SAKAMOTO DAYS Season 2

Sakamoto Days takes place in contemporary Japan, but under the surface lurks a secret and complex world of professional assassins. Major organizations include the Japan Assassins Union (commonly called JAA), a massive, highly organized guild regulating hitmen and enforcing strict codes to prevent disruption of society. This world includes assassin-only schools like the Japan Clear Creation Academy (JCC), notorious independent syndicates, and rogue actors. High-level agents form elite squads, such as ORDER, responsible for handling the toughest threats within the underworld. Parallel to this, normal citizens are blissfully unaware, but the constant intersection of assassins and everyday life brings unpredictable chaos and excitement.

Taro Sakamoto, formerly known as the strongest hitman in the underworld, leaves the life of killing behind after falling in love and starting a family. He now happily manages Sakamoto Store, cherishing simple joys with his wife Aoi and their daughter Hana. Trouble finds him again when a shadowy figure known as "X" places a ten-billion-yen bounty on Sakamoto, pulling him back into dangerous confrontations with his old associates and killers from all corners.

Teaming up with Shin Asakura, a telepath and former subordinate, and Xiaotang Lu, a Chinese mafia heiress, Sakamoto faces waves of bizarre and deadly adversaries. The story escalates as deep-seated traumas and conspiracies within the JAA and assassination schools surface. Old friends become enemies, and new alliances are forged as Sakamoto and his eclectic crew fight to protect their loved ones while choosing not to kill, upholding a personal code in a world rife with violence.

Taro Sakamoto: Former underworld legend, now a gentle store owner fiercely protective of his family. Despite his chubby appearance, he instantly regains his slim, deadly form when action calls.

Shin Asakura: A young, earnest telepath who idolizes Sakamoto and strives to become his equal. Shin reads minds and, later, glimpses a few moments into the future during fight sequences.

Xiaotang Lu: Daughter of a slain Chinese mafia boss, she's skilled in drunken boxing and prone to emotional swings when intoxicated. She finds a new family with Sakamoto's crew.

Heisuke Mashimo: A scatterbrained but loyal sniper known for his ricochet shots. Accompanied by his parrot "Peaceke," Heisuke brings comic relief with his over-the-top emotional reactions.

Aoi Sakamoto: Sakamoto's loving wife with a surprisingly commanding presence. Her anger can silence even the toughest assassins.

Hana Sakamoto: Their energetic, kind-hearted daughter, always enthusiastic about helping others—even assassins sent to kill her father.

ORDER Elite Squad:

Yoichi Nagumo: Crafty and unpredictable, a master of disguise and Sakamoto’s school-era friend.

Hyou: Gruff but secretly kind, renowned for brute force.

Shishiba: Kansai-born, sharp-witted hammer-wielder, sometimes the only voice of reason.

Osaragi: Mysterious, food-loving powerhouse, iconic for wielding a circular saw.

Takamura: The eldest member, an ancient swordsman able to slice even skyscrapers.

Villains and Rivals:

Kei Uzuki/X ("Slur"): A traumatized, genius assassin with a vendetta against the assassin world; possesses multiple personalities and copycat abilities.

Kashima: Tech-savvy, justice-obsessed killer with a reinforced body.

Gaku: Wild, thrill-seeking fighter who views killing as a game.

Apart, Minimalist, Dump: Notorious death row inmates turned assassins with bizarre fighting quirks.

Supporting Cast:

Akira Akao: The shy but gifted niece of Rion Akao, seeking her missing relative.

Kanaguri: Eccentric filmmaker and ex-ORDER, driven by a desire to film the ultimate crime saga.

Sakamoto Store: Taro Sakamoto’s shop, symbolizing his attempt at a peaceful life but frequently besieged by killer visitors.

Japan Assassins Union (JAA): The central guild regulating Japan’s assassins, enforcing order and secrecy.

ORDER: The JAA’s top strike force, charged with handling top-tier threats and upholding the underground’s equilibrium.

JCC (Japan Clear Creation Academy): Elite assassin training institution, infamous for its harsh regimen and the high mortality rate among students.

Alkamar: A now-defunct assassin orphanage designed to engineer the perfect killers, resulting in many vengeful or psychologically tormented graduates.

Assassin’s Prison: High-security facility for killers who break the JAA's laws.

Sakamoto Days achieved swift recognition within the manga community. It won special honors at the 2021 Next Manga Awards and was ranked 6th in the 2022 Recommended Comics by Bookstore Staff nationwide. As of June 2025, the manga's cumulative global print run surpassed 12 million copies.

Praised for its fresh blend of comedy, dynamic action, and slice-of-life moments, Sakamoto Days appeals to a broad demographic. It has spawned a global fanbase, with strong popularity in Asia and beyond, especially after its anime adaptation began worldwide streaming. Netflix stats showed the series charting in diverse regions from Indonesia to Egypt, France, Germany, and the Americas.

"Hashire Sakamoto" (Run Sakamoto) by Vaundy: Opening for Season 1, energetic and catchy.

"Method" by Kroi: Season 2 opening, noted for its stylish beat.

"Ordinary" by Conton Candy: First season’s ending—laid-back, everyday vibe.

"Somebody help us" by Vaundy: Special ending theme for episode 7, emotionally charged.

"Dandelion" by go!go!vanillas: Season 2 ending, bright and uplifting.

Sakamoto Days has spawned numerous adaptations:

Anime: Produced by TMS Entertainment, aired from January 2025 with multiple cours. Internationally streamed via Netflix in 12 languages.

Spin-Off Manga: "Sakamoto Holidays," centered on Sakamoto’s efforts in neighborhood revitalization, offers a comedic flavor.

Novels: Two volumes ("Hitman's Method" and "Hitman Blues") further explore side stories.

Mobile Game: "Sakamoto Days: Dangerous Puzzle," released in April 2025.

Official Fanbook: A comprehensive character guide published in 2025.

The anime adaptation was handled by noted studio TMS Entertainment, with Masaki Watanabe directing and Takashi Kishimoto writing the scripts. The project prioritized worldwide simultaneous release and high-quality localization, making it accessible to a broad international audience. Narrative pacing, action choreography, and voice casting were carefully supervised to match the manga’s unique blend of action and humor.

Yuuto Suzuki, the creator, brings a sharp sense of timing, clean line work, and inventive battle scenes influenced by classic and modern action comedies. Suzuki drew inspiration from both Hollywood thrillers and Japanese everyday life, creating scenarios where absurdity and mundanity collide. The manga often parodies genre tropes while spotlighting the human side of killers, grounding wild action in real emotional stakes.

Sakamoto Days continues to serialize in major manga magazines and has inspired merchandise, live-action fan events, and active social media campaigns. The series’ careful balance between parody, heart, and intensity has ensured its ongoing popularity and influence in modern action manga and anime.