REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 7 — “Jurassic Bastard”

Sakamoto Days Episode 7 is a well-rounded episode that provides a glimpse of Shin’s past. It also explores the dynamic between Lu and Shin and even more details about the larger assassin world in a highly entertaining fashion.

Sakamoto Days Episode 7 sees Lu and Shin bickering as usual after the Sakamotos leave them alone to tend to the store. They argue about Shin’s ability and how his constant habit of peeking at her thoughts creeps her out. After hearing this comment, Shin walks out of the room upset, and both start feeling bad about the conversation, as Lu visibly feels guilty about her remarks.

The opening scene reveals that despite their constant bickering, Lu and Shin care about each other, as their words wouldn’t hurt each other otherwise. This is also the first time Lu has shown remorse for her harsh words toward Shin or even anybody else, proving that most of their arguments prior to this episode were just banter. Heisuke notably also shows up briefly during the argument for more free food, adding some comedic effect to the scene. His presence so soon after the last episode also suggests he will likely be a recurring character in the anime.

While lamenting her decisions, Lu (Ayane Sakura/Rosalie Chiang) gets kidnapped by masked men who mistake her for Shin (Nobunaga Shimazaki/Dallas Liu) and seem to know about his psychic abilities. The kidnappers not only look goofy with their odd astronaut jumpsuits but also act as ridiculous as they look. Their leader isn’t the brightest and doesn’t care that their victim is a girl who looks nothing like their target.

A case of mistaken identity spells Lu having the worst of times.

The only competent one among the group is an unenthused man named Seba, who couldn’t care less about his job or the situation. This odd yet hilarious dynamic between the kidnappers excellently displays Sakamoto Days’ unique banter style of comedy and how goofy the characters and their contrasting personalities can be.

The kidnappers’ luck runs out quickly, however, as Sakamoto (Tomokazu Sugita/Matthew Mercer) and Shin are able to track Lu down and attempt to rescue her on a motorcycle. Sakamoto quickly and easily defeats several of the kidnappers by knocking them off their vehicles with his bare hands alone while Shin takes on Seba.

Seba’s ability to go invisible and his close combat prowess overwhelm Shin. He also manages to destroy Sakamoto’s motorcycle. The combat scene, while short, is another highly engaging fight with excellent choreography. The vehicular combat with the three was the highlight of the episode, as its high-octane nature is incredibly engaging.

Shin tells Sakamoto where to find the kidnappers and reveals his past. It’s revealed that his powers were a result of experimentation at a young age. Unlike the usual trope of some super-powered characters getting their powers from brutal experimentation, Shin’s story is quite simple.

The comedy reaches new levels of goofy in Sakamoto Days Episode 7.

The brief flashback shows that his childhood, while far from ordinary, was pleasant. The scientists treated him kindly, and he sees them as his family. This revelation is a refreshing change of pace from the tropes of similar anime, and it helps maintain the episode’s light-hearted nature.

Shin and Sakamoto make it into a museum that serves as a front for the lab and its shady dealings, while Lu is locked up in a dungeon under the building. Shin and Sakamoto encounter and destroy murderous animatronic animals that serve as security. However, things get even crazier when an animatronic exoskeleton of a dinosaur attacks them.

This dinosaur encounter increases the episode’s wackiness tenfold. Sakamoto tries to pacify the electric dino with a stun gun but fails, only to use his fists and weight against the poor creature, crushing it to pieces. Not only is this fight incredibly hilarious and ridiculous, but it also showcases a shocking level of intricate choreography from TMS Entertainment despite not being that long.

As Sakamoto Days Episode 7 progresses, it’s revealed that the lab has been taken over by a mysterious group of hitmen looking to innovate their means of assassination. The head scientist is locked up underground, and the rest of the scientists are forced to work on an unknown experiment. Sakamoto and Shin come just in time to rescue the scientists from another wacky villain with a thing for syringes. All the scientists still recognize Shin, and Sakamoto recognizes Shin’s fondness for them and tells him he’ll do what it takes to defend his childhood home.

Mad science comes to a head with the most silly of comedic shenanigans taking place.

The short bout between Shin and the mad scientist was yet another funny display of the anime’s goofy nature. The scientist uses a syringe that makes Shin unable to speak properly, so much so that Japanese subtitles appear on the screen to try to help us understand him. This was another humorous, well-executed moment in Sakamoto Days Episode 7. Additionally, Sakamoto’s desire to defend Shin’s old family proves how close he’s gotten to Shin, and the episode does a great job of displaying this bond.

The episode ends with two members of The Order, Shishiba and Osaragi, walking into the museum looking for their target. This ending sets up some expectations for the upcoming episode, as Sakamoto will potentially meet members of his old group again.

Sakamoto Days Episode 7 is the most goofy episode thus far. It does a fantastic job entertaining viewers with its zany characters and highly engaging fight scenes. It also sets up the next episode perfectly for more potential chaos.

Sakamoto Days Episode 7 is streaming now on Netflix, with new episodes every Saturday in January and February.

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