{"id":28238,"date":"2025-01-12T01:22:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T06:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=28238"},"modified":"2025-01-13T23:21:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T04:21:43","slug":"sakamoto-days-has-knack-for-warming-hearts-while-kicking-backsides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=28238","title":{"rendered":"Sakamoto Days Has a Knack for Warming Hearts While Kicking Backsides"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Trying to rob Taro Sakamoto\u2019s convenience store would be a very bad idea. He is older and pudgier than he was in his prime, but the retired assassin\u2019s skills and reflexes remain lethally sharp. Sakamoto went legit to marry the love of his life, but he can still administer a heck of a beatdown in Sakamoto Days<\/strong><\/a>, the anime series adaptation of artist-writer Yuto Suzuki\u2019s hit manga, produced by the TMS Entertainment animation studio<\/a>, which premieres today on Netflix, with new installments releasing weekly.<\/p>\r\n

Back in the day, Sakamoto was a lot like Leon the Professional or John Wick. No matter how many henchmen he had to mow through, he always completed every job. Shin Asakura would know, because sometimes he was there too, providing the back-up Sakamoto never really needed. Nobody could match Sakamoto\u2019s deadliness, but at least Asakura\u2019s mind reading ability makes him a difficult target to hit (since he sees his opponents\u2019 intentions).<\/p>\r\n

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The two old colleagues have an awkward reunion in the opening episode, \u201cThe Legendary Hitman,\u201d because Sakamoto is Asakura\u2019s latest assignment. He must either bring Sakamoto back into the fold, or make his unsanctioned retirement permanent. Even with his telepathic powers, the younger hitman cannot overcome his former pseudo-mentor, which means trouble with the shadowy criminal syndicate for them both.<\/p>\r\n

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\u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Fathers of anime and manga fans should appreciate the Sakamoto Days<\/strong> franchise, because it shows to their otaku kids that older guys with \u201cdad bods\u201d still have the moves and the guile to outclass the younger, less-disciplined generations. In fact, Taku Kishimoto\u2019s adaptation of Suzuki\u2019s manga celebrates the joys of marriage and fatherhood in weird but endearing ways. Through Asakura\u2019s visions, viewers vividly see how much more rewarding Sakamoto finds life as a workaday husband and parent than his solitary years as a hotshot hired killer.<\/p>\r\n

Arguably, fans of the Spy x Family<\/strong> franchise will find it shares a strong kinship with Sakamoto Days<\/strong>, in terms of tone, as well as subject matter. In both cases, seemingly \u201cnormal\u201d civilians secretly engage gun fights, brawls, and other assorted death-defying feats, but they are grounded by a strong family unit. Furthermore, the two series are also distinguished by a good-natured sense of humor, which not infrequently incorporates slapstick physical gags. (Plus, they both coincidentally feature a telepathic character.) Based on the first two episodes provided for review (the second of which is still under embargo) Sakamoto Days<\/strong> is consistently funny, yet the stakes are always high.<\/p>\r\n

\"Sakamoto\u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0

As fans would hope and expect, series director Masaki Watanabe and the animation team retain Suzuki\u2019s distinctive character design for Sakamoto. His blank, reflective spectacles give the former assassin a drolly inscrutable look, while his doughy body adds considerable comic spectacle (in the Kung Fu Panda<\/strong> tradition) to the many over-the-top cartoon fight scenes. Although Sakamoto rarely speaks, he quite cleverly communicates with Asakura (whose powers he fully understands) by picturing images, often incredibly vivid threats of grave bodily harm, in his mind\u2019s eye.<\/p>\r\n

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So far, Sakamoto Days<\/strong> has a knack for warming hearts while kicking backsides. It also directly compares to the manga-anime-live action franchise The Fable<\/strong>, which similarly focuses on a reformed hitman who agrees to cease and desist all killing. However, the jokes are gentler in\u00a0Sakamoto Says<\/strong> (but that is not necessarily true for the street-fighting). That formula of ingredients produces winning anime results, perfect to watch with a cup of noodles from your local convenience store. After all, comfort food goes well with comfort viewing. Easily recommended for fans of any of the previously referenced anime\/manga franchises, Sakamoto Days<\/strong> starts streaming today (1\/11) on Netflix.<\/p>\r\n

\"Sakamoto
\u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Grade: B+<\/p>\r\n

If you like the review, share your thoughts below!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Check out more of Joe’s articles.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Here’s the trailer of the film.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n