Line #88 Webcomic/Sakana


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3	->''"Courting the girl of your dreams is hard when you work at the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan. It's even harder if you are scared of girls, and near-impossible if your brother's kind of shady, your best friend is too excited, and your co-worker hates your guts."''
4	-->-- '''''Sakana, Vol. 1 Summary'''''
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6	''Sakana'' is a SliceOfLife with a side of RomanticComedy written and drawn by Madeline "Mad" Rupert. The comic initially stars none other than Jiro Sakana, an [[SociallyAwkwardHero especially nervous young man]] who works as a cashier at [[TitleDrop Sakana's fish stall]] alongside his older brother Taro, who's taken up the [[BloodKnight much more suitable]] occupation of the stall's butcher.
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8	The plot revolves around the various and usually comedic misadventures of the stall's employees, starting off with Jiro finally managing to get a date with his crush - a woman simply known as [[NoNameGiven "Cash Register Girl"]] thanks to Jiro being too jittery to actually get her name. Luckily(?), our hero has the help of the [[SarcasmMode only slightly]] [[BigBrotherInstinct overprotective]] Taro and [[{{Keet}} their easily excitable and extroverted roommate]] Taisei. A fourth party is added to the mix when Yuudai, the stall's [[SitcomArchNemesis short-tempered and uptight supervisor who harbors a special brand of hatred for Jiro,]] finds himself tangled up in the trio's antics.
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10	From there, more and more mayhem, both comedic and otherwise, is piled onto the cast, and while it eventually serves to be [[FireForgedFriends the glue that holds them together,]] they must find a way to make it through in their own clumsy way. Whether or not they'll make it through in one piece, however, is another question.
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12	An affiliate of [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/ Hiveworks]]. Previously available on Website/SmackJeeves and the now defunct Inkblazers[=/=]Mangamagazine.
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15	!!This comic contains examples of:
16	* AnimalMotifs: Each of the primary characters' design is based on some kind of seafood: Jiro has hair similar to a shark fin, Taro's design is based on a crab, Taisei's hair is meant to be reminiscent of an octopus and Yuudai resembles an eel.
17	* ArtEvolution: It's subtle since the artist already has a distinctive art style, but the characters' bodies are drawn more proportionally in later chapters, and whether they're angular or curvy begins to depend on the character after a while. Most noticeably, however, although most of the characters already looked a part of a CastOfSnowflakes, since chapter 4 or so there has been steady improvement into making each character's facial features more defined and his or her own, and their expressions are no longer as minimalistic and more emphatic for it. Their eyes are also drawn larger later on (e.g. Yuudai, and if you compare the size of his glasses from chapter 1 and 9, Taro), and unlike in the first, Jiro consistently has a (pretty prominent) nose on side-view in later chapters, too.
18	** Yuudai's character design eventually changed to a less 'slippery'-looking (i.e. like an eel) one as he mellowed out from someone who's snide and hateful of everything but making sales to someone who's [[CharacterDevelopment simply irritable but awkward, snarking, and a little lonely]]. (In his case, it's the audience getting to know him better, though lately ''some'' people have been doing a good job in inadvertently drawing him out of his shell...) [[spoiler:Chie]]'s design changed more than the others', too, and her cheerful and outgoing behavior subsequently came off clearer than when she'd first appeared.
19	* BerserkButton: Don't ever try to do something bad to Jiro. Taro WILL hurt you.
20	** Oh, and for those concerned, don't ever mention in front of [[TheUnfavourite Yuudai]] that Jiro is the better register worker.
21	** Yuudai is also pretty sensitive to people talking about his scar.
22	* BlackBeadEyes: A lot of the characters have these, unless they are shocked (which they are very often).
23	** Subverted with Taisei, whose eyes naturally have a crazed expression about them. It's the reason for his bangs; he doesn't like to put people off.
24	* BloodyHilarious: [[RunningGag In many]] of the comic strips featuring Taro hard at work, he cuts fish with such a vigor that the [[HighPressureBlood blood splatters all over the place.]] [[Funny/{{Sakana}} And it ALWAYS leads to hilarious situations]].
25	* CastOfSnowflakes: Thanks to the artists style being pretty recognizable, no character looks like the other. Even Jiro and Taro, who are ''brothers''. Also, every character has a distinct personality [[RoundedCharacter and their own quirks]].
26	* ComedicSociopathy: Whenever this comes up in the comic itself, expect it to come from [[BloodKnight Taro.]] Although it's not as prevalent in the present as it was in his [[JapaneseDelinquents teenage years.]]
