Everyone adoresSakamoto Days, including my girlfriend, who’s completely hooked on the Netflix adaptation—mainly because of her obsession with silver-haired men. One of my favorite WWE wrestlers, Alexa Bliss,voices Obiguro in the dub, which added to my excitement. I’ve been keeping tabs on the show’s buzz leading up to its premiere, as many content creators and friends raved about it. However, now that we’re past the season’s halfway point, I can say with confidence thatSakamoto Daysdoesn’t live up to the hype. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding it, the series just isn’t that impressive.
Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy a character or two, and the premise of a retired hitman balancing family life while forming an assassin agency to fend off those dragging him back in is solid. However, the story tends to meander, the humor falls flat, and the character designs look odd. I just don’t see how this series is meant to beShōnen Jump’snext big hit when it doesn’t measure up toJujutsu Kaisenor evenMy Hero Academia. For all the hype,Sakamoto Dayssimply doesn’t feel like the powerhouse title it’s being made out to be.
The Story Is Taking Too Long To Develop
I Enjoy The Premise, But The Main Story Is Taking A Backseat To Character Introductions
Sakamoto Days’pace is slow following the first episode. I understand that several episodes were needed to introduce Team Sakamoto before they eventually face whoever placed the bounty on them, but where’s the hook? I just don’t care because the personal vendetta behind it remains unclear. Meeting Sakamoto, his family, and his allies while learning about his assassin past is important, but what about the present goal? The mystery of who put the bounty on him is less compelling than understanding why, yet the show drags its feet,taking far too long to explore the real conflict driving the story forward.
It’s True: Sakamoto Days Is Proving Haters Wrong With a Very Good Anime Debut
Sakamoto Days was one of 2025’s most anticipated anime before fans began doubting the series, but it seems the premiere is proving them wrong.
Sakamoto Daysis labeled an action-comedy, but it feels more like a slice-of-life anime where the protagonist just happens to stumble into action now and then. The series spends a lot of time focusing on Team Sakamoto and fleshing out each character, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it often takes precedence over progressing the main story. As a result, the show can feel more episodic than structured, lacking a strong narrative thread to keep viewers engaged. While character moments are enjoyable, they overshadow the overarching plot, making it hard to feel invested in the bigger picture of the story.
Mashle Is Infinitely Funnier Than Sakamoto Days
Mashle’s Quirky Characters Play Off Each Other Better Than Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Dayshas a premise that allows for some hilarious moments, and one scene that genuinely made me laugh was the ending of Sakamoto’s fight with Boiled, where they both end up in Ferris Wheel seats. Boiled and Obiguro, in particular, are funny due to their quirks and dynamic together. However, they aren’t always around, and the show doesn’t utilize Sakamoto hiding his hitman past from his family enough. Instead,it forces humor through Sakamoto’s team, Shin and Lu, but their interactions don’t land as well as Boiled and Obiguro’s, making the comedy feel weaker than it should be.
Mashleexecutes comedy through quirky personalities bouncing off one another exceptionally well, which seems to be whatSakamoto Daysis aiming for. I appreciate the addition of Heisuke Mashimo and his lovable yet dim-witted nature, though I’m not a fan of how it’s portrayed through contemporary slang. Initially, I thought more characters might join Team Sakamoto to enhance the group’s dynamic, but I learned Heisuke is the final member. While we haven’t seen many episodes with him yet, his presence alone isn’t enough to give the team the chemistry or comedic spark it desperately needs to stand out.
Almost Everyone Has Small Heads and Big Shoulders
The Copycat Designs Distract Me Every Time
Is it just me, or do all the characters, except Taro Sakamoto, look a bit odd? They have small heads and wide shoulders, which makes them appear disproportionate. Even the female characters sport these broad shoulders, making it seem like the same character model is used for both genders. These design choices are distracting, especially when comparing them to Sakamoto’s design, which is perfectly balanced. Whether it’s the fit or chubby version of Sakamoto, his design stands out, making the other characters' proportions feel even more noticeable and out of place.
Believe the Hype: Sakamoto Days Is One of Netflix’s Biggest Hits, Anime or Not
Sakamoto Days once again breaks Netflix records and holds the number 2 spot for non-English shows last week.
Eiichiro Oda often gets criticized for making his female characters inOne Piecelook similar, butSakamoto Daystakes this to a whole new level. Almost every character, regardless of gender, shares the same features, even down to the shape of their eyes. It’s incredibly noticeable and really bothers me, as it makes the characters feel less distinct and more like variations of the same design.
Shonen Jump Can Do Better Than Sakamoto Days
I Can’t See This Series As The Magazine’s Flagship Series For Too Long
I just don’t see how this average action-comedy is meant to represent the acclaimedShōnen Jumpas its next big title. Based on these early arcs, it doesn’t seem like the show will have the staying power to become the magazine’s flagship series. Even with a Netflix adaptation, I don’t think the hype for this title will last long enough to outlastOne Piece. And before long, I could see it gettingcanceled or a quick wrap up like beloved seriesUndead Unlock. Even Netflix could drop the show mid-series given the streaming service’s aggressive business model and production issues.
Jujutsu Kaisenwas an incredible storywith enough hype to sustain several more arcs, andMy Hero Academiamade such a huge impact when it first debuted that it earned some lackluster arcs afterward. With more time, both could have become the face ofShōnen Jump, much like Goku, Naruto, and Luffy. But now I’m supposed to believeSakamoto Dayscan do what those titles couldn’t and rival the Big 3? I don’t see it. Maybe I need more arcs or should read the manga, but as it stands, Netflix’s adaptation has left me completely unimpressed.
