Sakamoto Days: The Chubby Hero You’ll Love

Why Sakamoto Days—a retired hitman turned lovable store owner—is quickly rising as the next big comedy-action anime. Packed with laughs, action, family feels, and global streaming success, this might just be your new favorite show.

Authored by:

Emily Johnson

Published on:

9 September 2025

Image via TMS Entertainment

Anime

The Charm of Sakamoto: A Different Kind of Hero

When you think of an action hero, who pops into your mind? Maybe a slick, muscular fighter, sword in one hand, flames in the background. But Sakamoto Days throws that stereotype out the window.

Instead, we get Taiju Sakamoto—a once-legendary assassin who hung up his weapons to live a peaceful life as a shopkeeper. He’s not shredded with abs of steel—he’s chubby, soft, cheerful, and… honestly? A bit goofy. But when trouble comes knocking, his old skills spark back to life, and the results are as hilarious as they are jaw-dropping.

Imagine a dad running a convenience store, suddenly cartwheeling through the aisles, knocking out bad guys while holding a bag of chips. That’s the energy Sakamoto Days brings—and that’s why it feels so fresh and fun for both kids and adults.

Manga Magic: From Hidden Gem to Bestseller

The manga’s rise is nothing short of amazing. At first, Sakamoto Days looked like a quirky side project in Weekly Shonen Jump, surrounded by giants like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen. But little by little, it started catching fire.

Here’s how it exploded:

October 2022 → 2.2 million copies in circulation
November 2023 → 4 million copies
August 2024 → 5.5 million copies
December 2024 → 7 million copies
August 2025 → 15 million copies worldwide!

Clearly, people aren’t just reading it—they’re hooked.

The Anime Adaptation: Netflix Brings It to Life

Then came the big news: Netflix picked up Sakamoto Days for an anime adaptation.

Part 1 premiered on January 11, 2025
Episodes dropped weekly, with fans waiting anxiously for each cliffhanger.
Part 2 kicked off on July 14, 2025

The excitement? Wild. People started cosplaying him at conventions. Memes began flooding TikTok and Instagram. Suddenly, this “dad-bod assassin” was everywhere.

Streaming Success: Breaking Records

Numbers don’t lie, and Sakamoto Days smashed its way into Netflix’s charts:

Week	Views	Hours Watched	Global Rank
Jan 13–19, 2025	8.6M	7.7M	#2 (non-English)
Jan 20–26, 2025	5.7M	7.3M	#2 (non-English)

That’s over 14 million views in just two weeks

By mid-2025, it hit 24.4 million views and 106.4 million streaming hours, ranking among the top 10 most-watched anime on Netflix worldwide

On IMDb, it sits comfortably at 7.9/10, with Episode 1 scoring 8.1

Not bad for a goofy assassin-dad show, right?

Why Everyone Loves It

So why does Sakamoto Days work so well?

Comedy with a heart. It’s not just slapstick; it’s wholesome. Kids can laugh, and parents can smile too.
Action without the gore. Yes, Sakamoto is a killer—but the fights are creative, not terrifying. Think: knocking out baddies with frying pans, broom handles, and snack bags.
Relatable vibes. He’s a dad who just wants a quiet life with his family—something many viewers can connect with.
Colorful side characters. Shin the mind-reading apprentice, the silly enemies, the over-the-top rivals—all add flavor.

It’s a mix of Dragon Ball’s silly fights, One Punch Man’s parody style, and Spy x Family’s family warmth.

What Fans Are Saying

The internet is buzzing. On Reddit and Twitter, people can’t stop raving:

The new Sakamoto Days OP was amazing. Vibrant colors, bouncy, fun animation and cool transitions, fantastic all around. Loved this sequence in particular, the staging is so needlessly complex lmao (animated by Arifumi Imai I guess?)

For its first full week It had 8.6 million views, which is pretty damn impressive. Let’s hope it can stay in the top 10 for its whole run.

Even memes are popping up—like Sakamoto fighting ninjas while holding diapers. It’s goofy, but that’s the point.

But Not Everyone’s Happy

Link: Reddit

Some Japanese fans weren’t thrilled with the animation quality. On forums, a few complained that the fight scenes didn’t live up to the manga’s slick art style. Some comments even disappeared after criticism of TMS, the studio behind it

Still, most fans agree: even if the anime isn’t “perfect,” it’s still a fun ride that brings more eyes to the manga.

Looking Ahead: The Final Arc

Big news hit this summer: the manga is entering its final battle arc

That means the story is moving toward its climax—but don’t panic, it’s not ending overnight. Usually, “final arcs” in manga can last years (just ask One Piece fans!).

Plus, spinoffs, novels, and even a mobile game are in development—so Sakamoto’s world is only getting bigger.

Why It Could Be the Next Big Comedy-Action Anime

Unique hero: Not your typical cool assassin—he’s funny, chubby, and kind.
Perfect balance: Silly comedy + explosive action + family warmth.
Global appeal: Safe for kids, fun for adults, meme-ready for the internet.
Proven numbers: 15 million manga sales + millions of Netflix streams = cultural impact.

It’s not trying to be dark or edgy. It’s fun. It’s heartwarming. It’s crazy in the best way. And that’s exactly what people need right now.

Sakamoto Days proves you don’t need a six-pack or tragic backstory to be a great hero. Sometimes, all it takes is a big heart, a family to protect, and a knack for turning ordinary objects into weapons of chaos.

For kids, it’s a funny action ride. For parents, it’s a feel-good story. For anime fans everywhere, it’s proof that even the unlikeliest hero can steal the spotlight.

So next time you’re scrolling Netflix for something light, goofy, and action-packed—give Sakamoto Days a try. You might just find your new favorite hero in a shop apron.