The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Yuto Suzuki’s manga, Sakamoto Days, is set to premiere on January 11, 2025, bringing the story of a legendary hitman turned family man to screens worldwide. The anime, produced by TMS Entertainment, promises a blend of action and comedy, following the exploits of Taro Sakamoto, a former assassin trying to live a normal life.
From Assassin to Shopkeeper: The Plot Unveiled
Sakamoto Days introduces viewers to Taro Sakamoto, once a feared and admired figure in the underworld. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love, gets married, and has a child. He trades his life of assassinations for a quiet existence running a neighborhood convenience store. The anime explores Sakamoto’s struggles to balance his peaceful family life with the lingering dangers of his past. Despite his attempts at normalcy, Sakamoto’s legendary skills as a hitman are still very much a part of him, and he often finds himself using them to protect his family.
His past catches up to him, forcing him to confront his old life, and he must choose between returning to the world of assassins or facing death. This sets the stage for a thrilling and hilarious series, with Sakamoto navigating the challenges of fatherhood while dodging bullets and battling former rivals. The series also introduces Shin Asakura, a former hitman with telepathic abilities, who becomes a key ally to Sakamoto as he confronts his past.
A Blend of Action and Comedy
The series is expected to deliver a unique mix of over-the-top action sequences and comedic situations, stemming from Sakamoto’s attempts to live a normal life. The contrast between his mundane routine as a store owner and his incredible combat skills provides a lot of the show’s humor. Fans can expect to see dynamic fight choreography, often involving unexpected items like chopsticks, juxtaposed with the everyday challenges of parenting.
Episode 1: A Glimpse into Sakamoto’s Past
The first episode of Sakamoto Days will introduce viewers to the legendary hitman, Taro Sakamoto, a figure feared by all criminals due to his extraordinary skill. The episode is set to showcase Sakamoto’s past and present, highlighting his transition from a deadly assassin to a somewhat out-of-shape shopkeeper. This opening episode will set the stage for the blend of action and comedy that is expected throughout the series.
Release Details and Streaming Information
Sakamoto Days is scheduled to premiere on January 11, 2025, and will be available for streaming on Netflix worldwide shortly after its Japanese broadcast. The series will run for two cours, with the second part premiering in July 2025. The first season is expected to have 22 episodes, with 11 episodes in each cour. New episodes will be released every Saturday. While Netflix hasn’t confirmed the exact release time, it’s expected to stream globally around 6 am PT, ensuring that fans can watch it as soon as it airs in Japan.
English Dub Cast
Netflix has also announced the English dub cast for Sakamoto Days, featuring talents such as:
- Matthew Mercer as Taro Sakamoto
- Dallas Liu as Shin Asakura
- Rosie Okumura as Aoi Sakamoto
- Rosalie Chiang as Lu Shaotang
- Lexi Cabrera as Obiguro
- Xolo Maridueña as Heisuke Mashimo
- SungWon Cho as Boiled
- Du-Shaunt “Fik-Shun” Stegall as Son Hee
- Toru Uchikado as Bacho
- Aleks Le as Nagumo
The Japanese voice cast includes Tomokazu Sugita as Taro Sakamoto, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Shin Asakura, and Ayane Sakura as Lu Shaotang.
Production Team and Animation
The anime is being produced by TMS Entertainment, a studio known for its work on series like Detective Conan, Fruits Basket, and Dr. Stone. The series is directed by Masaki Watanabe, with Taku Kishimoto handling the series composition, and Yō Moriyama in charge of character designs. The music is composed by Yuki Hayashi. The opening theme song, “Hashire Sakamoto,” is performed by Vaundy, while the ending theme, “Futsū,” is performed by Conton Candy.
Manga’s Popularity and Adaptation
Sakamoto Days is based on a popular manga by Yuto Suzuki, which has garnered a significant following since its debut in 2020. As of December 2024, the manga had over 7 million copies in circulation. The anime adaptation is expected to bring the manga’s unique blend of action and humor to a wider audience. Fans of the manga are particularly excited to see the dynamic fight scenes and the characters brought to life through animation.
A Look Ahead
With the premiere just around the corner, Sakamoto Days is generating considerable buzz among anime fans. The series promises to deliver a captivating story with plenty of action, comedy, and heart. Fans can expect to see Sakamoto navigate the dangers of his old life while trying to provide for his family. The release of the anime also coincides with the announcement of a new smartphone game, SAKAMOTO DAYS: Dangerous Puzzle, further expanding the franchise’s reach. The series is poised to be one of the most talked about anime releases of early 2025.
