Overview
- The Amusement Park Arc lays the groundwork for key characters and the overarching premise of the series.
- Sakamoto Days skillfully blends humor with action, while humorously addressing serious themes.
- This Arc features a range of dangerous hitmen, assassination plotlines, and an exhilarating outing at an amusement park.
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Arc Name |
Amusement Park Arc |
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Manga Chapters Involved |
Ch.1-15 |
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Anime Episodes Involved |
Ep.1-5 |
The Amusement Park Arc: Setting the Scene
The Amusement Park Arc represents the inaugural story segment in the Sakamoto Days manga and anime series. This segment not only introduces the primary characters but also unveils the central premise and their initial substantial adventure. Beyond merely setting the stage, the arc effectively captures the unique tone of the series, which combines comedic elements with action-packed scenarios that trivialize otherwise grim subjects, particularly centered on hitmen and assassinations. If you enjoyed the antics of the Forger family in Spy x Family, there’s a strong chance you’ll appreciate Sakamoto Days as well.
Introducing the Sakamoto Family
Taro Sakamoto and Shin Asakura
In the premiere episode, “The Legendary Hitman, ” we meet Taro Sakamoto and Shin Asakura. Taro, a retired hitman, now co-runs a convenience store with his wife Aoi and their daughter Hana. His past is a stark contrast to his quiet family life after leaving the assassination world behind. Shin Asakura, another former assassin known as “the Clairvoyant”due to his mind-reading abilities, tries to pull Taro back into their old life but is quickly thwarted. Despite his initial intent to eliminate Taro if he remained a civilian, Shin ends up comically unsuccessful as Taro still possesses formidable fighting skills.
After an unexpected encounter that leads to Shin experiencing Taro’s family hospitality, he abandons his hitman career and takes up a position at Sakamoto’s Store.
Lu Shaotang
In the second episode, “Vs. Son Hee and Bacho, ” Taro and Shin encounter Lu Shaotang, who is on the run from a triad that has betrayed her family. This triad is after a key to a vault containing her family’s treasures. Taro and Shin join forces with Lu to confront her pursuers. After their victory, Taro offers Lu a job at the store, integrating her further into their unconventional family unit.
The Sakamotos’ Amusement Park Adventure
Excitement Amidst Danger
If you’re new to the series, the term “Amusement Park Arc”may seem puzzling at first. The adventure unfolds in the latter half of episode 3, titled “Welcome to Sugar Park!” In this episode, the Sakamoto family sets out for a day at the amusement park. However, underlying this amusement is a sense of impending peril due to a massive ¥1 billion bounty placed on Taro’s head by his former peers in the assassination world.
To shield his wife and daughter from worry, Taro conceals the bounty from them and proceeds with their planned visit. Consequently, episodes 3 through 5 are filled with comedic scenarios where Taro, Shin, and Lu attempt to protect Taro’s family from an onslaught of hitmen while ensuring they are oblivious to the chaos surrounding them.
“Our mission today is to protect the Sakamoto family, and while we’re at it, we also have to make sure they have a good time.” – Shin to Lu in Sugar Park
Confronting the Ultimate Foe
The fiercest foe the Sakamoto Clan faces in this arc is an assassin known as Boiled, who proves to be a formidable challenge for Sakamoto. This confrontation compels Taro to tap into his Prime Form, a dramatic transformation that allows him to harness his former agility and strength as a nimble assassin, enabling him to overcome Boiled and protect his family during their outing.
Sakamoto Days is now available for streaming on Netflix. The next episode, episode 9, is set to release on March 8, 2025, at 6:00 AM PT.
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