Sakamoto Days is a comedy manga focusing around Taro Sakamoto. He was once a well known hitman who could take down anyone. That is until he fell in love with a woman. Now he's a middle aged conscience store owner with a little kid, a lot more fat on his body, and a promise to never kill again. Everything seems simple, sweet, perfect even. That is until the past comes nocking at his door.
On one typical average day years after settling down psychic hitman Shin Asakura shows up at Sakamoto's humble convience store and everything starts to get crazy. After a battle between Shin and Sakamoto, and a battle against the organization that's after Sakamoto it's time for peace right? Nope! It's time for a rescue mission that ends up turning the police against Sakamoto and Shin! Despite all the chaos Shin ends up becoming the first new employee of Sakamoto's Store still idolizing Sakamoto who enjoys imagining himself killing Shin when Shin is misbehaving. Old habits do die hard after all. But the peace doesn't last long before they pick up their next new employee.
While shopping for Chinese foods, Shin and Sakamoto run into Lu Xiaotang, who is on the run herself. Fleeing from crime lords herself she ends up accidentally enlisting the help of our two boys. After some epic fights and a lot of running she ends up also getting recruited to work at the store. What safer place to be employed than at a store run by a hitman, am I right?
The fun doesn't stop there though! With two new employees it's time to get serious! Another old friend shows up, this time to warn of a bounty on Sakamoto's head. The organization isn't happy he left and they want him dead.
Every hitman is after him and his family but that won't stop their fun day at the amusement park, right? Shin and Xiaotang will make sure of it!!
I absolutely loved this volume 1. It is likely my favorite of the 3 volume ones I have recently sampled. The comedy was perfect all the way through. I loved the running gags about Sakamoto being a lil chubby and also him constantly thinking of killing Shin. Him and Shin make the perfect comedy routine. Even without words these two can have the most hilarious simple conversations via Shin's mind reading abilities. Adding in Xiaotang was such a bonus. She's always late and disorganized which causes nothing but grief for Shin.
The art for this series was also so good! The style gave it a very homey feel despite it having some epic fights. Each character also stood out so well and Sakamoto looked great whether he was skinny or chubby! I loved that we got to see both versions.
I'm definitely a sucker for a series like this. I just recently finished all of Hinamatsuri which is another comedy manga but featuring the Yakuza. I love watching these kinds of characters navigate daily life and protect the people closest to them. I also love the absolute comedy that has the chance to come from it.
I am also loving the found family vibe that is building between Sakamoto and his employees. Found Family is a trope I just adore. He even says they are part of the household now that they work for him so the family rules, like no killing, apply to them now too! It's so perfect and makes my heart so happy.
Sakamoto Days is definitely a series I see myself continuing. I want to watch the anime before I get anymore volumes though. I hear the anime has more mixed reviews than the manga so I feel it's best to watch it first before deep diving in. But I'm sure I'll quite enjoy both. I can't wait to get more into it and find out what happens next. All while likely busting a gut laughing!
If you like Sakamoto Days I definitely reccomened Hinamatsuri, Buddy Daddies, and while I have only read volume 1, The Way of the Househusband. The reverse is also true! If you like any of those I think you'll love Sakamoto Days!
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