For anime enthusiasts, 2025 kicked off with a bang, featuring the much-anticipated return of the historical detective series Pharmacist's Monologue and the sequel to the hit isekai Solo Leveling. Among them, the new 11-episode action series Sakamoto Days has surged to the top of Netflix Japan's charts.
Table of ContentWhy Sakamoto Days Shines as a Must-Watch Anime
Taro Sakamoto, a retired hitman, traded his deadly past for a quiet life after falling for a kind-hearted cashier. Now married with a daughter, he faces old enemies seeking vengeance.
Adapted from Yuto Suzuki's 2020 manga, Sakamoto Days blends high-octane action with sharp humor. Taro, once a feared assassin in Japan’s underworld, was a legend among peers and a terror to foes. But love changed everything—he left his violent life, opened a small shop, and embraced fatherhood. His peaceful days unravel when Shin, his former protégé, arrives with orders to kill him. For a retired killer, escaping the past is never simple, and Taro must now protect his family.
The series’ charm lies in its wild, over-the-top battles, where Taro uses chewing gum to catch bullets and wields a ladle as a weapon.
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Sakamoto Days excels with its jaw-dropping fight sequences. Each episode introduces a new villain with unique, deadly skills, but Taro counters with ingenuity, using everyday items like chopsticks, pens, or spatulas to outwit opponents, all while moving at superhuman speed.
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Don’t take it too seriously—this action-packed show doubles as a comedy. Taro’s near-invincibility is played for laughs, poking fun at his unassuming appearance and larger-than-life abilities.
A Narrative Built on Striking Contrasts
The story thrives on duality. Taro, a devoted family man, carries a shadowy past. He helps neighbors with chores, fears his wife’s disapproval more than assassins, and offers jobs to outcasts like Shin, even paying overtime. His enemies, far from one-dimensional, come with layered backstories, revealing empathy and complexity. In this world, danger can turn harmless, and a seemingly ordinary delivery worker might hide a deadly secret.
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Stunning Animation Elevates Sakamoto Days
Produced by TMS Entertainment, known for Dr. Stone and Detective Conan, the series delivers top-tier shonen animation. Fight scenes dazzle with bold shadow contrasts, fluid motion, and smart pacing, capturing the intensity of Taro’s graceful combat and Shin’s Hollywood-style heroics.
A Moral Core: Violence Isn’t the Answer
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The first four episodes balance lighthearted family comedy with gritty criminal intrigue. Fights aren’t just spectacle—they deepen character relationships and highlight personal growth, emphasizing that killing is never glorified.
Sakamoto Days is a joy to watch, blending humor, dynamic battles, and a heartfelt message. Its fast-paced storytelling and knack for surprises keep viewers hooked, with no signs of slowing down.
Explore These Anime While Awaiting More Sakamoto Days
Spy x Family
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Studios: Wit Studio, CloverWorks
Elite spy Lloyd Forger forms a fake family to infiltrate a target, recruiting Yor, a city hall clerk who’s secretly an assassin, and Anya, a telepathic girl. Unaware of each other’s secrets, they create a warm, chaotic home.
Why It’s Similar:
Both shows mix family warmth with action and comedy. Lloyd and Taro are unflappable experts, always prevailing in crises, while Anya and Shin share telepathic abilities, adding charm to their sidekick roles.
Gokushufudou: The Way of the Househusband
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Studio: J.C. Staff
Tatsu, once the feared yakuza “Immortal Dragon,” retires to become a househusband, tackling grocery sales and chores while his wife works. This sketch comedy follows his domestic misadventures.
Why It’s Similar:
Both revel in absurdity and humor. Tatsu, like Taro, transforms mundane tasks into epic battles, with a tough-guy past clashing hilariously with domestic life.
The Fable
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Studio: Tezuka Productions
Akira Sato, alias The Fable, a legendary hitman, is forced to live as a civilian for a year without killing. Working as a courier and battling boredom, he’s soon drawn back to the mafia.
Why It’s Similar:
Both explore assassins hiding in plain sight. The Fable offers a darker, more dramatic take, perfect for fans craving deeper themes alongside action.
Hinamatsuri
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Studio: Feel
Yakuza member Nitta adopts Hina, a telekinetic girl who arrives in a mysterious egg, using her powers for his work. Over time, he embraces her as a daughter.
Why It’s Similar:
Like Taro, Nitta juggles a dangerous past with fatherly duties, blending action with heartfelt family moments.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
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Studios: Gallop, Studio Deen
In the Meiji era, ex-mercenary Himura Kenshin wanders, aiding those in need while seeking redemption for his violent past.
Why It’s Similar:
Both Taro and Kenshin abandon violence for peaceful lives, defending the vulnerable. Their stories balance intense action with lighthearted moments and loyal, unaware allies.
Assassination Classroom
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Studio: Lerche
A powerful alien, Koro-sensei, teaches a class of misfits, challenging them to kill him within a year to save Earth.
Why It’s Similar:
Both thrive on contrasts—Koro-sensei’s alien nature versus human traits mirrors Taro’s deadly skills versus domestic life, with characters defying expectations.
Buddy Daddies
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Studio: P.A. Works
Hitmen Kazuki and Rei adopt Miri, a lively girl, and struggle to balance assassinations with parenting, hiding their dangerous jobs.
Why It’s Similar:
Like Taro, Kazuki and Rei navigate family life alongside a deadly past, learning to embrace parenthood amid chaos.