Most people spend their golden years relaxing, maybe picking up a hobby, but retired hitman Taro Sakamoto (Tomokazu Sugita) doesn’t get the same grace. He fills his days maintaining a convenience store with his wife and daughter while having to dodge assassination attempts every time he restocks a fridge or dusts a shelf. The underworld doesn’t take kindly to hitmen retiring, so those who once worked alongside Sakamoto to carry out his killings now view him as their next target. However, he’s sworn off killing, so with the enlisted help of Shin Asakura (Nobunaga Shimazaki), a smug psychic, and Lu Shaotang (Ayane Sakura), a martial artist, the staff of Sakamoto’s Store regularly find silly, non-lethal ways to dispatch the guns for hire who attempt to disturb their newly found peace.
“Sakamoto Days” is the latest anime adaptation from TMS Entertainment, currently airing on Netflix, and faithfully brings Yuto Suzuki’s hit manga to life. With fluid animation, absurd fight sequences, and some of the best comedic timing in anime this year, the show perfectly captures the charm of its source material, which has already sold over seven million copies worldwide. TMS Entertainment is no stranger to bringing manga to the screen, having produced classics like Lupin the Third, Detective Conan, and Dr. Stone. As one of the oldest anime studios, dating back to 1946, they’ve built a legacy of handling action-packed stories, and Sakamoto Days is no exception. Judging by how quickly it shot up Netflix’s Top 10, it’s safe to say this adaptation has been a worthwhile venture by the studio.
The high quality of the animation can’t be stated enough as TMS delivers some of the smoothest, most dynamic fight scenes in recent memory. The action moves seamlessly from bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat to exaggerated, physics-defying stunts without ever losing its comedic edge. One moment, Sakamoto is lazily dodging bullets mid-yawn, and the next, he’s hurling an assassin through a supermarket aisle. The show fully embraces the ridiculousness of its premise while keeping the choreography sharp and engaging.
However, the story itself isn’t particularly deep. Unlike your typical Shonen, the magazine that publishes the “Sakamoto Days” manga along with many other popular titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen or One Piece, Sakamoto Days doesn’t have a grand, intricate narrative. Each episode tells a different story, whether it be trying to dodge hitmen at an amusement park or entering a survival tournament in a shopping district. While there is an overarching plot, it mostly takes a backseat to fast-paced fights and ridiculous scenarios, making it more of a show you can turn your brain off to and just enjoy. This might be a downside for those looking for something with deep lore or emotional stakes, but for what it is, Sakamoto Days excels.
The voice acting also deserves a mention, with the cast perfectly embodying the manga’s chaotic energy. Tomokazu Sugita gives Sakamoto a quiet but commanding presence, while Nobunaga Shimazaki brings Shin’s frustration and wit to life. The chemistry between the characters is just as important as the action, and the delivery of every deadpan joke and over-the-top scream makes each interaction as entertaining as the fights themselves.
Even though Sakamoto Days doesn’t take itself seriously, that’s exactly what makes it work. There’s no tragic backstory to unravel or deep philosophical questions to ponder—just a former hitman running a store with his family and a few other peculiar people he has taken under his wing. It’s the perfect anime to throw on after a long day, and based on its success, plenty of people are doing just that.
With stellar animation, great comedic timing, and a faithful adaptation of the manga’s absurdity, Sakamoto Days is an easy recommendation. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this anime delivers action, comedy, and a few heartfelt moments mixed in there.
