REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 3 — “Welcome To Sugar Park”

Sakamoto Days Episode 3 is the most entertaining episode of the season thus far in several ways, many of them stemming from its zany and peculiar characters. The episode shows a great balance of theatrics and humor, and a glimpse of a potentially great overarching narrative.

The episode starts with Shin (Nobunaga Shimazaki / Dallas Liu) and Lu (Ayane Sakura / Rosalie Chiang) starting work at the convenience store. Shin yells at Lu for being late. In a rather uncharacteristic move, Sakamoto (Tomokazu Sugita / Matthew Mercer) decides to break the fight by talking a lot more than usual and in a very positive way.

Shin and Lu, of course, notice this and become suspicious. But before they can figure things out, another Sakamoto walks in, proving the former is a fake. The doppelganger tries to fight Sakamoto but stops before a full fight breaks out. It turns out this double is just a guy with shapeshifting abilities named Nagumo (Natsuki Hanae/Aleks Le).

Zany and peculiar characters shine in Sakamoto Days Episode 3.

Nagumo laughs at Shin and Lu and is amused at himself for successfully pulling off his little prank. He is then promptly beaten by the two. Nagumo introduces himself as a hitman who works across the street. He used to be an associate of Sakamoto in his hitman days. He then informs the group that there’s a one billion yen bounty on Sakamoto’s head and that Hitmen worldwide will be coming after him.

Before Nagumo is even able to finish his sentence, a pizza man hitman comes in at a comically timed moment and threatens to kill Nagumo with his pizza cutters. Unsurprisingly, Nagumo slips away from the ropes Shin, and Lu restrained him with and quickly and easily knocks out the Hitman. Sakamoto stops Nagumo before he kills the hitman.

Nagumo asks if Sakamoto and his group plan to solve this issue without killing anyone and if he can stand a chance against his own group. He does this while also hinting at the fact that Sakamoto was somehow involved with his group but claims they won’t get involved this time. Sakamoto asks why someone would want him dead. Nagumo responds by saying he doesn’t know, but eliminating Dan Inc. from a previous episode was a bad idea for someone supposedly in retirement. Nagumo then takes the knocked-out Hitman and leaves.

This scene opens Sakamoto Days Episode 3 in a highly engaging and interesting way and succeeds in presenting a very funny scene enhanced by its peculiar characters. Despite only being on the screen for a few minutes, Nagumo stole the show with his sense of humor and laid-back attitude. True to anime fashion, the goofy character can also be serious when he wants to be, making him a seemingly well-rounded character.

The scene also slightly hints at an overarching narrative, with subtle clues about Nagumo and Skamoto’s past and a subtle look at Nagumo’s neck tattoo, which alludes to his affiliation. These subtle narrative elements make the episode entertaining and engaging without relying on too much exposition.

Another Hitman plans an attack in Sakamoto Days Episode 3.

The next scene shows a group of Hitmen spying on Sakomoto’s group, discussing how they will deal with him and how dangerous he is. They also reveal that he used to be a member of The Order, a group considered an urban myth that might be the group Nagumo was hinting at. Sakamoto then reveals he’s aware they’re watching, warns them, and disposes of the camera.

The next scenes show the Sakamotos, along with Lu and Shin, going to an amusement park. Shin and Lu task themselves with protecting the family. Shin explains how his powers work to Lu and, in the process, notices a new enemy approaching Sakamoto. Sakamoto knocks out the enemy in a bizarre but cool way by shoveling a pen into his heart while avoiding his vitals. Lu and Shin relocate him without Sakamoto’s family noticing.

Meanwhile, another Hitman plans his attack on the group and quiets his thoughts so Shin won’t spot him. He gets on the same rollercoaster as Sakamoto, but Lu spots him, and Shin knocks him off before he can reach Sakamoto in yet another display of goofy epicness in Sakamoto Days Episode 3.

This kicks off their fight, and the two seem equally matched until the hitman catches Shin off guard and poisons him with his blades. Despite the poison being lethal and him going blind, Shin fights back by using his powers to read thoughts around him and navigate his surroundings. Shin knocks them both off the coaster tracks, and they land on an ongoing kid show.

Shin gets into a mascot outfit and, despite his condition, starts fighting really well, quickly gaining the upper hand. Sakamoto aids him, giving him instructions through his mind while Shin’s eyes are closed. With Sakamoto’s help, Shin wins the fight, and Sakamoto Days Episode 3 ends with his victory.

Sakamoto Days Episode 3‘s fight scene was the best of the season so far, as it showcases a brilliant way of structuring a fight scene and pushing a character’s abilities to the limit. It’s hard not to appreciate the creative way Shin uses his abilities in this fight, especially as other fight scenes paled in comparison so far. The excellent fight choreography from TMS ENTERTAINMENT also shined through this episode, as the fight was long enough to be more intricate than usual.

Overall, Sakamoto Days Episode 3 is a highly entertaining episode that engages viewers with funny moments and a great fight scene.

Sakamoto Days Episode 3 is streaming now on Netflix, with new episodes every Saturday in January and February.

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