27	* ComicallyMissingThePoint: While Jiro may be observant, he... [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/302 doesn't always live up to expectations.]]
28	* CrashIntoHello: Taro and the angry lady from the train. To call it a MeetCute, however, would be a bit of a stretch; she was pissed off and [[DisguisedInDrag mistook Taro for a woman]], and he didn't care much about her because [[BigBrotherInstinct he had his mind on how well Jiro is doing on his date]].
29	** [[spoiler: Said angry lady ended up being a ChekhovsGunman: she was eventually revealed to be Chie's older sister.]]
30	* CringeComedy: A ''lot'' of the humor comes from seeing the cast trying to scramble out of bizarrely embarrassing situations.
31	* DatePeepers: Taisei, Taro and Yuudai do this when Jiro is finally on a date.
32	* DeadlyEuphemism:
33	-->'''Endo:''' You remember the last time we saw each other? When [[{{Yakuza}} Nishimura]] said it was either you or the stall?
34	-->'''Genji:''' ...Yeah?
35	-->'''Endo:''' That's what this was. He wanted us to make... an '''executive decision''' on whether you'd show returns on his investment or not.
36	-->'''Genji:''' ... What?
37	-->'''Endo:''' He said we could kill you if you acted like an idiot.
38	* DeathGlare: [[NoNameGiven The angry looking lady from the train]] that Taro [[CrashIntoHello runs into]].
39	* DomesticAbuse: [[spoiler:Yuudai suffered from this in his previous relationship. His ex, Arata, is the one who gave him his characteristic scar.]]
40	* DudeLooksLikeALady: Taro, when wearing the disguise Taisei prepared for him while spying on Jiro. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] InUniverse by Yuudai.
41	** DisguisedInDrag
42	* DubNameChange: The Japanese scanlations change the name of Taisei's favorite character from Hypraman to "Hyperman".
43	* FunWithForeignLanguages/ WingDinglish: When Taro meets Jan, the German assistent sushi chef who speaks very little Japanese with a [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/083 very heavy accent]], they, of course, don't understand each other and wacky hijinks of Taro trying to get his point across ensue.
44	** Taken to its LogicalExtreme when it's revealed that Jan and Taisei are both [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/210 fluent in English.]]
45	* FreudianExcuse: It was recently revealed that Jiro's girl issues stem from when he was around six. A little girl in his class declared him her boyfriend, and when he asked what that meant, she decked him. Their relationship after this point consisted entirely of her abusing Jiro while shrieking "BOYFRIEND!"
46	* FrustratedOverheadScribble: When Taisei laughs and asks where Jiro is really going after Jiro tells him he's got a date Jiro's response is an [[https://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/054 angry jumbled line.]]
47	* HatesEveryoneEqually: Yuudai [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/035 claims]] that he's this, but it seems to be [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] since [[{{Tsundere}} he]] [[PetTheDog adores]] [[KindHeartedCatLover his cat]] and seems to get along at least a little bit better with Taro than with everyone else, so he makes exceptions for some.
48	* HeterosexualLifePartners: Jiro and Tasei have been best friends since middle school, and they are practically inseparable, go shopping together, and share an apartment. Oh, and after Jiro ''finally'' goes on a date with Chie, Taisei can't stop worrying about him getting hurt, and so he [[DatePeepers stalks their date]].
49	** WordOfGod states that Shigeru and Taro are "bros for life".
50	* HiddenDepths: Resident grump Yuudai happens to have a weakness for [[CutenessProximity pretty much anything cat-related.]] [[AllThereInTheManual And]] [[InTouchWithHisFeminineSide shoujo manga.]]
51	* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: Taisei doesn't seem to notice that Yuudai is not exactly Jiro's friend, and instead immediately sees Yuudai as [[TrueCompanions part of the team]].
52	* InsecureLoveInterest: Both [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/401 Jiro]] and [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/568 Yuudai]] end up being this at some point, albeit not to each other.
53	* ImpliedDeathThreat: When Genji shows some reluctance going along with [[FauxAffablyEvil Ryoji]]'s plan, [[spoiler:([[WhamLine persuading Uncle Ren to give up Sakana stall]], so [[{{Yakuza}} Ryoji]] can use it for his own shady business),]] he delivers one of these, directed at poor Genji.
54	* InTouchWithHisFeminineSide: Taisei loves to go [[LargeHam SHOPP-ING~!]]
55	** Yuudai [[AllThereInTheManual apparently]] also likes {{Shoujo}} manga.
56	*** Jiro frequently watches Japanese soap operas. [[HoYay With Taisei.]]
