Sakamoto Days Episode 1 Review: Sakamoto Most Definitely Did Not Quit!

The 1st episode of Sakamoto Days or SAKAMOTO DAYS, was a nice start to an action comedy show that promises to entertain us this winter. Let’s discover how this episode plays out.

Sakamoto Days Overview

Sakamoto Days, a Japanese manga series by Yuto Suzuki, has been making headlines since its debut in Weekly Shōnen Jump in November 2020. As of January 2025, the series spans 20 tankōbon volumes, with English versions available via Viz Media and Manga Plus.

The story centres around Taro Sakamoto, once a legendary hitman who left his violent past behind to lead a quiet life as a devoted family man. However, Sakamoto’s peaceful existence is constantly challenged by his old enemies or former coworkers seeking revenge.

The much-anticipated anime adaptation, produced by TMS Entertainment, premiered on January 11, 2025, on TV Tokyo and is available globally on Netflix. Directed by Masaki Watanabe, the series features scripts by Taku Kishimoto, character designs by Yō Moriyama, and a score by Yuki Hayashi. It will air in two split seasons, with the second half debuting in July 2025.

The anime’s theme songs, “Hashire Sakamoto” by Vaundy and “Futsū” by Conton Candy, are great and catchy. By December 2024, the manga had achieved over 7 million copies in circulation, proving its popularity.

Sakamoto Days Episode 1 Review

This anime is wholesome, and that is the vibe and mood that you will get throughout the episode. You see, Sakamoto used to be a very talented and absolutely ferocious hitman who would almost remind you of John Wick. And just like him, Sakamoto, too, found love, had kids and settled down. Now, what would happen if anyone, be it his friend from work or a past foe, tries to take that hard-earned happiness away from a man like Sakamoto? Well, the results will not be good for that person, and that is exactly what we witness here.

Shin, his partner from his past hitman days and a talented esper plus hitman himself gets the task of eliminating Sakamoto from their former boss. The plan is simple, convince Sakamoto to return to a life of crime or send him to heaven or hell if he denies it. Sakamoto, who has become much fatter and is way past his heyday, seems like an easy target to get rid of. But is he, though?

Did he really forget his roots and become just a middle-aged uncle who can do nothing but munch on ramen from his own convenience store? Is he only fit to be the reliant handyman of the town he lives in? Why don’t you just find that out yourself in the very first episode of this Sakamoto Days?

The animation is pretty good, and it captures the nuances of the manga nicely. The voice acting cast is also really appropriate as we see Tomokazu Sugita, who is famous as Gintoki’s voice actor from Gintama, voicing Sakamoto. Apart from that, it has a fun and inviting storyline that is very reminiscent of the anime The Way of the Househusband, where, again, a yakuza decides to settle down after quitting his crime-filled past.

Verdict

This is a nice anime that reminds you of existing action comedy shows like Spy x Family and The Way of the Househusband. It is not something that will blow you away with its uniqueness or shock you to the core, but is an entertaining watch nonetheless. So, if you want something fresh and slice-of-life-esque that also has ample action and comedy in it, watch this right away.

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