Fans of Sakamoto Days were left wondering whether the veteran swordsman Takamura lived or died after Episode 16, “Slice Slice Dance.” The episode ends on an ambiguous note: Takamura appears to be killed in a massive blast, but narration and later hints leave open the possibility that he’s merely missing.
What happened in Episode 16
– Slur (X) and Gaku infiltrate the JAA headquarters and clash with Taro Sakamoto and his allies Shin and Lu. Takamura — an elderly but extraordinarily skilled hitman — appears and dispatches several henchmen, even cutting off Gaku’s hands during the fight.
– Just as Takamura is about to finish Slur, Slur detonates a bomb that destroys the building. Sakamoto and his team are later shown emerging from the rubble, but Takamura is not found among the survivors.
– The episode’s closing narration states that the explosion reduced the number of professional assassins in Japan by three-quarters, noting three injured, 176 dead, and one missing. That “missing” figure — and the manga’s account — suggest Takamura might have survived but gone into hiding rather than definitively dying on screen.
What this means
The anime intentionally leaves Takamura’s fate ambiguous. The visuals imply he could be dead, but the narration’s separate accounting (including one missing person) and the original manga’s hint that the missing person may be Takamura keep the door open for his possible return. Given his skills and the story’s penchant for sudden reversals, creators can plausibly reveal later that he survived or staged his disappearance.
Additional context and note for viewers
– The episode is notable for its high stakes: massive casualties are reported in-universe, while Sakamoto and his circle survive — reinforcing Sakamoto’s resilience and protective role.
– If you want a quicker answer, the manga material suggests Takamura is the missing individual rather than a confirmed casualty, but the anime adaptation deliberately keeps viewers guessing for dramatic effect.
Summary
Episode 16 leaves Takamura’s status unresolved. He disappears after a building-destroying explosion that seemingly kills many; anime narration reports one person missing, and the manga indicates that missing person may be Takamura. Until the series confirms it on-screen or in new manga chapters, his fate remains uncertain.
Commentary and hopeful angle
The ambiguity preserves suspense and opens possibilities: a dramatic return would fit Takamura’s reputation as a formidable swordsman, while the survivors’ resilience (especially Sakamoto’s) reinforces the series’ theme of loyalty and endurance. Fans should watch upcoming episodes or check new manga releases for confirmation, but for now the mystery adds tension and keeps the stakes high.