Sakamoto Days Is the Cozy John Wick Anime I Never Knew I Needed

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Over the past few years, I’ve rekindled my interest in anime. I’ve delved into the epic pirate story of One Piece following Netflix’s live-action adaptation, and I’ve become a fan of the quirky Dan Dan Dan series, set to premiere its second season next month on TV schedules. Last year, Terminator Zero was a treat for me, being a sci-fi enthusiast (particularly the first two movies). Currently, Sakamoto Days has caught my attention. I adore this anime because it feels like watching a comforting John Wick-esque series.

What Sakamoto Days Is About

The anime series “Sakamoto Days,” adapted from the original manga, debuted in January. Although I only recently began watching it on Netflix, I had been looking forward to checking it out for months due to its intriguing plot. This show chronicles Taro Sakamoto’s life, a former top-notch assassin who decided to abandon his violent ways after falling in love with Aoi and agreeing to her stipulations that he cease being an assassin and stop taking lives.

In my own tale, I found myself tying the knot, welcoming a little girl named Hana into our family, and managing a convenience store nestled in the heart of Tokyo. Despite piling on the pounds due to my sedentary lifestyle, I remain an imposing figure – a fact that serves me well when the story unfolds and every sort of assassin begins to swarm around the store, seeking the reward on my head once my whereabouts were revealed at last.

Despite the fact that Sakamoto usually handles enemy dispatching without needing assistance, and always in non-lethal ways, it’s still pleasant when he receives aid from a trio of former criminals: Shin Akasura, a gifted seer who was once Sakamoto’s apprentice; Liu Xiaotang, the daughter of a crime boss who is now orphaned; and Heisuke Mashimo, a naive yet skilled sniper. This trio divides their time between working at the store and repelling the constant influx of assassins trying to take down Mr. Sakamoto, and they are warmly welcomed into his family.

How Sakamoto Days Puts A Pleasant Twist On John Wick

In the “John Wick” series, Keanu Reeves’ character, John Wick, decided to leave assassinating behind after meeting his wife Helen. However, he could only do this after completing a difficult assignment for Viggo Tarasov, which is detailed in an upcoming anime prequel film. Tragically, Helen passed away from cancer not long afterwards, and when her dog, given by Tarasov’s son, was murdered, John Wick returned to the criminal underworld to take revenge. “Sakamoto Days” seems like what might have occurred if John Wick’s life had taken a more positive turn of events.

Indeed, the violence depicted in “Sakamoto Days” is more akin to the exaggerated action scenes typical of an R-rated Marvel or DC Comics story, where superhuman abilities are involved. In contrast, “John Wick”‘s violence may be equally absurd but it leans towards hyper-realism. Similarly, the humor in many shōnen manga/anime, including this one, often incorporates cartoonish gags.

What really sets Sakamoto Days apart for me isn’t just the action, although I do find it enjoyable. It’s the unique blend of that action with the soothing atmosphere I spoke about earlier. The show is delightful because it shows Mr. Sakamoto and his companions going about their everyday activities, such as running errands or relaxing at a bathhouse, while dealing with the hassle of the hitmen who intrude. This is a different kind of storytelling than what we see in the John Wick series, and it’s even funnier to watch Mr. Sakamoto effortlessly brush off most of the attackers who come after him.

I’m pleased I managed to find time to catch up on Sakamoto Days, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming episodes next month since Part 1 concluded with a suspenseful cliffhanger. If you’re a fan of the action-packed world of John Wick like me, intrigued by seeing such a character in a more heartfelt environment, I’d recommend giving this anime a watch.

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2025-06-18 00:22