善ぜん玉だま

noun

good person; good guy

Often used in contrast with 悪玉 (bad guy), especially in stories or moral contexts. Can sound slightly old-fashioned or theatrical.

See also: 悪玉

• この話はなしでは、善ぜん玉だまと悪あく玉だまがはっきり分わかれている。

  In this story, the good guys and bad guys are clearly separated.

noun

Edo-period good-guy character (round white head with 'good' written on it)

Historical term referring to a stock character in Edo-period woodblock prints and literature. The character's head is round and white with the kanji 善 (good) written on it.

• 浮うき世よ絵えには、善ぜん玉だまと悪あく玉だまがよく登とう場じょうする。

  Good-guy and bad-guy characters often appear in ukiyo-e prints.