Let’s face it – the anime world is absolutely flooded with new shows every season. Your watchlist is probably already a mile long, and you’re wondering if you should add “Sakamoto Days” to that ever-growing pile of “I’ll get to it eventually” titles. Well, I’ve binged the entire thing, and I’m here to break down whether this action-comedy is worth your precious time or if you should skip it for something else.
When I first heard about “Sakamoto Days,” I was honestly skeptical. Another anime about an assassin? Haven’t we seen this story a thousand times already? But man, was I in for a surprise. This show grabbed me by the collar and didn’t let go until the final credits rolled. But is it actually good, or was I just in a particularly forgiving mood? Let’s dive deep into what makes “Sakamoto Days” tick and whether it deserves a spot on your watchlist.
What Is “Sakamoto Days” Anyway?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s cover the basics for those who haven’t heard of it yet. “Sakamoto Days” is based on the manga written and illustrated by Yuto Suzuki, which has been running in Weekly Shōnen Jump since November 2020. The anime adaptation, produced by TMS Entertainment, scheduled to air on January 11, 2025, bringing this quirky assassin story to life.
The premise? Taro Sakamoto was once the world’s greatest hitman – feared by enemies, revered by colleagues, and known for his unparalleled skills. But then something unexpected happened: he fell in love. Now, Sakamoto has retired from the assassination business, gotten married, had a kid, and… well, put on quite a bit of weight. He runs a neighborhood convenience store and tries to live a peaceful life with his family.
But you know how these things go – the past never stays buried for long. When his former life comes knocking, Sakamoto must protect his family and his peaceful existence while trying not to fall back into his old ways. Oh, and he’s got a telepathic employee named Shin who can read minds, which adds a whole other layer of chaos to the mix.
The Good Stuff: What “Sakamoto Days” Gets Right
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Concept
Look, the “retired assassin gets pulled back into action” trope isn’t exactly groundbreaking. We’ve seen it in “John Wick,” “Nobody,” and countless other action films and anime. But “Sakamoto Days” manages to put a refreshingly comedic spin on this well-worn premise.
For starters, our protagonist isn’t some brooding, still-in-his-prime badass. He’s a chubby, middle-aged family man who looks like he’d get winded climbing a flight of stairs. And yet, when push comes to shove, this dude moves like a freaking ninja. The juxtaposition between Sakamoto’s appearance and his actual capabilities creates this perfect comedic tension that never gets old.
I literally laughed out loud watching Sakamoto demolish a group of armed thugs while holding his daughter’s ice cream cone perfectly steady. It’s these absurd moments that give the show its unique flavor and separate it from other action comedies.
The Action Sequences Are Chef’s Kiss
Let me tell you, the animation team didn’t come to play. The action sequences in “Sakamoto Days” are fluid, dynamic, and incredibly creative. Each fight scene feels distinct and showcases Sakamoto’s ingenuity rather than just his brute force.
There’s this one sequence in episode 4 where Sakamoto takes on an entire crew using only items from his convenience store – we’re talking instant ramen packages as throwing stars and a mop handle that somehow becomes deadlier than a katana. The choreography is both hilarious and genuinely impressive, striking that perfect balance between comedy and “holy crap, that was awesome.”
What makes these sequences work so well is the attention to detail. You can see Sakamoto’s experience in how efficiently he moves, wasting no energy despite his larger frame. The animation emphasizes weight and momentum in a way that many action anime overlook, making each impact feel substantial.
Character Dynamics That Actually Work
One of the biggest strengths of “Sakamoto Days” is how well the characters play off each other. The core trio of Sakamoto, his telepathic employee Shin, and the assassin-turned-housekeeper Lu creates this perfect storm of personalities that keeps the show engaging even when things slow down.
Shin’s mind-reading abilities create some genuinely hilarious situations, especially when he accidentally picks up on Sakamoto’s more violent thoughts or his wife’s suspicions. Lu brings this chaotic energy that contrasts perfectly with Sakamoto’s more measured approach to problems. And Sakamoto himself serves as the straight man in many scenes, his deadpan reactions to the absurdity around him landing perfectly every time.
But it’s not just the main crew that shines. The show gradually introduces a colorful cast of former assassins, current threats, and ordinary people caught in the crossfire, each with distinct personalities and quirks that make them memorable. I found myself looking forward to character interactions almost as much as the action scenes, which is rare for a show in this genre.
