Salaryman: Difference between revisions
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The essential ingredients for the proper [[Salaryman]] include a charcoal grey (or funeral black) suit with proper necktie, a briefcase, glasses, and usually a receding hairline if they're not outright bald. After a night's revelries, a carton of carryout food becomes part of the setup. Add a sake bottle and tie the necktie around the head as a [[Hachimaki]], and he becomes the "drunk salaryman" stereotype. |
The essential ingredients for the proper [[Salaryman]] include a charcoal grey (or funeral black) suit with proper necktie, a briefcase, glasses, and usually a receding hairline if they're not outright bald. After a night's revelries, a carton of carryout food becomes part of the setup. Add a sake bottle and tie the necktie around the head as a [[Hachimaki]], and he becomes the "drunk salaryman" stereotype. |
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Salarymen are usually portrayed in ways similar to [[White Collar Worker|White Collar Workers]] in American programming; stuck in dull jobs with [[Pointy-Haired Boss|irritating employers]] and little chance of advancement. However, as a whole, they tend to be more optimistic. They also have an unfortunate tendency, encouraged by both the Japanese work ethic and their employers, toward both [[Workaholic|workaholism]] and [[The Alcoholic|alcoholism]]. Some all but [[Married to |
Salarymen are usually portrayed in ways similar to [[White Collar Worker|White Collar Workers]] in American programming; stuck in dull jobs with [[Pointy-Haired Boss|irritating employers]] and little chance of advancement. However, as a whole, they tend to be more optimistic. They also have an unfortunate tendency, encouraged by both the Japanese work ethic and their employers, toward both [[Workaholic|workaholism]] and [[The Alcoholic|alcoholism]]. Some all but [[Married to the Job|ignore their family]] in pursuit of their job, going drinking with office-mates after (unpaid) overtime, going home to sleep for four hours, then getting up to do it all over again. |
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Prevalent in [[Cyberpunk]], this class of character is referred to there as a "sararyman", playing off [[Japanese Ranguage|the difficulty some Japanese have pronouncing the English "L"]]. This was a reaction in the [[The Eighties|late 1980's]] to the notion that [[Japan Takes Over the World|the Japanese were apparently taking over the world financially]], and Westerners were suddenly encountering these mid-level types in daily life. Salarymen also have quite the niche market in [[Boys Love]] works. |
Prevalent in [[Cyberpunk]], this class of character is referred to there as a "sararyman", playing off [[Japanese Ranguage|the difficulty some Japanese have pronouncing the English "L"]]. This was a reaction in the [[The Eighties|late 1980's]] to the notion that [[Japan Takes Over the World|the Japanese were apparently taking over the world financially]], and Westerners were suddenly encountering these mid-level types in daily life. Salarymen also have quite the niche market in [[Boys Love]] works. |
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* Ataru's [[Unnamed Parent|dad]] in ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]'' is the typical Salaryman: working long hours and worrying about the mortgage, especially since his house is routinely destroyed. |
* Ataru's [[Unnamed Parent|dad]] in ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]'' is the typical Salaryman: working long hours and worrying about the mortgage, especially since his house is routinely destroyed. |
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* ''[[Special Duty Combat Unit Shinesman]]'' is a parody of [[Sentai]] shows that focuses on a [[Five-Man Band]] of salarymen... who save the world. |
* ''[[Special Duty Combat Unit Shinesman]]'' is a parody of [[Sentai]] shows that focuses on a [[Five-Man Band]] of salarymen... who save the world. |
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* The protagonist of ''[[ |
* The protagonist of ''[[Yume De Aetara]]'', Masao Fuguno, is a stereotypical salaryman trying to do his way as a salesman. Unfortunately, his extreme changes of mood, and the fact that those changes are tied to how his relationship with his love interest is going, conspire against his success. |
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* Konata from ''[[Lucky Star]]'' once wonders why drunk salarymen always have to carry a bottle of sake and have their tie around the head. |
* Konata from ''[[Lucky Star]]'' once wonders why drunk salarymen always have to carry a bottle of sake and have their tie around the head. |
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* The first time ''[[Karin]]'' Maaka uses her vampiric abilities, she does it on a salaryman in the park after school. Kenta Usui (her love interest) stumbles upon her on his way home, and thinks that she's [[Enjo Kosai|trying to put the moves on him]]. |
* The first time ''[[Karin]]'' Maaka uses her vampiric abilities, she does it on a salaryman in the park after school. Kenta Usui (her love interest) stumbles upon her on his way home, and thinks that she's [[Enjo Kosai|trying to put the moves on him]]. |
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* An entertaining recurring character in ''[[Gantz Abridged]]'' is Joe Salaryman, father of the Salaryman family. Not to be confused with Niles Trustfundman. |
* An entertaining recurring character in ''[[Gantz Abridged]]'' is Joe Salaryman, father of the Salaryman family. Not to be confused with Niles Trustfundman. |
