Sakamoto Days Episode 8 Review: A Masterclass in Action and Emotion

Episode 8 of Sakamoto Days was released early on Netflix Japan on February 22, 2025 so Japanese fans had a head start before it drops worldwide. This episode has more action but also gets into the characters’ feelings especially by looking into Shin’s past so it’s one of the best episodes so far.

A Thrilling Blend of Action and Emotion

Titled “Sakamoto vs. the Lab” this episode adapts chapters 23, 25, 27 and 28 of the manga with some scenes rearranged for animation. TMS Entertainment once again proves that they can meet fan expectations and make a faithful and improved version of Yuto Suzuki’s popular manga.

The episode starts with a cute scene where Heisuke tells Hana he will find Sakamoto and the others. This is a short breather before the story gets back into action. The transition is smooth as the series is good at mixing emotional moments with action.

Action-Packed Confrontations

This episode is all about the Sakamoto vs Shin vs Mad Horiguchi fight on the Lab’s B1 floor. The fight scenes are awesome, the animation is smooth, you can feel the energy of each hit. The animators did a great job, every punch and kick feels impactful and pulls you into the battle.

What makes this fight stand out is the humor mixed in with the action. The banter between Sakamoto and Shin adds to the fun, reminds us that this series can do action and comedy. This balance keeps things interesting and helps to develop the characters, we see Sakamoto and Shin get closer through the fight.

Exploring Shin's Past

Episode 8 has one of the best Shin backstories. Through a conversation between Lu and Asakura, former Lab director and Shin’s first guardian, we get some important info about Shin’s origins. Asakura tells us about the first time they met and the accidental experiment that gave Shin his powers. This adds emotional depth to the story and helps us understand Shin’s struggles and motivations.

The backstory is woven in well with the plot and has some funny moments to keep it from getting too serious. Asakura’s misunderstandings during the conversation help lighten the mood while still giving us important info about Shin. This is Sakamoto Days in a nutshell.

Rising Tension and Intrigue

As the episode goes on the tension gets higher as the Order get involved with the Lab Assassins. Then Sakamoto faces off against Kashima and we still don’t know what his motives are. The Slur adds more mystery and it seems more conflicts coming soon.

Also character moments, Sakamoto and Shishi reunion. This scene shows the strong bond they have and sets up future conflicts. Shin and Seba meeting and Heisuke’s dramatic entrance adds to the tension and keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Expert Direction and Scriptwriting

Masaki Watanabe’s direction and Taku Kishimoto’s writing does a great job of wrapping everything together in ep 8. The pacing is good, action scenes, plot development and comedy all balanced nicely. This keeps you engaged from start to finish with each scene flowing into the next to form a coherent story.

Dialog is good and funny, character interactions are enhanced and light moments are well balanced with the intense action. The team has done a good job of keeping the tone and moving the story forward, this is a good example of how to tell a story in anime.

Production Quality: A Visual Feast

TMS Entertainment really brings their A-game in episode 8. The animation is top notch, especially during the fight scenes which are so well choreographed. The smooth animation makes each battle even more exciting. The bright colours and character designs really throw you into the world of Sakamoto Days.

The voice cast is great, each one brings depth and personality to the characters. Each one makes the emotional moments even more feeling. Yuki Hayashi’s music is amazing, the action scenes get even more intense and the emotional scenes get even more weight. The music matches the visuals perfectly making the episode even more impactful.

Final Thoughts: A Pivotal Turning Point

Overall episode 8 was an awesome episode that’s setting up for the final 3 episodes of this 11 episode series. Introducing the different groups like the Order, Sakamoto’s team and Slur’s forces is setting up for some big things to happen in the next episodes.

With action, humor and emotional storytelling Sakamoto Days is shaping up to be one of the best of the new Shonen anime. TMS Entertainment is delivering on the goods and we’ll remember this episode long after it’s over. With only 3 episodes left to go, we can look forward to even more exciting stuff and emotional moments, so you should definitely watch this anime.