Reigen vs Kento Nanami: Best Salaryman in Supernatural Anime Showdown Analyzed

When you think about salarymen in supernatural anime, Reigen Arataka from Mob Psycho 100 and Kento Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen probably come to mind first. These two guys juggle their day jobs with fighting off all sorts of supernatural chaos, but their approaches couldn’t be more different.

Nanami comes across as the responsible, grounded type—his past as a regular office worker really shows. Reigen? He’s more of a lovable con artist who relies on charm and quick thinking over strict professionalism. Honestly, it’s tough to say who’s better without knowing what you value more: discipline and order, or a little creativity and humor.

Key Takeways

• Salaryman characters in supernatural anime show diverse traits and roles.
• Nanami represents discipline and seriousness, while Reigen offers charm and wit.
• Both have made lasting impressions but appeal differently depending on what you value.

Character Profiles: Reigen Arataka and Kento Nanami

Reigen and Nanami both work in offices, but their daily grind is nothing alike. They bring totally different personalities to the table.

Each one stands out in their world, offering their own spin on justice and what it means to be a salaryman.

Backgrounds and Career Paths

Reigen Arataka runs his own small business as a so-called spirit medium in Mob Psycho 100. He doesn’t actually have psychic powers, but he’s got enough confidence and wit to get the job done. His work is a mix of comedy, clever scams, and some surprisingly heartfelt moments.

Kento Nanami, over in Jujutsu Kaisen, started as a regular office worker. He ditched the nine-to-five life for a much riskier path as a jujutsu sorcerer. Nanami’s all about doing things by the book—he values efficiency and respects the rules.

Personality Traits and Values

Reigen is confident, a bit of a talker, and always seems to have a plan. He’s a smooth operator, but there’s a real kindness underneath all the bluster. Sure, he bends the truth, but he’s got his own sense of justice.

Nanami, meanwhile, is calm and serious, almost to a fault. He’s got a strong sense of duty and fairness. You can’t help but notice his steady, no-nonsense vibe. He really embodies the hardworking spirit you see in Japanese office life, but when it’s time to act, he doesn’t hesitate.

Role in Their Respective Series

In Mob Psycho 100, Reigen pulls double duty as both mentor and comic relief. His advice is clever, sometimes a little questionable, but it always helps Mob grow.

Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen is the steady hand in the chaos. He’s a pro, always supporting his team and facing danger head-on. His serious approach brings a sense of gravity to the show.

Defining the Salaryman Archetype in Supernatural Anime

Salarymen in supernatural anime are where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. Their dedication to work, family, and society shapes their roles in ways that go way beyond just fighting monsters.

Work Ethic and Professionalism

Characters like Nanami show a kind of discipline and responsibility that’s straight out of real Japanese work culture. He treats being a sorcerer like any other job—time management, rules, the whole package.

This approach stands out against more impulsive characters. It’s about reliability and steadiness, the kind of stuff that makes you respect them not just as fighters, but as professionals.

They don’t just rush in swinging. Instead, they solve problems with logic and experience. That’s a big part of their appeal.

Balancing Ordinary Life with the Supernatural

Salarymen in anime are always trying to keep their normal lives together while dealing with supernatural craziness. You’ll see them juggling coworkers, family, and social expectations—all while hiding their double life.

That struggle? It really speaks to the pressure of keeping up appearances in Japanese society. They often have to bottle up their emotions, which just makes their secret battles even harder.

This balancing act gives their characters more depth. They’re not just heroes—they’re regular people dealing with stress and fatigue like anyone else.

Influence on Supporting Characters

A salaryman in these stories often ends up shaping the people around him. Their discipline and calmness set an example for younger or more reckless characters.

Take Reigen, for example. He might use some questionable methods, but his experience rubs off on the people he mentors.

It makes the story feel more real. These guys don’t go it alone—their leadership and support build team strength and highlight the value of working together.

Comparing Impact: Reigen vs Kento Nanami

Reigen and Nanami both leave their mark, but in pretty different ways. They push the story forward, help others grow, and face some tough moral choices.

Contribution to Major Plot Points

Reigen’s not the strongest guy in Mob Psycho 100, but he’s always in the thick of things. His quick thinking and oddball methods help solve supernatural problems and keep things grounded.

Nanami, on the other hand, is all business. He’s a heavy hitter in Jujutsu Kaisen, stepping up in major battles and supporting Yuji when things get rough. His presence signals big turning points.

Both guys mix brains and brawn in their own style.

Leadership and Mentorship Qualities

Reigen leads with charm and a bit of improvisation. He’s always looking out for Mob, teaching him how to handle his powers and emotions. His advice is flexible, sometimes unorthodox, but it’s always about staying true to yourself.

Nanami’s mentorship is much more strict. He teaches Yuji the importance of discipline and professionalism, expecting everyone to follow the rules. His leadership style is all about preparing his students for the real dangers out there.

Moral Dilemmas and Pursuit of Justice

Reigen’s sense of justice is a little messy. He’ll bend the truth if it means helping someone, and he’s always weighing his own interests against what’s right. It’s complicated, but that’s what makes him interesting.

Nanami, though, sees things in clearer terms. He fights curses based on a solid moral code and rarely compromises. Still, he struggles with the weight of his choices and the cost of doing what’s right.

Cultural Relevance and Lasting Legacy

Reigen and Nanami both tap into real aspects of Japanese work culture and leave a strong impression on the genre. Their stories dive into themes of responsibility, stress, and the strange mix of ordinary and supernatural.

Representation of Modern Japanese Work Culture

You get two sides of the salaryman here. Nanami’s strict, almost somber outlook reflects the tough reality of long hours and heavy expectations in Japanese workplaces. He really embodies that sense of duty that sometimes overshadows personal freedom.

Reigen, though, is more modern and flexible. His hustle and willingness to bend the rules show a shift away from old-school rigidity. He’s relatable, especially for folks who want to work hard but also keep some balance. That combination of practical and goofy makes him stand out in today’s world.

Influence on Genre and Subculture

You’ll notice Reigen and Nanami show up a lot in horror and thriller anime that lean into intense psychological and gory storytelling.

Nanami fits right in with the serious moods of titles like Another and Doubt. These are shows where dark mysteries unravel bit by bit. His calm, logical attitude stands out against the eerie, sometimes unpredictable stuff swirling around him.

Reigen’s wit and resourcefulness? That’s a whole different vibe. He connects with subcultures around anime like Litchi Hikari Club and Berserk, where characters are forced to deal with some pretty harsh realities. He brings in humor and a bit of humanity to the supernatural mess—less straight horror, more of a balanced drama, honestly.