Summary
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Shin Asakura is a unique character with psychic abilities and a desire for redemption, following in Sakamoto's footsteps.
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Shin's telepathy gives him an advantage in combat, but he also excels in hand-to-hand combat and adapts well in combat.
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Shin's story is one of growing up and finding a new purpose beyond being an assassin, inspired by Sakamoto's peaceful philosophy.
Anime sidekicks are often just as loved, if not more, than the main protagonists. May they be as cute and lovable as Chopper from One piece or as rough and bruised as Genos from One Punch ManThe contributors have made their mark on their respective franchises as building blocks for the protagonist to jump off of, develop alongside, and develop either together or outside of to maintain a character-driven plot. Sidekicks are often the initiators of pivotal moments for the protagonist; we can be thankful for that.
With this in mind, the future Sakamoto days the anime has a lot of unique and interesting characters in its cast, but one of the most important to Sakamoto's drive and growth throughout the series is his new assignee, Shin Asakura. While he initially begins the series trying to hunt down Taro Sakamoto, he quickly joins Taro Sakamoto's team and begins working in his shop. But what is it about Shin that made him take the #1 spot in the manga character popularity poll, over the protagonist himself? This is what this article attempts to explore.

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What is Shin's story?
From psychic abilities to finding Sakamoto again
Shin grew up with psychic abilities that made him stand out and alienate 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 the minds and anticipate the movements of his enemies. Despite his abilities, Shin lacked the experience and confidence to effectively navigate the cutthroat world of assassins, and was never able to achieve the skill he always desired.
Sakamoto mentored him during this time, where they formed a type of bond that helped them later in the series when they had to rely on each other again, but back to Shin's story; Shin was eventually hired to kill Sakamoto during the manga's first chapter, but found himself quickly outmatched despite his psychic advantage and education from Sakamoto himself.
Shin's initial meeting with Sakamoto is pivotal; despite being humiliated in battle, 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 moves from a life of violence to working at Sakamoto's shop, a powerful change that reflects his desire to find purpose beyond killing. Although he struggles to adjust to a more mundane lifestyle, he finds meaning in his new role alongside the Sakamoto family of which he has practically become a member.
What are Shin's motives?
Why does He do what He does?
Shin is driven by a desire to improve, both as a fighter and as a person. He wants to live up to Sakamoto's example and prove that he can stand alone in the dangerous world of assassins. That said, Shin struggles with his identity as a former 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, similar to Sakamoto's journey.
“I want to be side by side with him… like a true partner.”
Like Sakamoto, Shin is committed to upholding his peaceful life, even if it means confronting enemies from their past. As he is trained by Sakamoto and learns from him, he eventually adopts Sakamoto's philosophy of avoiding unnecessary violence whenever possible. This growth is a major turning point for Shin, but it also brings him a sense of guilt as the series progresses and he has to face more brutal and dangerous opponents, sometimes struggling to match their energy when protecting himself on himself and the rest of Sakamoto. the team of 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 battle as he can predict the movements of his enemies. His mind-reading abilities have a limited range, making him vulnerable in larger-scale battles or when overwhelmed by multiple opponents. Shin's telepathy also requires significant concentration, meaning that distractions or emotional disturbances can interfere with his powers. As long as he is able to keep the conditions right, Shin is one of the deadliest assassins out there after some extra training from Sakamoto during the manga.
While not as skilled as Sakamoto (as is no one else), 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 skills while fighting increasingly tough enemies. In one instance, Shin's psychic abilities are disrupted, forcing him to rely solely on his fighting skills. This fight shows 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 intuitions to adapt to rapidly changing situations.

A 2025 anime, Sakamoto Days is an action comedy based on Yuto Suzuki's shonen manga that debuted in 2020. The series follows Taro Sakamoto, a retired assassin who has been enjoying his family life for years. He spends his days running a small shop alongside Shin, but his peaceful existence is regularly interrupted by ghosts from the past.
- release date
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January 5, 2025
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charcoal
- Creative
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Yuto Suzuki