Newtype Exclusive Interview with SAKAMOTO DAYS Cast, Tomokazu Sugita as Taro Sakamoto and Nobunaga Shimazaki as Shin Asakura!

Crazy incidents break out in the daily life of this former assassin!

Taro Sakamoto is a man who runs a convenience store in a peaceful town. He may look like your regular chubby guy, but he was once known as the "Legendary Hit Man" whom all the bad guys feared. After falling in love and retiring from the assassin biz, Sakamoto lives a peaceful life with his wife, Aoi, and their daughter, Hana. Their family motto? “No killing allowed.” Though this rule may be common sense for most families, Sakamoto is constantly under attack by one assassin after the other... This is the story of Sakamoto's efforts to protect his peaceful daily life with his beloved family!

Based on the original manga by Ayane Sakura as Lu Shaotang, a former Triad (Chinese mafia) member, creating a rock-solid lineup.

The nonstop action where the simple and ordinary meets the thrilling and extraordinary is finally underway! Keep your eye on Sakamoto Days as the story unfolds!

Family first. That's what Sakamoto's all about.

First, can you tell me your impressions of the original work?

Sugita: I know I'm getting to the age where I ought to graduate from reading Shonen Jump (laughs), but I did find myself relating to the older protagonist, Taro Sakamoto, on some levels. When you get to be my age, there aren't a lot of protagonists I can project my own point of view onto, you know? But when I read the original work, I never imagined that I would be cast for the role.

Shimazaki: There are a lot of works out there about assassins, but the worldview of Sakamoto Days is so unique and always full of surprises. There's a school that trains assassins, contractor companies that employ assassins, and an official Association of Assassins that hit men can (laughs).

Sugita: There's a kind of unusual sense of ethics there.

Shimazaki: Right? Normally, you would imagine a story with this kind of premise to be rough and moody, but instead, we see someone who should be considered an outlaw living as a normal member of society. That, plus the snappy action sequences, make it a one-of-a-kind work.

How did you feel when you got the role?

Shimazaki: Honestly, I did not expect to be chosen for Shin. Setting aside whether or not my voice was right for the part, I'm getting close to 40 years old, so I'm pretty far off in of age. But when I tried playing the role, it came to me very naturally. He looks pretty young, but his mentality is definitely that of a 20-year-old, and he has the capability to live on his own in society. I'd like to incorporate that kind of experience into my own performance.

Sugita: A lot of industry professionals and people in the same field have expressed their high expectations, and every day, I'm reminded just how popular this work is. That being said, I'll give nothing short of my all to the role I've been given.

I'm sure there will be some differences between the manga and anime versions, but what are your thoughts on that?

Sugita: There will always be elements that are unique to the anime, but I think most people naturally accept that by now. In any anime, it can be difficult to tackle those original elements that don't exist in the original work, but speaking as a performer, I personally felt like they worked in the Sakamoto Days anime.

Shimazaki: Nothing seemed out of place to me at all.

Sugita: There are parts that betray your expectations in a good way, that don't distress the viewer whatsoever. Even when someone shows up to break apart the usual everyday atmosphere, it's enjoyable and satisfying. This kind of broad-minded feeling is unique to Sakamoto Days, I think.

What were your first impressions of your characters, what makes them appealing, and what do you pay attention to when it comes to conveying them?

Sugita: Taro Sakamoto was already “complete,” but then one day, a new facet of his life suddenly emerged. He chose to prioritize this, even if it meant cutting off his entire past. Family comes first no matter what, but it's not out of philanthropy or anything, so any time there's a choice between two lives and only one can be saved, he will always choose his family. So, sorry, Shin (laughs).

Shimazaki: I think Shin would be okay with that. He'd be like, 'That's who Sakamoto-san is.' (laughs).

Sugita: Opening yourself up also means having more weaknesses, so he has to be cautious, but I think for Sakamoto, he wants to protect the staff at Sakamoto's just as much. That part of Sakamoto is probably his charm point. Well, I think it would be pretty hard to corner someone like Sakamoto into a position where he'd have to choose between one life or another in the first place.

I feel like it only makes sense that Shin would be so taken with Sakamoto, seeing him like that.

Shimazaki: Shin's respect toward Sakamoto and the way it moves him to action, as well as his overall cuteness, are some of the first charming things we get to see in him. But when I think about the life he's led, I realize he's really been through a lot to get to where he is now. At first glance, it's easy to focus on the “younger brother” or “protégé” aspect of Shin, but I think it's his neutral stance, as something of a lone wolf who has had to survive alone in the assassin biz while staying wary of everyone around him, that really makes him attractive.

Sugita: He's pretty tough on others, isn't he? That's how he normally is, so the side of himself he shows to Sakamoto is special.

