Sakamoto Days: Where John Wick Meets Slice-of-Life

IN A WORLD where most action stories rely on spectacle and violence, we all crave a sense of change in the plots we see. Seeking a deeper and more complicated narratives about the characters that will keep us wanting more. 

In that light, two seemingly unrelated stories stand out: Sakamoto Days, an anime about a retired hitman who becomes a convenience store owner, and John Wick, a film franchise about a former assassin seeking vengeance.

These two stories, despite coming from different cultures, have an extraordinary power to attract viewers. It is found not just in the fast-paced action, but also in the rich, multi-layered characters who drive each story. 

Their journey explores themes of vengeance, loyalty, and the emotional cost of violence. More than that, these two stories demonstrate how love can transform a person into someone they want to be or not.

Anime Version of John Wick?

Both Sakamoto Days and John Wick depict the archetype of the “retired assassin,” an individual who has abandoned a life of violence but is inevitably drawn back into it by forces beyond their control. 

This character type creates an intriguing puzzle given that these individuals are both known and mysterious. It’s as if we are already exposed to their pasts while they attempt to escape them. 

In a nutshell, Sakamoto Days’ main character, Taro Sakamoto, is a former hitman who, after meeting his wife Aoi and starting a family, hangs up his guns and attempts to live a quiet life away from his dark past.

However, his peaceful existence is upended when former adversaries and comrades from his hitman days return seeking vengeance, forcing him to confront the same abilities he intended to leave behind. 

Similarly, John Wick, a former assassin, wishes to mourn the death of his wife in peace. However, a bunch of Russians killed his dog, the last present from his late wife, dragging him back into the terrible world he had left. 

The concept of the retired assassin fascinates us with how it raises the question of how someone so vicious and cruel can yet be capable of love, vulnerability, and wish for peace.

A Different Layer

One of the standout elements of Sakamoto Days from John Wick is its humor, which is one of the reasons why people enjoy it. In a genre dominated by serious tones, anime’s humor provides a welcome counterpoint. 

Not to mention Sakamoto’s transition from a deadly assassin to an overweight convenience store proprietor is both amusing and endearing, giving his character a distinct appeal. 

Unlike John Wick’s stoic and serious demeanor, Sakamoto’s combat is frequently lighthearted. The contrast between his current overweight appearance and his deadly ability generates comedic moments.

This is when he easily defeats opponents who underestimate him because of his appearance. Most of his battles feature a fun amount of exaggeration, with his ostensibly slow or clumsy motions proving unexpectedly devastating. 

While Wick employs strategic thought to defeat opponents, Sakamoto frequently uses a humorous sense of timing that contrasts with the gravity of the scenario, blending deadly battle with humorous moments. 

Despite the silly tone, these scenes are expertly depicted, showcasing Sakamoto’s lethal prowess and demonstrating that he is still a force to be reckoned with, even if he is no longer the man he once was.

Human Connection

Sakamoto Days and John Wick are stories about the effort to reconcile one’s past and present. The conflict of reconciling one’s past and present while managing the emotional effects of violence strikes deeply with the audiences. 

In the end, both storylines give more than simply satisfying action sequences; they also deliver relatable characters, emotional stakes, and dramatic action, which is why audiences continue to enjoy them. 

These stories capture us with their profound themes, whether it’s John Wick’s emotional vulnerability or the comedic contrast between Sakamoto’s personality in ordinary life and deadly skills.

These stories remind us that, even in the most extreme circumstances, the human yearning for connection and peace is universal. The blend of emotion and spectacle keeps fans coming back for more.