Will Sakamoto Days Be Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

Will Sakamoto Days be canceled or axed in the future? Some readers are concerned about the series due to several ongoing issues.

In this article, we break down the main factors that could affect Sakamoto Days’s future.

Was Sakamoto Days Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

Sakamoto Days has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump since issue #51 of 2020 and has not been canceled.

 

As of December 2024, this popular series has surpassed 7 million copies in cumulative sales.

As part of its media franchise, a TV anime series has been airing since January 2025.

Episode 2: “The Abandoned Bus Hijacking Incident”—Suspicions of a Misunderstanding

It seems that because the title and content of Episode 2 of “Sakamoto Days,” titled “The Cancellation Busjacking Incident,” became a hot topic, people mistakenly thought the show had been canceled.

サカモトデイズは本当にすごいモノを残してくれた（打ち切りバスジャック

— 蓮見れんか(夜空アクエ) (@hsm_renka) April 28, 2024

The story revolved around Sakamoto secretly resolving a situation where a perpetrator, enraged that his favorite manga had been canceled, attempted to ram a hijacked bus into the publisher’s building.

 

Because this subtitle became such a viral internet meme, it was so striking that the ominous word “cancellation” seemed to take on a life of its own and spread among readers who misunderstood the content.

 

In reality, it was a comedy episode created at the height of the series’ popularity, but it can be said that the cause was people who saw the title trending on social media mistakenly believing it signaled the end of the series itself.

 

Within the story, it is portrayed as an episode that perfectly balances the series’ signature action and humor, with Sakamoto using his overwhelming skill to subdue a culprit whose passion for manga has spiraled out of control.

 

While this is a rare case where an in-story gag became intertwined with real-world rumors, the series continues to run smoothly to this day, proving that it was nothing more than a minor early-series commotion.

In the early stages of the series, the pacing was slow and it received poor reviews

In the early stages of its serialization, “Sakamoto Days” didn't receive particularly high praise—partly due to its slow pacing—leading to rumors that it might be canceled immediately in *Jump*, a magazine where reader surveys reign supreme.

 

During the initial serialization, the story featured a rather unremarkable premise—a middle-aged, slightly overweight man as the protagonist—and relied heavily on slapstick humor, making the story's overarching goal difficult to discern and resulting in a lukewarm response from readers.

 

With character popularity failing to grow as expected and the story continuing to feature mundane, unoriginal depictions of daily life, the manga consistently ranked low in Jump’s publication lineup during its early stages.

 

Consequently, it was deemed unlikely to survive Jump’s strict reader survey-driven environment, and some readers were anxious that it would be canceled prematurely.

 

However, after shifting significantly toward a battle-focused storyline, the series’ reputation changed dramatically. Its signature, overwhelming action sequences garnered explosive support, leading to its current popularity.

 

While it is now firmly established as a hit, those familiar with its early slump point to its low ranking at the time as the very reason why people said it would be canceled.

Rumors of the Author's Death

Rumors spread online that the author of “Sakamoto Days” had somehow died, leading to the series being canceled, and this became a major talking point.

 

However, this was a complete hoax, and the series is still being serialized even after the commotion, with the new arc gaining even more momentum.

 

While this commotion caused some temporary confusion, it seems to have actually resulted in increased attention for the series.

The battle sequences have a sense of speed, but they feel rushed

The current “Sakamoto Days” is fully focused on battles, with a fast pace and great momentum, but it seems this very aspect—making the story feel rushed—is what led to rumors of its cancellation.

 

While the current storyline, featuring Taro Sakamoto and Shin Asakura engaging in a series of intense battles against powerful foes, is full of suspense, the reduction in everyday interactions seems to have given readers the impression that the story is nearing its conclusion.

 

Among readers, there is a tendency to perceive this continuous series of high-intensity battles as a “structure typical of the final stages,” which has created the impression that the story’s inherent sense of speed is rushing toward a conclusion more than necessary.

 

In reality, there has been no official announcement of the series’ end; rather, this is simply evidence that the story’s intensity has reached its peak. Therefore, it would be more accurate to view this not as a cancellation, but as the story drawing closer to its core.

Allegations of numerous similar works

“Sakamoto Days” is a unique hitman manga, but some people were concerned that it might be canceled due to the abundance of similar titles.

 

The premise of a legendary hitman living a quiet life while hiding his true identity in *The Fable* and his struggle to protect his family in *SPY×FAMILY* seemed to evoke a sense of déjà vu for some readers.

 

Furthermore, with comments piling up that the protagonist’s design resembled Coach Anzai from “SLAM DUNK,” there were fears that the series might struggle with originality and be canceled early.

 

It is likely that this structure—which seemed to blend elements of existing popular works—gave the impression of being a “copycat,” leading to predictions that it would be just another work that fades away without ever fully establishing its own unique identity.

