian parents , maybe it's also the only way from them to , not only accept him , but also "willingly ask" (aka kind forcefully push) Kuki to marry him........Asian parents just LOVES to concept of having a son-in-law that is a doctor. (Love it more than having a daughter that is a doctor.)

[@SilverScribe85]

The surprise for me WASN'T Numbuh 4 ending up in Harvard. It was the fact that Numbuhs 2 and 5 ended up getting married, something I never really supported

[@Chynaa_blak]

Y was that ?

[@SilverScribe85]

@@Chynaa_blak Because they didn't seem to have any romantic energy between them...not like Numbuhs 3 and 4 or Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 362

[@Sg190th]

I'm not surprised. With how many times they interacted, it was bound to happen. Numbah 2 loves his Ebony x)

[@alexcovarrubias1430]

Number 5 probably looked liked Creed and number 2 liked Creed

[@onup1475]

Well the closest thing I saw to romantic interests is when they were talking care of Bradley. A cyborg Skunk if I recall correctly

[@jefferyquick3280]

Here's my theory: Considering the fact that Numbuh 4 is a Dragon Ball Z fan, as he got older he moved on to more cerebral Manga, thanks to Numbuh 3. Monster by Naoki Urasawa. Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka Cells at work by Akane Shimizu.

[@electrobob992]

Though I do like the theory that he became a different kind of medical doctor. Like a psychiatrist for example. Or due to him caring about his little brother... A "Family medicine physician"

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

Personally, I think all of these theories have merit. Learning disabilities like dyslexia, Kuki's parents not accepting the relationship unless he proved himself worthy, for number 3, scholarship through wrestling, and more. They all seem to be very plausible.

[@electrobob992]

Though I mean it could be some side effect to getting decommissioned. Or my going theory: Numbuh 4 only did bad in school with grades and such, was because his mind was ALWAYS on the adventures he would have in the KND. So by being decommissioned, he would have nothing but boredom. Boredom he would fill with other hobbies, most likely influenced by Kuki Sanban's requests to improve. Maybe she offered to tutor him, where he only did it because even after being decommissioned he would still like/love her. Meanwhile on the flipside, Numbuh two would lose all his reasons to invent and tinker since most of his knowledge was 2 by 4 based technology, which the device would erase. Thus his mind would jellify.

[@Chriskentfan94]

Sector V was never decomissioned...

[@apirlfools]

@@Chriskentfan94 yes they were everyone except number 5

[@amandasmith-lx4li]

Is it also possible that maybe he might have had dyslexia which would explain a lot about him like not being able to spell or count properly and being insecure about this he might choose to act out violently

[@travisasselta9140]

I like that idea as someone with Dyslexia.

[@angelsinthere]

Just a wild thought but I feel like #3 parents forbid her from dating #4 because he was dumb and didn't see the values that he had so to prove to them that he was worthy of being with her caused him to try his hardest to be more academically smarter all the way to the point of being a medical doctor

[@mhikari92]

This make totally sense.....especially considering the fact that , a doctor is indeed a very respectable career in Asian parents eyes , and also a very good Son-in law material.("Girl , you better marry a doctor , not became one , marry one.")

[@zorafilms]

For the sport theory I can imagine numbuh 4 telling his friends how get got into Harvard like it's no big deal until someone tells him how big of a deal it is.

[@OmegaXMaster]

Imagin the look on Numbuh 5's face alone, and having to explain that to him.

[@bat_mobile7545]

Numbuh 4 is a living deffinition of "Hatred is as blind as love", his temperament made him irrational in all of scenarios like how it happened in Operation: C.A.T.S. But when it comes to Love, Wallaby would do anything even saving or follow Numbuh 3 to Rainbow Monkey Amusement Park to maintain good relationship with her. My best guess is, in their adult/teenage years, the reason Numbuh 4 ended up in Havard because she was in it too. Kuki did her best not only helps Wallaby to control his temper, but also trains him on how to use his brain properly, the result is he became top dog of Sector V and landed at Havard.

[@alyssastern6073]

Yes natural ability to learn is defiantly a large part but also drive plays the largest role. I can also imagine numbuh 4 got psychiatric help with possible learning disabilities and that he was always involved with sports making him a "well rounded candidate" to get into Harvard. Also side note I HATED blood as a kid not to mention shots. Now I am in P.A. school, blood and the immune system plus the aids we give it like antibiotics and vaccines was apart of my undergraduate thesis. lol

[@peacockqueen]

I think it's easily a combination of the three theories.

