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Predominantly, the Shonen genre has always maintained a clear dominance when it came to the popularity and good quality of anime. On top of that, very few have reached the level of perfection that the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise has achieved, let alone a romance.

Lady Anshi from The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 [Credits: Olm, Toho animation Studio]

Now, it is safe to say that The Apothecary Diaries has managed to become one of the best anime despite being different from the norm. At its core, we get an element of romance, but it also covers some other key features that make it great.

It has finally led to an era where a show that almost falls in the category of Shojo is getting the same fame as major anime names enjoy. But the reason behind it is far more complex than just a good plot.

The realistic and dark themes of The Apothecary Diaries...

Pictures: Netflix / AMC / Sony Pictures / Lionsgate

It’s time for your comprehensive look ahead at what’s coming to Netflix throughout March 2025. This list will cover all the new licensed movies and series coming up and all the new Netflix Original titles, including games! Keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll constantly update it throughout March.

While this list is tracking all the new arrivals, you may want to familiarize yourself with all the departures, too, with some big movies and series set to leave the streamer in the US throughout March.

This article is a work-in-progress. Keep checking back for further updates. Coming to Netflix in March 2025 Tbd Khakee: The Bengal Chapter (Season 1) Netflix Original – Indian crime drama series about a cop takes on a feared don and his henchmen. Losmen Bu Broto: The Series (Season 1) Netflix Original – Indonesian family drama series. Weekly Episodes Coming in March 2025 Blue Box...

The long-awaited anime adaptation of The Beginning After the End (Tbate) is soon going to be out. The trailer raised our expectations, and the anime is going to premiere on April 2, 2025. This is supposed to be a good thing, as the sooner, the better.

Devil May Cry is also dropping in April | Credits: Netflix

But for the series, it means a tough fight is nigh. Why? Because Lazarus of Shinichiro Watanabe and Adi Shankar’s Devil May Cry are dropping in the very same week.

One of them is from a legendary creator, while the other is an adaptation of a global hit video game. The Beginning After the End is definitely famous as well, but it needs to perform exceptionally well if it does not wish to be left behind biting the dust.

This April is full for Shonen fans

The Beginning After the End is highly anticipated because...

Despite its bestseller status and popularity, Sakamoto Days isn’t spared from harsh criticism in any case. From animation to pacing, the series has received backlash from several fans. And while this seems valid for most part, its recent episode was nothing short of a banger.

Shin, Sakamoto and Lu in a still from Sakamoto Days anime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Even fans cannot help but praise the episode for its intense and power-packed battles. It was truly cool to the core, however, we’re missing out on one crucial thing. While the fight scenes were insanely good, the series needs to amp it up in the second season.

Episode 9 was a complete adrenaline fest for fans

For readers, Sakamoto Days is a top-notch hitman series with peak action. It is brilliant in its fight scenes as well as detail-oriented manga panels. Like most well-written shonen manga, it has its fair...

Zero Day. (L to R) McKinley Belcher III as Carl Otieno, Mozhan Navabi as Melissa Kornblau, Robert De Niro as George Mullen, Jesse Plemons as Roger Carlson and Connie Britton as Valerie Whitesell in Episode 102 of Zero Day. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 Netflix’s rankings for the week are here, offering a mix of thrilling mysteries, true-crime docuseries, blockbuster films, and international hits that have captivated audiences worldwide. At the very top of the list is Zero Day, a gripping limited series starring Robert De Niro. This cyber thriller, centered on a devastating digital power outage, dominated with 17.9 million views in its second week, proving to be a must-watch for fans of edge-of-your-seat storytelling. True-crime enthusiasts continued to flock to American Murder: Gabby Petito, which held steady at No. 2, gathering 11.3 million views. Bringing a lighter note to the lineup, Running Point, a comedy series helmed by executive producer Mindy Kaling and starring Kate Hudson,...

Today, a new trailer for the Japanese dub of the donghua Wuliao Jiu Wanjie ("Don't Give Up!") has premiered. The trailer introduces new characters, new theme songs and a locked-in premiere date: April 2 . Check out the trailer for the series, which will be released in Japan as Kono Koi de Hanaji o Tomete ("Stopping Your Nosebleed with My Love"): Wuliao Jiu Wanjie Trailer Related: Wuliao Jiu Wanjie Donghua Gets Japanese Dub in April 2025 A new visual has also been released: Wuliao Jiu Wanjie Key Visual The trailer showcases two new additions to the cast: Dilly voiced by Tomokazu Sugita (Taro Sakamoto in Sakamoto Days ) Shanina voiced by Yoko Hikasa (Arthur Pencilgon in Shangri-La Frontier ) Tomokazu Sugita / Dilly Yoko Hikasa / Shanina Related: Sci-Fi Anime Film As One Releases in Japan Summer 2025 The trailer also features clips of the new opening and ending theme songs. The opening, titled "Brand New Day,...