Because there was a period when it was on hiatus

When “Sakamoto Days” took its first hiatus, rumors began to circulate that the series might be canceled, with people asking, “Is everything okay? The author has never taken a break before.”

The series went on hiatus in Issue 18 of 2024, and since this was the first hiatus after a serialization run of approximately three years and four months, concerns began to spread about the author’s health—with many asking, “I’m worried about the author’s health after working nonstop for so long”—and speculation flew that this might be a sign the series was coming to an end.

 

The fact that an author who had consistently maintained a non-stop serialization schedule had put down their pen for the first time was a shock sufficient to make readers feel that something was amiss, especially given the series’ stable rhythm.

 

In the world of weekly serialization, it is not uncommon for a hiatus to dampen a story’s momentum or signal preparations for the series’ conclusion, so this interruption was inevitably linked to the idea that it was a “countdown to the finale.”

 

It can be said that the psychology of readers, who are sensitive to unforeseen circumstances, caused speculation to balloon to such an extent that they began to suspect the series itself might be canceled, going beyond realistic concerns about fatigue or poor health from a long-running serialization.

Is the anime terrible? Is it because there won't be a sequel?

Although “Sakamoto Days” gained popularity, the anime was criticized for its poor quality, and with the announcement of a sequel being delayed, it seems the series was rumored to have been canceled.

原作未読でアニメのサカモトデイズ観たら、面白いやん！って割と夢中になる感じだったんだけども、原作勢からすると出来がひどいという感想がちらほら…
どうやら原作はコマ割りや構図が比べ物にならない程すごくて、アニメで表現できてないとか。
原作読みたくなってきた！すごいの浴びたい！

— sirowani＿雪像ｺﾌﾞﾗﾁｰﾑ (@sirowani_kun) February 5, 2025

The animation quality of key action scenes—which were crucial to the series’ rise to popularity—fell short of expectations, causing its ranking in video charts to drop noticeably. This slump has only fueled speculation that the series itself might be canceled.

 

Furthermore, the lack of an announcement for a second season—which typically follows immediately after the broadcast of a hit series—has led to speculation that the anime’s failure may have jeopardized the continuation of the original manga series.

 

However, these issues pertain solely to the success or failure of the media mix and are unlikely to have a direct impact on the cancellation of the original manga series.

 

The fact that disappointment over the quality of the adaptation and delays in the storyline have been linked to rumors of the series ending—which should have been unrelated—is the primary reason why the show was labeled a cancellation.

An Explanation of the “Rumors of the Author's Death” Behind the Cancellation of “Sakamoto Days”

It is believed that the rumors of the author’s death in “Sakamoto Days” may have been triggered by the passing of Ms. Nami Sano, the author of the manga “Sakamoto Desu ga?”, which also features the surname “Sakamoto.”

 

On August 5, 2023, reports emerged that Ms. Nami Sano, the author of the manga “Sakamoto Desu ga?”, had passed away from ovarian cancer.

When this news spread, confusion arose due to the shared name “Sakamoto,” and it appears that some readers misunderstood that it might be related to the author of “Sakamoto Days,” which seems to have sparked the death rumors.

 

Another possible factor is that “Sakamoto Days” is a hitman manga, so terms like “XX death” are frequently used in discussions about it.

A Guide to Enjoying Sakamoto Days: Especially Recommended for These People

Based on an analysis of reader reviews and the unique appeal of *Sakamoto Days*, it can be said that readers with the following characteristics will be able to enjoy this work to the fullest.

 

For readers who identify with these characteristics, *Sakamoto Days* is sure to be a highly satisfying experience.

 

First and foremost, it’s perfect for those who love action manga and find catharsis in fast-paced battle scenes that convey their intensity even through still images.

 

It’s also ideal for readers who enjoy the balance between the life-and-death struggles between hitmen—which unfold amid constant, palpable tension—and the lighthearted humor that pops up in unexpected moments.

 

It is also a highly satisfying read for those who enjoy pondering how the foreshadowing scattered throughout “Sakamoto Days” will be resolved as the story progresses.

 

If you are someone who is always on the lookout for a fusion of “classic shonen manga” and “hard-hitting action,” “Sakamoto Days” is definitely a title you should pick up.

Final Thoughts on Sakamoto Days

In conclusion, Sakamoto Days has not been canceled, and there are currently no strong signs of it ending early.

Overall, the series appears to be continuing without major issues.

 

Some cancellation rumors appeared early on because the series took time to gain wider recognition, and false reports such as death rumors also added to the speculation.

 

However, Sakamoto Days stands out for its intense assassin action and serious story moments, while its well-timed comedy helps keep the series fun and engaging.

 

It may still be worth checking out for yourself.

 

⇒Watch the anime “Sakamoto Days” on Amazon Prime Video