[@FookinIsh]

To support the theory that he got in through sheer determination there was that one episode where the kids find out there's a nega-world inside of a pool, and the reason why they were able to escape was because numbuh 4 was able to get over his fear of swimming and confront his nega-self.

[@Loneguy22]

Personally I was more surprised by what happened to #3. I mean her personality was a total 180 from what she was like as a kid.

[@mhikari92]

Probably learned from her mom. (And let's face it , she already shown her bossy side when she was a kid.........So maybe she decide to "keep it sharp and professional" outside her closest friend and families.)

[@jman5949]

Demolishing a rainbow monkey theme park?

[@PM-ov9sg]

My theory is he didn't at the end of the movie we fins out that they were talking to father and they were tricking him on were Numbuh 1 was. So I think the hole Harvard thing was just part of there lie to trick Father.

[@shawnsmith9074]

There is a famous quote one of the actors from the A-Team "it is easierto act dumb, then it is to act, or show your real smart". There were times in the show were #4 was the smartest person out of group. He was just acting dumb to have friends. Sad but true.

[@Kilvieo]

The last theory seems the most likely, but I'd say all the theories are correct. Who's to say Wallaby didn't use his street smart and clever thinking to get better academic grades, love of sports, and began to gain knowledge on treating injuries, (because injuries happen often in sports) but also a way to take care of Kuki in case she ever got hurt. Like if Wally was playing sports and people got injured; not only would Wally eventually pick up a few tricks in how to treat certain injuries, but probably would've also realized that if Kuki got injured, he would do everything in his power to help her. Of course, he wouldn't know what to do without proper knowledge, hence his desire to also become a medical doctor.

[@anthonylarajr8892]

Remember, there was a alternate timeline, when number 4 was the leader of the treehouse?

[@Red-jt6uu]

My theory is that Number 4 was determined to get into the best possible medical school because Number 3’s parents would not let him marry her otherwise. From what I remember from the show, they seemed like stereotypical strict Asian parents. Also, I would say that determination is more important to success than talent. After all, plenty of smart people never get anywhere in life because they are either too lazy or have a crippling fear of failure.

[@mournwood]

There has to be SOME untapped potential there. Athletics may have gotten him in for his undergrad years, but they wouldn't have gotten him into Harvard Med. Remember, med school is a post-graduate thing. He would have had to qualify for the pre-med track during undergrad and get his bachelor's, THEN pass the MCAT and only then get accepted to the EXTREMELY competitive Harvard Medical. Only the really high achievers get in, so he would have had to graduate at or near the top of his class to even have a shot. Hard work could help him get past any learning disabilities (very likely!), but the intelligence had to be there to begin with.

[@zenvariety9383]

I remember seeing Kids next door as a kid. Yet Number 4 probably got a degree in sports medicine I suppose.

[@evolvingdragon1793]

I think a little of all three and then some is what got him in not with the highest grades but definitely passing

[@trekthehappyturtle454]

my theory: in knd lore, when a knd operative gets decommissioned, they lose all knowledge and skills acquired during their time. my guess is when number 4 was decommissioned and loss all his combat prowess, as well as a majority of his violent tendacies. this would leave us with a number 4 thats brain & genetic makeup is lacking enough for his intelligence to grow.

[@melchorgospel5159]

It's easy to explain, he likes sports and martial arts so he had to developt some medical and fitness knowledge which little by little make him get interested in being a doctor, since he's so stubborn he managed to get a place in Harvard and that's how he became a doctor.

[@rinsotomei9650]

I feel like another big motivation was Kuki’s family. Her mother had a high standard for what she wanted for her daughter. This is common in Eastern Asian families, this was probably also another really big motivation because we know that Kuki is Japanese, and a very big thing about Japanese culture, family is very important. So in order to make Kuki happy he also applied himself for Kuki to get approval from her family and make her really happy.

[@httm241]

the guy in my class who i thought was a complete idiot got into Northwestern for Physics. so you never know

[@crisananca313]

he never said he was a medical doctor! could always be a psychiatrist!

[@zenvariety9383]

Or he majored in sports medicine.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

you still have to go to medical school for that

[@Red-jt6uu]

This psychiatrists are MDs.

[@CrystalTW]

Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They have to complete medical school like any other medical doctor.

[@mhikari92]

Numbuh 4 and 3 already showing their "feeling" about each other in show.....a lot of hints. And Numbuh 2 is known to be someone "who like mature girls" , who also dated Cree (aka Numbuh 5's big sister) under a persona. While Numbuh 5 is always the "mature" one out of the 5 kids......So it's logical for him to consider her as "his type" .....Also also , if we consider comic is canon , than Numbuh 4 are indeed has potential build in for sure , since his uncle (his dad's lost twin brother , goes by the name "Lou Pottingsworth III") was once a an executive for Evil Adult Industries Inc......before he became who he is today......which means the "Beetles males" has the DNA to make it big.....Also , considering Mr.Beetles and Joey are also both skilled(smart) in some way.

