Summary:
- Toramaru is introduced as a cheerful schoolgirl in Sakamoto Days, hiding lethal assassin instincts fueled by obsession.
- With her gun-axe and unstable psyche, Toramaru is one of Sakamoto Days’ most unpredictable characters.
- Here’s everything you need to know about Nao Toramaru from Sakamoto Days.
Already streamed Sakamoto Days Part 2 Episode 8? Then you’ll know that things have only gotten a whole lot intense at JCC Transfer Exams. With new special recommendation candidates Kaji, Shinaya, and Nao Toramaru entering the mix, “everything has been completely flipped in the storyline. But who exactly is Toramaru in Sakamoto Days, and why is she such a dangerous yet fascinating addition to the anime and manga? Let’s break her down.
Table of Contents
Who is Nao Toramaru in Sakamoto Days?
We first meet Toramaru during the JCC Transfer Exam Arc, where she joins in the third stage of the deadly trial as a special recommendation candidate.
At first glance, she seems like a cheerful high school girl with braided black hair, purple eyes, and a school uniform. She even has a cute Sakamoto keychain dangling from her bag. Yes, she is a fan of John Wick in the anime world, just like us.
But don’t let her innocent appearance fool you. Toramaru hides a far darker side that makes her one of Sakamoto Days’ most unpredictable characters. Beneath the playful schoolgirl act lie a cold-blooded assassin’s instincts to fight and kill.
Her obsession with legendary hitman Taro Sakamoto fuels every move, from how she fights to how she reacts when anyone dares to disrespect her idol.
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Why is Toramaru Obsessed with Sakamoto?
Toramaru’s obsession with Sakamoto traces back to her childhood. When she was a young girl, she witnessed Sakamoto at the height of his assassin days. That moment changed her forever. From then on, she spent the rest of her life trying to be someone worthy of his attention.
She pushed herself relentlessly, not only in combat training but also in hobbies like music and makeup, all in the hope of being noticed by him. Her fanatical admiration of Sakamoto even shows in how she treasures her handmade Sakamoto plush.
But this fixation has a dark side, too. During an exam, when another candidate mocked her plush keychain, she went berserk immediately and almost killed him then and there.
It’s this mix of devotion and volatility that makes Toramaru probably the most psychologically complex character in Sakamoto Days.
What is Toramaru’s Role in the JCC Transfer Exams Arc
In Episode 8, Toramaru is assigned to the purple team in a game of Tail Tag, in which contestants battle to snatch opponents’ colored tails. Her true character explodes on screen here.
She slashes down trees with terrifying speed, knocks off an opponent’s arm without hesitation, and shows how far she’s willing to push things to collect more tags.
Her fixation on Sakamoto even influences her combat choices. When she spots the white team, she insists she needs to get their tag because it reminds her of Sakamoto’s hair color. That level of obsession drives her into direct confrontation with Shin, Mafuyu, and Kaji.
Her clashes with Shin are especially noteworthy, not only for the action but also for the character development. Shin admires the man Sakamoto has become, but Toramaru is holding on to the cold assassin he used to be. Their confrontation is a fight between two opposite perceptions of the same legend.
In a later episode, we see her joining forces with Shin to fight a rogue candidate, Shinaya. Shinaya is actually an ordinary worker being controlled by Gaku through a VR device supplied by Kashima. He enters the exam to recruit assassins for his group, and after observing the candidates, he chooses Toramaru and Mafuyu.
What are Toramaru’s Weapons and Abilities
When it comes to combat, Toramaru is perhaps one of the most fearsome assassins out there. Her ultimate weapon is a gun-axe hybrid, giving her a lethal edge in both ranged and close combat. She’s agile enough to chop down numerous trees within seconds and powerful enough to overwhelm seasoned opponents.
Her combat style is fast, chaotic, and brutal. What makes her doubly dangerous is her instability. She can flip between bubbly fangirl and icy assassin in a snap. That makes any character around her cautious whenever she’s in a scene.
Toramaru’s Psychological Complexity
Beyond her weapons and bloody combat, what’s intriguing about Toramaru is her mental state. Her entire character is built around her obsession with Sakamoto. She doesn’t merely admire him; she defines herself through him. When people confront her about that devotion, it sends her on violent rampages.
However, Sakamoto Days employs Toramaru to reveal how Sakamoto’s past still has effects in the present. She is living proof that his legendary reputation continues to influence the younger generation, both in good and bad ways.
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Final Thoughts on Toramaru
So, who is Toramaru in Sakamoto Days? Toramaru is more than a schoolgirl assassin. She is a die-hard Sakamoto fan, a deadly fighter who uses a gun-axe, and possibly one of the most unpredictable personalities within the JCC Transfer Exams Arc.
Her obsession with Sakamoto makes her violent, but it makes her one of the most layered antagonists within the story so far.
As we can see from Sakamoto Days Part 2 Episode 8, Toramaru’s arrival puts everyone on notice. She is not just another candidate but a living legacy of Sakamoto, forcing both fans and characters to confront the weight of his past.
