Sakamoto Days: Blending Action with Absurdity Seamlessly

Anime enthusiasts kicked off 2025 with a thrilling lineup, featuring the much-anticipated continuation of the historical detective series "Pharmacist's Monologue" and the sequel to the beloved isekai "Solo Leveling." However, the standout newcomer is undoubtedly the action-packed series "Sakamoto Days," which has quickly soared to the top of Netflix Japan's charts with its 11 episodes.

Why Sakamoto Days Stands Out

"Sakamoto Days" is truly an exceptional anime. Let's delve into the reasons behind its acclaim:

A Retired Hitman's New Life

The series follows Taro Sakamoto, a legendary assassin who has hung up his guns for love. Falling for a cheerful cashier, Sakamoto retires, marries, and becomes a father, embracing a peaceful life running a small shop. However, his past catches up when his former protégé, Shin, reappears with orders to eliminate him. Now, Sakamoto must protect his family from his old life's dangers.

What makes "Sakamoto Days" particularly engaging are its absurdly entertaining battles. Sakamoto ingeniously uses everyday items like chewing gum to catch bullets and a ladle to defend himself, showcasing his creativity and quick thinking.

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Spectacular Fight Scenes

The series is renowned for its visually stunning fight scenes, each episode introducing a new antagonist with unique killing techniques. Sakamoto's resourcefulness shines as he turns everyday objects into weapons—chopsticks to catch bullets, pens for combat, and spatulas and ladles to block attacks—all while dodging strikes at superhuman speeds.

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A Blend of Action and Comedy

While the action is intense, "Sakamoto Days" doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a comedy at heart, poking fun at Sakamoto's near-invulnerability and contrasting it humorously with his everyday family life. This blend of action and humor makes the series uniquely enjoyable.

Contrasts Form the Foundation of the Narrative

The narrative is built on contrasts. Sakamoto, a family man with a dark past, helps neighbors with chores while fearing divorce more than any assassin. He takes in the downtrodden, offering them jobs at his store, even paying overtime. His adversaries are equally complex, with rich backstories and unexpected empathy, challenging the typical mercenary stereotype.

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Top-Notch Animation

TMS Entertainment, known for "Dr. Stone" and "Detective Conan," brings "Sakamoto Days" to life with top-tier shonen animation. The fight scenes are particularly notable, with high-contrast shadows and fluid motion that enhance the dynamic action sequences.

Killing is Bad: A Dominant Theme

The first four episodes emphasize that killing is wrong, balancing the screen time between family comedy and criminal intrigue. The action scenes not only entertain but also reveal character depth and enhance interpersonal dynamics, making "Sakamoto Days" both enjoyable and meaningful.

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Similar Anime to Check Out

While "Sakamoto Days" continues to captivate audiences, here are some other anime that share similar themes and elements:

Spy x Family

Superagent Lloyd Forger creates a fake family to get close to his target, unaware that his wife, Yor, is an assassin, and his daughter, Anya, can read minds. The mix of family life, comedy, and action mirrors "Sakamoto Days," with protagonists who excel in their professions while maintaining a family facade.

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Gokushufudou: The Way of the Househusband

Tatsu, the legendary yakuza known as the Immortal Dragon, retires to become a househusband. His daily life, filled with humor and absurdity, parallels Sakamoto's transition from a dangerous past to domestic life.

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The Fable

Akira Sato, a notorious hitman, must live as a law-abiding citizen for a year. Like Sakamoto, he struggles to adapt to a normal life while his past lurks in the shadows, offering a darker take on similar themes.

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Hinamatsuri

Nitta, a yakuza member, takes in Hina, a girl with telekinetic powers, balancing his criminal life with newfound parental responsibilities, much like Sakamoto's dual life.

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Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

Himura Kenshin, a former mercenary, seeks redemption during the Meiji era, mirroring Sakamoto's journey from violence to peace. Both series blend action and comedy, showcasing protagonists striving for normalcy amidst their pasts.

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Assassination Classroom

An alien teacher challenges his class of misfits to kill him before he destroys Earth, playing with contrasts similar to those in "Sakamoto Days," where characters defy expectations and stereotypes.

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Buddy Daddies

Hitmen Kazuki and Rei navigate parenting alongside their dangerous jobs, much like Sakamoto, balancing family life with their past as mercenaries.

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