The anime adaptation of the manga, "Hiroshi Nohara's Lunch Style," recently premiered, sparking heated discussions thanks to its meme-worthy antics.
But that's not all! In recent years, the Japanese manga scene has seen an unexpected "middle-aged protagonist boom." The common thread? These aren't your typical young, dashing heroes. Instead, they're the kind of adults we all know: a bit tired, a bit older, but still pushing forward in life. Japanese media outlet Real Sound even penned an article dissecting this phenomenon, highlighting several key examples.
Beyond the viral sensation of "Hiroshi Nohara's Lunch Style" (affectionately dubbed "Fake Hiroshi" by fans), this season also boasts another strong contender in the "middle-aged protagonist" genre: "Tanjuro Higashijima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider," which is garnering buzz from a completely different angle.
The story follows Tanjuro Higashijima, a 40-year-old man who clings to his dream of "one day becoming Kamen Rider." Just as he's about to throw in the towel, he unexpectedly gets caught up in a "fake Shocker" robbery. This series, themed around "middle-aged men obsessed with Kamen Rider," sees Tanjuro tackling challenges not with youthful impulsiveness, but with the wisdom and conviction forged through years of life experience. He's become a true "hero unbound by age" for many fans.
Then there's "The Old Man Who Became a Sword Saint ~I Was Just a Rural Sword Instructor, But My Grown-Up Disciples Won't Leave Me Alone~" (or simply "The Old Man Who Became a Sword Saint"), an anime adaptation of a light novel that kicked off this April. It tells the tale of a rural sword master who rekindles his passion while teaching his disciples.
While the anime's reviews have been polarizing, it has surprisingly garnered significant attention in Europe and other regions. It's even been hailed as "a godsend for sword enthusiasts" for bringing in actual experts who work on reviving lost German sword arts for supervision! Audiences are genuinely moved by the spirit of "getting back on your feet even when you're old," with many fans declaring, "The understated middle-aged men are the coolest!" and "The relationship with his disciples is incredibly heartwarming."
A few years back, "Uncle from Another World" was also a hot topic, presenting a fresh, comedic take on middle-aged men. The protagonist, after spending 17 years in another world, returns to reality as a "game streamer." He's dropping nostalgic SEGA references one minute, then completely baffled by modern slang like "tsundere" the next. This "time-displaced middle-aged otaku" image evokes both laughter and reflection, redefining the "middle-aged hero of the internet age" for viewers.
These works aren't about exaggerated adventures or epic battles. Instead, they're about "how to find your own pride in an ordinary life." In an era where everyone feels a bit exhausted, this message resonates more deeply than ever.
Perhaps, compared to the handsome young protagonists of the past, these middle-aged, less conventionally attractive leads simply hit closer to home, making them all the more relatable.
via： Real Sound