Golden Kamuy, which unfolds its story while introducing Ainu culture, is now a hugely popular work. The secret to its popularity is likely due to the detailed reporting on Ainu culture, as well as the endless parade of fascinating elements that pop up throughout the series. What makes Golden Kamuy even more appealing are the many lovable characters. In this article, we'll be introducing the charm of Shiraishi, one of the lovable characters who works alongside Sugimoto!
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is the king of prison escapes!
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Shiraishi Yoshitake is known as the "King of Escapes," and is even capable of dislocating his own shoulder joints. He is also skilled at coming up with ingenious ideas for escapes and procuring tools. It's said that Shiraishi's inspiration is Shiratori Yoshie, known as the "King of Escapes" of the Showa era. Despite this, Shiraishi was mistaken for the "Defecation King" by Asirpa. Shiraishi, who can not only escape from ropes but also from bars, helps everyone escape even when they're captured.
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is constantly bitten by animals
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
As expected, he's a beloved character and comic relief for Sugimoto's crew. He always ends up getting bitten on the head by animals in crucial moments. Perhaps the animals have noticed Shiraishi's tendency to be the butt of teasing. Incidentally, Shiraishi doesn't seem to dislike that role either.
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is basically useless
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
There's a reason he's content with being the butt of teasing. That is, he is basically useless. He occasionally proves useful when it matters most, but he generally shows his scumbent side by letting prey escape from trapped traps and squandering his money on gambling. He does say some manly things, but compared to Kiroranke and the others, it still feels like he lacks the manliness to be one.
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is a former prisoner
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
As the master of prison escapes, Shiraishi is a former prisoner. He has a tattoo that leads to Ainu gold. Furthermore, he met Hijikata and Ushiyama during his time as a prisoner, and is connected to them as well. Shiraishi seems extremely afraid of Ushiyama and Hijikata, and submission is probably closer to the word than cooperation. However, he has been mixing lies into the information he gives Sugimoto and the others, so it doesn't seem like he's going to join Hijikata's faction. What will happen next?
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is a Gambler
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Shiraishi is what they call a playboy in the old days: he drinks, buys women, and gambles. Gambling, in particular, frequently appears in the story, leading to his spending spree. Shiraishi starts winning at horse races thanks to Inkarma's fortune telling and begins to make a lot of money, so he starts buying Inkarma's mysterious lucky charms. He gradually becomes wealthy, but his greed leads him to become penniless again. When he has money, he completely trusts the fortune telling over what his friends say, which is refreshing to see how easy it is to understand.
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake Has a Weakness for Beautiful Women
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Shiraishi immediately introduces himself whenever a beautiful woman appears. He has a catchphrase: he's single and has no girlfriend. When Kano, the head of the household, appears, he immediately introduces himself, not realizing that she's cross-dressing and a former prisoner. This suggests he may not have much of an eye for women. Currently, Shiraishi is not involved in any romantic relationships, such as falling in love or being loved by someone. However, as he continues his journey, perhaps he will encounter a woman like that.
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is actually a nice guy who can read the atmosphere
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
This is when Asirpa and Sugimoto were in a tense mood. (The reason for this was that Sugimoto had left the village without telling Asirpa.) They finally managed to get Sugimoto back after he had been captured by Lieutenant Tsurumi, but the atmosphere didn't improve. At that time, Shiraishi made sakura nabe. He said that eating good meat would help the couple stop fighting, but in fact, miso is an essential ingredient in sakura nabe. At the time, Asirpa avoided miso, calling it osoma. Shiraishi made sakura nabe without knowing this. Behind Asirpa's eyes as she tried miso for the first time, there was a super play by Shiraishi hidden behind it.
[Golden Kamuy] Shiraishi Yoshitake is surprisingly knowledgeable
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Shiraishi is known as the "King of Escape Plans," so perhaps he travels to many different places. Although he's usually completely useless and the butt of jokes, he's surprisingly knowledgeable. He gives examples of prisoners who went blind after being forced to mine sulfur, and he's the helmsman who suggests the next destination. He's the perfect target for teasing, but he also has a surprising side to him.
[Golden Kamuy] A Summary of Shiraishi Yoshitake's Appeal
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
What did you all think? As the king of prison escapes, Shiraishi is always helpful when it comes to escapes. He's willing to be the butt of jokes, even if it means getting bitten by animals, letting prey escape, interfering with traps being set, and squandering money! I wrote this article in the hope that as many people as possible will learn about his charm. Thank you for reading today.
