Summary
- Sakamoto defeats Mashimo easily by destroying his sniper rifle with a rock.
- Mashimo forms a relationship with the team after trying to kill Sakamoto.
- Mashimo’s sniping abilities make him a valuable addition to Sakamoto’s team.
In the sixth episode of the first season of Sakamoto Days, the team meet Heisuke Mashimo, another assassin who is attempting to take out Sakamoto in order to get the large bounty on his head. Although their initial meeting had them working together with Mashimo to win a survival tournament, Mashimo soon recognizes Sakamoto’s identity, and tries to kill him to get a reward.
Eventually, Sakamoto defeats Mashimo with ease by hurling a rock at him and destroying his sniper rifle. Despite Mashimo’s intentions to kill Sakamoto, the group decides to share the winnings from the survival tournament with him, and Mashimo begins to show up at the convenience store frequently. He has become more than just another assassin passing by in Sakamoto Days.
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How Does Mashimo Form a Relationship With the Sakamoto Team?
Mashimo’s First Meeting With Sakamoto and Shin
Mashimo first meets Shin and Sakamoto in the sixth episode of season 1, when he arrives at Sakamoto’s convenience store and asks if Sakamoto is there, since he is looking to get the bounty on Sakamoto’s head. The group successfully convince him that Sakamoto isn’t there, and he leaves, but Shin and Sakamoto soon meet up with him again when they enter a local survival tournament with a reward of 1 million yen. As Mashimo must join the competition to make up for the money he lost on Sakamoto’s bounty, he eventually joins Sakamoto and Shin’s team.
I’ve never faced a sniper as remarkable as you in my life. — Sakamoto to Mashimo
However, Lu accidentally reveals Sakamoto’s identity early on in the competition, and Mashimo resumes his attempt to take out Sakamoto. Unsurprisingly, Sakamoto defeats Mashimo soon after by throwing a rock at his sniper rifle. Shin and Sakamoto win the competition, and decide to still give Mashimo a reward since he was part of the team. Though the team departs and leaves Mashimo behind, he soon becomes a frequent visitor to Sakamoto’s convenience store, spending time with Lu, Shin, and Sakamoto. Sakamoto is incredibly impressed by Mashimo’s sniping abilities, and this is what brings about their working relationship, with Mashimo joining the team during missions more frequently.
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How Will Mashimo Aid the Team In the Future?
What Does The Future Hold For the Sakamoto Team?
Now that Mashimo is slowly becoming more integrated in the team with Sakamoto, what does this mean for the future of the team? In episode 8 of season 1, Mashimo saves Shin with a single shot when he is in battle with Natsuki Seba. Shin is having trouble getting a hit on Seba due to his invisibility, but is able to place a target on him using his own blood, which gives Mashimo an easy target. Mashimo then swiftly and easily takes out Seba with a few shots. This proves that, despite Mashimo’s rough past due to being relatively unintelligent and lacking any other skills, he can be extremely useful to Sakamoto’s team with his sniping abilities.
Good to see you, Heisuke. Nice timing. — Shin
Mashimo will be able to bring a new strategy to Sakamoto’s team that was absent before. He is able to hide in the shadows, serving as a hidden ally while Sakamoto and Shin fight enemies on the frontlines. Whenever Sakamoto and Shin get stuck in a situation in the future where they are unable to retaliate or are unsure how to hit the enemy without being blocked, Mashimo will be able to take the reins and save the team. Since both Lu and Shin are more focused on up-close combat, Mashimo will make it easier for Sakamoto’s team to focus on other tasks at hand while Mashimo shoots any enemies down.
It is likely that Mashimo will appear alongside Shin and Sakamoto more in future episodes, and will probably be a regular team member for future escapades. As his abilities are incredibly useful to the team, there’s a good chance that Sakamoto will choose to make Mashimo a permanent addition, alongside the clairvoyant Shin and powerful Lu.
Sakamoto Days is available to stream on Netflix.