57	* {{Jerkass}}: Yuudai certainly acts this way, but there are several hints that it's actually just a matter of him being fed up with life and not being able to trust many people. Because if someone (Read: Taisei) would strip Yuudai out of all his layers of his [[BuffySpeak Jerkass-ness]], they'd find someone who's much less hostile... [[SociallyAwkwardHero but still just as awkward.]]
58	** The angry looking lady from the train is mean to [[NiceGuy Taisei]] of all people, which quickly earned her this status. Granted, she did have a bad day.
59	** One of Jiro's childhood crushes [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/018 brushed off his]] LoveConfession pretty rudely.
60	* {{Keet}}: Taisei! Although he fits the "hyperactive," "cheerful," and "loud," characteristics, he's not exactly small...
61	** Jan can also qualify. Despite his limited means of communication, his enthusiasm for his job at the fish stall is crystal clear.
62	* KissingUnderTheInfluence: [[spoiler: [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/300 Yuudai and Taisei,]] much to the fanbase's delight.]]
63	* KnightOfCerebus: Both of the comic's major antagonists, Ryoji Nishimura and [[spoiler:Arata Tasaki,]] manage to fill this role, although it's {{Downplayed}} for the most part. The former is a manipulative mob boss who's made it clear that he won't hesitate to ''kill'' Genji if he doesn't get his way, and the latter is an emotionally abusive sleazebag who manages to render the normally abrasive and antisocial Yuudai meek and with no choice but interact with him [[spoiler:(and that goes without mentioning that he's at least part of the reason ''why'' Yuudai is so antisocial to begin with)]], both of which are a far cry from the comic's other, more ineffectual assholes, and rather jarring antagonists in what is otherwise a goofy and light-hearted SliceOfLife-RomanticComedy.
64	* LoveBubbles: Cash Register Girl/[[spoiler:Chie]] has them and [[BishieSparkle sparkles]] in Jiro-Vision.
65	** In chapter seven, a lovestruck Jiro is surrounded by [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/149 gigantic roses and sparkles]].
66	** They make a reappearance [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/545 in Chapter 23.]]
67	* LoveEpiphany: It's closer to a ''Crush'' Epiphany, but [[spoiler:Yuudai [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/313 has one in regards to Taisei]] after Jiro asks him if he was trying to send a rather... ''interesting'' [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/308 drunk text]] to him instead of [[HateSink Arata]]:]]
68	--> '''Yuudai:''' I told you I hated [[spoiler:him!]]
69	--> '''Jiro:''' [[{{Tsundere}} I know you didn't mean it.]] I know you're upset about [[spoiler:Arata,]] I get that, I do! Just think about this for a second! You were texting somebody with you! Somebody right there!
70	--> '''Yuudai:''' (hesitantly) Was I?
71	--> '''Jiro:''' You're asking someone to date you! Not to get back together!
72	--> '''Yuudai:''' Is that the same thing?
73	--> '''Jiro:''' [[ArmorPiercingQuestion Would you really describe]] [[spoiler:Arata]] [[ArmorPiercingQuestion as "cute" and "adorable"?!]]
74	--> ''(Beat)''
75	--> '''Yuudai:''' Holy shit I was trying to text [[spoiler:Taisei.]]
76	** [[spoiler:Taisei also [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/428 gets one of his own]] in regards to Yuudai later on.]]
77	* LuminescentBlush: [[{{Tsundere}} Yuudai]]! Have some [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/106 here]], [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/134 here]], [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/186 here]], and, perhaps a more visible one due to it being coloured, [[http://mynameismad.deviantart.com/art/tumblbumbls-2-251972475?q here]].
78	** Not surprisingly, [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/152 it happens to Jiro, too]]. In TheRant, Mad even [[LampshadeHanging hangs a lampshade]] [[http://mynameismad.tumblr.com/post/21768015103/yuudai-hes-moving-in-on-your-blushing-territory on it]], and on the aforementioned number of [[LuminescentBlush Luminescent Blushes]] Yuudai pulls off.
79	* MeaningfulEcho: "Holy shit, what did you do to your hair?" The first time we hear it, it's [[spoiler:[[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/278 the first thing Arata says to Yuudai (who sports a scruffy-looking mullet in the present day) after seeing him for the first time in five years.]]]] The second time, [[spoiler:[[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/442 it's the first thing Yuudai says after seeing Jiro's]] GagHaircut.]] Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is what ends up triggering Yuudai's HeelRealization and makes him really see just how low he's managed to sink thanks to [[spoiler:Arata.]]
80	* MistakenForGay: Yuudai [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/108 initially mistaking Taisei for]] [[HoYay Jiro's boyfriend]].
