Description
Atsushi Sendō, known to his friends as Akkun, is introduced as the leader of the Mizo Middle Five, a small group of delinquent friends that includes the series protagonist Takemichi Hanagaki. His most recognizable features are his plum-colored pompadour hairstyle, often secured with decorative hair clips, and his light heather-colored eyes. As a middle school student, he typically wears the standard school uniform, though he later adopts the attire of the Tokyo Manji Gang. In alternate future timelines, his appearance changes dramatically, showing him with very short hair, extensive tattoos covering both arms, facial marks, a cross necklace, and an ear piercing.
Akkun's personality is defined by a strong sense of responsibility and fierce loyalty to his friends, which stems from his role as the leader of their small gang. He is protective to a fault, often stepping in to shield Takuya Yamamoto, whom he knows is a less capable fighter, from harm. This protectiveness runs deep, and he is portrayed as someone who is willing to go to extreme lengths for the sake of his companions. When he sees no other way to free his group from being terrorized and enslaved by Masataka Kiyomizu, he becomes prepared to kill, a decision that has lasting consequences. Despite his tough exterior as a delinquent, Akkun has a more sensitive and creative side, most notably his genuine dream of becoming a hairstylist, a passion he cultivates by visiting his cousin's beauty salon in Harajuku.
Akkun's role in the story is central to the emotional weight of Takemichi's journey, as his fate changes drastically with each alteration of the past. In the original timeline, his attack on Kiyomizu leads to his arrest and a subsequent life of crime, where he becomes a low-ranking soldier manipulated by the villain Tetta Kisaki. This path leads to immense guilt and despair. In one tragic future, overwhelmed by his actions and Kisaki's control, Akkun confesses to Takemichi that he was the one who pushed him onto the train tracks and then commits suicide by jumping from a roof. In another altered timeline, he manages to escape a life of crime and achieve his dream of becoming a hairstylist, even inviting Takemichi to be his first client. However, even this happier future is shattered when Kisaki takes his family hostage, forcing Akkun to carry out a deadly car attack that kills Hinata Tachibana and himself.
The character's most important relationship is with Takemichi Hanagaki. While they begin as middle school friends united by a shared, unrealistic dream of becoming top delinquents, their bond deepens as Akkun witnesses Takemichi's unwavering determination and self-sacrifice. He comes to respect Takemichi deeply, viewing him as a hero and a source of inspiration. In turn, Akkun is a loyal supporter, physically holding Takemichi up in fights and reminding him of his own perseverance when others doubt him. This trust is so profound that in his moments of death across multiple futures, his final words are always a plea for Takemichi to save everyone. He also shares close friendships with his other Mizo Middle companions: Makoto Suzuki, Takuya Yamamoto, and Kazushi Yamagishi.
Throughout the series, Akkun shows notable development, moving from a confident but somewhat insecure gang leader to a character defined by both his profound despair and his capacity for redemption. While his fighting skills are initially portrayed as competent but inconsistent, he demonstrates significant growth in later arcs. A key moment of development occurs during the battle against Tenjiku, where he defeats a member of the S62 generation, Shion Madarame. In this fight, he explicitly rejects his past tactics of giving up or using a weapon, declaring that by following Takemichi's example, he will no longer rely on such methods. This victory is a testament to his increased mental fortitude and fighting ability. In the final timeline, he achieves a peaceful resolution, becoming the vice-captain of the Fourth Division of the rebuilt Tokyo Manji Gang under Kazutora Hanemiya and finally realizing his long-held dream of working as a hairstylist.
Akkun's personality is defined by a strong sense of responsibility and fierce loyalty to his friends, which stems from his role as the leader of their small gang. He is protective to a fault, often stepping in to shield Takuya Yamamoto, whom he knows is a less capable fighter, from harm. This protectiveness runs deep, and he is portrayed as someone who is willing to go to extreme lengths for the sake of his companions. When he sees no other way to free his group from being terrorized and enslaved by Masataka Kiyomizu, he becomes prepared to kill, a decision that has lasting consequences. Despite his tough exterior as a delinquent, Akkun has a more sensitive and creative side, most notably his genuine dream of becoming a hairstylist, a passion he cultivates by visiting his cousin's beauty salon in Harajuku.
Akkun's role in the story is central to the emotional weight of Takemichi's journey, as his fate changes drastically with each alteration of the past. In the original timeline, his attack on Kiyomizu leads to his arrest and a subsequent life of crime, where he becomes a low-ranking soldier manipulated by the villain Tetta Kisaki. This path leads to immense guilt and despair. In one tragic future, overwhelmed by his actions and Kisaki's control, Akkun confesses to Takemichi that he was the one who pushed him onto the train tracks and then commits suicide by jumping from a roof. In another altered timeline, he manages to escape a life of crime and achieve his dream of becoming a hairstylist, even inviting Takemichi to be his first client. However, even this happier future is shattered when Kisaki takes his family hostage, forcing Akkun to carry out a deadly car attack that kills Hinata Tachibana and himself.
The character's most important relationship is with Takemichi Hanagaki. While they begin as middle school friends united by a shared, unrealistic dream of becoming top delinquents, their bond deepens as Akkun witnesses Takemichi's unwavering determination and self-sacrifice. He comes to respect Takemichi deeply, viewing him as a hero and a source of inspiration. In turn, Akkun is a loyal supporter, physically holding Takemichi up in fights and reminding him of his own perseverance when others doubt him. This trust is so profound that in his moments of death across multiple futures, his final words are always a plea for Takemichi to save everyone. He also shares close friendships with his other Mizo Middle companions: Makoto Suzuki, Takuya Yamamoto, and Kazushi Yamagishi.
Throughout the series, Akkun shows notable development, moving from a confident but somewhat insecure gang leader to a character defined by both his profound despair and his capacity for redemption. While his fighting skills are initially portrayed as competent but inconsistent, he demonstrates significant growth in later arcs. A key moment of development occurs during the battle against Tenjiku, where he defeats a member of the S62 generation, Shion Madarame. In this fight, he explicitly rejects his past tactics of giving up or using a weapon, declaring that by following Takemichi's example, he will no longer rely on such methods. This victory is a testament to his increased mental fortitude and fighting ability. In the final timeline, he achieves a peaceful resolution, becoming the vice-captain of the Fourth Division of the rebuilt Tokyo Manji Gang under Kazutora Hanemiya and finally realizing his long-held dream of working as a hairstylist.