[@TWProductions-nw7tx]

Also in Operation: I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S., Numbuh 1 had joined the Galactic Kids Next Door and left for space indefinitely, but at the end of the episode, his stay at the Galactic Kids Next Door was cut short as he had somehow returned to Earth. And the big question is… how did Numbuh 1 returned to Earth from the Galactic Kids Next Door?

[@daryllhall9600]

Bro spelled Australia with a Q and spelled hat with a question mark. 😂

[@humblemarty]

I think the wrestling one is the most possible. You have to keep your grades up to stay on the sports team and Numbuh 4's single minded determination and ingenuity would give him an advantage.

[@WhysoSeriousSamual]

That would be funny, one of his team-mates bragging that because 4 isn't smart enough to keep up, he will be kicked out, and out of spite 4 studies so hard he becomes top of his class.

[@comettamer]

Numbah 4 is like Raphael of TMNT. He's street smart and surprisingly quick thinking, but also prone to let his emotions get the better of him. I personally believe the first theory, but with the twist that he told Kuki what he felt and she gladly agreed to help him study so he could improve himself. That, combined with a sports scholarship (likely for wrestling or boxing), would guarantee he could get into just about any Ivy League school he wanted.

[@changvasejarik62]

My guess: 86 messed with the decommissioning machine so it would increase his intelligence on top of erasing his memories.

[@marielavela7952]

This is not surprising. All you have to do is be good at studying. You don’t have to be too smart. All you have to do is hard work and perseverance being smart. Just makes it a little easier, but it’s not impossible.

[@RagnarokAvatar]

Well, only 3 people have defeated Number 4 in hand-to-hand combat (that stand out at least). Those people are Cree (the only members of Sector V that have ever defeated her are Numbers 2 and 5), Father, and Number 1.

[@foxboss1925]

My personally theory, while not expansive, is that it has something to do with when he was decommissioned.

[@jacobmangus2382]

Let’s be honest number four wasn’t dumb just really angst.

[@briandaleske5139]

I theorize #4 got into Harvard College, through the way of sports, and VoiceActing talent. Now I imagine when #4, was no longer able to do sports, he got voice-acting jobs, that he did for cartoon shows, for animated movies, and for claymation movies.

[@brandynperson3590]

Crazy theory but they are kids any kid can can change their study habits and become smart

[@AndreiPopescu]

Maybe he ate Brussels sprout again. Only this time his friends didn't get it out in time.

[@DemiTrusdale3]

I blame the parents. Kuki’s parents were straight asian stereotypes. I’d imagine that the parents wouldn’t condone the relationship unless he was successful.

[@zoefurlong8031]

Kuki's dad: Come back when you are doctor! Numbuh 4: Challenge accepted! Later that night: What have I gotten myself into? And that's how he became a doctor.

[@zombiehunter501]

I don't think Number 4 had a lack of intelligence, he had a willful lack of education. It's clear Number 4 was a rebel, and the people he was rebelling against were his parents. Remember, they did try to raise him as a girl for a time and he rebelled so hard, he outright refuses to do or associate with anything "Girly". It's a common trope that young girls are smart and young boys are dumb. I think he willfully acted dumb as not to appear girly and rejected basic education. That's why I think he did a turned himself around after he felt he no longer needed to rebel. My guess he had more freedom as a teenager as his parents would be more focused on his little brother, who I guess was even more of a handful than he was. With his relationship with number 3 being the reason, he wanted to focus on a better education.

[@baki484]

So he finally applied himself.

[@warmonk5915]

I felt he was never dumb he was just a simple kid with simple taste

[@RiruKrypto_]

I remembered crushing on Numbuh 3 but her and 4 were just the perfect pair.

[@darkknight6219]

Let's be real the airhead was number 3

[@epaminon6196]

Human brain maturation isn't always linear. Some people get a mental boost once they enter puberty.

[@Overlord367]

i mean yes actually i can have you seen the education system in this country?!also never underestimate the power of never give up.you can do anything so long as you stay alive and keep at it although it may take time.