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* Shinshi in ''[[Patlabor]]'' was a salaryman before joining the SV2. |
* Shinshi in ''[[Patlabor]]'' was a salaryman before joining the SV2. |
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* After the [[Big Bad]] Yoshikage Kira switches bodies in the later part of ''[[Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure |
* After the [[Big Bad]] Yoshikage Kira switches bodies in the later part of ''[[Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure|Jo Jos Bizarre Adventure]]'' part 4 he is forced to assume his new identity's role as one of these, not that he's particularly happy about it. |
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* Albireo of [[.hack|.hack//AI_Buster]]. ''AI_Buster_2'' reveals that his eventual collapse at work was explained as overworking, rather than what actually happened ([[Mind Rape|Data Drain]]). |
* Albireo of [[.hack|.hack//AI_Buster]]. ''AI_Buster_2'' reveals that his eventual collapse at work was explained as overworking, rather than what actually happened ([[Mind Rape|Data Drain]]). |
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* The director Matsuan, his assistant Densuke, and the public-relations man Katchin, in ''[[Android Announcer Maico 2010]]''. |
* The director Matsuan, his assistant Densuke, and the public-relations man Katchin, in ''[[Android Announcer Maico 2010]]''. |
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* ''[[Planetes]]''' premise can be accurately described as Salarymen [[Recycled in Space|IN SPACE]]. Debris Section's [[Pointy-Haired Boss|manager and assistant manager]] moreso than the rest of the cast, as they only rarely go on actual jobs, and are much more aware of corporate politics than the rest of Debris Section. |
* ''[[Planetes]]''' premise can be accurately described as Salarymen [[Recycled in Space|IN SPACE]]. Debris Section's [[Pointy-Haired Boss|manager and assistant manager]] moreso than the rest of the cast, as they only rarely go on actual jobs, and are much more aware of corporate politics than the rest of Debris Section. |
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** Only in the anime, though. Manga is much more [[Creator Provincialism|cosmopolitan]] and doesn't center on the corporate antics that closely. |
** Only in the anime, though. Manga is much more [[Creator Provincialism|cosmopolitan]] and doesn't center on the corporate antics that closely. |
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* In ''[[ |
* In ''[[Angel Densetsu]]'', the hero's father is a salaryman, and like his son, is a nice but [[Face of a Thug|scary looking]] guy. In Dad's case, he wears [[Cool Shades|sun glasses]] because he's light sensitive/in an attempt to look less scary, and coupled with the mandatory shirt and tie, the end result is that everyone assumes he's a [[Yakuza]] member. |
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* ''[[Bludgeoning Angel |
* ''[[Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan|Bludgeoning Angel Dokurochan]]'' features Binkan Salaryman. He comes with his own series, movie, and [[Immodest Orgasm|brand of sausage.]] |
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* ''[[ |
* ''[[Virgin Love]]'' and its sequels/prequels are chock full of [[Work Hard, Play Hard]] salarymen, revolving mainly around the Todou group but branching outwards through [[Crossover]] characters. |
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* There is actually an anime named Salaryman, a [[Sentai]]-like short story with 5 coloured masked fighters defending the peace. Puns with things like Superman, Ultraman. |
* There is actually an anime named Salaryman, a [[Sentai]]-like short story with 5 coloured masked fighters defending the peace. Puns with things like Superman, Ultraman. |
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* Hiroyuki Nitori, the Nitori siblings father, in ''[[Wandering Son]]'' is one of these. He appears to often go drinking after work, but nothing much is said about that. |
* Hiroyuki Nitori, the Nitori siblings father, in ''[[Wandering Son]]'' is one of these. He appears to often go drinking after work, but nothing much is said about that. |
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* The main characters of ''[[Japan Inc]]''. |
* The main characters of ''[[Japan Inc]]''. |
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* Makoto, the main character of ''[[ |
* Makoto, the main character of ''[[Nicoichi]]''. |
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== Film == |
== Film == |
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* Thomas A. "Neo" Anderson from ''[[The Matrix]]'', until he takes the [[Red Pill |
* Thomas A. "Neo" Anderson from ''[[The Matrix]]'', until he takes the [[Red Pill, Blue Pill|red pill]]. |
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* Kazuhiro from ''[[Gung Ho]]''. |
* Kazuhiro from ''[[Gung Ho]]''. |
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* Peter and his coworkers at Initech in ''[[Office Space]]''. |
* Peter and his coworkers at Initech in ''[[Office Space]]''. |
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== Live Action TV == |
== Live Action TV == |
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* ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'': Hiro Nakamura and his friend Ando are typical salarymen living in Tokyo until Hiro discovers his superpowers. However, the trope is subverted when we discover that {{spoiler|1=Hiro's father is actually the CEO of the company he works for. Hiro is only working a menial job in the hope that he will overcome his [[The Ditz|scatterbrained]] personality and become a fitting heir to the company}}. |
* ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'': Hiro Nakamura and his friend Ando are typical salarymen living in Tokyo until Hiro discovers his superpowers. However, the trope is subverted when we discover that {{spoiler|1=Hiro's father is actually the CEO of the company he works for. Hiro is only working a menial job in the hope that he will overcome his [[The Ditz|scatterbrained]] personality and become a fitting heir to the company}}. |
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* In ''[[Kamen Rider Blade]]'', BOARD was effectively destroyed in episode one and all the Riders are fighting for themselves. In the Blade World shown in ''[[Kamen Rider Decade]]'', BOARD is still up and running and all the Riders are employees of BOARD. Tsukasa, the titular character, calls it "Kamen Rider... Salaryman!" |
* In ''[[Kamen Rider Blade]]'', BOARD was effectively destroyed in episode one and all the Riders are fighting for themselves. In the Blade World shown in ''[[Kamen Rider Decade]]'', BOARD is still up and running and all the Riders are employees of BOARD. Tsukasa, the titular character, calls it "Kamen Rider... Salaryman!" |
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* In all the ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' continuities Usagi's father "Kenji-papa" works in journalism, in the manga and anime he's a magazine editor and seems to have enough spare time to see his family on a daily basis. However in ''[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]]'' he barely appears, being a newspaper photographer with a very salaryman like lifestyle. The only time he's seen on screen is in the direct to DVD special act when he manages to make it to his daughter's wedding. |
* In all the ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' continuities Usagi's father "Kenji-papa" works in journalism, in the manga and anime he's a magazine editor and seems to have enough spare time to see his family on a daily basis. However in ''[[Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon]]'' he barely appears, being a newspaper photographer with a very salaryman like lifestyle. The only time he's seen on screen is in the direct to DVD special act when he manages to make it to his daughter's wedding. |
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* The original backstory for Skullomania from ''[[Street Fighter]] EX'' said that he was a [[Salaryman]] who suffered a nervous breakdown, but recovers after dressing in a costume for a childrens' party at his boss's behest, and ends up quitting to become a ''[[Kamen Rider]]''-like [[Superhero]]. |
* The original backstory for Skullomania from ''[[Street Fighter]] EX'' said that he was a [[Salaryman]] who suffered a nervous breakdown, but recovers after dressing in a costume for a childrens' party at his boss's behest, and ends up quitting to become a ''[[Kamen Rider]]''-like [[Superhero]]. |
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* In the game ''[[Karoshi]]'' and its numerous sequels, you are a googly-eyed little 8-bit salaryman trying desperately to kill himself. The point in each level is to die in [[Ludicrous Gibs]] fashion at the hands of one of the conservatively placed deathtraps littering the vaguely office-themed and less-than-vaguely threatening environment. It's [[Better Than It Sounds]] (all the more considering how, in a hilarious inversion from [[Everything Trying to Kill You]], the world is trying to ''keep you alive for its own malicious amusement''). |
* In the game ''[[Karoshi]]'' and its numerous sequels, you are a googly-eyed little 8-bit salaryman trying desperately to kill himself. The point in each level is to die in [[Ludicrous Gibs]] fashion at the hands of one of the conservatively placed deathtraps littering the vaguely office-themed and less-than-vaguely threatening environment. It's [[Better Than It Sounds]] (all the more considering how, in a hilarious inversion from [[Everything Trying to Kill You]], the world is trying to ''keep you alive for its own malicious amusement''). |
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* ''[[Kichiku Megane ( |
* ''[[Kichiku Megane (visual novel)|Kichiku Megane]]'' stars a very put-upon Salaryman... who happened to be given a magical [[Stoic Glasses|pair of glasses]] that made him a lot more aggressive [[Yaoi Guys|in all]] [[Seme|aspects]] of his life. |
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* The protagonist of the [[Wii Ware]] game ''Tomena Sanner''. With [[Le Parkour]] aspects. |
* The protagonist of the [[Wii Ware]] game ''Tomena Sanner''. With [[Le Parkour]] aspects. |
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* One of the zombies in ''[[ |
* One of the zombies in ''[[Plants vs. Zombies]]'' has this appearance, using an open newspaper as a shield. Once the newspaper is destroyed by your plants' attacks, he gets angry (the game's bestiary says he was working intently on a Sudoku puzzle) and runs toward your house at a faster movement speed than the one at which he was running pre-paper shred. However, when the paper's gone, he has about the same health as your standard zombie and will go down quickly before your plants. |
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* The Unassuming Local Guy and Annoying Reveler enemies from ''[[Earthbound]]'' |
* The Unassuming Local Guy and Annoying Reveler enemies from ''[[Earthbound]]'' |
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* The Businessman and Office Lady trainer classes in ''[[Pokémon]] Black and White'' are based on this. |
* The Businessman and Office Lady trainer classes in ''[[Pokémon]] Black and White'' are based on this. |