The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Yuto Suzuki’s popular manga series, Sakamoto Days, has been captivating audiences with its unique blend of action and comedy. Following its premiere in January 2025, the series has continued to unfold, with its second “cour” (or season) having begun in July 2025. Fans eager for the latest developments have already experienced Episode 16, titled “Slice Slice Dance,” which aired on August 11, 2025.
The Journey of Sakamoto Days Anime
The Sakamoto Days anime, produced by TMS Entertainment, brings to life the story of Taro Sakamoto, a legendary hitman who retires from his perilous life to run a humble convenience store with his family. His peaceful new existence is constantly challenged as former colleagues and enemies from his past resurface, forcing him to rely on his incredible, albeit now less agile, combat skills.
The anime was first announced in May 2024 and premiered on January 11, 2025, with its first cour concluding on March 22, 2025. The series then returned for its second cour on July 15, 2025, continuing the thrilling narrative. Netflix has licensed the series for worldwide streaming, releasing episodes simultaneously with their Japanese broadcast. The first season is projected to span 22 episodes across its two cours.
Episode 16: “Slice Slice Dance” – A Pivotal Confrontation
Episode 16, “Slice Slice Dance,” delivered a significant turning point in the Sakamoto Days anime, escalating the ongoing conflicts to new heights. This episode plunges viewers into an intense centerpiece brawl as antagonists Slur (also known as X) and Gaku infiltrate the Japanese Association of Assassins (JAA) headquarters.
Key events in “Slice Slice Dance” include:
- Takamura’s Overwhelming Strength: The episode prominently features Takamura, renowned as the strongest swordsman in the series, showcasing his formidable skills against Slur and Gaku’s group. His no-look thrusts and swift dismantlement of opponents, including cutting off one of Gaku’s arms, captivated viewers.
- High-Stakes Action: The episode is filled with high-stakes action, bringing together some of the anime’s most powerful characters in a chaotic battle. The animation quality also saw notable improvement, featuring flashy impact frames that enhanced the fight scenes.
- Sakamoto and Slur’s Encounter: Sakamoto and Shin crash into the JAA building, leading to a direct confrontation between Sakamoto and Slur for the first time in the anime. A surprising revelation is made that Sakamoto knows Slur as Uzuki, hinting at a deep shared history between the two.
- Unclear Fates: The episode concludes with a dramatic explosion, leaving the fate of several characters, particularly Takamura, ambiguous. While Sakamoto and his companions are seen emerging from the rubble, Takamura is conspicuously absent, leading to speculation about his survival, with the possibility of him being the “one person missing” from the incident’s aftermath, as per the manga.
Episode 16 served as a crucial development, setting up future conflicts and deepening the narrative by pushing the story forward with real stakes and objectives. It highlights the series’ ability to blend its comedic elements with intense, gripping action, keeping fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.
What’s Next for Sakamoto Days?
With Episode 16 having aired, fans are now looking forward to Episode 17, which is scheduled for release on August 18, 2025. The second cour is expected to continue with new episodes weekly, further exploring the intricacies of the assassin world and Sakamoto’s ongoing struggle to protect his family while confronting his past.