Ayane Sakura is one of the most popular voice actors in the current anime industry. She is the voice behind Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, and many other well-known characters.

Deku and Uraraka in My Hero Academia | Credits: Studio Bones

Sakura has recently shared how the perception of anime and voice acting has drastically changed over the years. This can be seen from the fame and recognition that voice actors have been getting recently. Actors like Ayane Sakura, Aleks Le, are stellar examples of this new trend.

The voice behind many iconic characters

In a radio segment with Nogizaka46 idol Nagi Inoue, Ayane Sakura has reflected on how being an anime fan was once met with ridicule. This is true even more so when seen on a global level. There were many times when anime was obstructed or alienated due to being ‘cartoons’ or ‘for children’.

Sakura voices Lu...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Episode 8.

When I get into every new episode of Sakamoto Days, I try not to have any expectations. Either I get very surprised by how fun the episode can be, or I’ll be contemplating why I tune in to this every week. It keeps me on my toes and makes sure I’m not too disappointed or too hyped up for my own mental peace. Luckily for me, this episode was as fun as ice cream on a hot summer’s day.

Sakamoto and Shin defeating Hoshiguro | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Diving into Shin’s backstory is perhaps the best decision because I find myself more invested in the anime than I had ever been. The decision helped set a rhythm to the story as well. Rather than giving it a one-episode plot with minor additions here and there, the entire...

Who would win in a battle between two overpowered white hair fellas? Would Naruto‘s Kakashi prevail? Or would Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Gojo turn out to be the strongest again? If this question has been haunting your mind, then congrats, it has finally been answered.

A fan-made video shows the battle between Kakashi and Gojo. The animation is so well done that it is almost hard to believe an official studio wasn’t involved in its production.

A Kakashi Vs. Gojo fanmade video is enough to give anime studios a run for their money A fan-made video of Gojo Vs Kakashi is going viral | Credits: 牙牙的包裹

The video begins with Gojo being released from the Prison Realm by Kakashi. Gojo tries to leave in a hurry as he wants to deal with Sukuna quickly, but Kakashi is having none of it. A battle begins over who would assume ownership of the Prison Realm cube.

The official YouTube channel for singer-songwriter Vaundy has started streaming a new live-action music video for his latest 29th digital single song "Run Sakamoto Run," which is now featured as the opening theme for the Sakamoto Days TV anime. While the previous video featured footage from the anime, in this live-action clip, Vaundy himself appears in the world of Sakamoto Days and many action scenes are included. Additionally, actor Mio Imada (Hinata Tachibana in the Tokyo Revengers live-action film series) also makes a surprise guest appearance. Vaundy "Run Sakamoto Run " Special Music Video Mio Imada Sakamoto Days Creditless Opening Video "Run Sakamoto Run" released digitally on January 12, and "Somebody help us," a new song written and composed by Vaundy as a special ending theme to the anime's seventh episode, also released digitally on February 16. A CD single including both songs is set to release on March 5, 2025. Digital jacket CD jacket...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains some spoilers from the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End manga.

In Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Himmel the Hero has been portrayed as an unwavering beacon of optimism and determination. However, behind his cheerful and confident demeanor lies a sad reality: Himmel lived the last five decades of his life knowing that the one person he truly loved, Frieren, was lost in time.

Himmel and Frieren’s from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. | Credit: Madhouse

Though she would be remembering him later in the future, Himmel could not help but suffer the long isolation from her. This paradox created a heartbreaking coping mechanism that defined his later years. What makes Himmel’s story even more tragic is that his coping mechanism to continue to push forward, suppress his sadness, and fulfill his promise was motivated by love and heartbreak.

Beautifully flawed love of Himmel and Frieren’s: The...

Meghan Markle’s delayed debut as a lifestyle goddess; a new epic series adaptation of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s The Leopard; the second spinoff movie in the fast expanding SpongeBob movie universe; a new season motorsports greatest docuseries; Anthony and Joe Russo’s latest big-budget feature; and a screwball murder mystery from Shondaland are some of the highlights among the new films and series hitting Netflix in March.

Finally debuting on March 4th is Netflix’s lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, which is hosted and executive produced by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. The show was originally slated to launch on Jan. 15, but was postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires. The unscripted series, which was filmed at a farmhouse in Montecito, California, is a blend of practical how-tos and candid interviews with prominent people. The guests slated for the first season include Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer,...

The creator of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo has a new series coming out, Lazarus. Set in a futuristic, dystopian world, it follows a team hunting down Dr Skinner, the creator of a “miracle drug” that is actually a fatal, slow poison. Now the race for a vaccine begins and the clock is ticking.

