The Sakamoto Days anime successfully captured the attention of many fans with the hilarious action of the legendary former hitman now living life as a convenience store owner.
After Part 1 finished airing, many viewers were left curious and eager to know the continuation of Taro Sakamoto, Shin, and Lu’s adventures.
If you’re among those who want to jump straight into the original source material in the manga, the main question is, of course: where does the Sakamoto Days manga continue after anime Part 1?
This article will provide the detailed answer, discuss other reading options, review fan reception to the anime adaptation so far, and provide the latest information regarding the release schedule for Part 2.
Sakamoto Days Anime Part 1 Ending Recap
Before jumping into the manga, let’s recall where Part 1 of the anime ended. Part 1 concluded with Episode 11.
This episode adapted the story from Chapters 35, 36, and 37 of the manga.
This point marks the beginning of the next significant story arc, the “Death Row Prisoners” arc, where Sakamoto and his friends get involved with a group of dangerous assassins who have escaped from prison.
Sakamoto Days Manga Continuation: Which Chapter to Start?
Here is a guide to continue reading the manga after finishing anime Part 1:
- Direct Answer (For Main Story Continuation):
If you want to continue the story right after the end of Episode 11 of anime Part 1, you can directly start reading the Sakamoto Days manga from Chapter 38.
This chapter officially begins the continuation of the “Death Row Prisoners” arc and is available in Volume 5 of the manga.
- Other Reading Options (For a More Complete Experience):
It’s worth noting that the Part 1 anime adaptation skipped several slice-of-life chapters that actually provide interesting additional context and character development.
If you want a more complete experience, consider these options:
- Read the Skipped Chapters First: Before starting Chapter 38, you could read chapters 2, 3, 16, and 33. These chapters contain daily life and comedy moments not adapted in Part 1.
- Start from Chapter 1: The best way to get the most complete Sakamoto Days experience and ensure no details, funny moments, or character development are missed is to read the manga from the beginning (Chapter 1). This also allows you to compare the storytelling style and visuals of the manga with its anime adaptation.
The “Death Row Prisoners” Arc and Lu’s Role
Starting from Chapter 38 onwards, you will fully enter the “Death Row Prisoners” arc.
This arc is predicted to be the main focus of the story in anime Part 2.
An interesting note regarding this arc is that some manga readers consider it the last arc where the character Lu Xiaotang still has a significant role as one of the “main” characters before the story’s focus might slightly shift in subsequent arcs.
How Was Fan Reception to the Anime Part 1 Adaptation?
Although the Sakamoto Days anime adaptation was highly anticipated, the airing of Part 1 received mixed responses and some criticism from fans, especially manga readers:
- Animation Quality: One of the most common criticisms was the animation quality, which was considered unsatisfactory, particularly in action scenes. Many felt the fight animations weren’t as dynamic or detailed as their depiction in the manga.
- Content Omission: The omission of slice-of-life chapters and some minor comedic moments was also lamented as it was felt to reduce the charm and depth of the relationships between characters.
- Suspected Rushed Production: Some viewers felt the inconsistent quality and other shortcomings might be due to a tight production schedule.
- “Mid” Sentiment: Consequently, many fans gave an “average” or “mid” response to Part 1, particularly its final episodes. While there was acknowledgment that the animation quality showed slight gradual improvement, it was not considered significant enough.
When Will Sakamoto Days Part 2 Release? (And Hopes for Change)
For those awaiting the anime’s continuation, here’s the information:
- Broadcast Schedule:
Sakamoto Days Part 2 has been confirmed and is scheduled to begin airing in July 2025.
This second part will consist of 11 episodes.
- Latest News?:
A major anime industry event, AnimeJapan 2025, just took place on March 22-23, 2025.
Many fans hoped for more detailed announcements like a new trailer or a specific release date there.
However, as of the writing of this article (late March 2025), the most solid primary information still revolves around the July 2025 release window. Keep an eye out for further official announcements.
- Quality Expectations:
Regarding hopes for drastic quality improvements in Part 2, analysts and fans tend not to be overly optimistic.
The main reason is reports that the production of Part 1 was fully completed before the anime even premiered.
This indicates that Part 2 was likely already produced or is currently being produced by the same team with a similar pipeline and quality standards.
Significant changes in production quality might only be expected if Sakamoto Days gets the green light for a Season 2 in the future.
Conclusion
So, if you want to know the continuation of the Sakamoto Days manga after anime Part 1, the most direct answer is to start from Chapter 38.
However, for a richer story experience, it’s highly recommended to consider reading the skipped slice-of-life chapters or even starting from Chapter 1.
Given the criticisms regarding the quality of the anime adaptation’s Part 1 and the low probability of drastic changes for Part 2 airing in July 2025, reading the manga remains the most satisfying way to enjoy the detail, comedy, and incredible action of the Sakamoto Days world.