81	** "[[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/078 Are you coming onto me]]?"
82	** [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/162 Taro coming to his own conclusions]] about [[spoiler:Mori and Chie.]]
83	* {{Mukokuseki}}: Many of the Japanese characters don’t look particularly Japanese, not appearing to have epicanthic folds most likely due to the art style, and sometimes having darker skin.
84	* NoNameGiven: "Cash Register Girl," and only because Jiro is too nervous to ask for it. [[spoiler:We eventually learn that it's Chie Yamamoto... A.K.A, the terror of Jiro's preschool years.]]
85	* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: Taisei. The awkwardness level of it is especially high because he's so tall.
86	* ObliviousToLove: [[SubvertedTrope Seemingly subverted]]. Jiro tries to ask Chie out on a date, but [[CanNotSpitItOut is too nervous when talking to her to actually do so]], so he asks her for some change instead. Depressed, Jiro goes back with the change, but Taro notices a piece of paper with her phone number on it...
87	* OhCrap: Our three DatePeepers pull an epic one [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/122 here]].
88	** Jiro also does this pretty frequently. [[spoiler:[[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/153 This is probably the best example]] (beware, spoilers!)]].
89	* RecurringExtra: A guy with a cap with the phrase [[FunTShirt "THIS GUY"]] on it shows up frequently in the background. He seems to be a ChekhovsGunman, because the artist revealed that he will have a bigger role in the future. It turns out he's actually [[spoiler: Yuudai's ex-boyfriend]].
90	* RunningGag: The brothers failing to get Cash Register Girl/[[spoiler:Chie]]'s name until the actual date proper.
91	** Taro tends to respond to being woken up by his alarm by punching the alarm clock.
92	** Yuudai's penchant for pulling off ''perfect'' [[SpitTake Spit Takes]] seems to be becoming one as well.
93	* SceneryPorn: There are some rather neat and detailed drawn shots of parks, Harajuku and, of course, the Tsukiji Fish Market.
94	* SeriousBusiness: Because he's a butcher, chopping up fish is SeriousBusiness to Taro.
95	* SickeninglySweethearts: Jiro, in an attempt to eat a cheap place on his date, accidentally goes to a place where ''everyone'' is this, which only furthers his embarassment.
96	* StraightGay: [[spoiler:Yuudai. The x shaped scar on his face was from an abusive ex-boyfriend.]]
97	* TranslationConvention: The only hint you get that the characters are speaking in Japanese is in [[http://sakana-comic.com/comic/209 Chapter 9]], when Jan and Taisei pronounce an American movie's title in English.
98	* TrappedByGamblingDebts: Heavily implied to be the source of Genji's financial issues, and as expected, it hasn't exactly worked in his favor. His dad Ren is getting sick of bailing him out, so he's gearing up to cut Genji off... And as of chapter seventeen, [[spoiler:Genji only has one day left to take care of it.]]
99	* WebcomicTime: Although the strip has run for nearly thirteen years as of the time of this writing (including a roughly three year hiatus), only about a week has passed in the story so far.
100	* WhamLine: Ohoho. And what a WhamLine it was.
101	-->[[spoiler: '''"Chie":''' No! You haven't done anything wrong! I'm the monster here! I've felt guilty for so long I just have to say it! I'm sorry, Jiro Sakana. I'll never forgive myself for what [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/153 I did in preschool.]]]]
102	** Yet another one from [[spoiler:[[{{Jerkass}} Arata]]]], this time regarding [[spoiler: Yuudai]]:
103	--->[[spoiler: '''Arata''': I mean, honestly, where do you get off texting me on a Saturday night, when you already have a new boyfriend?]]
104	** And another:
105	--->[[spoiler: '''Jiro''': You also kissed Taisei on Saturday.]]
106	* WhatDidIDoLastNight: Happens to Yuudai of all people. Waking up disoriented and in some state of undress after reluctantly agreeing to join the rest of the main cast for one night of drinking? [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/193 Check.]] Seeing that another character (who he happens to despise) is right next to him, leading him to briefly contemplate the possibility that they might have slept together with thinly-veiled horror? [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/196 Check.]] Yet another character begins rattling off stranger and stranger things he did while drunk, leading him to panic and ask ''what'' exactly happened last night? [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/199 Check]] and [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/200 check.]]
107	** As comedically as it plays out, however, this example also leads to some good old MoodWhiplash when Yuudai finds that he's received [[http://www.sakana-comic.com/comic/202 some messages.]]
108	* {{Yakuza}}: All but outright stated to be the case with Genji's... associates, particularly [[LoanShark Ryoji.]]

Context Webcomic / Sakana