What Is Sakomoto Days? Shonen Jump’s Next Big Anime Adaptation

by

Key Takeaways

  • Sakamoto Days promises a unique blend of yakuza, assassins, and a family-owned store in an action-packed comedy anime.
  • The diverse cast includes a former assassin, telepath, mafia member, and sharpshooter.
  • Premiering on January 11, 2025, on Netflix, this adaptation offers weekly episodes, marking a new anime release strategy.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast with over two decades of dedication to this vibrant world, I must say that the upcoming release of “Sakamoto Days” has me genuinely thrilled. The tantalizing blend of action, humor, and heartwarming characters promises an exhilarating journey through the life of our protagonist, Taro Sakamoto.

Recently, comedic action-shonen series have been ruling the charts. Shows like “Dandadan“, “Mashle“, and “Spy X Family ” are just a few of the many laugh-out-loud and action-packed adventures that have been gracing our screens recently. However, a new player in the realm of comedy-action is making waves and seems poised to be the next big thing in anime: the adaptation of the “Sakamoto Days” manga. Picture combining the intense action of “John Wick” with the humor of “The Househusband”, and that’s what this manga is all about, delivering on its promise.

In an original blend of yakuza elements, assassins, telepathy, and the everyday life at a family-run convenience store, “Sakamoto Days” stands out as a unique shonen manga. This captivating tale is destined to become a chart-topping anime sensation when it debuts early next year. The story offers thrilling fight sequences, endearing characters with distinct personalities, and the intriguing Sakamoto, who prioritizes his family above all else but finds himself drawn back into action as an ex-assassin. Although he’s not verbose, his exceptional skills make up for his silence. Additionally, his new crime-fighting allies are more than capable of filling the conversational void.

What Is Sakamoto Days About?

Crime, Assassins, And A Convenience Store

The story revolves around Taro Sakamoto, a man who once was an assassin but hung up his weapons when he found love in Aoi and they started a family, including their daughter Hana. Together, they run the Sakamoto Store. However, one day, an old trainee of Sakamoto’s from his Yakuza days appears at the store, veiled and pleading for him to return to the criminal underworld. At first, Sakamoto declines, but outside forces push him back into action. Notably, he must adhere to a rule enforced by his wife: never to take another life again.

“Assasins don’t go to heaven.”

The predicament? Former assassins who depart from their criminal syndicate are marked for death upon departure; the data they carry could pose threats to the group, and their existence poses a risk. For instance, in the first storyline, even a casual visit to an amusement park turns perilous due to Sakamoto’s bounty, ultimately placing him in danger. Sakamto is more swift, powerful, and nimble than any other member within his organization, enabling him to elude them as long as he has so far.

Main Characters of Sakamoto Days

Sakamoto’s Family and New Crime-Fighting Friends

As a diehard fan, I’d put it like this: Taro Sakamoto was once an assassin, but now he’s a man transformed – quite literally! He’s gained weight since leaving the criminal underworld, but when agility is crucial, he morphs back into his lean, mean former self. Silent and strong, he values actions over words. His days are filled with helping his wife run our beloved family convenience store, juggling ordinary husbandly and paternal duties. He’s found peace in this life, and would go to any length to safeguard it. But when the safety of his family is at stake, he’ll step back into the shadows of the criminal world – ready to strike against those who dare threaten us.

In the anime “Sakamoto Days”, Shin Asakura is our joint main character. Previously, he was mentored by Taro Sakamoto while he was still part of the Order. Interestingly, Shin is an experimental human with telepathic powers, a skill that proved beneficial in his past criminal endeavors and now serves him well as he teams up with Taro Sakamoto to combat crime. During the downtime from his crime-fighting escapades, Shin works at Sakamoto’s Store as a clerk.

In the anime “Sakamoto Days,” Lu Shaotang is another significant character, serving as an employee at Sakamoto’s Store. She belongs to a Triad family, a faction of the Chinese Mafia. Initially, we encounter her in a precarious situation, trying to evade individuals who are after her family’s secret vault and seeking her information. Taro Sakomoto, accompanied by Shin, not only saves her but also offers her a job as a store clerk to provide her with tasks beyond her Triad family duties. Despite her history with criminal organizations, she lacks the same skills as the other two, partially due to her own indolence.

To wrap up, we’ll discuss Heisuke Mashimo, our last key character for today. He has a remarkable talent for marksmanship, but unfortunately, this skill is his only strength. As he was unable to excel in other areas typically required of a criminal, he was dismissed and resorted to earning a living through odd jobs as a sharpshooter. Living homeless in a tent with his pet bird, his life took an unexpected turn during an airsoft tournament. There, he faced defeat at the hands of Taro Sakamoto’s team but caught Sakamoto’s attention due to his exceptional marksmanship. Impressed, Sakamoto personally recruited him.

When Is It Coming Out?

We Don’t Have To Wait Much Longer For This Adaptation

Beginning January 11th, 2025, Sakamoto Days will make its debut, only on Netflix. In just under two months from this announcement, it’s set to arrive exclusively on Netflix. While details are scant, it appears that a new episode will be released weekly, though the number of episodes in the first season – 12 or 24 – has yet to be confirmed officially. Given that press releases refer to this as “season one,” it’s reasonable to anticipate additional seasons in the years to come. With four years’ worth of material already available and the manga continuing without an end in sight, fans can look forward to plenty more adventures!

Instead of releasing entire series at once, it has proven effective for shows like Dandadan and Delicious in Dungeon to release episodes one by one. Interestingly, Netflix seems to be moving away from this “all at once” approach in various non-anime mediums as well. Although we’re not far from the premiere of Sakamoto Days on Netflix, we’ll find ourselves on the edge of our seats after each episode, eagerly anticipating the mischief Sakamoto will cause every week.

You can watch Sakamoto Days on Netflix starting January 11, 2025.

Read More

2024-12-05 23:05