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Sakamoto Daysis one of the most unique Shonen manga as it does not fit into the mold of having a fit, young, action hero-style protagonist. In fact, it is the exact opposite as the main character is an old, fat, retired hitman turned shopkeeper who must protect the peace in his family life.
On paper, that does not sound like a great idea, butSakamoto Daysexplores this unique idea to the maximum and makes the work groundbreaking in the Shonen genre. It inspires the idea that a protagonist doesn’t always need to be the coolest, most handsome character in the cast (sorry,Dragon Ball).
Sakamoto Dayswas meant to defy Shonen stereotypes
Sakamoto Days‘ specialty has always been its bold way of defying the age-old Shonen conventions. Yuto Suzuki crafted a protagonist that would be different from any other. Yet would be so lovable and magnetic that the fans just cannot take their eyes off of him.
Not because of how he looks but because of the feeling of awe and ‘cool’ that he embodies, despite being an assassin who retired and turned into a fat, devoted family man (who is terrified of his wife leaving him).
The idea of an unconventional protagonistis something the modern world needs to get rid of many misconceptions that surround being handsome or cool.
Yuto Suzuki’s idea was to prove that not all Shonen manga need to adhere to the set norms of the protagonist, even an unconventional main character could be the focus of a work and make it stand out from the generalized copies that all seem to be the same.
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Of course, both “skinny Sakamoto” and “fat Sakamoto” are one and the same. In no way we can just outright say which portrayal is the correct one because again, they are the same. It’s just that, having “fat Sakamoto” gaining the spotlight more than the skinny version is a breath of fresh air in the industry.
Fat Sakamoto for the win inSakamoto Days!
The manga has focused on the current self of Sakamoto (fat, old, and retired) instead of highlighting the skinny and young hitman. While both the manga and the anime have some really cool scenes that focus on his skinny version, the retired, fat, and old hitman destroying his opponents who wish to harm his family will never be sidelined.
While the anime might attempt to bring “skinny Sakamoto” more into the picture, theappeal of Sakamoto lies in his grown form, and his round figure symbolizes the peaceful, happy life he has built.
When he was younger, Sakamoto had to wade through the brutal world of assassins and constantly feared for his safety. But he chose to set all of it aside and build a life with a woman he loves; it isSakamoto who is the protector– not the merciless killer Taro Sakamoto of the younger days.
While no one’s a hero in this narrative and even Sakamoto has committed his share of sins in the past, his quitting that lifestyle and turning into the chubby “helper of the locality” will always be a nice sight to see.
“It’s not just a fat guy”: Sakamoto Days Voice Actor Has a Trick Up His Sleeve to Deal with the Most Shaky Shonen Trope
Sakamoto Daysis a unique manga in how it blends action, humor, and wholesomeness without losing sight of its central themes. The story was never about showcasing an idealized, physically fit Sakamoto but the man he has grown into.
Sakamoto Daysis available for streaming on Netflix.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