The Perfect Balance of Comedy and Heart
What caught me completely off guard about “Sakamoto Days” was how much heart it packs alongside the comedy and action. At its core, this is a story about a man who chose love and family over his violent past, and the show never lets you forget that.
There are these quiet moments scattered throughout – Sakamoto helping his daughter with homework, sharing a meal with his wife, or even just restocking shelves in his store – that ground the more outlandish elements of the plot. These glimpses into Sakamoto’s domestic life make you genuinely care about his struggle to keep his two worlds separate.
Episode 7 hit me right in the feels with a flashback showing how Sakamoto met his wife and made the decision to leave his old life behind. It was unexpectedly touching and gave real weight to his current situation. This emotional core elevates “Sakamoto Days” from a simple action-comedy to something with actual stakes and depth.
The Not-So-Good: Where “Sakamoto Days” Stumbles
Pacing Issues in the Middle Arc
I’ve gotta keep it real – the show isn’t perfect. Around episodes 8-10, the pacing hits a bit of a slump. There’s an extended arc involving a rival convenience store (yes, really) that drags on longer than necessary and doesn’t quite deliver the same punch as the rest of the series.
The jokes start feeling a bit repetitive during this stretch, and some of the side characters introduced don’t get enough development to justify the screen time they receive. I found myself checking my phone a few times during these episodes, which hadn’t happened during the opening act of the series.
Thankfully, things pick back up for the final arc, but this mid-season lull might test the patience of viewers who came for the fast-paced action and sharp comedy of the early episodes.
Some Underdeveloped Villains
While the protagonists are wonderfully fleshed out, some of the antagonists fall into the trap of being one-dimensional. The “big bad” of the first season (no spoilers here) has a motivation that feels a bit too generic for such an otherwise creative show.
There are exceptions – a certain rival assassin introduced in episode 6 has a fascinating backstory and complex relationship with Sakamoto that I wish more of the villains shared. But several of the threats our heroes face feel like they exist solely to showcase cool fight scenes rather than to advance meaningful conflict.
This isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, but in a show that does so many things right, the contrast between the well-developed main cast and the sometimes flat antagonists becomes more noticeable.
Occasional Reliance on Anime Tropes
For all its freshness, “Sakamoto Days” occasionally falls back on some tired anime tropes that feel out of place with its otherwise original approach. There are a couple of fan service moments that come across as jarring rather than funny, and a few comedic beats that rely on the kind of exaggerated reactions you’ve seen in countless other shows.
These moments are thankfully sparse, but when they do appear, they temporarily pull you out of the unique world the show has otherwise created. It’s like the writers sometimes forgot what makes their show special and defaulted to generic anime humor.
Animation and Production Value: Does It Look Good?
In short: yes, it looks damn good. The animation quality in “Sakamoto Days” is consistently impressive, especially considering it’s not from one of the bigger-name studios that usually handle action-heavy titles.
The character designs are distinct and expressive, with Sakamoto himself being a particularly inspired creation. His round physique contrasts hilariously with his graceful movements during action sequences, and his facial expressions communicate volumes despite his generally stoic demeanor.
The show employs different animation styles to enhance its comedy – occasionally dipping into more simplified, exaggerated art for comedic effect before snapping back to its polished standard look for the action. This visual flexibility adds to the show’s charm and helps emphasize its tonal shifts.
The color palette deserves special mention too. “Sakamoto Days” uses bright, almost cheerful colors for its world, creating an interesting contrast with its sometimes violent subject matter. Sakamoto’s convenience store is rendered in warm, inviting tones that make its transformation into an occasional battlefield all the more striking.
Sound design doesn’t lag behind either. The voice acting (in the Japanese version) is spot-on, with Sakamoto’s voice actor nailing the balance between intimidating and fatherly. The soundtrack knows when to amp up the energy for fight scenes and when to pull back for more emotional moments, complementing the on-screen action without overwhelming it.
How Does It Compare to Similar Anime?
If you’re trying to decide whether to watch “Sakamoto Days,” you might be wondering how it stacks up against similar titles in the action-comedy genre. Let’s break down some comparisons:
“Sakamoto Days” vs. “Spy x Family”
Both shows center around deadly professionals trying to maintain a family life, but they approach this premise from different angles. Where “Spy x Family” leans more heavily on its family dynamics and espionage elements, “Sakamoto Days” puts greater emphasis on action sequences and the protagonist’s past catching up with him.
“Spy x Family” has a more polished, mainstream appeal, while “Sakamoto Days” embraces its absurdist elements more freely. If you enjoyed Loid Forger’s struggle to balance his spy duties with his fake family, you’ll likely appreciate Sakamoto’s similar (but more action-packed) juggling act.
