This one is sort of related to the “slice of life” thread, only I am looking at specific characters.
So what is an “everyman?” Let’s use the Merriam-Webster definition: the typical or ordinary person. Of course, there are not too many characters in anime who are typical or ordinary, so I will use a broad interpretation. Also, I am including everywoman/boy/girl in the definition of “everyman.”
So in no particular order:
Saitama from One Punch Man. Now by definition, no superhero can be an everyman. But Saitama is an exception. Take away his super-strength, and what do you have? A typical nebbish. When not fighting evil, the somewhat naïve Saitam’s interests do not seem to move past grocery shopping and playing video games. The comic theme of this series seems to be what happens when an average guy becomes a superhero. He pretty much remains average.
Retsuko from Aggretsuko. Sure she’s a cute, little panda. She’s also in her late 20’s, has no romantic attachments or realistic prospects, and she is stuck in a job which she hates and is leading her nowhere. Sound familiar? Know anyone like this? Maybe you recognize yourself? Retsuko is a monument to the middle-class, single working girl.
Legosi from Beastars. He may be a wolf, but he is also a tall, gangly awkward, socially limited teen trying to figure out his place in the world. His attachment to a cute dwarf bunny may be his salvation – or not. This is the Legosi of season one. Season two is pretty good, but here Legosi seems to be a little less of an everyman, though he is just as conflicted.
Carole and Tuesday from Carole and Tuesday. Two for one! Carole is a child of the streets. Tuesday is a child of a prominent politician. Both love music, and they team up to break the mold and produce songs from the heart and not some computer. Not being anything special makes them special.
The entire cast from Silver Spoon. I can’t pick out just one character. The kids attending an agricultural high school are plain ordinary kids from plain ordinary farming families, who have some real world issues and difficulties to overcome.
Maybe more later, as I run this through my mind.
Meanwhile, list your favorite everyman character. Include the anime and say something about him/her, including why they are an everyman.
Bookmarks