Ryōta Sakamoto
Ryōta Sakamoto |
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| Kanji: | 坂本・竜太 |
| Romaji | Ryōta Sakamoto |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | 22 |
| Birthday: | Unknown |
| Height: | 176 cm |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Kanata Hongō |
| English: | Tyler Galindo |
Ryōta Sakamoto (坂本 竜太, Sakamoto Ryōta), is the main protagonist of the Btooom! anime and manga series. A brilliant yet socially withdrawn elite player of the online combat game Btooom!, Ryōta’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is forcibly transported to a real-life version of the game on a remote island. Nominated by his own mother, Yukie Sakamoto, Ryōta is forced to survive against other players in a deadly battle royale, where each contestant must kill to escape.
Throughout the series, Ryōta transforms from a reclusive NEET into a resourceful, compassionate, and strong-willed survivor. His experience in the digital game gives him a tactical advantage, but he must quickly learn to navigate the psychological and moral complexities of taking lives in the real world.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Before the events of the series, Ryōta was a jobless shut-in living with his mother, spending most of his time immersed in Btooom!, an online combat game that relies on strategy and specialized bombs (BIMs). Within the game, he held the rank of one of the world’s top players, gaining admiration in the digital world while being isolated and disrespected in real life.
However, his stagnant lifestyle and unwillingness to seek work put a strain on his relationship with his mother, Yukie, who, in a moment of emotional distress, nominated him for the real-life Btooom! death game. Waking up on a mysterious island with only a handful of supplies and a bag of BIMs, Ryōta is forced to confront the brutal realities of life-and-death survival.
Appearance
Ryōta is a young man in his early 20s, with short black hair and sharp green eyes. His usual attire includes a black long-sleeve shirt and gray pants, closely resembling his in-game character avatar. As the series progresses, his appearance becomes rougher dirt-streaked and rugged mirroring the transformation from passive gamer to hardened survivor.
Despite his lean frame, Ryōta’s agility, reflexes, and quick thinking compensate for his lack of physical strength in direct combat.
Personality
Initially portrayed as a socially awkward and reclusive NEET, Ryōta is highly intelligent and deeply empathetic. He is opposed to violence and killing, even when placed in a scenario that demands it. His unwillingness to murder separates him from many other players, and he seeks non-lethal alternatives wherever possible.
However, Ryōta is no fool he is a strategist, often using his game knowledge to outsmart opponents and protect allies. Over time, he grows more assertive, learning to accept the harsh realities of the game while striving to retain his humanity. His internal conflict survival versus morality is a central theme throughout the story
Role in the Story
Arrival on the Island: Ryōta awakens on the island with no memory of how he got there. After a terrifying encounter with another player, he quickly realizes he has been thrown into a real-life version of Btooom! where the only way to survive is to kill. Despite his resistance to killing, he uses his knowledge of the game mechanics and tactics to defend himself.
Alliance with Himiko: Early in the story, Ryōta encounters Himiko, a fellow player who is initially wary of him. Over time, the two form a deep bond and mutual trust, discovering that they were also partners in the online game. Their relationship becomes one of the emotional cores of the series, offering both romantic tension and a glimpse of hope in a brutal environment.
Evolving Leadership: As the death game progresses, Ryōta becomes a key leader among the surviving players. He formulates strategies, mediates between groups, and risks his life to protect others. Despite being targeted by more aggressive or unstable participants, he maintains his moral code, refusing to kill unless absolutely necessary.
Final Confrontations: Ryōta’s journey reaches its climax as he confronts the people behind the death game, uncovers dark truths about the organization orchestrating the events, and makes crucial decisions that will determine not only his survival but also the fate of others trapped on the island.
Relationships
Himiko / Emilia: Ryōta’s most significant relationship is with Himiko, a fellow Btooom! player and his in-game partner. Their bond deepens as they fight for survival, with their mutual understanding and care evolving into love. Himiko helps Ryōta heal emotionally, while Ryōta protects and encourages her to believe in her own strength.
Yukie Sakamoto: Ryōta’s mother, whose strained relationship with her son led her to nominate him for the death game. Her decision stems from frustration and desperation, and the emotional consequences of this betrayal add depth to Ryōta’s motivations and inner struggles.
Other Players: Ryōta interacts with a wide variety of players some allies, some enemies. He forms temporary alliances, rescues weaker participants, and confronts ruthless killers, constantly evaluating who he can trust. His humanity often clashes with the ruthlessness of others, highlighting the moral complexity of the game.