Overview
- Despite initial backlash regarding action sequences, Sakamoto Days has become one of Netflix’s most-viewed series.
- For the last six weeks, it has consistently ranked in Japan’s top 10 most popular shows.
- The show maintains a steady viewership of approximately 3 million weekly viewers along with 7-8 million hours viewed, signifying strong audience loyalty.
Table of Contents
Despite ongoing criticisms, particularly from dedicated fans, Sakamoto Days remains a frontrunner in Netflix’s viewing rankings. This anime series stirred controversy even prior to its release, with fans lamenting the trailer’s emphasis on slice-of-life elements at the expense of dynamic action scenes. These elements are a hallmark of the original manga, leaving many fans eager for their animation adaptation, drawing comparisons to lionized series such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer.
Insights from Global Viewership Data
Initially, Sakamoto Days did not secure a spot on Netflix’s global most-watched chart during its debut week. However, the show rebounded impressively, capturing a top ten ranking from its second week onward. This remarkable performance is highlighted by a consistent stay in Japan’s top 10 for six consecutive weeks. It’s worth noting that the anime premiered just before the conclusion of the chart week, with Netflix Japan releasing two episodes on January 11, compared to one episode worldwide. This disparity propels some viewers to use VPNs to access episodes earlier, potentially inflating the Japanese viewership figures.
While there has been a natural decline in viewership since its initial release, the hours viewed have remained stable. In its first week within the top chart (January 13-19), the series claimed the second spot, garnering 8, 600, 000 views and over 7, 700, 000 hours viewed. In subsequent weeks, the show has consistently attracted about 3, 000, 000 views each week, with viewing hours lingering between 7, 000, 000 and 8, 000, 000. This indicates a solid, albeit smaller, loyal audience.
To provide context, by mid-season, Dandadan also recorded approximately 3, 000, 000 views and 7, 000, 000 hours viewed, suggesting comparable viewer engagement. However, being a non-exclusive series across multiple streaming platforms likely means Dandadan has a broader audience overall.
Critique Beyond Action Sequences
Initially, dissatisfactions concentrated on the action sequences. However, as episodes progressed, more fans began expressing concerns regarding the comedic elements and slice-of-life narratives. Viewers argue that crucial slice-of-life chapters, which contribute to the series’ humor and overall atmosphere, are being overlooked. Additionally, there are alarming reports suggesting that the production team is under significant pressure.
Currently, viewer ratings do not appear to be translating into commensurate manga sales in Japan. Nonetheless, Manga PLUS data indicates a surge in new readers accessing the latest chapters for free, hinting at a possible uptick in manga sales in the near future.
Sakamoto Days is available for streaming on Netflix, with options for both dubbed and subbed versions in multiple languages.
Source: Netflix
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