Introduction

As a fan of many manga series, I often get excited when I hear about an anime adaptation. At the same time, I’m also filled with a certain amount of fear. “Who is going to animate it?” I always wonder. While I’m not overly critical of animation, I do want the adaptation to do justice to the manga I love. When Sakamoto Days was constantly being advertised at conventions (I saw booths for it at every NY convention I attended), I was intrigued but cautious. Animated by TMS Entertainment, I breathed a sigh of relief. After watching the first three episodes, was my relief too premature, or is Sakamoto Days the anime adaptation of the season so far? Let’s find out in my first impressions review!

Why You’ll Like This

For those unfamiliar with Sakamoto Days, let me give you a brief rundown of the story. The series starts with a legendary hitman named Tarou Sakamoto, whose mere name struck fear into the hearts of the criminal underworld. However, Sakamoto disappeared from the business to settle down, get married, and have a child. He now owns a konbini (convenience store) and tries to live a peaceful life. But the criminal lifestyle doesn’t let go that easily, and Sakamoto soon finds himself being hunted again.

Sakamoto Days is ridiculous, but that’s part of its charm. I loved the manga from the very first chapter. While it doesn’t do anything particularly original, it works because of the fun characters, quirky story, and lightheartedness. You’ll meet all kinds of surreal characters, and our main “hero” is anything but typical. Wait until you see even more from him later on!

Is It Worth Three Episodes?

Honestly, Sakamoto Days is one of those series that many will either love or hate if they don’t take it too seriously. While it has some shounen elements and action-heavy moments, it also leans heavily into comedy, which might turn off some viewers. However, I think it’s definitely worth trying out. I’ve recommended it to a few coworkers, and they loved it. Don’t watch the first few minutes expecting the entire show to be action-packed though—this series has a lot of comedic moments, which are central to its appeal.

Conclusion

So far, Sakamoto Days shows a lot of promise as a great adaptation. The only way I see this series failing is if it skips over key parts from the manga, but if they stay true to the original source material, I don’t see why this anime won’t be well-loved by fans and newcomers alike. While I don’t think it will become the next big shounen series, that’s okay—it doesn’t need to be. It’s a fun ride, and I’m excited to see more!

Let Us Know Your Thoughts

What do you think about Sakamoto Days? For fans of the manga, what part of the story are you most excited to see animated? Let us know in the comments!

—Aaron