Axel Gilberto from Lazarus. [Credit: Mappa]

At first, Dr Skinner is presented as the savior of humanity for creating the drug, Hapna, since it claims to cure all diseases. Three years later, however, the deranged scientist announced it would kill anyone who took the drug in three years. The team of 5, Lazarus, is now tasked to hunt him down.

The apocalyptic horror of Lazarus isn’t an alien invasion or the threat of zombies. Shinichiro Watanabe wanted to mirror the opioid crisis that still plagues the world today. Many lives have been lost by its overuse and dependence.

As March rolls in, Netflix is gearing up to refresh its offer with a mix of classic hits, new originals, and exciting series. Here’s everything coming to & leaving Netflix this March.

Everything coming to Netflix in March 2025 March 1 Potato Lab Season 1 Sakamoto Days New Episode 50 First Dates Annie (2014) Beginners Black Hawk Down Blade Runner: The Final Cut Blood and Bone Cell 211 Do the Right Thing Friday High-Rise The Holiday Ma National Security Next Friday Pride & Prejudice Runaway Jury See No Evil, Hear No Evil Sicario Ted Vampires Wedding Crashers March 3 Hot Wheels Let’s Race Season 3 March 4 Andrew Schulz: Life With Love, Meghan Season 1 March 5 Joe One Look Season 1 The Leopard Season 1 Medusa Season 1 March 6 Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black: Season 1 Part 2 Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta Love is Blind: Sweden Season 1 Power Rangers March 7 Chaos: The Manson Murders Delicious Formula 1: Drive to...

If you still believe that the Sakamoto Days anime is receiving unnecessary flak, think again. Ever since its debut, the anime has been the center of one controversy after another. The biggest one surrounds its animation quality or lack thereof.

Sakamoto Days animation has been receiving criticism for poor animation quality | Credits: Tms Entertainment

However, plenty of fans still stick to the ideology that Sakamoto Days anime is not as bad as everyone is portraying it to be. Sorry to break the news, but the series isn’t even an apt competitor for anime that aired a decade ago.

Animation lessons from a decade-old under-rated series

The 2015 Gangsta anime is an adaptation of the manga by the same name. It focuses on Nic and Worick, two Handymen who take on shady jobs that no one else is willing to take on. But after they receive a new job request, they...

While the Sakamoto Days anime adaptation isn’t necessarily doing anything wrong, the studio, however, seems pretty reluctant to take risks and make changes which is ultimately holding it back. It isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary and just blindly following the source material.

A still from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End | Credits: Studio Madhouse

On the other hand, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End does the opposite, embracing its flaws and pushing the boundaries. It’s always refreshing to see whenever a studio (here Studio Madhouse) willingly experiments and improves on the already existing source.

This very essence of storytelling in anime highlights the importance of a thoughtful adaptation, which builds upon its flaws, and just by doing that the anime can make all the difference in creating a memorable and impactful series. But clearly, Sakamoto Days isn’t doing any of it!

Frieren very much accepted...

The Netflix March 2025 originals, movies and TV series have been revealed and can be viewed below. The streaming service has also announced the list of movies and TV series leaving next month.

The Netflix March 2025 schedule includes Adolescence, CoComelon Lane Season 4, The Electric State, Formula 1: Drive to Survive Season 7, Hot Wheels Let’s Race Season 3, Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta, The Life List and Million Dollar Secret.

The Electric State

Also coming to the service are Plankton: The Movie, The Residence, new episodes of Sakamoto Days, Survival of the Thickest Season 2, Temptation Island, Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black Season 1 Part 2, With Love, Meghan and more.

The March schedule includes the comedy specials Andrew Schulz: Life, Bert Kreischer: Lucky and Chelsea Handler: The Feeling, as well as the weekly show Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney.

Netflix March 2025 Schedule

March Tba

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter (In) — Netflix Series...

New day, old Sakamoto Days anime controversy. Ever since Sakamoto Days received its anime debut, fans of the series have been neatly divided into two sections. One faction pinpoints every animation fallacy, while the other just tries to ignore the mistakes and enjoy the comedy.

Unfortunately, Studio Tms Entertainment has made it way too hard for fans to keep ignoring the issues with the series’ animation. Some of the most anticipated battles have been botched, and no one is happy about it.

One Sakamoto Days scene is so amateurish that fans can’t help but point it out Sakamoto Vs. Boiled animation was extremely lackluster | Credits: Tms Entertainment

Sakamoto vs. Boiled was one of the most anticipated fights of the anime. After the first few episodes, fans wholeheartedly wished that the studio was saving up the budget for the bigger battles. But it never came to be, instead, Sakamoto vs.

The Netflix Effect is weird. Whether it’s “Suits” or “Madame Web” or a Netflix original like “Baby Reindeer” that turns into a sleeper hit, people tend to gravitate toward some truly random stuff on Netflix. It’s the case most weeks on the Netflix Top 10 charts, but this week even we’re at a loss.

