SAKAMOTO DAYS

Genre: Action, Comedy

Written By: Yuto Suzuki

Publisher: Viz Media/Shueisha

Magazine:  Shonen Jump

Volumes: 11

Summary

Taro Sakamoto used to be an unrivaled hitman, earning legendary status in the underworld. But one day, the unthinkable happened. Sakamoto fell in love. He started dating, retired, got married, and had a kid, growing overweight as a result. Though now working as a humble convenience store owner, the world of hitmen still follows him. Sakamoto, along with Shin, a young man with telepathy and employee at his small store, will protect his humble life and family, or die trying.

At the beginning of the volume, we see Sakamoto and it explains a little about his past. He was once the most feared assassin until he met his wife. They had a child and he ultimately left his killing days in the past. He’s confronted by Shin who once looked up to him. It’s later revealed he was sent there to take him out but ultimately fails. He realizes that even though he’s put on weight and gotten ‘soft’ he still has the mind and skills of a top assassin. Shin goes back to his group defeated. However, after reading the boss’ mind he figures out that they are planning to kill him and he defends himself.

Sakamoto also figures this out and decides to go help Shin, showcasing just why he was the top assassin. There’s a great battle that takes place, mostly one-sided since Sakamoto pretty much dominated. The last we see of Chapter One is Shin now working at the store with Sakamoto.

Chapter two focuses on Aoi Sakamoto being held hostage in a bus robbery. She isn’t worried of course since her husband always saves her. We also see that Sakamoto made a promise to his wife to not kill anymore because it would make her sad and she’d divorce him. Looks like we’re getting some patriarchal secrets. He goes on to save his wife and everyone else on the bus and then he gives Shin a copy of the Sakamoto Family Rules notebook.

Chapter Three is about a newly introduced side character named Officer Nakase. She’s currently seeking information on the mysterious man who stopped the bus robber and also plans to arrest him for using violence. The whole chapter is basically her running around looking for him. During these charades, she manages to get kidnapped by some thugs and held hostage. Of course, they take out everyone and save the officer who is none the wiser.

Chapters four and five kind of go hand in hand. We get to meet Lu Xiaotang, the daughter of Triads. She is being chased for a key she has which apparently is to a safe that holds tons of treasure. Shin and Sakamoto decide to help her after being attacked by the assassin brothers sent to kill her; Son Hee and Bacho. The five of them fight but Sakamoto and Shin just can’t be stopped! After defeating them, she shows them the secret room with all the treasures. She explains that each head of the clan left what they considered to be their number one treasure and she sees a sake bottle left from her father. Taking it, she has a drink with Sakamoto and Shin, and then, the next day we see she is now an employee at his store.

In chapter six we meet Nagumo who is also an assassin. He was sent to kill Sakamoto and tells about the high bounty on his head as well. He’s a strange character but he seems to have skills similarily matching Sakamoto himself. We see a few men sitting in an ominous room watching Sakamoto in his store. They refer to themselves as the Dondenkai. Little more information on Sakamoto is revealed. He was formerly a member of ‘The Order’ and his bounty is about 1 billion yen.

In the last chapter, the Sakamoto family takes a trip to Sugar Park in Tokyo. Knowing about the assassins coming to collect on the bounty, Shin and Xiaotang make it their mission to watch out and protect the Sakamoto family. They manage to intercept some shady characters, the last one being the most interesting. He manages to get discovered while they are on a roller coaster and Shin decides to fight him once they fall off.

There’s just a loooot of action going on and there’s never a dull moment. So far, we’re getting some great starting background information and this story could lead anywhere at this point!

Characters

Taro Sakamoto – One of the main protagonists of the series, devoted father and husband, and formerly known as the best assassin in the world. A bounty gets placed on his head, thus thrusting him back into the crazy world of assassination.

Shin Asakura – He’s an ex-hitman and currently works at Sakamoto’s convenience store. Shin has the ability to read the minds of any person within a 20-mile radius of him.

Lu Xiaotang – She is the daughter of a Triad member and also works at Sakamoto’s convenience store.

Nagumo – Not much is known about him since he was introduced in the last chapter of the first volume. So far we know he’s laid back and has exceptional skills. He also was out for the bounty on Sakamoto.

Conclusion

READ. SAKAMOTO DAYS. NOW. While reading this, the only thing I could think of is how great this would be animated. It’s got enough humor and action to balance each other out. There’s something for everyone. Except maybe romance, that’s not really a topic right now. I’m excited to see what the next few volumes hold. Sakamoto is going to become another manga dad that I adore. I want to know more about his past and what he was like in his prime.

The first volume was a great introduction to the main characters and at the same time left me with anticipation about the ‘bad guys’ and what’s to come. That is why I am rating this 4/5 Onigiri. Like I said, I’m excited about the next volume so hopefully the momentum stays. I’ve heard nothing but great things from my peers!

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