Shima‑san

Shima-san, the protagonist of this manga, is an elderly man with an elaborate traditional Japanese tattoo covering his entire back, suggesting he might have had a shady past. Shima-san works as a security guard during the day and takes on night shifts at a convenience store nearly every night. The story primarily unfolds during these night shifts. Though it remains unclear if Shima-san was previously involved in organized crime, his gentle and earnest demeanor makes his potentially tough past difficult to imagine. When I first began reading the manga, I assumed, “Ah, here comes the cliché—an elderly man who is secretly the toughest character, portrayed in a cool and powerful way.” However, my expectations were delightfully subverted. Shima-san isn’t particularly quick or skilled at learning new tasks; in fact, he’s rather slow. Yet, his colleagues and manager deeply trust and like him. Readers inevitably find themselves growing fond of him as well. The manga follows a one-story-per-episode structure, interspersed with flashbacks into Shima-san’s past every four or five episodes. As his background gradually unfolds, questions arise: Why does Shima-san work tirelessly at the convenience store? What happened in his past? Is he married? Most of these details remain mysteries (as of September 20, 2024). Each revelation makes Shima-san more endearing.

June 16, 2025

Shima-san's greatest charm is his personality. While reading, you often find yourself wanting to call out, “Shima-saaaaan!” due to his incredible kindness and thoughtfulness. My personal favorite episodes are “The Town Where Turtles Swim” and “DEAR MY FRIEND” from volume four. These stories share a common theme of family bonds. (I admit, I have a soft spot for stories involving siblings, parent-child relationships, and grandparents with grandchildren.) It’s important to note that these aren’t overly sentimental tales involving death or dramatic farewells. Still, after finishing one of these stories, I unexpectedly found tears gently streaming down my face. Embarrassingly, I was on an airplane at the time, probably leaving the flight attendant puzzled about my emotional state. Reading Shima-san, you’ll not only fall in love with Shima-san’s character but also deeply empathize with those around him. The author, Youbundou Kawano, expertly creates characters that readers can easily relate to—people struggling with insecurities, anxieties, or regrets. Shima-san gently guides them through their troubles, which is the manga’s recurring theme and its source of emotional warmth. If you’re feeling burnt out from overworking, I highly recommend experiencing Shima-san’s kindness. It will surely lift your spirits and inspire you to keep going.

June 16, 2025