Sakamoto Days: Is Sakamoto Regaining His Former Strength?

Overview

Fans are buzzing with theories about a hidden strength within Sakamoto, suggesting there is an unexplored power waiting to be unveiled.
The narrative technique employed keeps Sakamoto’s true capabilities under wraps, paralleling the typical growth arcs of protagonists in anime.
While there are references to Sakamoto’s impressive past, recent developments indicate that he has yet to regain his peak strength.

Warning: This article includes spoilers for the Sakamoto Days Manga. Enthusiasts of the series have come to believe that Sakamoto’s unassuming appearance is one of the biggest deceptions in shonen anime. Being hailed as the greatest hitman of all time only adds to this allure, prompting viewers to eagerly anticipate the day when the legendary assassin fully returns to form. Yet, some speculate that he may have already begun this transformation.

This intrigue sparked in chapter 44, when the character Miyo compared the current Sakamoto to his former self in ‘The Order,’ claiming he currently operates at merely 30 percent of his prime. Nevertheless, as the storyline unfolds, fans detect a similar character growth that is characteristic of formidable protagonists. Sakamoto continues to showcase hidden abilities, demonstrating a capacity to contend with order-level adversaries.

Misconception: Sakamoto’s Strength Post-Retirement

A Comparative Analysis: Youth Versus Adulthood

By advancing the storyline five years after his notorious retirement, the author crafts a vague backdrop that obscures Sakamoto’s actual power level. This gap provides a strategic advantage, akin to conventional anime narratives where a protagonist possesses untapped potential. However, unlike typical scenarios, Sakamoto’s current lack of potency is rooted in his inability to access his former strength. This clever narrative move allows:

The author the flexibility to lower Sakamoto’s displayed powers.
An opportunity for characters like Nagumo to ascend within the hierarchy of power.
Fans to speculate about other characters likely to evolve over time.

This progression has led to the belief that Sakamoto in his prime might not be the strongest anymore. This idea is further reinforced in chapter 164 when Sakamoto concedes his weakness when compared to Takamura:

Compared to when I was in The Order… He’s way stronger!

But can we truly gauge Sakamoto’s strength based on these comparisons? The mangaka strategically enriches the narrative with subtle hints throughout various chapters. For instance, in Sakamoto’s confrontation with Kanaguri, their strengths seemed relatively matched, yet Sakamoto consistently maintained the upper hand.

Contrasting this with a teenage Sakamoto, who alongside Uzui, Rion, and Nagumo faced Kindaka—someone significantly stronger than Kanaguri—illustrates the evolution of Sakamoto’s fighting capacity. Although they managed to secure victory, it would be unreasonable to categorize teen Sakamoto as an elite Order-level threat given their collective reliance on each other during battles. In simpler terms, all four young assassins could be classified as Lower Order level threats.

This direct comparison showcases Sakamoto’s capabilities as an assassin and reinforces the notion that the current version is merely equaling out against a much younger Sakamoto, who would barely serve as a warm-up against top-tier opponents. Hence, the primary concern shifts from Sakamoto’s innate power to the impact of his five-year hiatus.

Shooting Performance: A Decline Over Time

The Shift Begins: The JCC Infiltration Arc

The narrative unfolds during the JCC Infiltration Arc, providing fans with yet another insight into Sakamoto’s declining abilities. In chapter 75, Sakamoto’s shooting skills, although impressive while in disguise, pale in comparison to his prime. He openly acknowledges this decline:

I’ve Gotten Slower.

This acknowledgment is significant, especially considering that his peak performance was achieved during his school years. If we analyze Sakamoto’s efficiency using percentages, it suggests he is now 22.5 percent less effective than in his earlier days.

It’s noteworthy that during this disguised phase, Sakamoto was referred to as ‘Skinnymoto.’ If we entertain this notion, it may imply that, in terms of control, precision, and speed, Sakamoto might even rank lower than his teenage self.

The Inevitable Reality of Self-Imposed Limits

Is Clarity on Sakamoto’s Current Strength Possible?

Even with these insights, it is clear that the mangaka, Yuto Suzuki, has no plans to leave this question unanswered. The narrative has consistently hinted at Sakamoto’s unexplored strength since the inception of the series, indicating that he has not yet reached the pivotal turning point. This approach aligns perfectly with the storytelling principle known as Chekhov’s Gun:

One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it.

Miyo’s remarks in chapter 44 could serve as a prelude to future discussions about Sakamoto’s abilities. Although Sakamoto has chosen to limit his deadly skills by adhering to a no-kill rule—a guideline set by his wife—many fans generally believe this restriction minimally hinders his overall performance.

In conclusion, it is reasonable to assert that Sakamoto has neither regained nor advanced to the heights of his past prowess. However, the potential for his resurgence remains, as the series is steadily progressing toward its anticipated climax.

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