Shimazaki: Yeah. Shin is someone who treats those he becomes close to differently than the rest. The way his atmosphere changes depending on the person and how he feels about each of his relationships is something I really value and pay attention to.

What was your impression of each other's characters?

Sugita: I was honestly happy when I heard Shin would be played by Nobunaga Shimazaki. He's a really engaging actor who can turn even a character's dark past into their strength, so I thought he was perfect for the role of Shin. When the actor playing a role understands that character, that character will never be lonely. Sakamoto is very true to himself as a character, so he's easy to work with, but Shin has a complicated backstory, and it's hard to know how far to push. In that regard, Shimazaki is someone who can step into the role with an upbeat attitude and gently accept whatever comes his way, so I think he has great chemistry with the role.

Shimazaki: When I heard that Sugita was going to play Sakamoto, I simultaneously thought, “Of course!” and “I'm so happy.” I think Sakamoto's trait of looking out for his own is something he and Sugita both have in common. Sakamoto cares deeply about his family, but he isn't necessarily outwardly affectionate. He protects the ones he is close to, but it's more like he's watching over them from a measured distance. I feel like Sugita is a little bit similar in that way.

Sugita: I had no awareness of that... is that true?

Shimazaki: When I was younger and getting started, you held a get-together for our generation, you know? Thanks to that, I was able to connect with a lot of people, and that made me really happy.

Sugita: Well, that's exactly what I wanted when I was your age. I think that when you're young, you need people who you can see yourself in, and I don't think your seniors or juniors or peers of the opposite sex can fill that position. So, I just wanted to create an opportunity for people of the same age to get together and then be able to help each other improve. Shimazaki: Yeah, that's the great thing about your approach. Sugita's way of watching over others without getting directly involved himself feels very “Sakamoto” to me. It doesn't feel like he is overacting, but more like he is just speaking from the same kind of position as Sakamoto, which makes him perfect for the role. It's also easy for me to follow along with him naturally as Shin.

What impressions did you have during the recording?

Sugita: I'm really glad we were able to record as much back-and-forth banter together as we could. A lot of the dialogue in Sakamoto Days is based on the comedic “straight man” and “funny man” roles, so I would have felt a little uneasy if we could only record one side of the conversation at a time.

Shimazaki: It's tough to land a joke if you aren't in the same rhythm. I'm really glad we were able to record in a more traditional setting. The cast is made up of some really incredible actors.

Sugita: I was like, “Is it really okay to have this many strong actors so early in the game?” (laughs).

Shimazaki: Every episode there would be scenarios that had me like, “You're going to make these actors play this kind of scene?!” so the recording sessions were always so much fun.

Sugita: We needed a lot of really unique performers, resulting in more opportunities for the younger actors, which I personally thought was great.

Shimazaki: Every character that shows up is as unique as the next, and all of the actors each put their own personal spin on it, so I really hope people enjoy it.

The intense action sequences are also a big appeal of this work. Was there anything you paid attention to when performing these scenes?

Sugita: I suggested early on that we intentionally reduce the “breaths” in the movement sequences. Heavy breathing and spirited performances are great for building the impression of fighting an opponent with all your might, but I felt this didn't suit a character like Sakamoto, who always maintains his composure. It's generally effective when playing a cool, strong character to find a point and put all your strength into it, but I think a character like Sakamoto doesn't need that.

Shimazaki: I put a lot of strength into playing Shin, in contrast to Sakamoto. Sugita and I didn't discuss this, but it was something I picked up on as we worked together in the same space. Sakamoto is quiet, but he often moves the scene along or is responsible for establishing the flow, while Shin's emotionally charged expressions and reactions help explain what's going on. It's the same for new actors who come onto the set. By seeing Sugita playing Sakamoto and me playing Shin, they can get a feel for what it's like on set, and things just proceed naturally that way.

Do you have any recommendations for viewers getting into this series?

Sugita: I think I'd just like for people to watch from the beginning with a mindset like, “here's a new anime” (laughs). It doesn't feel right for me to explain too much, so please just give it a watch!

Shimazaki: It's not the kind of anime where you tell people about the best scenes beforehand like, “This part is awesome!” This is a story about Sakamoto's daily life, so it's not always going to be so dramatic or intense. There's just something very special and fun about it. Every story has its own unique flavor, and because Sakamoto is seated so firmly in the middle of it, it never strays off-course. I think it would be a lot of fun if we could all enjoy watching how Sakamoto lives his life together.

Sugita: Naturally, even amidst the depiction of everyday life, there are also action scenes that really stand out, and I'm sure everyone has their own points of interest or things they get out of enjoying the show. I would be happy if viewers could have their own take on Sakamoto Days and what they want it to be.

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This interview was originally published in Newtype's February 2025 issue. Be sure to check out and Newtype's Reddit community for discussions and the latest updates!