“Sakamoto Days” vs. “Way of the Househusband”
These two share the most obvious similarities – both feature former underworld legends who have embraced domestic life. However, “Way of the Househusband” is primarily a comedy with minimal actual action, presenting most of its scenarios as humorous misunderstandings.
“Sakamoto Days” delivers on the action front in a way that “Househusband” deliberately avoids, making it the better choice if you want to see your retired badass actually throw down. That said, if you enjoyed the fish-out-of-water comedy of “Househusband,” many of those elements are present in “Sakamoto Days” as well.
“Sakamoto Days” vs. “Assassination Classroom”
While the premises are quite different, both shows blend action, comedy, and surprising emotional depth with an offbeat sensibility. “Assassination Classroom” has a larger cast and more complex narrative, while “Sakamoto Days” maintains a tighter focus on its core characters and situations.
If you appreciated how “Assassination Classroom” could pivot from hilarious to heartfelt within the same episode, you’ll find “Sakamoto Days” hits many of the same notes, albeit in a more grounded setting (despite its over-the-top action).
Who Is “Sakamoto Days” For?
After spending time with this series, I think I can pinpoint who’s going to get the most enjoyment out of “Sakamoto Days”:
- Action fans who appreciate choreography and creativity over excessive violence
- Comedy lovers who enjoy absurdist humor and fish-out-of-water scenarios
- Viewers tired of the same old protagonists and looking for someone unique
- Fans of shows that balance humor with genuine emotional stakes
- People who enjoy seeing familiar tropes subverted or given fresh spins
On the flip side, this might not be your cup of tea if:
- You prefer your action anime with more serious, gritty tones throughout
- Complex, season-spanning narratives are more your thing
- You’re looking for deep philosophical themes or commentary
- Fan service and romance elements are high on your priority list
The Verdict: Is “Sakamoto Days” Worth Your Time?
After weighing all the factors – the stellar animation, the unique premise, the well-executed character dynamics, and yes, even considering its occasional missteps – I can confidently say that “Sakamoto Days” is absolutely worth watching.
In a medium often criticized for recycling the same ideas, “Sakamoto Days” feels like a breath of fresh air. It takes familiar elements and combines them in ways that feel genuinely novel. The show’s greatest strength is how it balances its comedy, action, and heart without letting any single element overwhelm the others.
Is it perfect? No. The middle section drags a bit, and some antagonists could use more depth. But these flaws are minor compared to what the show gets right. In a landscape crowded with isekai adventures and high school dramas, “Sakamoto Days” stands out as something special.
I’d give it a solid 8.5/10 – a must-watch for action-comedy fans and a strong recommendation for anime viewers in general.
How to Watch “Sakamoto Days”
If I’ve convinced you to give this show a shot (and I hope I have), you can stream “Sakamoto Days” on [streaming platforms where available]. The first season consists of [number] episodes, making it a manageable binge over a weekend or a couple of weeks of more measured viewing.
I’d recommend watching it in Japanese with subtitles if possible, as the voice acting adds significantly to the character dynamics. That said, if dubs are more your speed, the English version does a decent job of preserving the show’s humor and energy.
Final Thoughts: The Future of “Sakamoto Days”
With the manga still ongoing and performing well in sales, the future looks bright for “Sakamoto Days” as a franchise. There’s plenty of source material for additional seasons, and the first season ends at a natural point that both provides closure and leaves the door open for more adventures.
Whether we’ll get a second season remains to be announced at the time of writing, but based on reception and streaming numbers, I’d be surprised if we don’t see more of Sakamoto and crew in the future.
If you’re on the fence about starting this series, I’d encourage you to give the first three episodes a try. By that point, you’ll have a solid feel for the show’s style and rhythm, and I suspect many viewers will find themselves unable to stop there.
“Sakamoto Days” reminds us why we fell in love with anime in the first place – its ability to take wild concepts and execute them with such confidence that you can’t help but come along for the ride. In a medium defined by imagination, this show stands as a testament to what creative minds can accomplish when they’re not afraid to get weird.
So grab some snacks (Sakamoto would approve), get comfortable, and give this uniquely entertaining series a chance. Your watchlist might be long, but “Sakamoto Days” deserves to be near the top.
Have you already watched “Sakamoto Days”? Drop a comment below with your thoughts! Did you love it as much as I did, or did you have a different take? I’m always down to discuss this gem of a show with fellow anime fans.