The Retired Hitman Is Back — And the Hype Is Already Off the Charts
Just when you thought anime season couldn’t get any more stacked, Netflix went ahead and dropped the first teaser trailer for Sakamoto Days Season 2 — and it looks absolutely insane. Revealed during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the teaser confirmed a January 2027 worldwide premiere exclusively on Netflix, along with a stunning new key visual that has fans losing their minds across social media.
If you slept on Sakamoto Days, now’s the time to wake up. The first season became one of Netflix’s biggest anime hits of 2025, dominating viewership charts and turning the retired-hitman-turned-convenience-store-owner into everyone’s favorite dad. Season 2 is shaping up to blow everything out of the water.
What’s New in Season 2? A Director Shake-Up and Fresh Faces
The biggest news isn’t just the trailer — it’s the behind-the-scenes changes that have the anime community buzzing. Daisuke Nakajima, known for directing The Fable series, is taking over as the new director. Meanwhile, former director Masaki Watanabe isn’t leaving — he’s staying on as chief director, ensuring continuity while bringing in fresh creative energy.
This is a smart move. The Fable’s animation style was praised for its fluid action choreography and comedic timing — exactly what Sakamoto Days needs as the series ramps up its fight sequences in later arcs.
New Cast Members Announced
The teaser also revealed three new cast members joining the already stellar lineup:
- Kikunosuke Toya (the voice of Denji in Chainsaw Man) as Amane Yotsumura
- Misa Watanabe (the legendary voice of Nami in One Piece) as Etsuko Satoda
- Shinshuu Fuji (Pluto) as Satoru Yotsumura
Getting the voice of Denji to play Yotsumura is an inspired choice — the character shares that same chaotic, unpredictable energy that made Chainsaw Man’s protagonist so beloved.
The Returning Staff — Quality Guaranteed
While the director chair has a new face, the core team remains rock solid:
- Series Composition: Taku Kishimoto (known for Nagatoro-san and Fruit Basket)
- Character Designer: Yo Moriyama (the genius behind Megalo Box‘s gorgeous aesthetic)
- Music: Yuuki Hayashi (the composer who made My Hero Academia‘s soundtrack iconic)
- Studio: TMS Entertainment returns to handle animation
Having Yuuki Hayashi on board is huge. His work on MHA proved he can elevate action anime with heart-pounding scores, and Season 1’s soundtrack was already a standout. Expect even bigger musical moments in Season 2.
What Arc Will Season 2 Cover?
Without diving into heavy spoiler territory, Season 1 adapted the first major arcs of Yuto Suzuki’s manga — introducing us to Taro Sakamoto, his family, Shin, and the world of assassins that refuses to let him retire. Season 2 is expected to dive deeper into the JCC (Japanese Combat Championship) arc and the escalating conflict with some of the series’ most dangerous villains yet.
The manga currently has 27 volumes released (with Volume 28 dropping in August 2026), so there’s plenty of material for the anime to cover. And trust us — the arcs coming up are where Sakamoto Days goes from “great” to “one of the best action manga ever serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump.”
A Live-Action Film Already Dropped in Japan
In case you missed it, Sakamoto Days isn’t just dominating the anime space. A live-action film adaptation released in Japan during the 2026 Golden Week (late April to early May). While details about an international release are still under wraps, the fact that the franchise is expanding into live-action speaks volumes about its cultural impact.
Between the anime, the manga, and now live-action, Sakamoto Days is quickly becoming one of Shonen Jump’s flagship titles alongside One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man.
Why January 2027 Is the Perfect Release Window
Winter anime seasons have historically been goldmines for action series. With Solo Leveling, Demon Slayer, and other heavy hitters likely occupying different seasonal slots, January 2027 gives Sakamoto Days Season 2 room to dominate without direct competition from the biggest names in the genre.
Netflix clearly has massive confidence in the series — they wouldn’t have given it a global exclusive premiere and a dedicated Annecy showcase otherwise.
The Bottom Line
Sakamoto Days Season 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated anime of early 2027. With a new director who specializes in action choreography, an incredible voice cast addition headlined by Kikunosuke Toya, and the promise of adapting some of the manga’s best arcs — there’s every reason to be hyped.
If you haven’t started the manga yet, you’ve got about six months to catch up. And if you’re already a fan — that teaser trailer is about to be on repeat for the next several months.
What do you think of the new director choice? Are you excited for the JCC arc? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Stay tuned to Wibux for more anime news and updates as we get closer to the January 2027 premiere.
