Fat isn’t always funny as it can be edgy, and Sakamoto Days is a perfect example of that. The Hitman series is a perfect blend of comedy, action, and romance, but what makes it so unique and special is the protagonist himself. He protects, attacks, and gets everyone’s back, but there’s another upside to it.
It isn’t romance that makes Yuto Suzuki’s series offbeat; it is his conceptualization of a fat assassin. The beloved Assassin hitman is a flab and fab character who is edgy in every single way. He may have indeed redeemed Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “big fat joke” and here’s why.
Sakamoto Days overturned the ‘Fat Thor’ joke
One thing that makes Sakamoto Days a class apart from other series is its action, which will often remind viewers of John Wick. This is precisely because it takes inspiration from Hollywood, yet it stands out in its unique way. Suzuki gives his story a tinge of novelty, mainly through his characters.
In particular, his writing of Taro Sakamoto as a retired hitman is something that is well-appreciated within the anime community. His relationship with Shin, Lu, and Heisuke ties in well with the theme of family and camaraderie. This makes it richer and more engaging, mostly.
Yet, it overturns one of the major tropes in Shonen, and that is, a fat protagonist. We often assume a hitman exudes a sense of s*x appeal and charm by resorting to stereotypes. Here, Sakamoto dismantles these notions as it completely toppled Marvel’s “fat joke”.
Now, we all know how Chris Hemsworth stirred the pot through his controversial Fat Thor scene. This wasn’t well-received by many viewers who deemed it a cheap stunt. But, more than that, it diluted the personal experiences of fat people by reducing them to binge eating and playing video games.
He went full diesel and buffed up later on in his second fight with Thanos. This also led to him attributing his transformation to him being a skilled fighter, which disappointed several fans. Sakamoto is a fab and flab hitman, which makes him unconventional in every sense, and here’s how.
Taro Sakamoto: The flab and fab hitman
Taro Sakamoto is roly-poly, but he isn’t someone to be taken lightly by any means. As an ex-hitman associated with The Order, He is still in his prime and can seamlessly engage in combat. His diverse range of arsenal is impressive, but his fluidity in motion takes the cake.
Despite being a retired hitman with a rotund build, he effortlessly takes down a whole gang of villains in the first episode of the anime. Sometimes, though, he reverts to his slender figure when he loses pounds in an intense battle. His fight with Boiled is one such example, but that is not all there is to it.
Compared to Thor, Sakamoto seems to revel in the little joys that life offers. His buff-up doesn’t make him a muscular Norse god, but it adds a more fierce tone to his character. It is this subtle, yet menacing aura that makes him one of the coolest protagonists in the shonen genre.
The fab element is the family, along with the hitman’s ability to be comfortable in his skin. He isn’t conscious about his body, which is clear in his self-acceptance and relationship with food. This is also reflected in his ability to acknowledge others for who they truly are.
The flab and fab hitman is truly iconic in his prime and even in his current age. He might not look the part but Sakamoto is daunting nonetheless.
Sakamoto Days is available for streaming on Netflix. The manga is available for reading on Shueisha’s Manga Plus app.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
