Sakamoto Days : Anime Review

I swear, this anime feels like you’re watching action, comedy, and heart all bundled together in one sweet package. From the very first episode, you meet Sakamoto, who used to be a legendary assassin feared by everybody. Like, this guy was untouchable—if Sakamoto was after you, forget it, your days were numbered. But now? My guy retires, opens a convenience store, and becomes this chubby, wholesome family man. The funny part is, even with all that weight and his soft “dad vibes,” he’s still that same terrifying legend when it’s time to fight. That contrast had me laughing and hyped at the same time.

One of the scenes that really stuck with me was when a group of thugs stormed into his store, thinking they could just rob him because he looked soft. The way he handled them effortlessly—without even breaking a sweat—was insane. He was dodging bullets while still carrying grocery bags, flipping these guys around like rag dolls. I couldn’t help but laugh, but I also felt this sense of admiration. Like, wow, Sakamoto chose peace, but he’s still a beast when pushed. It made me think about how people can change paths in life but their past skills never truly leave them.

Then there is Shin, a younger assassin who can read minds. One of my favorite twists in his introduction was that in the beginning, Shin looks down on Sakamoto believing he has been softened. However, after the point when Shin actually observes how Sakamoto moves in a real fight, his entire worldview turns the other way. This is one rooftop battle where Sakamoto is outnumbered, and Shin is literally reading his mind as he counts ten moves ahead. I had goosebumps as I was pretty much watching a person cracking a puzzle with their fists, guns, and sheer brain power.

However, the series does not simply remain goofy action all the way through--it goes deep as well. As with the entire assassin group returning to take care of Sakamoto. I was on edge during those scenes because, however powerful he may be, I still kept worrying about his family. There comes a time when his wife and daughter are on the verge of danger and he becomes a full-blown berserker. It is no longer about defending himself, and you sense his love for his family oozing through each blow and each strategy. I tell you, that moved me, it brought me back to the thought of how much people can go to make their loved ones happy.

Another comedy yet tense scene was when they were inside this massive shopping mall, where Sakamoto was forced to kill off a hit squad whilst they continued to be mere shoppers. Think of pushing a shopping cart, selecting goods, and killing assassins behind aisles in the process. It was comedy because of the animation, but I was also holding my breath thinking, How is he getting this off without his daughter noticing?

The subsequent arcs were quite stingy as well. The villains become harder, the battles more bloody, and what surprised me is the extent to which they can infuse them with humor. There was one moment, by disguising himself most outrageously, he makes you think that he appears ridiculous, yet it works. That made me understand--Sakamoto does not want to be cool; he just wants to achieve results. I admired him even more by that, as it is quite hard to find an action character that is both badass and goofy at the same time without one stealing the shine off the other.

What actually moved me, however, was the way Shin and others gradually created this strange little family around Sakamoto. These killers, who are to be his enemies, turn out to be his allies. It helped me feel we were warm, even in this world of violence, there is room to be loyal, trust, and laugh. I would not be honest to say that I was not struck more by some of those silent moments than I was by the fights.

To be frank, it seemed to me that I was on a rollercoaster ride when watching Sakamoto Days, laughing at one point, gasping at the fighting choreography the next, and then unexpectedly suddenly emotional. And in all of that, I continued to think, Man, this guy is the embodiment of balance. He demonstrated to me how you can be fierce and gentle, gummy and solemn, cuddly-looking, yet as tough as iron. I was all invested by the time the final big battle approached. I was cheering for him, not only as a fighter, but as a dad, husband, peace-loving person who cannot get rid of all his past.

And honestly? That action-heart combination made me like all the scenes even more. Assassins were not fighting, but it was about life, decisions, and people that you stand by.


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