Coming in at No. 2 on Netflix’s Top 10 English Films for the week of February 17 was none other than “Uncharted,” the 2022 Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg adventure-thriller based on the PlayStation video game franchise. Because…why not?

You guys watched it 10.5 million times this week, behind only the Netflix original rom-com “La Dolce Villa,” which hit No. 1 for the second week in a row post-Valentine’s Day with 14.1 million views. “Uncharted” previously landed on Netflix on August 5, 2022, and it spent three consecutive weeks on the Netflix Top 10 charts at that time, reaching 23 million viewing hours in a single week.

Now this is something that needs to be addressed. It’s been a while since the Sakamoto Days anime adaptation started airing and since day 1 it got plenty of harsh criticisms blaming its animation, but honestly, it’s not that bad!

However, the real issue lies somewhere else. The studio has been adapting the manga a bit too blindly. It looks like the anime is hesitant to take any creative liberties or add its own flair, resulting in a viewing experience that feels more like flipping through the manga pages rather than watching a fully fleshed-out anime.

Shin Asakura from Sakamoto Days | Credit: Tms Entertainment

But how bad the situation has actually gotten? The anime-only fans might not notice anything, but there were several moments where the anime one-on-one copied the manga panels, and here’s one such example that a Reddit user has recently pointed out.

The fight scenes...

Anime adaptations often struggle to retain the essence of the original without compromising any of the scenes, character development, or key details. Only when an anime is able to faithfully adapt the source can it be a good anime adaptation? Sakamoto Days does this as it represents every panel.

Shin and Taro Sakamoto | Credit: Tms Entertainment

The question then arises – how will an anime adaptation become worthy of being called ‘great?’ With balancing faithfulness to the manga, the adaptation needs to take advantage of the animation itself. Anime is different from manga in the sense that it does not have panels depicting moments, it is a continuous flow of events.

This means the animation needs to be fluid and connect all the parts in the manga by itself. What it can further do is to take and rectify the flaws in the manga, elevating the level of the work. This...

Fat isn’t always funny as it can be edgy, and Sakamoto Days is a perfect example of that. The Hitman series is a perfect blend of comedy, action, and romance, but what makes it so unique and special is the protagonist himself. He protects, attacks, and gets everyone’s back, but there’s another upside to it.

Taro Sakamoto in a still from the anime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

It isn’t romance that makes Yuto Suzuki’s series offbeat; it is his conceptualization of a fat assassin. The beloved Assassin hitman is a flab and fab character who is edgy in every single way. He may have indeed redeemed Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “big fat joke” and here’s why.

Sakamoto Days overturned the ‘Fat Thor’ joke

One thing that makes Sakamoto Days a class apart from other series is its action, which will often remind viewers of John Wick.

There are many tropes that are used recurringly in fictional stories; it could be anything from the overpowered protagonist to a trusty and wise mentor. A lot of tropes abound in fictional works, be it anime or manga.

Shin the esper| Credit: Tms Entertainment

Human experimentation is one such common trope in fiction. It usually ties into harsh experimentation that is filled with suffering and causes trauma.

From Spy x Family’s Anya, who is an esper, and The Boys’ test subjects to the X-Men’s infamous Weapon X program, fiction is full of characters who undergo horrific and immoral experimentation only to emerge broken or haunted.

A refreshing spin on ‘Human Experimentation’

Sakamoto Days, however, takes this ‘experimentation for the sake of superpowers’ trope and flips it over to make it sunny-side up. With a completely different approach to Shin’s backstory as a child who was experimented on...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Episode 7.

I have waited for a long time, 7 episodes to be exact. Sakamoto Days is finally giving in the quality that should have been there in the first place. While the number of still frames isn’t really changing, it doesn’t matter anymore because once again, its story is any day. I have watched some of the best shows that have an underwhelming level of animation or those that make that animation iconic to themselves. Hell, some of the best cartoons have an animation that downright sucks, so why not good anime either?

Seba | Credit: Tms Entertainment

So this brings me to the point that is the heart of the series, (other than the deeper themes), its characters. Their stories navigate so much of what makes the anime so good and to my relief, it was Shin who is to take front and center.

With its soaring popularity and success, Solo Leveling has completely changed and reshaped the landscape of manhwa as a medium. The series started as a bestseller and is currently dethroning other anime in the Shonen genre. Truly, it is a big feat for the franchise but that is not the end of it all.

Sung Jinwoo in a still from the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Being the third-highest-rated anime, it is also one of the most widely read manhwas which highlights its overarching influence. It is this impact and influence that is pivotal which makes it the “Dragon Ball” of manhwas as opposed to one of the Big 3 and here’s why.

