The anime adaptation of Yuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days has been highly anticipated, and the release of episode 3 has further fueled the excitement. The series follows the life of Taro Sakamoto, a legendary hitman who has retired to run a convenience store, but finds his past catching up to him. This article delves into a comparison between the anime’s third episode and its corresponding manga chapters, highlighting the key differences and similarities.
Episode 3: Adapting Chapters 6-8 of the Manga
Sakamoto Days episode 3 primarily adapts chapters 6 through 8 of the manga. This segment introduces the high-profile assassin Nagumo, and features the Sakamoto family’s trip to an amusement park, where Shin Asakura faces off against another hitman named Tatsu.
Faithful Adaptation with Minor Tweaks
Overall, the anime adaptation by TMS Entertainment remains faithful to the source material. The studio has largely maintained the manga’s spirit, while adding small enhancements to improve the viewing experience.
Introduction of Nagumo
The episode opens with Lu Shaotang’s first day at Sakamoto’s store, and her humorous interactions with Shin. This scene is somewhat extended from the manga, with the anime adding extra moments like her making a mess while stocking shelves. The anime then introduces Nagumo, who appears as Sakamoto’s double. This scene is adapted almost identically from the manga, including their brief battle.
Changes in the Pizza Nakajima Scene
One notable change in episode 3 is how Pizza Nakajima’s attack unfolds. In the manga, Sakamoto approaches Nakajima for a delivery, whereas in the anime, Nakajima goes to the register to attack Sakamoto directly. This is a minor alteration that maintains the plot’s momentum.
The Amusement Park and Tatsu
The final section of chapter 6, where Shin and Sakamoto discuss Nagumo’s warning about assassins targeting Sakamoto, is also adapted. However, the anime removes the final manga panel where they agree to go to the amusement park, possibly to create a cliffhanger. The amusement park outing leads to Shin’s encounter with Tatsu, which is where the episode ends.
Anime vs Manga: Key Differences
While the anime is largely faithful, there are some differences worth noting.
Pacing and Extended Scenes
The manga is known for its fast-paced and snappy storytelling. The anime, on the other hand, sometimes stretches out jokes for added comedic effect and includes new scenes or extends scenes from the manga. This isn’t inherently bad, but might be noticeable to manga readers. For example, the anime provides a more elaborate introduction to Taro Sakamoto’s capabilities as a hitman, and when he meets his wife Aoi.
Skipped Chapters
Notably, episodes 1 and 2 skipped over chapters 2 and 3 of the manga. This included a chapter where Shin and Sakamoto save Aoi from criminals on a bus, and another focusing on Officer Nakaze’s kidnapping. While these chapters had some comedic moments and character development, they were likely omitted to streamline the main plot. The anime incorporated a flashback from chapter 2 into a more relevant scene in a later episode.
Animation Quality
While the anime’s animation is generally well-received, some viewers feel it does not quite match the fluid art style of the manga, especially during action sequences. The manga’s panels often convey a sense of speed and impact, which is difficult to replicate perfectly in animation. However, the anime does an admirable job of capturing the energy and intensity of fights.
Character Portrayals
In the manga, Sakamoto’s character is often played more like a gag, whereas the anime emphasizes his role as a father and family man. The anime adds nuances to his personality, making him appear more wholesome, which some fans feel is a positive change.
The Strengths of the Anime Adaptation
Despite minor deviations, the Sakamoto Days anime has several strengths.
Voice Acting
The voice cast is one of the most praised aspects of the anime. Tomokazu Sugita, the voice of Sakamoto, perfectly captures the character’s persona. Similarly, Nobunaga Shimazaki’s portrayal of Shin balances the character’s competence with his youthful wonder. Natsuki Hanae, who voices Nagumo, is also praised for his excellent portrayal of the character’s carefree energy.
Music and Soundtrack
The anime’s soundtrack and opening theme “Run, Sakamoto, Run,” by Vaundy have been well-received, further enhancing the overall viewing experience. Yuki Hayashi’s music composition is also a highlight, adding depth and emotion to various scenes.
Enhanced Action
The animation, especially during action sequences, is dynamic and visually appealing, bringing the intense scenes to life. The studio’s ability to translate the manga’s unique art style into animation has garnered high praise from fans.
Faithful Storytelling
The anime adaptation is careful to remain faithful to the core plot and character arcs. Though some minor details are changed or omitted, the essence of the story is preserved, ensuring that both manga readers and anime-only viewers can enjoy the series.
Why Sakamoto Days is Trending
Sakamoto Days has garnered significant attention due to its unique blend of action, comedy, and slice-of-life elements. The story of a retired legendary hitman trying to live a normal life while his past continues to haunt him is both humorous and engaging.
Blend of Genres
The series successfully combines the high-octane battles expected from a shonen manga with comedic moments and heartwarming family interactions. This unique mix has appealed to a broad audience, drawing comparisons to other popular series like Spy x Family.
Unique Premise
The premise of an overweight, retired assassin running a convenience store is inherently funny and captivating. The series plays with the contrast between Sakamoto’s past life as a deadly hitman and his current life as an ordinary family man.
High-Quality Adaptation
The anime adaptation has further propelled the series into the limelight. With the show’s high production values, excellent voice acting, and faithful storytelling, it has been well received.
Conclusion
Sakamoto Days episode 3, like its predecessors, manages to be a faithful adaptation of the manga while introducing its own creative additions. While there are minor differences in pacing, scene arrangements, and animation, the anime captures the spirit and essence of the manga effectively. TMS Entertainment’s work on the adaptation, from the voice acting to the action sequences, has made the anime a must-watch, solidifying its place as a potential standout show of the Winter 2025 season. Both the manga and the anime offer unique experiences, making them worthwhile for fans to enjoy.
