Sakamoto Days has been on a successful run from the day it dropped. Even before it got released, it had generated quite a buzz, and now that it is here, it is amassing attention for both positive and negative reasons.
But whether you agree with the anime adaptation or not, you can’t deny the obvious charm of the story and its characters. Sakamoto, who used to be a hitman, completely turns around his life when he falls in love and gets married. Now, he is just a convenience store owner who enjoys calm days with his wife and daughter. Until enemies and his colleagues from his old work show up, disrupting his peace, a sin Sakamoto won’t take sitting down.
Here are our top 5 anime similar to Sakamoto Days that will definitely make you laugh while keeping you on the edge of your seat with occasional bouts of intensity.
The Way of the Househusband
The Way of the Househusband revolves around a Yakuza member who leaves his past trade to become a full-time househusband after finding love. This show is remarkably similar to Sakamoto Days, where the prime difference is the absence of a daughter in the case of Tatsu.
Apart from that, even the concept of a sidekick accompanying the protagonist is also similar, with Shin in Sakamoto Days and Masa in The Way of the Househusband. Though Sakamoto Days is a bit more serious, this one leans completely toward gag comedy.
Spy x Family
The base story and the relationship between the characters are more complex in Spy x Family, but it still reminds you of Sakamoto Days. Both fathers have professions tied to killing, with Loid in his current role and Sakamoto in his past occupation. They are also very protective of their family, even though it is an actual family for Sakamoto and a fake one for Loid.
The vibe of these two shows is very similar as well, as you get plenty of comedy with some pretty good action. Needless to say, if you like one, you will, by default, love the other.
Buddy Daddies
The plot of Buddy Daddies is rather different from Sakamoto Days, but some of the aspects are similar. Here, assassins find themselves adopting a daughter and juggling their lives between being parents and completing their missions.
Both the shows dabbled into comedy but also had their fair share of action, with Buddy Daddies having a tad more dark elements with backstories of Kazuki and Rei. If witnessing assassins being awkward but doting parents is your thing, this show is for you.
The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting
Just like the name suggests, this anime is literally about a Yakuza member called Kirishima, who is trying his best to babysit his boss’s daughter. And even though he is not the dad, like Sakamoto, Kirishima loves Yaeka just the same.
Sakamoto and Kirishima can go to great lengths for their child/protege, and even though they prefer not to be violent for the sake of that child, they can very much mess anyone up. These two shows also have occasional comedy and a slice-of-life feel to them.
Great Teacher Onizuka
This show might be the least like Sakamoto Days on this list, but you are still going to love this if you love the other. Onizuka is not a family man, nor did he get married or take care of a child. What he is doing is trying to leave behind his violent past life and settle for a more tranquil one.
Both of these shows are hilarious, where you would absolutely roll on the floor laughing at Onizuka’s antics when he tries to switch careers and become a high school teacher. Once a legendary biker gang leader, Onizuka is now left to solve all the issues that come with a bunch of unruly teenagers.
Frequently asked questions
What anime are recommended as similar to Sakamoto Days?
The article picks five: The Way of the Househusband (J.C.Staff), Spy x Family (Wit Studio and CloverWorks), Buddy Daddies (P.A. Works), The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting (feel. and Gaina), and Great Teacher Onizuka (Pierrot). Each centers on a tough fighter who trades a violent past for a calmer, often family-focused life mixed with comedy and action.
Why are these shows considered like Sakamoto Days?
Sakamoto Days follows a legendary hitman, Taro Sakamoto, who quits killing after falling in love with Aoi and starting a family, then runs a convenience store. The recommended titles share that core: a yakuza turned househusband, a spy raising a fake family, assassins adopting a girl, a yakuza babysitting his boss’s daughter, and a reformed gang leader becoming a teacher. All blend action with comedy and protective, domestic themes.
Which pick is closest to Sakamoto Days in tone?
The Way of the Househusband is the most direct match, since its lead also abandons his criminal trade for home life after finding love. The article notes it leans further into gag comedy, while Sakamoto Days stays a bit more serious, and pairs of sidekicks (Shin and Masa) are drawn in comparison; titles like Spy x Family balance the humor with stronger action sequences.
