I’ve been getting again into anime in recent times, from making my means via the epic pirate saga often known as One Piece after having fun with Netflix’s live-action adaptation, to becoming a member of the fanbase for the splendidly wacky Dan Da Dan, which premieres its second season on the 2025 TV schedule subsequent month. It was particularly nice to take a look at Terminator Zero final 12 months, given my ardour for the sci-fi franchise… properly, the primary two films, anyway. The newest anime that has my consideration, nevertheless, is named Sakamoto Days, and I like the present as a result of it’s like if somebody made a John Wick-like consolation watch.
What Sakamoto Days Is About
Sakamoto Days, based mostly off the same-named manga, premiered again in January. Whereas I solely simply began making my means via the episodes with my Netflix subscription, I knew months again that I used to be finally going to test it out based mostly on the premise. This anime follows Taro Sakamoto, who was as soon as the world’s nice murderer. Nevertheless, upon falling in love with a girl named Aoi, Sakamoto agreed to her calls for that he cease being a hitman and quit killing.
They married, had a daughter named Hana and now run a comfort retailer in Tokyo. Though Sakamoto beneficial properties a variety of weight due to his inactivity, he’s nonetheless extremely highly effective. Which is sweet as a result of when the collection begins, every kind of hitmen descend upon the shop to gather the bounty on his head after his location was lastly found
Though Sakamoto not often wants assist with dispatching enemies, all of which is completed non-lethally, it’s nonetheless welcome when he beneficial properties the help of three younger former criminals: Shin Akasura, a clairvoyant who was Sakamoto’s protege; Liu Xiaotang, the orphaned daughter of a criminal offense boss; and Heisuke Mashimo, an amusingly gullible sniper. These three stability their time working on the retailer and keeping off the unending wave of killers determined to eradicate Mr. Sakamoto, they usually’re welcomed into the person’s household.
How Sakamoto Days Places A Nice Twist On John Wick
Within the John Wick franchise, Keanu Reeves’ title character retired from being an murderer when he met his spouse Helen, although he was solely ready to take action after finishing up the Not possible Job for Viggo Tarasov (which can be lined within the upcoming anime prequel film). Sadly, Helen died of most cancers a couple of years later, and when the pet she left him was killed by Tarasov’s son, he reentered the prison underworld to hunt revenge. Doesn’t Sakamoto Days sound like what would have occurred if John Wick’s life had gone in a happier course?
To make certain, the violence in Sakamoto Days is fantastical, similar to the super-powered motion one would discover in an R-rated Marvel or DC Comics story. John Wick’s violence can also be absurd, however it’s nonetheless based mostly in hyper-realism. And like so many shōnen manga/anime, there are a variety of cartoonish gags blended in.
Nevertheless, it’s not the motion that makes Sakamoto Days stand out most to me, despite the fact that I do get pleasure from watching it. It’s how the present mixes that motion with the comforting vibe I discussed earlier. I get a kick out of watching Mr. Sakamoto and his cohorts simply doing on a regular basis actions, from working errands to enjoyable at a bathhouse, and coping with the hitmen who intervene alongside the way in which. It’s the form of slice of life storytelling we don’t get within the John Wick franchise, and it’s all of the extra hilarious how Mr. Sakamoto simply shrugs off a lot of the assailants who assault him.
I’m glad I carved out time to look at Sakamoto Days, and I’m glad the following batch of episodes are popping out subsequent month since Half 1 ended on a cliffhanger. In case you’re a John Wick fan like me who’s occupied with seeing that form of character positioned in a extra heartwarming setting, this anime is value trying out.