Solo Leveling crowned the most-watched anime

In 2016, Solo Leveling began its journey as a serialized manhwa and has since then witnessed a surge in popularity. It has made waves among readers worldwide and has only gone on to garner its celebrated fanbase.

Most anime fans are looking for a good Shonen action series, and Solo Leveling has provided that since its beginning. From the animation to the voice acting performance, the anime community only sang their praises. Crunchyroll confirms the series was the most-watched new anime of 2024.

Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling. [Credit: A-1 Pictures]

The journey of Sung Jinwoo has continued in 2025 with very little competition as of February. Most fans have noticed its success is attributed to the fact that Solo Leveling is the closest manhwa to the Shonen genre. It doesn’t have a particularly profound plot that requires too much thought.

Solo Leveling’s only competition in 2025 has been Sakamoto Days, which had an avid fan following for the manga. While it does have exciting action scenes, the plot is rather philosophical and makes you question the morality of its characters. Sakamoto Days has a deeper plot than the fluffy surface.

Mafia and assassin-themed manga narratives are often inclined towards dark romances where love is intertwined with secrecy, manipulation, and unhealthy power dynamics. However, Sakamoto Days does something unique to give readers a breath of fresh air with a healthy and strong marriage in a violent world.

Taro Sakamoto and his wife Aoi share a unique relationship. | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Sakamoto, a renowned hitman, retired from his violent life to lead a normal life with his wife Aoi, and his daughter. Yet, his past always finds him, forcing him into situations where he must fight again. However, despite living in constant fear, keeping the secrets of his life, and the threat that follows him, Sakamoto and Aoi have a relationship based on respect for one another, boundaries, and trust.

A unique love story in the world of assassins

One of the most striking aspects of Sakamoto and Aoi’s relationship is the secrecy Sakamoto maintains.

The Sakamoto Days anime adaptation has sparked a lot of discussions and intense opinions among fans of the work, both in Japan and globally. While there have been many complaints about anime adaptations until now, the heat the Sakamoto Days‘ adaptation is facing is on another level.

Taro Sakamoto from Sakamoto Days. [Credit: Netflix]

There is a good reason for this, in fact, many good reasons that are pointed out by the critical fans. Sakamoto Days manga is one of the best works in recent times and the anime adaptation was supposed to cement its popularity and place, but ended up tarnishing it.

Let us delve in and understand how Tms managed to do such poor-quality work when it came to Sakamoto Days, one of the most anticipated adaptations in recent times- and how the Japanese fans feel about this.

A passionate fanbase disheartened and betrayed

Japanese fans are known for...

Whether you hate or love the anime adaptation of Sakamoto Days, it still delivers the storyline effectively. Yuto Suzuki doesn’t need to beat around the bush, a simple and concise message is sometimes the best. In the daily life of a retired assassin whose life is threatened daily, old habits die hard.

Taro Sakamoto from Sakamoto Days. [Credit: Netflix]

The main core of Sakamoto Days is about how far the retired assassin, Taro, is willing to go to protect his family. Ever since he promised his wife not to kill anyone after he abandoned his lifestyle, he’s been living peacefully until it came to haunt him back.

Now, his old gang and others are out for blood. His wife and daughter are now caught in the crossfire of it, including his workers who were employed to help protect them. So what will Sakamoto and others do in the face of danger?...

Netflix is fully invested in anime and isn't close to stopping. In 2025, there will be at least 10 new anime series and seasons to watch.

The biggest streaming service in the world will launch several new anime series based on manga, books, and video games, such as The Summer Hikaru Died, Leviathan, and Devil May Cry.

There's also the ongoing release of Sakamoto Days, the continuation of Dandadan, and the conclusion of Blood of Zeus for fans to stream in this year's anime catalog on Netflix.

Read full article on The Direct.

When one mentions the Naruto series, the younger days of the Team 7 trio come to mind. Most fans may remember the Chunin Exams as being one of the most intense arcs in the series.

Sakura Haruno Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

However, before the life-or-death battles that were visually stunning and filled with thrills and action, there was another section of the exams that is usually forgotten- the written test designed to measure the intelligence of young ninjas.

For many fans, the real shock wasn’t that the exam was so difficult that the ‘cool’ and ‘elite’ characters like Sasuke and Neji had to cheat to qualify for the examination. It was that Sakura Haruno didn’t even need to look up from her exam sheet.

Sakura got into the “privileged” Academy class

Unlike her battle-hungry and knuckle-headed peers at the Academy, Sakura had always prioritized her academics and knowledge. This...

Spoiler Alert !!!This Article contains spoilers from Episode-7 of Sakamoto Days anime.

It’s been one hell of a bumpy ride for Sakamoto Days anime, especially with the ongoing criticism from fans. Be it animation or pacing, the episodes had fans throwing brickbats at the creators. And while the criticisms are very much plausible, the series deserves a second chance because of this very reason.

