Since the announcement of the “Sakamoto Days” anime, fans have seen that Taro Sakamoto looks a lot like Coach Anzai from “Slam Dunk.”
Both characters share similar designs, featuring white hair, mustaches, chubby physiques, and iconic glasses, sparking speculation about a connection between the hitman and the demon coach.
Such similarities are not uncommon in anime and manga, as many artists start as assistants to established mangakas, often drawing inspiration from their mentors.
This has led fans to create TikTok and YouTube content humorously connecting Coach Anzai’s past to Taro Sakamoto’s present.
Despite these fan theories, the characters likely embody a common stereotype of the older, wiser mentor. Taro Sakamoto’s comedic out-of-shape appearance contrasts with his past, while Coach Anzai’s aged look hides his strategic genius in basketball.
In an interview with Jump GIGA, Yuto Suzuki, the creator of “Sakamoto Days,” clarified that Taro Sakamoto was not modeled after anyone, dismissing any direct inspiration from Coach Anzai.
Suzuki mentioned that his series was more influenced by the 2020 Hong Kong martial arts movie “Enter the Fat Dragon.” Editor Sousuke Ishikawa added that “Sakamoto Days” drew inspiration from hitman films like “John Wick” and “The Equalizer.”
Thus, any perceived connection between the two characters is purely fan-driven, similar to the comparisons between Sakamoto’s wife and “Chainsaw Man’s” Kobeni due to their hairstyles.
