Sakamoto Days Episode 7 Ends With Noir-Inspired Alternate Ending Theme

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Summary

  • Episode 7 of SAKAMOTO DAYS set up an eventful eighth episode with members of The Order arriving at the Akutabi Science Museum, where Shin was raised.
  • The alternate ending‘s monochromatic visuals and song choice set a noir atmosphere, with a sense of foreboding.
  • The episode’s brilliance lies in contrasting the upbeat feel of the series and its usual ending theme.

In the seventh installment of SAKAMOTO DAYS, Osaragi and Shishiba from The Order reached the Akutabi Science Museum, paving the way for an action-packed eighth episode. The clandestine team of JAA is poised to act against “Slur” in the upcoming episode. As for the ending theme tune of SAKAMOTO DAYS episode 7, it underwent a transformation from the cheerful, sugary sweet, and lively feel of “Ordinary” by Cotton Candy, to a darker, grittier film noir ambiance and an impressive vocal rendition by Vaundy, who also sings the show’s opening theme song.

The black-and-white imagery and music selection make for a delightful experience for devoted series enthusiasts, imbuing it with the distinctive ambiance of a cult favorite crime drama.

Brief Episode 7 Recap

Shin’s Past Comes Bubbles Up, The Order Make Their Move

In episode 7 of SAKAMOTO DAYS, the importance of the alternate ending lies in its connection to the story’s conclusion. Specifically, Osaragi and Shishiba find themselves at a museum housing the lab where Shin was brought up. This lab has been seized by a group of assassins, who compel the scientists to conduct research on supernatural abilities.

In the series, The Lab’s unique instance where they successfully imbued someone with supernatural powers is Shin. However, episode 7 doesn’t delve into the specific methods they used to achieve this feat. In episode 7, Lu Shaotang is abducted by a gang dressed in hazmat suits, who are led by an individual of questionable intelligence. He believes that Shaotang must be Shin because she was wearing his apron and had his name tag.

In a thrilling motorcycle pursuit, Shin and Sakamoto find themselves hot on the heels of Lu’s abductors, but unfortunately, they lose track of them. Instead, they head straight to The Lab, which appears altered compared to Shin’s previous visit due to recent changes in leadership.

They run into the local mad scientist, Mad Horiguchi, and find themselves with quite a challenge ahead, but they might receive assistance from Osaragi and Shishiba, who made a quick appearance at the end of the previous episode. The way The Order receives their own mini-music video in this manner adds to the anticipation for the next episode, number eight.

A scent drifted from somewhere

A monster in this desolate town

But so what?

A floater elegantly masking it with flowers

Looking back, the empty nights feel unbearable

My stomach feels heavy

Wake me up from this dream

– Vaundy

Why An Alternate Ending?

The Significance of Alternate Opening and Ending Themes

Theme songs are crucial elements in shaping the television experience across various genres. Whether it’s a news channel delivering grim updates or a sitcom setting up its humor, these tunes play an essential role. For instance, they prepare your mind to absorb news about tragic events like “thousands dead and many more injured” or financial downturns such as “the stocks of the SKMT, the JAA, and the DDK have reached an all-time low”. Similarly, successful sitcoms rely on their catchy intros to summarize their content, while classic cartoons leave indelible impressions thanks to their theme songs.

It’s crucial to highlight that a show’s music plays a significant role, particularly in anime productions where it becomes even more pronounced. Despite the animation quality often receiving criticism, shows like SAKAMOTO DAYS stand out due to their exceptional ambiance, backed by an impressive soundtrack. This soundtrack is the work of none other than Yuki Hayashi, a renowned composer known for creating the scores for series such as Haikyu!, My Hero Academia, Wistora: Wand and Sword, Insomniacs After School, and numerous other titles.

As a music enthusiast, I can confidently say that Hayashi is undeniably one of the greats when it comes to crafting soundtracks for anime. His unique style shines particularly in the music of SAKAMOTO DAYS, offering a refreshing change from what one might expect in a series like My Hero Academia. The theme songs in this show are noteworthy for their ability to challenge expectations and break free from the predictable structure that routine often imposes on a show – its opening, episodes, ending, and post-credit sequences.

In essence, switching to a different motif serves to underscore or relate to specific scenes in an episode. The original Teen Titans show could serve as an excellent example due to its opening that bore a resemblance to anime, with Puffy AmiYumi performing the theme song. Notably, this tune had both English and Japanese versions; the English version was usually played during more somber episodes, whereas the Japanese one was typically used for lighter, comedic ones. This demonstrates how significant a change in theme song can be, particularly when it’s temporary, as it can convey various tones and moods effectively.

The Brilliance of the Episode 7 Alternate Ending

The Underworld of the Underworld

The remarkable aspect of the alternate ending in episode 7 lies in how the black-and-white, gritty aesthetics align perfectly with Vaundy’s music and lyrics, evoking a deep feeling of desolation yet hope, as exemplified by the powerful line “Somebody help us”. The atmosphere of the SAKAMOTO DAYS episode 7 alternate ending can be characterized as ‘noir’, drawing inspiration from film noir – a cinematic style or genre that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, marked by pessimistic themes, morally ambiguous characters, and the distinctive monochromatic visuals that gave it its name, ‘film noir’, meaning ‘black film’ or more accurately, ‘dark film’.

Drawing influence from various art forms that emerged in early 20th century Europe, such as German Expressionism, French poetic realism, Italian neorealism, and American hardboiled fiction, the classification of film noir remains a topic of debate among critics, with compelling arguments on both sides. In episode 7 of SAKAMOTO DAYS, the alternate ending contrasts sharply with the usual cheerful, vivid theme, instead creating an atmosphere of apprehension and highlighting the importance of this story segment. Given the series’ focus on characters with ties to the criminal underworld, these stylistic choices for the ending theme also align well with noir aesthetics, further reinforcing the connection.

SAKAMOTO DAYS is available on Netflix.

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2025-02-26 22:25