Shin Asakura, Taro Sakamoto, and Lu Xiaotang in the anime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

It is in no way comparable to Solo Leveling’s towering popularity, yet Tms Entertainment proved that they are not to be taken lightly. While the previous episodes were slipshod, the anime did a 180 with the recent episode. In all seriousness, the anime might just make its promising comeback.

Sakamoto Days anime showcases its silver lining

Sakamoto Days is truly a one-of-a-kind hitman manga that lives up to its hype as a bestseller.

Sakamoto Days has been getting non-stop criticism for its disappointing animation quality. Its decline from one of the most anticipated series to a disheartening show was steep. But it is not the worst adaptation that anime fans have seen in recent years.

One 2024 anime also had a similar journey, except it was more depressing than Sakamoto Days. It was supposed to be the holy grail for horror lovers but turned out to be a sad mess. And it’s none other than Uzumaki, the anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s legendary manga.

No matter how bad Sakamoto Days gets, it can never overtake the Uzumaki disaster Uzumaki’s horrendous animation disappointed fans | Credits: Drive, Akatsuki, Fugaku

A 4-episode anime adaptation of Junji Ito‘s Uzumaki manga aired in October 2024. The trailers gave fans a glimpse into the work and convinced everyone that it would stand apart from the rest of...

Expecting every adaptation to be absolutely flawless is a bit childish. There are adaptations that shine brighter than others in certain aspects, but writing off an entire anime just because it didn’t meet your sky-high expectations is not fair, is it?

Taro Sakamoto in his prime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

That is why the recent Sakamoto Days hate for its anime adaptation is a bit too much. Part of the reason is that the manga was already so goated that those pre-existing fans were excited to see it on screen with matching similar to better animation. But when the anime dropped, it certainly did not meet those manga readers’ expectations and that generated this cycle of hatred!

Hopefully, this article will give you a fresh perspective from a Sakamoto Days anime-only fan, and maybe even change your mind if you were a hater!

The Sakamoto Days anime adaptation has done nothing wrong so far!

Yuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days has become one of the biggest anime series of 2025 with only six episodes under its belt. The series has garnered a lot of attention from anime fans and the majority of those fans have fallen in love with Sakamoto Days solely because of its protagonist, Taro Sakamoto. He is truly the perfect definition of a well-written main character.

Taro Sakamoto and Shin Asakura in Sakamoto Days | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Taro Sakamoto’s character has enhanced the experience of the Sakamoto Days storyline, and his constant interaction with the elements of his past provides great character development that’s too hard to go unnoticed. However, Taro Sakamoto’s storyline might have become a little too strong in Sakamoto Days, as it has started hurting the development of other characters.

The biggest victim of this is Shin Asakura, the former student of Taro Sakamoto and the current employee at his store.

With its second season’s trailer, Solo Leveling proved that it is indeed the next big thing. The series is in vogue and, rightly so, has managed to make heads turn. But here’s the thing, no one likes a party pooper, and fandoms especially do not take it in stride.

Sung Jinwoo in a still from the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Inadvertently, the series may have rained on the Sakamoto Days‘ parade in most aspects. This is true for the latter’s recent episode, which stands thoroughly overshadowed and overlooked, as noted by several fans. But is it hogging the spotlight in every sense? Let’s find out.

Sakamoto Days is all about the wholesomeness

It is very much true that Sakamoto Days is highly centered on the hitman saga and battle-intense scenes. Yet, what makes it so different from other anime is the light-hearted moments that the anime brings out brilliantly.

Just a few episodes in, Sakamoto Days has already introduced some fan-favorite characters. Lu Shaotang has become a part of the main trio, along with Sakamoto and Shin. She has been one of the most comic characters in the show.

But what was once introduced as a gag element of the anime is turning out to be a serious problem. Lu’s alcoholism was discovered in one of the early episodes, which is her showdown against Obiguro. But ever since then, it has been progressively getting worse.

Sakamoto Days is ignoring a huge problem regarding Lu Lu’s alcoholism has been a growing issue in Sakamoto Days | Credits: Tms Entertainment

Lu Shaotang is the daughter of a Triad Family, which automatically translates to the fact that she has always been extremely powerful. But just like Sakamoto turns into a skinny form and Shin can read minds, Shaotang also has a weird power-up.

Both comic books and pro wrestling have worked hard to overcome the stigma of being low-brow, "childish" form of entertainments, and both have managed to break through in recent years to enter popular culture's mainstream.

Seven of the top 25 highest-grossing movies are MCU movies, each of which grossed more than a billion dollars — also on that list in The Incredibles 2, which, although not based on a comic book itself, is a major throwback to the classic comics of the Silver Age.

