TV-Series
Description
Beniyutaka Shidare is the older brother of Hotaru Shidare and plays a fundamental role in Dagashi Kashi 2. He is a tall man, standing over one hundred eighty centimeters, with an elegant and refined appearance that he maintains by always dressing in sharp suits. This sophisticated and professional exterior, however, conceals a personality that is quite peculiar and marked by internal contradictions.
As the eldest son of the Shidare family, Beniyutaka is the rightful heir to the Shidare Company, a major manufacturer of dagashi, or traditional Japanese snacks. Despite this birthright, he suffers from a deep internal conflict because his true passion does not lie with dagashi. Instead, he has a strong preference for modern novelties, such as the latest toys, food toys, and collectible card games. This clash between familial duty and personal interest ultimately caused him to leave home and distance himself from the family business.
To escape his prescribed path and hide his identity, which he finds embarrassing, he moved to a new town and opened a convenience store called Town Mart directly across the street from the Shikada Dagashiya, a traditional candy shop. He chooses to go simply by Beniyutaka, using his first name in a full-name style, to avoid being recognized as the heir. His management style initially proves to be somewhat questionable, as he stocks his store primarily with expensive luxury brand products that do not appeal to the local clientele. It is only after receiving disinterested advice from Kokonotsu Shikada to start selling dagashi for children and adults that his business begins to improve. Impressed by Kokonotsu's talent and insight, Beniyutaka becomes keenly interested in recruiting him to work as a subordinate.
In terms of personality, Beniyutaka presents a dual nature. On one hand, he can be a serious and responsible adult, offering useful advice and warnings to the younger characters like Kokonotsu and Tō Endō, who genuinely admire him as a mature figure to look up to. On the other hand, he shares many of the eccentric, exaggerated, and over-the-top mannerisms and reactions that define his sister Hotaru, clearly hinting at their blood relation. Despite his business acumen and sophisticated air, he is surprisingly awkward and insecure, particularly when it comes to adolescent topics like love and relationships. When questioned on such matters, his immature and flustered responses lead Kokonotsu to consider him to be on the same level as the younger generation.
His key relationships further define his role in the story. As the brother of Hotaru, he shares her flair for the dramatic, and even after they are reunited, he shows no intention of returning to take over the family company. His interactions with Hajime Owari are also notable; she worked as a trainee at his store, but he was forced to dismiss her due to her repeated tardiness and lack of interest. Throughout the series, Beniyutaka serves as a compelling example of an adult figure who, despite looking competent and successful on the surface, continues to struggle with his own insecurities and personal conflicts, making him a source of both guidance and humor.
As the eldest son of the Shidare family, Beniyutaka is the rightful heir to the Shidare Company, a major manufacturer of dagashi, or traditional Japanese snacks. Despite this birthright, he suffers from a deep internal conflict because his true passion does not lie with dagashi. Instead, he has a strong preference for modern novelties, such as the latest toys, food toys, and collectible card games. This clash between familial duty and personal interest ultimately caused him to leave home and distance himself from the family business.
To escape his prescribed path and hide his identity, which he finds embarrassing, he moved to a new town and opened a convenience store called Town Mart directly across the street from the Shikada Dagashiya, a traditional candy shop. He chooses to go simply by Beniyutaka, using his first name in a full-name style, to avoid being recognized as the heir. His management style initially proves to be somewhat questionable, as he stocks his store primarily with expensive luxury brand products that do not appeal to the local clientele. It is only after receiving disinterested advice from Kokonotsu Shikada to start selling dagashi for children and adults that his business begins to improve. Impressed by Kokonotsu's talent and insight, Beniyutaka becomes keenly interested in recruiting him to work as a subordinate.
In terms of personality, Beniyutaka presents a dual nature. On one hand, he can be a serious and responsible adult, offering useful advice and warnings to the younger characters like Kokonotsu and Tō Endō, who genuinely admire him as a mature figure to look up to. On the other hand, he shares many of the eccentric, exaggerated, and over-the-top mannerisms and reactions that define his sister Hotaru, clearly hinting at their blood relation. Despite his business acumen and sophisticated air, he is surprisingly awkward and insecure, particularly when it comes to adolescent topics like love and relationships. When questioned on such matters, his immature and flustered responses lead Kokonotsu to consider him to be on the same level as the younger generation.
His key relationships further define his role in the story. As the brother of Hotaru, he shares her flair for the dramatic, and even after they are reunited, he shows no intention of returning to take over the family company. His interactions with Hajime Owari are also notable; she worked as a trainee at his store, but he was forced to dismiss her due to her repeated tardiness and lack of interest. Throughout the series, Beniyutaka serves as a compelling example of an adult figure who, despite looking competent and successful on the surface, continues to struggle with his own insecurities and personal conflicts, making him a source of both guidance and humor.