In the world of shonen manga, fight choreography can make or break a series. Power levels and transformations aren’t the only elements of the best action manga, rather they also depend on fluidity, clarity, and a sense of impact that leaps off the page. Sakamoto Days manga has risen as one of the finest examples of this, drawing comparisons to the legendary work of Akira Toriyama.
With its dynamic action sequences, clever weapon improvisation, and a seamless sense of motion, Sakamoto Days delivers some of the best fight choreography seen in any shonen manga in recent years. This is why the recent Sakamoto Days anime adaptation felt like a disappointment for the fans as they had expected the same fluidity in the anime version as well, and anything less than exceptional would be an insult to the manga’s legacy.
The genius of Sakamoto Days‘ fight choreography in the manga version
One of the most remarkable aspects of Sakamoto Days manga is its fight design. Only a few modern manga can match the series’ level of depth and clarity in capturing action scenes. Fans have even likened it to legendary action stars like Jackie Chan, with its creative use of the environment and everyday objects as weapons.
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Whether it’s a high-speed train battle or a supermarket brawl, Sakamoto Days ensures that every fight is engaging, dynamic, and visually stunning. What makes the series stand out is how effortlessly the panels translate motion.
Unlike some action manga that rely on cluttered compositions or overuse of speed lines, Sakamoto Days keeps its choreography crisp and easy to follow. Readers never have to second-guess what’s happening and each movement is instinctively understood, just like in Dragon Ball, where Akira Toriyama set the benchmark for fight clarity.
Sakamoto Days anime: When adaptation fails the source material
The anime adaptation by TMS Entertainment has ruined the fluidity of battle that was praised in the manga. For manga fans, it is the worst conceivable offense for a show that depends heavily on its fight choreography. Battles that should have been dynamic showdowns have become static, lifeless moments due to the studio’s over-reliance on still frames.
In a series where every movement matters, this lack of fluid animation is unforgivable. One recent example is the most anticipated fight between Sakamoto vs. Boiled, which was expected to be a highlight of the anime adaptation. This battle, which showcases Sakamoto’s leaner, more agile form in action, was a crucial moment in the story.
However, the anime’s execution was plagued by jerky animation, excessive cuts, and an overuse of action lines and visual effects in place of actual movement. Therefore, what should have been a pivotal fight became a jumble of stills and fragmented scenes.
Given the right treatment, Sakamoto Days could have been an anime that redefined modern battle choreography. Its manga already rivals Akira Toriyama‘s approach to action storytelling, where every movement is readable and purposeful.
A faithful adaptation would have set a new standard for how fight-heavy shonen manga should be animated. Instead, we are left with a series that not only falls short of expectations but actively disrespects the very thing that made the manga a fan favorite.
The Sakamoto Days anime serves as an example of what happens when a studio fails to understand the core appeal of its source material. Until the anime industry starts treating action choreography with the same respect it gives spectacle, we will continue to see brilliant manga like Sakamoto Days fall victim to lackluster adaptations.
Sakamoto Days manga is available to read on Shueisha while the anime is currently available to watch on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
