Overview of the Lab Arc
- The Lab Arc in Sakamoto Days unveils critical connections between the characters and delves into Shin Asakura’s telepathic abilities.
- Introducing Heisuke Mashimo, an adept sniper with a tragic backstory, who becomes part of Sakamoto’s team after initially attempting to eliminate him.
- Sakamoto and Shin embark on a mission to infiltrate “The Lab”to rescue Lu, navigating Shin’s past while confronting Kashima and his formidable assassins.
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Arc Title |
Lab Arc |
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Manga Chapters Covered |
Ch.16-31 |
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Anime Episodes Covered |
Ep.6-Ongoing (as of Ep.9) |
Disclaimer: The content below contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Episode 9, titled “All Aboard, ”which is currently available to stream on Netflix.
The Lab Arc of Sakamoto Days seamlessly continues the narrative after the tumultuous events of the Sugar Park. Even though Sakamoto and his companions emerged victorious against the Dondenkai assassins during the Amusement Park Arc, they still face significant threats. The lingering 1 billion yen bounty on Sakamoto’s head persists, attracting countless assassins eager to claim the reward.
This arc centers primarily on Shin Asakura, a former hitman with clairvoyant abilities, now a vital member of Sakamoto’s team. The storyline not only delves into Shin’s extraordinary telepathic powers but also hints at his relationship with Slur, the menacing figure orchestrating chaos across Japan. While Slur himself does not come face to face with Sakamoto in this segment, a pivotal confrontation with one of Slur’s top lieutenants is on the horizon.
Introducing Heisuke Mashimo
The Value of Sniping
While the Lab Arc predominantly explores Shin’s identity, it allocates significant focus to Heisuke Mashimo, a new character whose entry into Sakamoto’s world offers both comic relief and depth. Mashimo boasts remarkable sniper skills, akin to DC Comics’ Deadshot, known for his precision in trajectory calculations and ricochet shots. However, his limited capability outside of marksmanship leads to his dismissal from his previous assassin role, leaving him in a dire state of homelessness and despair.
Lucky chance strikes when Mashimo becomes aware of Sakamoto’s bounty. After several unsuccessful attempts to locate him, he eventually spots Sakamoto during an airsoft event. What starts as a playful competition escalates into a real crisis when Mashimo attempts to kill Sakamoto with a real sniper rifle but ultimately fails. Encouraged by Sakamoto’s compliment—calling him the best sniper—Mashimo becomes a regular ally, paving the way for him to work as a delivery boy at Sakamoto’s Store.
Infiltrating The Lab
Lu’s Unexpected Abduction
Following the introduction of Heisuke Mashimo, the narrative shifts to a pressing crisis at the store. While Sakamoto and Aoi attend a school event with Hana, Shin and Lu remain behind, leading to an explosive argument over Lu borrowing Shin’s apron. In a turn of events, Lu is mistakenly kidnapped by a group in hazmat suits who confuse her for Shin due to the nametag on the apron.
This group is affiliated with “The Lab, ” the very place where Shin’s abilities originated. Initially a legitimate research facility, it has since been usurped by an assassin collective led by a man donning a reindeer mask. Their focus on capturing Shin for his telepathy powers prompts the unexpected abduction. Upon returning to the store and noticing signs of struggle, Sakamoto employs tracking devices attached to the apron to pursue the kidnappers, uncovering clues that lead them back to the Okutabi Lab.
Revelation of Shin’s History
During her captivity, Lu encounters Asakura, the director of the Okutabi Lab and the man who raised Shin. The story unfolds as Asakura reveals his background with Shin. He inadvertently crafted the telepathy-inducing serum that Shin consumed as a child, leading to his extraordinary powers but isolating him from his peers. The climax of this tragic tale occurs when young Shin flees after hearing Asakura’s wish to reverse his abilities, which were a symbol of admiration and pride for him.
“I’m fine like this! It finally worked. Aren’t you happy? Your research isn’t stupid!”- Young Shin to Asakura about his telepathy research.
Confrontation with Kashima
As Sakamoto and Shin gain insights into their objectives, they confront Kashima’s lethal lieutenants, starting with Mad Horiguchi, who employs chemical enhancements to achieve combat superiority. Although their victory over Horiguchi comes at a cost, it separates the duo through a deception trap.
Shin, now facing the second lieutenant, Natsuki Seba, employs his clairvoyance skills to counter Seba’s high-tech invisibility jacket. The unexpected arrival of Mashimo bolsters their efforts, leading to their triumph.
Simultaneously, Sakamoto finds himself directly engaged with Kashima. Recognized for his unique relationship with Slur, Sakamoto’s formidable battle skills are tested against Kashima’s body modifications. Utilizing his Prime Form to meet the challenge, Sakamoto ultimately prevails, but the connections to Slur and the threat he poses intensify, leaving Sakamoto and his allies momentarily safe amid the growing drama.
For those eager to follow the unfolding saga, Sakamoto Days is streaming now on Netflix. The release of Episode 10 is anticipated on March 15, 2025, at 6:00 AM PT.
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