Sakamoto Days: Who Is Shin?

Anime sidekicks are often just as loved, if not more, than the main protagonists. Whether they’re as cute and lovable as Chopper from One Piece or as rough and tumble as Genos from One Punch Man, sidekicks have made their mark in their respective franchises as staples for the protagonist to bounce off of, develop alongside with, and grow either with or apart from to keep a character-driven plot going. Sidekicks are often initiators for pivotal moments for the protagonist; we can be thankful for this.

Keeping this in mind, the upcoming Sakamoto Days anime has a lot of unique and interesting sidekick-esque characters in its cast, but one of the most important to Sakamoto’s drive and growth throughout the series is his newly assigned sidekick, Shin Asakura. While he initially starts the series trying to hunt down Taro Sakamoto, he quickly joins Taro Sakamoto’s team and begins working in his store. But what is it about Shin that led him to rank #1 in the manga’s Character Popularity Poll, over the protagonist himself? That is what this article seeks to explore.

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What Is Shin’s Story?

From Psychic Abilities To Finding Sakamoto Again

Shin grew up with psychic abilities, which made him stand out and alienated him from others in the field. His powers gave him an edge as an assassin, and he quickly rose through the ranks due to his ability to read minds and anticipate his enemies’ moves. Despite his skills, Shin lacked the experience and confidence to navigate the cutthroat world of assassins effectively, and could never reach the prowess he always desired.

Sakamoto mentored him during this time, where they formed a type of bond that helped them later on in the series when they needed to rely on each other again, but lets return to Shin’s story; Shin was eventually hired to kill Sakamoto during the first chapter of the manga, but quickly found himself outmatched despite his psychic advantage and education from Sakamoto himself.

Shin’s initial encounter with Sakamoto is pivotal; despite being humiliated in combat, Shin recognizes Sakamoto’s strength and moral integrity, choosing to follow him instead of holding a grudge. After being defeated, Shin chose to join Sakamoto, drawn to his peaceful philosophy and inspired by his strength. Shin transitions from a life of violence to working at Sakamoto’s convenience store, a stark shift that reflects his desire to find purpose beyond killing. Though he struggles to adapt to a more mundane lifestyle, he finds meaning in his new role alongside the Sakamoto family he has practically become a member of.

What Are Shin’s Motives?

Why Does He Do What He Does?

Shin is driven by a desire to improve himself, both as a fighter and as a person. He wants to live up to Sakamoto’s example and prove that he can stand on his own in the dangerous world of assassins. That being said, Shin struggles with his identity as an ex-assassin and seeks to find meaning in his new role at the convenience store. His journey is one of redemption and finding a path that aligns with his values, similarly to Sakamoto’s own journey.

Like Sakamoto, Shin is committed to upholding their peaceful life, even if it means confronting enemies from their past. As he is trained by Sakamoto and gleans lessons from him, he eventually adopts Sakamoto’s philosophy of avoiding unnecessary violence whenever possible. This growth is a major turning point for Shin, but also brings him a sense of guilt as the series progresses, and he has to face more brutal and dangerous adversaries, sometimes struggling to not match their energy when protecting himself and the rest of the Sakamoto team from these antagonists.

What Are Shin Asakura’s Abilities?

Premonitions, Agility, And More Make A Unique Assassin

Shin’s primary ability is telepathy, allowing him to read the thoughts of those around him. This gives him a significant advantage in combat, as he can predict his enemies’ moves. His mind-reading abilities have a limited range, which makes him vulnerable in larger-scale battles or when overwhelmed by multiple opponents. Shin’s telepathy also requires significant concentration, meaning distractions or emotional turmoil can interfere with his powers. As long as he’s able to keep the conditions right, Shin is one of the most deadly assassins out there, after additional training from Sakamoto during the manga.

Though not as skilled as Sakamoto (as no one else is), Shin is a competent fighter. He combines his psychic abilities with hand-to-hand combat and weapon proficiency to hold his own against powerful opponents. Over time, Shin trains under Sakamoto and improves his physical and tactical abilities as they fight tougher and tougher enemies. In one instance, Shin’s psychic abilities are disrupted, forcing him to rely purely on his combat skills. This fight showcases his growth and determination to adapt without relying entirely on his powers. Shin is also resourceful in battle, being inspired by Sakamoto’s own resourceful nature to combine with his psychic insights to adapt to rapidly changing situations.

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A 2025 anime, Sakamoto Days is an action-comedy based on Yuto Suzuki’s shonen manga, which debuted in 2020. The series follows Taro Sakamoto, a retired hitman who has been enjoying the family life for years. He spends his days running a small store alongside Shin, but his peaceful existence is regularly interrupted by ghosts of the past.

Release Date

January 5, 2025

Based On

Manga

Creator

Yuto Suzuki