Sakamoto Days Review: The Most Entertaining Action Manga Right Now
by Yuto Suzuki (SAKAMOTO DAYS)
The Joy of a Manga That Just Wants to Entertain
In an era of dark, psychologically complex manga, Sakamoto Days is a refreshing reminder that manga can be purely, unapologetically fun. This is not a criticism — crafting consistent entertainment is an underappreciated art, and Yuto Suzuki has mastered it.
The Premise
Taro Sakamoto was the greatest assassin in the world. Then he fell in love, retired, got married, had a daughter, and gained a significant amount of weight. Now he runs a convenience store. But when his past catches up with him, Sakamoto proves that even as an overweight family man, he is still the deadliest person in any room.
This premise works brilliantly because it combines two things Japanese readers love: the “saikyou” (最強, strongest) protagonist archetype and the “nichijou” (日常, everyday life) genre. Sakamoto is simultaneously the most overpowered character in his world and a loving father worried about his daughter’s school activities. This contrast never gets old.
Action That Defies Physics (and That Is the Point)
Suzuki’s action sequences are among the most creative in current manga. Sakamoto fights using whatever is available — convenience store items, office supplies, kitchen utensils. A fight scene where Sakamoto uses a shopping cart, canned goods, and a mop as lethal weapons is both absurd and meticulously choreographed.
The action in Sakamoto Days follows the tradition of Hong Kong action cinema — specifically the films of Jackie Chan and John Woo. Japanese readers who grew up watching these films on late-night television recognize the DNA immediately. The improvised weaponry, the environmental awareness, the balletic violence — these are distinctly cinematic techniques adapted for manga.
What makes Suzuki exceptional is his panel-to-panel action choreography. You can follow every movement, every dodge, every counter-attack with perfect clarity. In a genre where many artists sacrifice readability for impact, Suzuki maintains both. Every action sequence functions as a visual narrative — you understand not just what happened, but why it happened and how each movement connects to the next.
Silent Communication
One of Sakamoto’s most distinctive features is that he rarely speaks. After retirement, he communicates primarily through expressions and gestures, with other characters interpreting his meaning. This creates a unique storytelling dynamic and connects to the Japanese concept of “ishin denshin” — heart-to-heart communication without words.
In Japanese culture, the ability to communicate without explicit words is highly valued. People who understand each other deeply do not need to explain everything. Sakamoto’s silence is not a limitation — it is an expression of the deep bonds he shares with those around him. His wife understands his expressions perfectly. His former colleagues read his intentions from the slightest gesture.
The Value of Ordinary Life
Beneath the explosive action, Sakamoto Days makes a quietly radical argument: ordinary life is worth more than extraordinary power. Sakamoto chose a convenience store over being the world’s greatest assassin. He chose diapers and school events over fame and fortune.
This theme resonates deeply in modern Japan, where the concept of “ikigai” (生きがい, reason for living) increasingly centers on personal fulfillment rather than professional achievement. The younger generation of Japanese people is more likely to prioritize work-life balance, family time, and personal happiness over career advancement. Sakamoto embodies this shift.
The Supporting Cast
Shin, the mind-reading former apprentice, and Lu, the Chinese assassin, form the core team with Sakamoto. Each brings distinct skills and personality, creating combat dynamics that keep fights varied and unpredictable. The chemistry between these characters — particularly the comedy that emerges from their contrasting personalities — provides consistent entertainment.
The villain roster is equally strong. The Order, a group of elite assassins targeting Sakamoto, provides formidable opponents with distinct fighting styles and motivations. Each confrontation feels different from the last, preventing the repetition that plagues many action series.
Where It Could Improve
Sakamoto Days is not trying to be philosophically deep, and that is fine. But the overarching plot sometimes struggles to match the quality of individual action sequences. The narrative connecting the set pieces occasionally feels thin.
The series also relies heavily on the “retired strongest” trope without always adding new dimensions to it. While the execution is excellent, readers familiar with the trope may find the structure predictable.
Verdict
Sakamoto Days is the manga equivalent of the best action movie you have ever seen — it is stylish, exciting, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. It does not reach for thematic depth it does not need, and instead perfects the art of pure entertainment.
Rating: 8/10
Read Sakamoto Days when you want to smile. Read it when you want your heart to race. Read it when you want to be reminded that manga, at its core, is supposed to be fun.