I actually really liked this one! The premise on its own was pretty funny, but actually seeing the backstory of awesome hit-man fell in love, got married, and started a family, actually play out was delightful. He's rounder than he used to be, but he's still got it!. This title has humor, action and heart. It reminded me of "The Way of The Househusband." and it scratched that same itch, but in a different way.

As John Wick found out, you never leave the crime syndicate. Sometimes it takes time for that dark past to catch up to you. But do you let that violent bygone era swallow you up again, or do you do your best to embrace your new life as tightly as possible? If you’re anything like the titular character in Sakamoto Days, the answer is an obvious one.

A new series from up-and-comer manga author Yuto Suzuki, Sakamoto Days follows the day-in-the-life routines of Taro Sakamoto. He was once a former hit man, until he fell in love with a girl and tossed his violent side to the curb. But as he has gotten comfortable (and fat) with his new sales clerk life, the clairvoyant hit man Shin finds him and begs him to come back to the crime syndicate. That’s when people from Sakamoto’s dark past start appearing, with the former hit man doing all that he can to save himself and his family by any non-lethal means necessary.

Soon Shin finds himself working alongside Sakamoto at the convenience store, as they balance serving the people and avoiding certain death. You learn quickly why Sakamoto left his past behind, and it’s not simply because he got married and had a kid. Without going against the “Family Rules”, both Sakamoto and Shin have to figure out how to solve any problem that lands at their feet. Fortunately, they only just have to not kill anyone; they never said you couldn’t be violent!

This aspect of Sakamoto Days is presented with a great mixture of action, humor, and nobility. Seeing Sakamoto transform from handsome hit man to blobby convenience store worker is a silly form of character evolution, one that tosses his old ways aside for something more comfortable. But it’s when he goes into action hero mode in his new form when the manga presents something truly marvelous! Sakamoto isn’t some Kevin James-like schlub with a license to kill; he’s Keanu Reeves in a fat suit!

Once Shin becomes a part of Sakamoto’s work force, that’s when the spirit of the story begins to take form. Via their discussions both telepathically and verbally, Shin learns a lot of why Sakamoto changed his ways, and swears to do good for his wife and kid. He also sees why so many of the townsfolk like having him around, and it’s not because he’s a tough guy. In fact, as the first volume goes on, one can see that Sakamoto isn’t a clerk for his own benefit; he’s also in the market of helping those also trying to escape a violent past.

The addition of ex-Triad family member Lu also plays a key factor into this rehabilitating realization. Her introduction is perhaps the most exciting of the chapters, with the action scenes paying great homage to Chinese kung fu films of the past. But once you see why other mafioso are chasing her down — as well as what her mystery key leads to — it’s easy to see how much alike she is with both Sakamoto and Shin. However, as they’ve come to find out during a family trip to the amusement park, adding more ex-crime syndicate members to their staff just invites more evil people to their storefront.

Visually, Sakamoto Days delivers a great deal of beautifully-detailed action and side-spitting comedy. The numerous times Sakamoto kills Shin in his imagination is one of the funnier running gags in the series, with Shin being understandably upset the more extravagant the kills get. Perhaps the action comedic highlight of the first volume is found in its second volume, where Shin and Sakamoto save a bus-full of hostages from some angry men with guns. Why they’re angry in the first place, well, it’s best to read it for yourself!

Volume One of Sakamoto Days is an action-packed intro to a man who thought who could take it easy for the rest of his life. Its comedic timing and inventive fights make it a series that one cannot skip out on. With new dangers lurking around every corner for his family & staff, the titular hero of Sakamoto Days may find himself becoming both the hero we needed AND the one we deserve. Just be prepared to give him a good meal after he saves your behind…

Wholesome action shonen is my happy place, and Sakamoto Days is just that. Created, written, and illustrated by Yuto Suzuko, Sakamoto Days is all about a hitman turned family man and convenience store owner. Sakamoto Days Volume 1 is published and localized in English by VIZ Media via the publisher’s Shonen Jump imprint. The volume is translated by Camellia Nieh, features Shonen Jump series lettering by Eve Grandt, and touch-up art and lettering by Snir Aharon with design by Kam Li.

Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hitman considered the greatest of all time. A legend feared by bad guys and renowned in his organization and among other assassins, he left it all for a family. He got married and had a baby and turned the dial on his life all the way down to one. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store and eating way too much ramen. But in Volume 1, his quiet family life is shaken when his retirement causes his past to catch up with him.

One day a figure from Taro’s past pays him a visit with an offer he can’t refuse: return to the assassin world or die. Shin isn’t only an assassin in the same world, he’s sent on an assignment from the Boss, kill Taro. You see, assassins don’t get to get out of their job by retiring, they have to be killed. Mad that Taro is living a happy life, Shin steps in to use his clairvoyance to get a leg up on Taro only to fail.

