Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published
He was buried under the arrival of Stranger Things it was an announcement that anime fans had been waiting for, but given Netflix’s history with new series, it was by no means a sure thing. Sakamoto Daysthe comedy about a retired hit man who works as a store clerk, will return for a 2nd season.
It’s another sign that the streaming giant is serious about its commitment to anime, even promising a worldwide release on the same day; then again, that’s what they said last time, and the Western audience sat the episode behind.
Retail Killer
Sakamoto Days picks up years after Taro Sakamoto gives up his life as a hitman and settles down with his wife, Aoi. One of his rules was to stop killing, but as seen many times, when his place is leaked and the criminals come calling, fighting and defending makes Sakamoto stronger than ever. The soft-spoken hitman takes it so far that he and Aoi even recruit a number of ex-criminals to work at the store, including Lu a mafia princess, Heisuke a tagging expert, and Shin, a telepath.
The combination of Sakamoto and Shin works wonders, allowing the quiet and reserved clerk to have his thoughts interpreted by Shin instead, including when he contemplates killing the telepath. Anyone who has spent time working in retail understands the feeling.
Over the course of the 22-episode first season, it was split into two separate parts, Sakamoto Days he found a balance between comedy and action, often at the same time. With an audience rating of 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6 on My Anime List, the series has found an audience, but lacks widespread appeal. Jutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer. Instead, it’s perfect for fans of Spy x Familya small part of the Western anime audience, but one that will zealously defend their favorites.
Netflix Betting Big on Anime in 2026
Critics of Sakamoto Days point to corny jokes and predictable episodes, but both critics and fans will agree that the quality of the animation could be improved. TMS Entertainment, the studio behind the series, showed off some impressively improved animation in the second half of the season, and it’s nowhere near as brutal One Punch Man’s slideshow animations, but for a series that uses physical comics, it can be a little smooth. The teaser image released for Season 2 shows Sakamoto in a younger, skinnier form in bold black that evokes a throwback to the 80s and early 90s style. Neck 13 again City Hunter’s teasers, which stand out compared to the first season’s marketing using bold colors and a more modern Sakamoto.
2026 will be another big year for anime on Netflix with the arrival of Season 2 of the live action. One piece again One pieceanime remake of the long-running series. Devil May Cry Season 2, for better or worse, is coming next year as well, along with a bad audition Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2 is finally coming to the service, though, as it is Sakamoto Daysthere is no current release date. Anime has never been hotter than it is right now, and the world’s largest streaming service wants to keep it that way.