Similarly, while pro wrestling hasn't quite return to the heights of the golden ages of the mid-80s and the turn of the millennium, the industry has been going through its biggest boom period in a long time, thanks in part to the three major wrestling promotions in the US — WWE, Aew and Total Nonstop Action — all signing newer and better broadcasting deals for their TV programs in recent years.

In the world of shonen manga, fight choreography can make or break a series. Power levels and transformations aren’t the only elements of the best action manga, rather they also depend on fluidity, clarity, and a sense of impact that leaps off the page. Sakamoto Days manga has risen as one of the finest examples of this, drawing comparisons to the legendary work of Akira Toriyama.

Taro Sakamoto vs Shin Asakura from Sakamoto Days. | Credit: Shueisha

With its dynamic action sequences, clever weapon improvisation, and a seamless sense of motion, Sakamoto Days delivers some of the best fight choreography seen in any shonen manga in recent years. This is why the recent Sakamoto Days anime adaptation felt like a disappointment for the fans as they had expected the same fluidity in the anime version as well, and anything less than exceptional would be an insult to the manga’s legacy.

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Episode 6.

I have no idea what was going on with the previous episodes of Sakamoto Days but I am glad that the anime has found its footing once again. There had been a certain undertone about the first few episodes that had me turning a blind eye towards the obviously lacking animation.

There was always a message to the episodes that spoke louder than the guns fired at Sakamoto. These analogies and allegories came from the silliest ideas and that is what made them my favorite part of the anime.

Taro Sakamoto in his prime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Thankfully, that has made a return with the character of Heisuke Mashimo. Snipers usually have a reputation that puts them in the category of some of the best marksmen. One would also assume that a man who has a bird as skilled as...

The official YouTube channel for singer-songwriter Vaundy has started streaming a music video for his latest 29th digital single song "Run Sakamoto Run." The rock tune is now featured as the opening theme for the Sakamoto Days TV anime, and the video consists of footage from the anime. Vaundy "Run Sakamoto Run" Music Video Sakamoto Days Creditless Opening Video "Run Sakamoto Run" released digitally on January 12, peaking at #5 in Oricon's weekly digital single charts in its second week. Additionally, "Somebody help us," a new song written and composed by Vaundy as a special ending theme to the anime's seventh episode, also released digitally on February 16. A CD single including both "Run Sakamoto Run" and "Somebody help us" is set to release on March 5, 2025. Digital jacket CD jacket Vaundy artist photo Related: Sakamoto Days Anime Reveals Voice Actors for Natsuki Seba, Kashima Shueisha publishes the original Sakamoto Days manga by...

The anime adaptation of Sakamoto Days has so far been full of nothing but controversies only. Fans have shown dissatisfaction not only with the animation quality but also with its current narrative approach in the anime. This is, however, understandable, considering that there are other popular anime series that have successfully pulled off such stuff.

Sakamoto Days | Credit: Tms Entertainment

For example, one single scene in the movie Spy x Family: Code White highlighted the issues that actually beset the storytelling of Sakamoto Days. So, will it ever be able to fix its problems and win back people’s approval?

What Spy x Family does better Loid, Anya, and Yor in Spy x Family | Credit: Wit Studio

Spy x Family: Code White was definitely a refreshing sequel film for the Spy x Family series. In fact, it had some of the most wholesome character dynamics among the main cast that...

Episode 7 of the Sakamoto Days anime is next on the horizon, and with it comes some fresh cast additions. The latest actors to join the cast are Nobuhiko Okamoto (Katsuki Bakugo in My Hero Academia ) and Kazuyuki Okitsu (Luke Notos Greyrat in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation ), who will voice Natsuki Seba and Kashima, respectively. You can see their character designs below. Natsuki Seba Kashima The official Tms YouTube channel also shared a preview for the episode, which is titled "Jurassic Yaro" ("Jurassic Guy"). Related: Sakamoto Days Anime Adds Yasuhiro Mamiya and Yumi Uchiyama to Cast Shueisha publishes the original Sakamoto Days manga by Yuto Suzuki in their Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine. Viz Media also publishes an English-language version of the series. Masaki Watanabe directs the TV anime at animation studio Tms Entertainment. with series composition by Taku Kishimoto ( Blue Lock ) and character designs by Yo Moriyama ( Megalobox director). Viz...

The anime adaptation of Yuuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days just revealed two more cast members: Kazuyuki Okitsu as Kashima and Nobuhiko Okamoto as Natsuki Seba. These two join the growing roster of characters in the anime. A preview for the seventh episode of the show has also been streamed.

The anime debuted on January 11 on TV Tokyo and Netflix, with the first batch of 11 episodes being labeled as “Part 1.” Part 2 will be available in July. The series has been doing well, ranking second worldwide in the non-English shows category for the week of January 13-19, just behind Squid Game: Season 2.

