REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 17 – “Have a Nice Fight”

It’s funny how a single great scene can restore faith in the most baseline adaptations. Sakamoto Days Episode 17 delivers a top-tier action sequence that far surpasses anything the series has done to date. That, plus the strength of Episode 16, helps alleviate the series from its previous stumbles as it seems to be finding the right stride in how to tackle the action-geared story. All of which is fitting considering the pivotal shift the story is taking as the characters grow more entrenched in the world of assassins. 

The episode opening on Slur (Daisuke Namikawa) and Gaku (Koki Uchiyama) certainly doesn’t hurt. The two add a necessary energy to the series, both in how they’re written and performed, as well as their general design. Namikawa offers Slur a level of levity somewhat missed in the manga version, which works well against Gaku’s more straightforward personality. 

While Shishiba (Taku Yashiro) notes to Osaragi (Saori Hayami) that the attack was devastating enough that the Order will all be put on the case, Slur sees it as a failure. Takakura truly put a dent in their plans; his brutality and imposing aura destroyed the momentum of their attack. It leads to Slur believing they need more recruits to go up against the JAA – a nice parallel to the main narrative with Sakamoto (Tomokazu Sugita) and Shin (Nobunaga Shimazaki).

Sakamoto Days Episode 17 highlights the absurdity of this world. 

The sides are being made clear in Sakamoto Days Episode 17. And while Sakamoto still exists somewhere on the margins as an ex-assassin, he remains aligned with the JAA while Slur is opposed. Sakamoto, realizing he and Shin both need to get stronger, decides they need to infiltrate the JCC – an academy for aspiring assassins. 

And it’s here where the genius of the manga comes to light. Because we never question the off-the-wall logistics of this world. Sakamoto Days is a world of assassins – so much so that they’re existence is publicly supported. Of course, there would be an entrance exam, and of course, it would take place on a plane where fellow applicants are forced to fight to the death to ensure a ticket into the academy. 

This absurdism and Looney Tunes style rules make Sakamoto Days Episode 17 all the more fun. While Sakamoto is an old pro, we learn that Shin never actually attended the school, becoming an official assassin through other methods. This allows Shin to continue to be some form of an audience insert, though he’s pretty accepting of the insanity surrounding him. As the two work to better fight Slur, they face down aggressive assailants and a test meant to doom most of the applicants. 

Shin gets the best fight sequence of the series to date. 

Which all comes back to the pivotal scene that allows Sakamoto Days Episode 17 to prove itself. As all of the would-be assassins – including an unassuming and kind-hearted girl who appreciates Sakamoto’s skills – break out into fighting, Shin finds himself going against the germophobic Mafuyu Seba. 

The sequence is electrifying and dynamic, cohesive without ever settling for rudimentary fight choreography or stilted frames. Instead, the sequence highlights the fluidity of the two fighters through their different means of attack. Mafuyu is greatly aided by his enhanced shoes, which grant him zero gravity. Meanwhile, Shin embraces his newfound psychic strength and how it influences his speedy attacks. It’s a kinetic, immersive moment that highlights the dynamic action of the manga while elevating it through the animated format. 

Sakamoto Days Episode 17 might not be the very peak of the series in terms of narrative storytelling. But it far surpasses the animation it’s deployed thus far. With strong direction and a cohesive flow to the movement, “Have a Nice Fight” escalates the tension by forcing the fight between Shin and Mafyuyu into claustrophobic close quarters with engaged and intelligent fighters. The fight is so well animated, so fluid in direction, that it helps make up for the previous misdoings of the series with a definitive sense of spark fueling the story ahead. 

Sakamoto Days Episode 17 is out now on Netflix.

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