But that’s just the first part of Sakamoto Days Volume 1. While the volume begins by building the core of the series, the world-building is never dull because of a copious amount of humor, both in dialogue and in Yuto’s art. The easiest way to sum up the volume is that the seven chapters featured in it can be split into three acts.

The first shows who Taro was, how he got to the shop, and how he lives now. The Second act is all about bringing Shin into the fold, and by fold, I mean the family. Here, we get more information about Taro’s life with his wife, and their number one family rule: no killing…like, ever. Plus, we get to see a unique trait ala My Hero Academia’s Fatgum in the process. The final act is all about helping a young woman named Xiaotan Lu to escape the Triad.

All the while, even more menacing assassins try to push Taro’s buttons to get him to kill or try to kill him. The danger is clear, but truthfully our lead character can’t be bothered by any of it. He just wants to take his family and his new found-family to the theme park.

Sakamoto Days Volume 1 is wholesome and bubbly right from the beginning with Yuto’s adorable art style that lends to make this unassuming shop owner the ideal dad with not a care in the world. At the same time though, Yuto manages to illustrate amazingly dynamic action sequences for every character. From Taro to Shin and of course, Xiaotan and their opponents, all of it works. There are two artistic styles in Sakamoto Days that beautifully complete each other instead of battling.

Overall, Sakamoto Days Volume 1 is filled with heart, fight, and noodle cups to keep you coming back for more. If you want to read ahead before the next physical release in the series, you can catch up on the Shonen Jump App.

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a fun read! The characters are interesting, the comedic timing is perfect, and the plot is action packed. While reading, I could not help but think of One-Punch Man. It has the same idea. Sakamoto is One-Punch Man but as a hit man who just wants to settle down and live a life of peace with his family. But leaving the hitman business behind is hard when you're being hunted by the organization you left. Sakamoto is chill and underestimated.

What ensues is a funny, action packed manga with characters like Janitor Assassin and Pizza Assassin. There's fantasy elements and action elements. Perfect for those looking for something to read in between One-Punch Man.

Sakamoto Days was an exciting and funny manga. It is similar to Way of the House Husband. A retired hit man falls in love and has a family. Sakamoto vows to never kill again even though there is a price on his head. I enjoyed reading it and I think it will be a good addition to my library's manga collection.

In a new take on the retired hitman trope, we get something that is actually wholesome (for the genre) in Sakamoto Days. Taro Sakamoto managed to leave the assassin life to get married and have a kid. How he managed for that long, I don't honestly remember and it doesn't matter how he lived under the radar this long while running a shop. Our story begins when one of his former colleagues rediscovers Sakamoto, all fatherly and pudgy, but still in possession of all his deadly skills. He manages to pick up two sidekicks in the first volume, along with the inevitable start of a long plot to be continued in next volumes. It's still a very solid first volume, which is great if you were thinking of buying the first volume as a gift. What is most notable in Sakamoto Days is the comedy (be prepared for constant assassin jokes) and while the art isn't the most unique or stylish, the action scenes are outlined and drawn extremely well. (I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.)

This was really enjoyable! I found the humour was great, and it really worked well with the artstyle. I like the set up for the rest of the story and I am very much looking forward to reading more in the future!

This book was okay. It’s clearly trying to appeal to fans of the Way of the Househusband but isn’t quite as funny as that series. The worldbuilding is a little odd. The setting is mostly realistic though two named characters have powers that feel very out of place with the rest of the world. It’s hard to feel tension just because of how overpowered the main character is.

I have been following this manga since it was being published chapter by chapter in Shonen Jump, needless to say, I am ecstatic for it to be getting a proper paperback collection. Sakamoto used to be the greatest hitman in the world, but he has since then retired and settled down with his wife. When it’s discovered that Sakamoto is alive a bounty is placed on his head and every hitman in Japan is after him. This is a fantastic found family story, full of laughs, tension, and gorgeously illustrated action. This slice of life is perfect for anyone who enjoyed John Wick or is just looking for something light but entertaining.

I dunno if hitman comedy is just popular right now, but I'm here for it! This manga is about an ex-hitman who used to be the cream of the crop before retiring to settle down and start a family. He now runs a small market store and is heavier than he used to be. This doesn't mean he can't still kick some butt, which is useful because every hitman around seems to be out for his head. This story is a really good mix of silliness and action. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume!

Yes!

I loved this series. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, and I was delightfully surprised. It’s full of action and humour, while also being fast paced and entertaining.

It reminds me of The Way of the House Husband, with an ex-yakuza member becoming a househusband, but with Sakamoto Days there’s more of a story arc and has more action scenes while WOFTHH relies on visual humour. The art style, while not the most refined, is still great, especially with Sakamoto who doesn’t have a wide range of facial expressions, but can emit murderous intention or just chilling. He’s so funny.

I highly recommend this if you’re a fan of The Way of the House Husband, but want more of a storyline with the concept.