English Dub Review: Sakamoto Days “Strong Assault”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
The battles rage on even as the crew gets treated by Granny Miya!  Minimalist threatens Aoi at the store while Heisuke clashes with Apart at Tokyo Tower.

Our Take:
With the way things are going, it appears that the Death Row inmates aren’t as formidable as they are deadly.  This was the case in the previous episode, where two of the members had already been eliminated thanks to the JAA.  It’s a shame that we won’t see Sakamoto battle those dangerous criminals throughout the entire second half.  Still, it was nice that the series didn’t neglect allowing the side characters to shine, such as Shin and Osaragi.  This episode is no different, continuing Minimalist’s encounter with Aoi.  However, Aoi was actually Nagumo in disguise, who easily overpowers Minimalist with his deadly multi-tool weapon.  This sequence would’ve increased the stakes for Sakamoto’s determination to protect his family if it were the real Aoi confronting Minimalist.  Fortunately, I was willing to get behind the twist involving Nagumo regarding his shining moment with his multi-tool.
As for Sakamoto, he receives a surprise regarding his power while visiting his physical therapist, Granny Miya.  Initially, Sakamoto can burn off his fat at will to reach his full potential during the first half of the season. However, thanks to Granny Miya hitting his special pressure point, that ability is no longer usable.  Consequently, he’ll have to utilize his full potential while possessing his current body, especially for his confrontation with Apart, who ambushed Heisuke at Tokyo Tower.  So, at the very least, it’s giving us the promise of Sakamoto battling the Death Row inmates, even if it’s just only one of them, with his greatest challenge being his self-acceptance.  As a result, “Strong Assault” continues the season’s “Death Row” arc with sheer force, particularly in its stylized animation and comedy, with the latter being emphasized by Osaragi and Shishiba’s trip to the ramen festival during a post-credit scene.  Was that sequence pointless compared to the episode’s overall plot?  Yes, but the duo’s distinctive chemistry and Shishiba’s hilarious desire to eat his own ramen made it worthwhile.