“Sakamoto Shop”

Last week, I hosted a kimono event, but afterward, I became unwell and ended up taking a full week off from updating both my blog and social media. Fortunately, it wasn’t COVID, and I’m relieved about that. Now, with only five days left until the St. Louis Anime Fest, I’d like to continue my series of recommended anime.

In Japan, there is a saying that “blood is thicker than water,” meaning that family ties are considered to be the strongest bonds. However, as we’ve seen in works such as the film Shoplifters (Manbiki Kazoku) or the anime SPY×FAMILY, stories of families formed by love rather than blood often move audiences deeply. Today’s featured anime, SAKAMOTO DAYS, also belongs to this lineage.
(Minor spoilers below)

What Is SAKAMOTO DAYS?

SAKAMOTO DAYS, created by Yuto Suzuki, ranked sixth in the “Recommended Comics Chosen by Nationwide Bookstore Staff 2022” list and quickly became a fan favorite. Its protagonist, Taro Sakamoto, was once feared as the “legendary hitman.” One day, he fell in love with Aoi, a woman working at a convenience store. He left the underworld behind, got married, and began running a small shop—“Sakamoto Shop”—with his wife and daughter, embracing a quiet, peaceful life.

Of course, such peace does not last. Before long, a bounty is placed on his head, drawing waves of assassins determined to claim it. Bound by his vow never to kill again, Sakamoto brings his former subordinate Shin into his household as part of the family and faces both assassins and underworld organizations. Over time, this new “Sakamoto family” grows to include Lu Xiaotang, the daughter of a Chinese mafia boss, and Heisuke, a skilled sniper, among others.

The anime also introduces a surprisingly bureaucratic world of assassins—complete with a union-like organization, licenses reminiscent of driver’s permits, training facilities, and above all, the assassin elite known as the “Order.” Each Order member possesses a strikingly unique character: Sakamoto’s old friend Nagumo, the cute yet terrifying Osaragi who swings an oversized saw with childish glee, and Takamura, a mysterious elderly man with unparalleled sword speed. The villains in this series are so eccentric and overwhelming that with each appearance, viewers are left wondering what on earth will happen next. Despite the violence, the series overflows with humor, making it as much a comedy as it is an action spectacle.

The Role of “Sakamoto Shop”

　

A key element of SAKAMOTO DAYS is, of course, “Sakamoto Shop.” Depicted as a humble neighborhood store, it evokes the nostalgic atmosphere of small family-run shops that once dotted Japan but have now largely been replaced by convenience stores, or konbini.

Modern Japanese convenience stores are nothing like their American counterparts, which are often attached to gas stations and primarily serve as rest stops where customers grab a drink or snack. In Japan, convenience stores are fully integrated into daily life. One can find not only boxed lunches (bento) and rice balls (onigiri), but also smoothies, coffee, desserts, prepared side dishes, and even high-protein or diet-conscious meals. They stock everything from stationery and undershirts to fresh shirts, ensuring that almost any need can be met in a single visit.

Beyond goods, they also provide vital services: bill and tax payments, postal and courier reception, ticketing for travel and concerts, and even issuing government certificates. In times of natural disaster, convenience stores serve as critical supply hubs. They are, quite literally, part of the infrastructure of daily life—protecting and sustaining it. This resonates with Sakamoto’s role as a protector of his family’s everyday peace.

The Charm of Convenience Stores

Each chain has its own signature traits. Seven-Eleven is known for its private “Seven Premium” brand and “Seven Café” coffee, while FamilyMart boasts the ever-popular “Famichiki” fried chicken and its bakery series. Lawson is beloved for its “Uchi Café” roll cakes and the iconic bite-sized fried chicken “Karaage-kun.” Daily Yamazaki stands apart with freshly baked bread, and Ministop emphasizes its eat-in spaces, serving popular treats such as soft-serve ice cream and halo-halo-style parfaits.

Interestingly, the nickname for Seven-Eleven varies regionally: in Kansai, many people say “Sebuire,” in Hokkaido some say “Eleven,” while nationwide it is usually just “Seven.” Personally, growing up in Kansai, I called it “Sebuire.” Yet when I hear “Seven,” I immediately think of Seven Stars cigarettes, which my grandfather loved. Some people even shorten that brand to “Setta.” Whether it’s cigarettes or convenience stores, the associations differ from person to person and region to region, reflecting how deeply these items are woven into everyday life.

The Unique Culture of “Kuji”
　　

One of the most distinctive features of Japanese convenience stores is the lottery system known as kuji. Unlike the cash-based lotteries found in American convenience stores, Japan’s Ichiban Kuji and Happy Kuji focus on collaborations with anime, games, and characters. Best of all, they are “no-loss lotteries”—every ticket wins something.

Recently, Chiikawa and Tamagotchi kuji have drawn attention, but the most consistently popular series is, without doubt, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. In spring 2025, the release of Demon Slayer: Heirs of the Flame (Ukezugu Mono) featured a 31-centimeter figure of Gyomei Himejima as the A prize, and a striking Muzan Kibutsuji figure as the B prize—both praised for their impressive size and presence. In autumn 2025, another kuji titled The Brothers of Thunder will highlight Zenitsu and Kaigaku, already stirring excitement on social media and fan sites.

These lotteries are so sought after that fans line up outside stores before opening to secure the coveted “Last One” prize—an exclusive reward for the person who buys the final ticket. A friend of mine, a devoted My Hero Academia fan, once traveled across several stores just to chase kuji tickets. In truth, I’ve done the same: when Sanrio’s Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and Pompompurin kuji were released, I found even the lower-tier prizes—towels, keychains, and mugs—irresistibly cute. I desperately wanted the Last One prize, a special futon, but luck wasn’t on my side. I had even imagined packing it into my suitcase to bring back to America!

In Closing
　

Japanese convenience stores not only support everyday comfort and convenience, but also serve as spaces for entertainment and even community connection. In some regions, they stock local specialties, adding another layer of discovery for visitors.

In this sense, Sakamoto Shop in SAKAMOTO DAYS reflects the same values: it is not merely a shop, but a hub that connects people and safeguards daily life.

So, when you visit Japan, be sure to explore different convenience stores. Each one has its own “flavor,” and perhaps you’ll discover your own favorite konbini delight.

Chiren
President, Japanese Institute of St. Louis

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