Netflix’s Hitman Action Series ‘Sakamoto Days’ Is an Unofficial ‘John Wick’ TV Series

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While fans eagerly await a potential John Wick 5 with Keanu Reeves, Netflix offers a fantastic action series to fill the gap. Based on the original John Wick story – an aging assassin seeking revenge for the death of his dog and hoping for a quiet life – Netflix’s version, released in 2025, features a new cast and a slightly different feel. However, it still delivers the same gritty atmosphere and thrilling action, making it one of Netflix’s most overlooked, and arguably best, action shows.

Netflix’s anime adaptation of Sakamoto Days generated a lot of buzz. The series, based on the manga by Yuto Suzuki, centers around a retired hitman hoping for a peaceful life, but gets pulled back into the dangerous world of assassins. Animated by TMS Entertainment, it’s only had one season so far, and many anime fans haven’t even discovered it yet – it’s a bit of a hidden gem!

Taro Sakamoto used to be the world’s most feared assassin, but he left that life behind after falling in love. He and his wife had a child and opened a convenience store, and Taro even gained a little weight. Now, his past is catching up to him – assassins from around the world are coming after the legendary Taro Sakamoto. There’s a catch, though: his wife has made it clear that if he kills anyone, she’ll divorce him. This means Taro must defend himself against waves of skilled attackers without actually killing a single one of them.

‘Sakamoto Days’ Was Directly Inspired by ‘John Wick’

The similarities between these two action series aren’t accidental. Yuto Suzuki was specifically inspired by action movies, most notably John Wick. He also drew a lot of inspiration from the Equalizer films starring Denzel Washington.

Netflix has become known for its great action movies, featuring hits like Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction, Taron Egerton’s Carry-On, and Alan Ritchson’s War Machine. However, the streaming service doesn’t often focus heavily on action in its original series. Despite its sometimes lighthearted style, Sakamoto Days is probably the most action-packed show Netflix has released in a long time. The opening scene of the first episode, which shows Taro’s history as a top assassin, is a perfect example.

‘Sakamoto Days’ Season 2, When?

Following the conclusion of the first season of Sakamoto Days in mid-2025, fans waited several months for news about a second season. That news finally came at Jump Festa 2026, where Season 2 was officially confirmed. TMS Entertainment is now working on the new season, which will begin with the “Japanese Criminal College” story arc from the manga. A release date hasn’t been revealed yet.

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2026-04-03 19:17