“I like characters who possess strong gaps”: No Manga Was Able to Break the Overused Pattern of a Strong Shonen Hero Like Sakamoto Days

It is not often that we come across a shonen manga that defies conventionality. Be it characterization or plotline, Yuto Suzuki’s series is a masterpiece in most aspects.

This extends to its refreshing and riveting storyline which is a spin on the hitman trope. But most of all, Suzuki did the unthinkable when it comes to overused tropes in the shonen genre.

Taro Sakamoto in a still from the anime | Credit: TMS Entertainment

His series Sakamoto Days is a breather with its portrayal of action, violence, and romance. The series deviates from the conventional portrayal of a strong protagonist in more ways than one.

Above all, the mangaka reinvents the shonen genre through his series. Like most new-age anime, it is set to redefine and reshape the course of storytelling and the genre for the better.

Yuto Suzuki on his unconventional protagonist

Yuto Suzuki’s series is one of the most anticipated manga that had fans on the edge of their seats. With its growing popularity and readership, it only made sense for the series to get its animated adaptation. To say the least, TMS Studio answered the fans’ prayers at last.

From characters to worldbuilding, Suzuki’s series is wholesome in every way. But most of all, it packs a punch through its unique take on heroism and masculinity. This holds especially true for the characterization of the protagonist Taro Sakamoto.

Yoichi, Kei, Heisuke, and Taro in the manga | Credit: Shueisha

When we think of a hitman, we’re usually reminded of a John Wick image. But that’s not the case with Suzuki’s protagonist. Taro Sakamoto is a retired, chubby, married man who is devoted to his family. As a former hitman, he is a true badass.

In his writing of Sakamoto, Suzuki rendered gentility and softness with his masculinity. That is not to say he isn’t strong but rather he is painted as a gentleman and this is what makes the story superior to others in the genre. But the mangaka had an interesting process behind this as well.

In an interview from Jump Giga 2023, he spoke about his original conception of the protagonist. He said:

I like characters who possess strong gaps, so I combined several elements from two extreme opposites such as the strongest old man, and the strongest fat guy. Consequently, the one I found more interesting to draw was the strongest fat guy.

Although chubby, Sakamoto retains his appeal nonetheless, especially through his familiar and relatable persona. As an unconventional protagonist, his character is defined by love, duty, and loyalty.

To have a chubby protagonist in Shonen take center stage as a hitman is a rarity in itself. And it would be safe to say that the series is set to reinvent the shonen genre on the whole in more ways than one.

Sakamoto Days reinvent the shonen genre in many aspects

Sakamoto Days isn’t a bog-standard hitman genre series outlining gang wars. It has its unique spin on the themes and ideas associated with heroism. Most importantly, the series features well-written and fleshed-out characters including women.

Be it Lu Shaotang or Aoi Sakamoto, the mangaka left no stone unturned in his conception of female characters. The series features a spectrum of characters and their persona which adds versatility to the plot. But most of all, it is a breakaway from cliche shonen tropes.

A young Taro Sakamoto in a still from the anime | Credit: TMS Entertainment

Be it romance or family, Suzuki’s enmeshing of different themes is a refreshing move. Compared to most shonen heroes, Sakamoto’s devotion to his family is exemplary behavior. His protectiveness extends to his allies as well including Shaotang, Shin, Nagumo, and others.

The series offers a novel take on the idea of family and relationships by highlighting the dynamics between the characters. On the whole, it is a wholesome series that stands as a trailblazer through its unique plot and characters.

Sakamoto Days anime is set to release on 11th January 2025. The manga is available for reading on Manga Plus.