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For anime fans, 2025 has kicked off with an exciting lineup, including the much-anticipated continuation of the historical detective series *Pharmacist's Monologue* and the sequel to the beloved isekai *Solo Leveling*. However, the new 11-episode action series *Sakamoto Days* has quickly risen to the top, dominating Netflix Japan's charts.
Why *Sakamoto Days* is an Excellent Anime
*Sakamoto Days* is a thrilling adaptation of Yuto Suzuki's manga, which began in 2020 and swiftly captured a large audience with its unique mix of action and humor. The protagonist, Taro Sakamoto, was once a legendary assassin in Japan's assassins' association, feared by criminals and revered by his peers. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he fell deeply in love with a cheerful cashier at a local grocery store. Choosing happiness over his deadly career, Sakamoto retired, got married, became a father, and settled into a peaceful life running a small shop.
The plot thickens when his former partner-in-crime and protégé, Shin, reappears, acting on orders from their boss to eliminate Taro. The narrative explores the challenges Sakamoto faces in protecting his family from his past. One of the series' highlights is its absurd battles, where Sakamoto catches bullets with chewing gum and defends himself with household items like a ladle.
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Contrasts Form the Foundation of the Narrative
*Sakamoto Days* masterfully uses contrasts to build its narrative. The series juxtaposes Sakamoto's principled family life with his dark past as an assassin. He helps his neighbors with chores and fears divorce more than any assassin, taking in the downtrodden and offering them jobs at his store. His adversaries are equally complex, with rich backstories and unexpected empathy, showcasing the fluidity between good and evil.
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Top-Notch Animation in *Sakamoto Days*
The anime is produced by TMS Entertainment, renowned for works like *Dr. Stone* and *Detective Conan*. The animation follows the best shonen traditions, with dynamic fight scenes that use shadow contrasts and fluid motion to enhance the action. Sakamoto's graceful movements and Shin's Hollywood-inspired maneuvers are standout elements of the series.
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Killing is Bad: This Message Dominates the First Four Episodes
The series balances action with uplifting family comedy, focusing on character development and interpersonal dynamics. The moral message against killing is clear and resonates throughout the first four episodes, making *Sakamoto Days* not just an action-packed series but also a commentary on violence and family values.
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Recommended Anime Similar to *Sakamoto Days*
Spy x Family
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**Studios:** Wit Studio, CloverWorks
Superagent Lloyd Forger takes on a mission to create a fake family to get close to his target. He recruits Yor, a seemingly ordinary city hall worker, as his wife, and Anya, a clever young girl, as his daughter. Unbeknownst to each other, Yor is a skilled assassin, and Anya can read minds. The series shares with *Sakamoto Days* a mix of family atmosphere, comedy, and action, with protagonists who are top professionals navigating dangerous lives while maintaining a facade of normalcy.
Gokushufudou: The Way of the Househusband
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**Studio:** J.C. Staff
Tatsu, once the feared yakuza known as the Immortal Dragon, retires to become a househusband. His daily life is filled with humor and absurdity as he tackles household tasks with the same intensity he once used in his criminal activities. Like *Sakamoto Days*, this series blends humor with a character who has seen it all, finding new challenges in everyday life.
The Fable
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**Studio:** Tezuka Productions
Akira Sato, known as The Fable, is a notorious hitman forced into hiding and tasked with living as a law-abiding citizen for a year. The series explores his struggle to adapt to a normal life, offering a darker tone than *Sakamoto Days* but sharing the premise of a killer trying to leave their past behind.
Hinamatsuri
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When a giant iron egg lands on Nitta, a yakuza member, he finds Hina, a girl with telekinetic powers, inside. He takes her in, and as she helps him with work, Nitta begins to treat her like a daughter. This series mirrors *Sakamoto Days* in balancing a dangerous past with domestic responsibilities, showcasing the humorous and heartwarming aspects of family life.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
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**Studios:** Gallop, Studio Deen
Set in the Meiji era, Himura Kenshin, a former mercenary, seeks redemption while helping those in need. *Sakamoto Days* can be seen as a modern-day *Rurouni Kenshin*, with both protagonists leaving their violent pasts behind and striving for normalcy, while balancing action and comedy.
Assassination Classroom
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**Studio:** Lerche
An alien, Koro-sensei, promises to destroy Earth in a year but first takes a job teaching a class of misfits. The students must kill him to save the planet. This series plays with contrasts much like *Sakamoto Days*, challenging stereotypes and showcasing character depth through action and humor.
Buddy Daddies
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**Studio:** P.A. Works
Hitmen Kazuki and Rei's lives are upended when the energetic girl Miri enters their lives. They must balance their dangerous work with parenting, much like Sakamoto, who navigates family life while dealing with threats from his past.
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