Uncover the Most Epic Arcs in Sakamoto Days You Can’t Miss!

by

Summary

  • Sakamoto Days is a top battle shounen series with hardcore fights and unpredictable twists.
  • The Amusement Park Arc sets the tone with explosive action sequences and introduces significant characters.
  • The Lab Arc establishes canon foundations, reveals Shin’s backstory, and showcases intense rescue missions.

At first glance, Sakamoto Days may seem like a lighthearted action-comedy due to its excessive dad jokes and the quirky character of Sakamoto himself. However, upon closer examination, it stands out as one of the top battle shounen series in recent years.

What starts as an almost slice-of-life take on a retired assassin-turned-shopkeeper quickly escalates into a high-stakes action series that leaves fans hooked. In spite of how it looks, the entire show is packed with some of the most hardcore fights and most unpredictable twists in the genre. It’s also one of the few series in the sphere that features an overpowered protagonist who tries to come off otherwise. Every arc is more intense than the previous one and manages to bring something new to the table.

This article contains heavy spoilers for the Sakamoto Days manga.

8. Amusement Park Arc

The First Arc

  • Chapters 12-17

The Amusement Park Arc is the first arc of the story. It takes place between chapters 12 and 17 and basically starts off by giving the entire series a little background before diving headfirst into some of the most explosive action sequences in anime. This arc follows Sakamoto, his family, Shin, and Lu as they head to an amusement park for a relaxing day. Instead, they end up crossing paths with multiple assassins who are on Sakamoto’s trail. Their goal is to get rid of Sakamoto because of the bounty on his head.

The most notable character in the arc is Sakamoto’s formed colleague Boiled. He’s a ruthless assassin with an unusual fixation on the concept of being ‘hardcore’ (which he labels as being hard-boiled). This arc perfectly sets the tone for the series’ future fights and Boiled serves as a solid early-game threat that basically reveals the protagonist’s true powers to the viewers.

7. Bangkok Arc

Seventh Arc

  • Chapters 121-130

The Bangkok Arc in Sakamoto Days is the seventh overall arc in the series. It unfolds over chapters 121 to 130 in the manga and is particularly known for being one of the shortest arcs in the entire story.

In it, Sakamoto, Shin, Heisuke, and Amane, travel to Bangkok with the intention of getting more information about Slur. However, that’s not their prime goal. The prime goal is to stop Akira from doing something irrational in her pursuit of revenge that would eventually put her life in danger. This arc is known for introducing a plethora of new characters to the series like Kumanomi and Haruma. As a result, there’s a lot more lore unveiling about X’s organization.

6. Lab Arc

Second Arc

  • Chapters 16-31

The Lab Arc is the second major arc in the story that unfolds over the course of chapters 16 to 31. It cranks up the stakes considerably and finally lays actual canon foundations for the story. It dives into Shin’s backstory while also setting the stage for the first set of actual antagonists.

It starts with Lu getting kidnapped and transported to a facility called “The Lab” in Shin’s stead. The lab is an ethical experimentation facility that has now been overrun by evil men trying to turn it unethical. Sakamoto’s and Shin’s plan is to go the the place and wreak havoc to rescue Lu.

5. Assassin Exhibition Of The Century Arc

Eighth Arc

  • Chapters 131-168

The Assassin Exhibition of the Century Arc is the eighth arc in the story and ranges from chapters 131 to 168. It expands on the Bangkok Arc and shows how capable the antagonists of the series are when it comes to getting back at the main characters. The arc revolves around what should have been a flashy museum event turning into a full-scale battlefield with high stakes.

After the events of the previous arc, the main characters uncover a plot from Uzuki. He plans on assassinating the leader of JAA to create chaos in the assassin realm. His designated place of target is the upcoming Assassin’s Exhibition of The Century sponsored by JAA itself. Sakamoto and his gang take it upon themselves to stop that from happening.

4. Death Row Prisoners Arc

Third Arc

  • Chapters 32-54

The Death Row Prisoners Arc is the third arc in the story and spans from chapter 32 to chapter 54. It throws Sakamoto and his crew into absolute chaos when a group of deadly convicts are unleashed on them by X. These convicts are assassins who’ve been sentenced to death for the horrors they’ve committed in their lives. Which, in itself, is very telling considering how the entire series is set in a very brutal backdrop of assassins and hitmen.

The showdown starts as a simple confrontation but escalates into a full-blown war between Sakamoto’s crew and the deadly assassin criminals. The tension peaks when the two groups fight each other at Tokyo Tower, making this arc one of the most intense and defining moments in Sakamoto Days. It’s also a very clear favorite among fans of the series.

3. JCC Transfer Exams Arc

Fourth Arc

  • Chapters 55-72

The JCC Transfer Exams Arc is the fourth arc in the story ranging from chapters 55–72. It drops Sakamoto and Shin into the assassin world’s version of a high-stakes college entrance exam. After the Death Row Prisoner arc, the main characters realize that the only way they can obtain more information on their enemy is to directly start working with him. One way they can do that is to enroll in the JCC academy and dig up intel on Slur. The problem is, not everyone can simply walk in and get an admission. They have to undergo a brutal, cutthroat selection process where only the strongest survive. That’s precisely what Sakamoto and Shin decide to do — infiltrate JCC by taking its entrance exam.

This arc introduces a fresh batch of characters, including Mafuyu Seba, Joichiro Kaji, and Akira Akao. Plus, seeing Sakamoto blend in with actual students (while still being an absolute menace) adds just the right amount of humor to balance the tension. It also gives fans a hint as to how hardcore he would’ve been in his own student days.

2. Sakamoto’s Past Arc

Sixth Arc

  • Chapters 105-120

The Sakamoto’s Past Arc is the sixth arc in the story and finally pulls back the curtain on Taro Sakamoto’s legendary hitman days. it dives headfirst into his old world and introduces some very important key figures from his past. Like most arcs that dive into a character’s past, this one also packs a very emotional punch. While fans have had glimpses of Sakamoto’s days as a legendary hitman, this one finally details why Sakamoto did what he did (leaving his violent life to become a family man).

The arc also actively ties into the present and adds a plethora of new layers to his conflicts. it also explicitly shows how and why walking away from the underworld isn’t as easy as it sounds. Additionally, it doesn’t just focus on Sakamoto distinctly. It delves into so many other characters associated with him (such as Nagamo) and even introduces new ones.

1. JCC Infiltration Arc

Fifth Arc

  • Chapters 73-104​​​​​

The result of the JCC entrance exams is obviously Sakamoto and Shin finally being able to do what they had intended. The JCC Infiltration Arc revolves around their infiltration story after the intense exam. It dives straight into the heart of assassin academia — the JCC. They’re finally able to follow through with their goal of digging up intel on Slur by literally being a part of his team. This arc balances tense undercover work with some of the most chaotic action in the series.

Beyond the high-stakes mission, this arc does some serious heavy lifting in the character department. Sakamoto’s past with JCC resurfaces and Shin gets a much-needed power boost. Fans also get to see some new allies and some absolute nightmares.

Read More

2025-03-16 23:01