Netflix has a new Anime phenomenon on its hands. Sakamoto Days Season 1 has officially become the platform’s most-watched anime globally in the first half of 2025, a remarkable feat given the fierce competition from established franchises like Naruto and Demon Slayer.
According to Netflix data, the series amassed 24.4 million views and clocked more than 106 million hours streamed worldwide. These staggering numbers pushed Sakamoto Days past other fan-favorites including Mashle, The Apothecary Diaries, and Solo Leveling, solidifying its place as the breakout anime hit of the year.
At the heart of its success is the gripping story of Tarō Sakamoto, once feared as Japan’s deadliest hitman. After years of living in the shadows, Sakamoto trades his violent past for a quiet life as a shopkeeper, choosing love and family over bloodshed. But peace doesn’t come easily. When enemies from his past resurface, he’s forced back into action, battling to protect the life he painstakingly built.
The anime’s mix of humour, heart, and high-octane action has struck a chord with both longtime manga fans and new audiences discovering Sakamoto’s story for the first time. Its protagonist, portrayed not as a typical young hero but as a retired assassin with a family, adds a refreshing angle to the shonen landscape. This contrast—between everyday domestic life and explosive combat sequences—has been a key driver of its global appeal.
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Critics have also praised the adaptation’s pacing and animation quality, noting how it balances intense fight choreography with emotional storytelling. The series has already sparked discussions about the future of anime narratives, with some calling it the next big franchise for Netflix.
With Season 1’s unprecedented success, anticipation is already mounting for a second season. If the momentum continues, Sakamoto Days may not just be Netflix’s biggest anime of 2025 but one of the defining titles of the decade.
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