Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto

How would you define the perfect student? It vastly differs according to the time and location, but it is almost a given that they excel in academics exponentially. Such a student would be neat, organized, intelligent, and forward in many contexts. We may have all tried to become them at some point in our lives, but human beings are not perfect, and what seems to be perfect on the outside might as well be a clever facade. So how will Anime address such a student? Let’s find out!

“Sakamoto Desu ga?”, also known as “Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto”, is a 12-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 8th of April until the 1st of July in Spring 2016. It was produced by Kadokawa Shoten, TBS, DAX Production, Daiichikosho, King Records, and NichiNare, licensed by Sentai Filmworks, and brought to life by Studio Deen. Centered around the Comedy genre, it features the themes of Gag Humor and School life and is targeted at the Seinen demographic. It received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years or older.

The Anime is based on the Manga series of the same title (“I'm Sakamoto, you know”). It ran for 4 Volumes from the 11th of August 2011 until the 14th of December 2015 and included a one-shot titled “Katahaba Hiroshi” (Broad Shoulders Hiroshi). It was serialized in Fellows! and is the handiwork of Author and Artist Sano Nami. Seven Seas Entertainment handled the English publication from August 2015 to July 2016. A single Special episode was also released on the 26th of September 2016, titled “Sakamoto Desu ga? Special”. Due to the 2016 earthquake in Kumamoto, this Special couldn’t be aired as the rightful 13th episode of the series.

The seemingly perfect protagonist Sakamoto is sophisticated, suave, sublime, exceedingly handsome, and patently flawless. Even on his first day at High School, the combined effect of his attractiveness, intelligence, and charm has the girls swooning all over him and leaving all the boys fuming with jealousy. Despite all the attempts to derail him in one way or another, nothing seems to trip him, and all plans end up swiftly foiled.

This man’s sangfroid is indomitable, and his wits are peerless; just what is up with him? Try as they may, will any of Sakamoto's classmates, or even teachers, be able to get on the same level of excellence as him? Probably not, but there’s always something in it for those who try. So strap in to learn a thing or two from the very incarnation of perfect!

The Comedy here can be highly subjective, but if you're a fan of Comedy in general, you’re more than likely to find this Anime’s humor worthwhile and entertaining. The Story is simple yet refreshing, similar to most Anime High School comedies, but one where the exaggerated actions of high-school delinquents and idealized characters are brought to light. The main points of this series are the perfect protagonist's deadpan deliveries and the diverse range of reactions given by onlookers.

That’s basically it, and it isn’t much more to it. As such, the series loses some luster after a few episodes due to the repeated style. After some time, the punchline won’t hit as hard as it did in the initial episodes, and the series falls off. This isn’t necessarily all that bad because this is a gag comedy, and that’s the central gimmick carrying it. But hey, comedy is comedy, so if you’re not disappointed by around the 5th episode, you’ll be fine all the way to the end.

This is the tale of Sakomoto maneuvering his way through high school, dealing with everyday pressures, the pains of growing up, and the weird burden that comes coupled with having too much swag and being fabulous. As a lonely soul, he has no choice but to carry the total weight of his “coolness” alone while constantly being pestered into appeasing lesser beings by either humoring or helping them in their mundane dilemmas.

He is akin to a God, Lord or Savior sent down from above to guide and nourish the uncultured commoners of earth. He is constantly but indirectly seducing all those around him, regardless of age and gender. But this doesn't stop him from helping his people learn essential life lessons in the most absurd ways possible, in a way only he could accomplish.

If you ever used an observational approach to an overused trope, viewing it all through a candy-floss comedic lens, “Sakamoto Desu ga?” is what you’d get. We have a perfectly perfect student, portrayed in a way that makes him seem impossible; he goes even further to break through practicality and enters a realm beyond all logic or reason. This is how one exaggerates an archetype that's already been exaggerated. The result? In a very hectic school environment, a character with idealistic features and implausible feats put through laughter, inducing comedic mishaps.

Studio Deen does not have the most extraordinary reputation for having a solid budget. But make no mistake, the Art and Animation in this Anime are pretty darn good. The visuals are really engaging, comedic, and colorful, giving even bigger Studios a run for their money on occasion. The animation goes toe-to-toe with it, too, so yeah, you can expect a very nice show on the eyes. Granted, this isn’t Studio Ufotable level, but they did a decent job in this department.

The Sounds and Music are pretty good, too, particularly voice acting for Sakamoto himself. The Opening theme is "COOLEST" by Customi Z, where we can awe-inspiringly gaze at Sakamoto as he strikes various stylish poses. It’s like this song was made for him, no joke. The Ending theme is "Nakushita Hibi ni Sayonara" by Suneohair, which gives off a sense of melancholic calmness and can even be called an angelic hymn. Our eyes are treated to Sakamoto getting splashed with paint in an interlude between his work days, all while emphasizing just how special he is.

As for Voice Acting, Hikaru Midorikawa delivers a stellar performance as Sakamoto. He is highly experienced, and it shows. This might be his first time in the spotlight, so he makes it a point to escape from the Supporting Character role totally. His voice is like a musical work of art, composed and symphonic, throwing all other voices to shame. Here, he might as well be the voice of God and heaven alike, utilizing a lustrous tone that dares to redefine perfection.

Thanks to his style, coolness, and perfection, it is easy to get enraptured by Sakamoto's presence. There are so many memes and inside jokes generated within the show that can keep you well entertained. The comedy is good enough to keep you tearing up with laughter. On the other hand, the only progression the Story had was how this MC slowly but surely won over the other characters one by one, and this is in no way boring to watch. Granted, this won’t be everyone’s comedic cup of tea, but if you like the humor from the onset, you’ll look forward to each new episode. It is, overall, recommended!

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Haven't you heard I'm Sakamoto Trailer | English Sub