Tokyo, Japan – September 2, 2025 – The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Yuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days has just aired its nineteenth episode, “Exam, Stage Three,” continuing the high-stakes action and character development within the Joint Criminal Council (JCC) exam. Fans were treated to further challenges for Taro Sakamoto and Shin Asakura, along with the introduction of intriguing new combatants as the second cour of the series progresses.
The anime, which first premiered on January 11, 2025, and continued with its second cour in July 2025, has captivated audiences with its unique blend of action, comedy, and the endearing struggles of a retired legendary hitman.
JCC Exam Heats Up: Sakamoto and Shin Face New Challenges
Episode 19 plunges Sakamoto and Shin directly into the third stage of the JCC exam, a chaotic team-based challenge where participants must steal colored sashes from one another. Having narrowly survived a plane crash in the preceding events, the duo finds themselves separated into different teams, adding a layer of strategic complexity and emotional distance, particularly for Sakamoto, who clearly values Shin’s companionship.
The proctors, improvising due to the high attrition rate of participants, oversee an activity that Shin comically notes is surprisingly childish despite the deadly stakes. This stage quickly escalates with the arrival of new, formidable participants, further complicating Sakamoto and Shin’s individual paths.
Toramaru’s Introduction and Shifting Dynamics
A significant highlight of “Exam, Stage Three” is the introduction of Toramaru, a powerful new character who is also a devoted Sakamoto fangirl, complete with a keychain plushie of her idol. Despite her admiration, Toramaru initially fails to recognize the now-overweight Sakamoto. Her brutal efficiency with a giant axe makes her an immediate threat, and she quickly clashes with Shin, setting up an intriguing confrontation.
Meanwhile, Sakamoto finds himself teamed with Akari and a character humorously named Kill Baby, providing both comedic relief and further plot development as Sakamoto grows increasingly suspicious of Akari’s unusual movements. The episode also subtly explores Sakamoto’s commitment to his semi-pacifist stance, as he tries to prevent Akira from taking a life, highlighting the internal conflict between his past as a lethal assassin and his present desire for a peaceful life.
Anime Production and Release Details
Produced by TMS Entertainment, the Sakamoto Days anime series is directed by Masaki Watanabe, with scripts by Taku Kishimoto and character designs by Yō Moriyama. The music is composed by Yuki Hayashi. The first season was structured as two split cours, with the initial 11 episodes airing from January 11 to March 22, 2025. The second cour, which includes Episode 19, premiered on July 15, 2025.
Netflix holds the worldwide streaming license for the series, releasing episodes simultaneously with their Japanese broadcast. Episode 19 specifically aired on September 1, 2025, reaching global audiences shortly after. The narrative continues to follow Taro Sakamoto, a former legendary hitman who has retired to a quiet life as a shopkeeper with his family, only to find his past relentlessly catching up to him.
Fans can continue to follow Sakamoto, Shin, and the growing cast of characters as they navigate the treacherous world of assassins, balancing deadly missions with the everyday complexities of life.
