REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 19 – “Exam, Stage Three”

Despite the goodwill earned over the more recent installments, Sakamoto Days Episode 19 falls into familiar, frustrating trappings. It’s not bad, per se, but we now know without a doubt that the series can reach greater heights. While “Exam, Stage Three” further establishes a new wave of characters, the direction and animation fall short in conveying some pivotal moments with a lackluster energy. 

Clearly recognizing that the last stage of the exam had too many casualties, the examiners introduce a tamer stage that is, by all accounts, a game of tag. The only element of surprise comes with the introduction of three new recommended participants, Shinaya, Toramaru (Hisako Kanemoto), and Kaji (Tomoaki Maeno). 

The applicants are divided into teams and tasked with a game of tag, where they must collect as many tails as possible from their competitors. Shin (Nobunaga Shimazaki) is teamed up with Mafuyu (Daiki Yamashita)  and the newly arrived Kaji, splitting him up from Sakamoto (Tomokazu Sugita) who is on a team with Akira (Mao Ichimichi).

Shin and Sakamoto must split up for Stage Three of the exam. 

This, at the very least, leads to one of the funnier, oddly sweet moments of Sakamoto Days Episode 19. Shin firmly tells Sakamoto that, since they’re on separate teams, he wants to work on his own to succeed with no help from his mentor. 

It’s a moment of growth for both characters. Shin in his pursuits of getting stronger and not just relying on Sakamoto’s strength and experience. But it’s a moment of growth for Sakamoto, too, as he sits dejected at Shin running off on his own. His sadness over Shin seemingly not needing him anymore is a sweet, unexpected moment for a character who so often is presented as aloof unless it involves his direct family. 

However, on the whole, Sakamoto Days Episode 19 is a bit of a let-down. The action lacks the energy of the fight sequences on the plane and the dynamic choreography that gave the fighting styles of Mafyuyu and Shin their distinctions.

Sakamoto Days Episode 19 lacks dynamic action. 

The closest we get is in the chase through the forest as Toramaru – a major fan of Sakamoto – pursues Shin’s team. There’s a level of grace here in the chase, but the backgrounds blur it all, becoming a bit of a blur of colors and gestures, lacking the clean lines and motion of stronger action. 

It’s a shame because, for the most part, Sakamoto Days has always paid closer attention to Shin-related fights. There are some fun moments between him and Mafuyu, who continues to poke and prod to get his way, but it doesn’t amount to anything we haven’t already seen before and done better. 

The biggest moment in Sakamoto Days Episode 19 arrives with Sakamoto’s team. It’s been clear since her arrival that there’s more to Akira than meets the eye. And Sakamoto has already noted her skill when she saved them from plummeting to their death in Episode 18. But “Exam, Stage Three,” pushes it further. 

Akira opens the door to Sakamoto’s past. 

In an act of desperation, as her teammates are trapped, Akira loses herself and attacks the opposing team. She’s able to see a direct line to her target and attacks with precision, despite her previous aversion to violence, and nearly kills the leader of the other team. 

It’s a shocking moment that is diffused only by Sakamoto’s intervention. He recognizes her fighting style and learns that she is related to a former classmate only mentioned briefly in passing once before this. It’s a significant moment for the character and the series as it begins to crack the lid of Sakamoto’s past and the history that led him to where he is today, beyond just meeting Aoi. 

Sakamoto Days Episode 19 is serviceable. It sets up an important upcoming standoff while offering a peek at Sakamoto’s backstory as we slowly get to learn more about this enigmatic ex-hitman. That general intrigue and our engagement with the characters help us move through the listless animation and uninspired art direction. 

Sakamoto Days Episode 19 is out now on Netflix. 

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