Sakamoto Days is the latest anime on Netflix that everyone is talking about, and having watched the series, I can understand why. It’s fun and easy to watch, yet you can’t seem to stop once you start. The show mixes humour, action, family moments, and a bit of quirky anime fun—all coming together in a unique way. We follow Taro Sakamoto, a hitman who now runs a small store with his wife, Aoi, and daughter, Hana. He left his dangerous past for a quieter life, but old habits die hard, and his past still finds a way to catch up with him.
Yuto Suzuki’s hit manga from Weekly Shonen Jump was adapted into an anime by TMS Entertainment. Expectations were high—and it mostly delivered. The first part is now finished, and the next will return in July 2025. Sakamoto Days isn’t perfect—the animation is a bit rough at times—but it’s really fun. It blends action, laughs, and heart in a refreshing way.
The idea behind Sakamoto Days is fantastic, and it comes to life perfectly in the series. Instead of showing us how Sakamoto became a hitman, it jumps right to his retirement, much like John Wick. We see a mix of his deadly past and his new life as a laid-back convenience store owner. This mix brings both thrills and laughs as he defends his quiet life from old foes.
The supporting cast of characters gives Sakamoto Days depth, elevating it from a fun but forgettable concept into something engaging. Shin, who can read minds and once worked as an assassin, and Lu Shaotang, a fighter with her own rough history, join Sakamoto to form a makeshift family. Their friendship feels genuine as the season progresses, with each character showcasing their unique style. When Heisuke Mashimo appears, his modern lingo might catch you off guard, but it adds extra energy.
Sakamoto Days comes alive in its action scenes, even if the animation quality doesn’t always do them justice. They mix slapstick, like in a Jackie Chan film, with the raw feel of a crime drama. One minute, Sakamoto stops a bullet by spitting a gumdrop. The next, he takes out gangsters in a dark warehouse. These moments capture the show’s cool style and its knack for blending laughs with real suspense.
The adaptation isn’t perfect. Sometimes, the pace lags, and some episodes feel like random events rather than part of a cohesive, smooth story. The animation, while generally okay, occasionally falls short by not matching the manga’s fast, dynamic moves or looking a bit sloppy. The combat scenes, in particular, often come off as dull and miss the frantic vibe of the source material.
“The supporting cast of characters gives Sakamoto Days depth, elevating it from a fun but forgettable concept into something engaging. “
The voice acting is worth a shout-out. Matt Mercer (English) and Tomokazu Sugita (Japanese) bring real life to Sakamoto. In the beginning, his reserved side limits how much you see, but both actors find subtle ways to hint at his complexity. Sugita even admitted he once “deliberately avoided” the role until he discovered its hidden charm.
The season finale, Casino Battle, sums up the show’s ups and downs. It wraps up Lu’s journey and hints at future twists, yet it doesn’t feel like the ultimate climax. Instead, the episode treats us to a fun gambling escapade that feels more like a side adventure.
Yet, even with the nonsense on screen, Sakamoto Days really shines when it finds moments of real emotion amid the chaos. In the finale, Lu’s flashback explains how her childhood act of defending Wutang turned him into a key player in their mafia. It’s these little details that make the action and jokes feel more genuine and the character building that makes it so easy to root for the show’s main cast.
No matter the flaws, Sakamoto Days has struck a chord with fans. It’s quickly become one of Netflix’s biggest hits among non-English titles. The show’s blend of action, humour, and heart offers a unique alternative to the more intense shonen series like Jujutsu Kaisen or Solo Leveling, all without leaving the chaos and insanity of the battles we all know and love.
“Sakamoto Days really shines when it finds moments of real emotion amid the chaos.”
As Sakamoto Days gears up to return in July, it’s clear there’s plenty of room to grow. The new teaser ups the ante by unleashing four dangerous murderers on Japan at Slur’s command. It feels like the stakes are about to get much more intense, and I can’t wait to see where the show takes us.
Sure, it might not be on the same level as blockbusters like Demon Slayer or My Hero Academia, at least not yet. But with its mix of normal life and heart-pounding action, the show is carving out its own niche. If you’re into a blend of fierce battles, true heart, and good humour, Sakamoto Days is definitely worth checking out.