Masaki Watanabe, who’s worked on shows like Kado – The Right Answer and Bartender, is directing the anime at Tms Entertainment. Taku Kishimoto, known for his work on Bluelock and Haikyu!!, is handling the script, while Yō Moriyama is designing the characters.

The opening theme, ‘Hashire Sakamoto’, is performed by Vaundy,...

When Sakamoto Days was picked up by Netflix and Tms Entertainment, avid fans of the manga were thrilled. They hoped to see the creative action scenes blend with the quirky humor and slice-of-life elements. However, it seems they were asking for too much.

Taro Sakamoto from Sakamoto Days. [Credit: Netflix]

Rather than adapting the action scenes and making them the star of the series, Sakamoto Days focuses on the fluff and comedy a lot more in the anime. The fighting choreographies are much more fast-paced and impactful in the manga, whereas the anime is doing a poor job. It should’ve been the opposite.

Viewers who haven’t read the manga, however, are thoroughly enjoying the show, especially those who enjoy a good slice-of-life. However, Sakamoto Days is much more. The core strength of it is the fighting choreography so erasing it shows a lack of understanding the real storyline.

Ignorance is...

Sakamoto Days is a unique series as it is known and loved not just for its impeccable fight sequences but also for its humor and wholesomeness.

Lu Shaotang from Sakamoto Days | Credits: Tms Entertainment

The relationships between the main cast around the protagonist, Taro Sakamoto, is one of the most important aspects of the series and that is what holds the narrative together.

Lu Shaotang is one of the characters that is loved by the viewers due to her unique personality and the way she adds to the slice-of-life part of the series. She was introduced as an essential part of the Sakamoto Days family, yet the manga slowly erased her presence for some unknown reason.

Why Lu deserved better in the manga

By not showing her for a long time, multiple volumes, in fact, they succeeded in turning her into nothing but an afterthought. Her entire character was full...

Manhwas are taking the internet by storm and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is no exception to that. The popular webtoon stands top-tier in many ways, especially through its well-paced plot, characters, and impressive world-building.

Other than that, it offers novelty in terms of its perspectives. While most manhwas are centered around cliche tropes of power, Sing Shong makes the most of these tropes by twisting it completely. There is, however, a standalone aspect that makes it superior to most new-age series.

Megumi, Nobara, and Yuji in a still from the anime | Credit: Mappa

Where most series abandon their key elements, the series makes the most of it. Apart from using common tropes, Sing Shong renders it unique by interplaying this key element within the plot. The author’s approach is what makes the series superior to other series.

In retrospect, Sakamoto Days failed miserably to do justice to its core elements.

Netflix’s Sakamoto Days has been making waves by capitalizing on the adaptation wave. The original manga, which has millions of fans worldwide, has been adapted and is entrancing the viewers with its mix of humor, action, and unique slice-of-life storytelling.

Shin and Sakamoto in a still from the anime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

While many expected it to have the heat, thrill, and action and were calling it the John Wick of anime, it has turned out to be more in line with Spy x Family, a wholesome show that is capable of blending heartwarming moments with chaotic battles.

A new way of telling an assassin story

The initial episodes of Sakamoto Days cemented the power of the retired assassin Taro Sakamoto and his unique and interesting family life. But when we take a look at a few scenes, like episode 3, “Welcome to Sugar Park,” we understand the aim of the series.

Sakamoto Days is becoming increasingly popular, with its anime adaptation already out. However, fans are jittery and uncomfortable. The anime industry has seen far too many rushed adaptations that fail to do justice to their source material.

Shin and Sakamoto in a still from the anime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Sakamoto Days manga is incredibly popular and conveys through the unmoving panels a story of intense action, combat, and superhuman stunts. The fans wanted to see an anime adaptation to experience the thrill of that kind of combat and see their favorite retired assassin in action.

But so far, the action scenes and choreography seem to not be matching the standards set by the original. There are several reasons for this, but at the core lies the lesson Sakamoto Days needs to learn from Re:Zero.

Rushed Anime Adaptations Often Lead to Disappointment

If Sakamoto Days want to be a standout success...

Sakamoto Days made quite a splash when its anime was announced, to the point that most fans waited with bated breaths for the adaptation. And when it was announced that Tms would animate it, they weren’t too happy about it and were rather skeptical for the most part.

With Solo Leveling, however, that isn’t the case because of several reasons. Mainly because the anime is hailed for its animation and quality, which is top-tier in every way. But also, A-1 Pictures understood their assignment pretty well, and the upcoming episode is proof of that.

Sakamoto stops Son Hee with a knife | Credit: Tms Entertainment

The second season is all set to overdo the first season in more ways than one, be it animation or pacing. But what has most fans stoked up is an upcoming fight that will showcase the studio’s brilliance in every sense. It is probably the most anticipated fight,...