[@sandymicheli3106]

Numero 4 personaggio preferito del knd,poi subito dopo c'è numero 5,poi numero 1,dopo numero 3,infine numero 2. Mi piceva molto questo cartone e idem adesso. Ma visto che non lo mandano più in onda in tv, purtroppo,è un peccato... sarebbe stato bello se lo facevano vedere ancora dopo periodo pausa in lingua italiana,come avevano fatto tempo fa..tante cose non ricordo piu,con tempo ke è passato. Ma numero 4 sicuro avrà a che fare con qualc lavoro che centra con lo sport. Viva kommando nuovi diavoli. Non so inglese o altre lingue solo italiano. Sarebbe bello e sicuramente in molti felici se lo dovrebbero trasmettere di nuovo in tele..in Ticino, italia ecc..Tradotto in lingua italiana. Piacerebbe molto:⁠-⁠)

[@cerbus6597]

i remember that he used a device that made him very smart. or a decommissioning device that bugged out and made him very smart in the end

[@paolotorres8537]

Maybe Wally finally got his act together. Simple as that.

[@sandymicheli3106]

Purtroppo su youtube ci sono pochi video del kommando nuovi diavoli in italiano e durano pochi secondi. Felicità è trovare episodi complete in italiano,magari pure episodio speciale completo in italiano e idem x i film del knd. Sicuramente da guardare e riguardo. Cartone preferito. Poi piaceva pure robotboy. Knd e supercattivi 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@sunnysidesouffle8348]

I feel like number 3s parents were probably like "your not good enough for our daughter, shes going to marry a doctor!" And he decided to show them wrong and become the best doctor Number 4 thrives on showing people up hes so competitive 😂

[@dudeguyrockfan]

Naw numbah 4 lashed out a lot sure but that doesn't reflect his IQ, I can confirm I lashed out as a kid and my IQ averages out in the 120s and I'm a stock trader now.

[@benjaminlehman3221]

4:32 he’s a plastic surgeon. Much less blood

[@meganshaw1987]

I always thought that Numbah Four had a decent brain. A good example of this was exemplified in Operation P.O.O.L. when he outsmarted his evil double and overcame his fear of water.

[@gamingborger]

well, i see 'im as a product of an education system failing him since he went from boarding school to boarding school. i don't think he was dumb, and once he could pick how he learned, it was easy for him to learn his way to an M.D..

[@dazzlingdexter5060]

Wait, wasn't there a movie where number 4 didn't get with cookie?

[@luttara644]

all are probably the exact explanation for why all together.

[@AtsumuHinata]

He could've also been a prodigy in football though

[@GremlinTime]

NUMBUH 4 IS SAILOR MOON CONFIRMED

[@ashemabahumat4173]

Its Harvard, it doesn't mean much anymore

[@VoltLuke1]

ngl really wanted numbah 1 and 5 to end up together numbah 2 should of ended up with numbah 5 sister

[@DevonMcDonald1]

All they stated was a lie 😂🤣💀 At the end of the movie numbah 5 is called by numbah 1 and tells him they told father everything he “wanted to hear” meaning none of what was stated in the interviews was True or rather all the truth.

[@kagemaru397]

This makes sense.

[@skylineXpert]

It actually make sense...

[@digunder14]

i feel it is a bit of a mix of some of theories

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

Im not surprised at all and i really want gknd

[@AlienBeliever1988]

The sports scholarship thing might not be a good theory just because he got into Harvard med does it mean he did his pre-med at Harvard he could do that at a lower rate college got good scores on his mcats I got a good recipe invitation from maybe number five's dad

[@numatruehome100]

A Harvard med student

[@zidanenichols2686]

The knd bribed them on gunpoint

[@sandymicheli3106]

A chi carica knd graziee.

[@Howard0Chris]

So I guess everyone here believes your IQ stays the same. I guess that would explain why y'all think that

[@Bunk_off]

MIT, maybe. Engineer for sure.

[@charmianernest1449]

Numbuh 4 is hates every thing girly

[@captainnikolai25]

Numbah 4 winding up the way he did is entirely plausible. I've always compared him to other characters from different shows who are like him. Most notably, Bart Simpson. Throughout the Simpsons series, we've known Bart to be this dumb child who is constantly failing academically. But there are plenty of instances where Bart shows off his intelligence and cunning, having the viewers see that he isn't an idiot. Bart and Numbuh 4 share these tendencies, they just don't apply themselves to things they don't like. School is boring, so they chase the things they love and excel in them. But unlike Numbuh 4, Bart never ended up applying himself, as he's a broken down loser in every future aspect episode the show has given us. They're two sides of the same coin: two unknown intellects that show us what happens when one applies or doesn't apply themselves with their latent potential.

[@drakemguard1407]

Maybe that era of Harvard but today yeah..... Harvard is a cesspool of WOKE hiveminds 😂