Netflix’s adaptation of the popular manga Sakamoto Days continues releasing episodes weekly in its first season. The story revolves around Sakamoto, a former assassin who has settled into a normal life, raising a family and managing a convenience store. However, when his past gets exposed, he teams up with a quirky young man named Shin and faces off against a series of gentle—yet deadly—killers, all drawn to the hefty bounty on his head. This sets the stage for the current arc titled “Quest for Blood.”
Opening shot: A panoramic view of Tokyo with birds flying over the city.
Key Points: Welcome to chaos. A group of vicious serial killers is on the loose, posing a serious threat. Some poor souls, probably innocent bystanders, are about to face a grim fate related to the bounty over Sakamoto (Tomokazoo Sagita). Little did they know their lives would be cut short in some gruesome way.
Next up, Sakamoto and his allies, Shin (Obunaga Shimazaki) and Lu (Ayane Sakura), find themselves at a video rental store in 2025—a bit retro for the time. They rent films centered around serial killers, gearing up for the challenges ahead. They have an amusing meeting with the sniper named Mr. Suzuki and the ace fighter Nagumo (Natsuki Haeno), who are in disguise. It’s also worth mentioning that Tamura (Hochutuka), another player on the scene, brings a rather dangerous attitude.
Meanwhile, Lu and Shin are at a home improvement store, which has a pet section. As they search for supplies to fortify Sakamoto’s convenience store against attacks, they get sidetracked by adorable puppies and kittens. The moment of levity turns tense when Saw (Toriumi Kohsuke) confronts them in the store and begins a rather long, self-referential song that’s, frankly, pretty boring. As Shin attempts to read Saw’s next move, he finds himself more distracted by the chaos than anything else.
What shows does it remind you of? The series has a vibe reminiscent of Rurouni Kenshin, where a former assassin struggles to leave his violent history behind but is constantly thrust back into that world. The original anime had a reboot in 2023, and both versions are currently available on Netflix and Hulu.
Our Take: Initially, I was somewhat skeptical about Sakamoto, feeling a bit fatigued by the premise, which I’ve seen play out in many forms before. However, after 12 episodes, the plot thickens with the introduction of various characters. It raises some questions—will adding more killers shift the dynamics among characters, or is it just a way to create more action-packed scenes?
Sadly, it seems more focused on spectacle than substance. The series thrives on action and humor, but character development takes a backseat. It feels like everything is progressing in a video game-like manner, with Shin acquiring new abilities and the stakes rising. While the fight scenes are undeniably visually striking, they don’t evoke much emotional or intellectual engagement from me. The animation style has a lively, cartoonish quality, drawing some parallels to Speed Racer, but I find it hard to stay connected to the narrative.
Sex and Skin: No mature content noted thus far.
Farewell shot: A climactic freeze frame captures Shin charging toward an opponent, likely teetering on the brink of defeat.
Sleeper Star: Keep an eye on MR. Takamura; he might surprise us.
Most telling line: Nagumo serves as a reminder to Sakamoto about the strength of fate.
Our Call: Sakamoto Days may mainly appeal to manga enthusiasts hoping to see their favorite stories animated. For the rest, it might feel overwhelming. Consider skipping it.
