Sakamoto Days, the action-packed manga that’s taken Weekly Shonen Jump by storm, is set to explode onto the big screen with a live-action film adaptation starring Snow Man’s Meguro Ren. The announcement, unveiled in the latest issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, promises to bring the series' blend of heart-pounding assassin battles and laugh-out-loud humor to life in a two-part cinematic event.
Here is the 43rd issue (2025) of Weekly Shonen Jump, which also featured Sakamoto Days on the cover:
Directed by the acclaimed Yuichi Fukuda, known for his successful live-action takes on Gintama and its irreverent mix of action and comedy, the film will star Meguro Ren of the chart-topping idol group Snow Man in the lead role of Taro Sakamoto. Meguro, who has garnered praise for his dramatic turns in projects like We Never Learn: BOKUBEN, steps into the shoes of the titular retired hitman whose unassuming paunch hides a legendary past. Additional cast members and further production details are slated for reveal on September 23, with the project aiming to capture the manga's signature fusion of over-the-top fight choreography and slice-of-life charm.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters during Japan's Golden Week in 2026, spanning late April to early May, allowing audiences a prime opportunity to experience the adaptation during the holiday period. Produced as a two-part release, the movies are expected to delve into the core arcs of the story, emphasizing Sakamoto's reluctant return to his assassin roots while safeguarding his hard-won domestic bliss. While specifics on the runtime, visual effects, or international distribution remain under wraps, the involvement of Fukuda signals a commitment to faithful yet dynamic storytelling that has defined his previous adaptations.
This live-action venture arrives on the heels of Sakamoto Days' meteoric rise in the manga world and its recent anime success. Serialized since November 2020, the series has amassed over 15 million copies in circulation worldwide, cementing its status as a cornerstone of modern shonen literature. The anime adaptation, helmed by director Masaki Watanabe at TMS Entertainment, aired its first cour from January to March 2025 and its second from July to September, captivating viewers with its fluid animation and faithful recreation of the manga's eccentric energy.
What is Sakamoto Days about?
Sakamoto Days, created by Yuto Suzuki, burst onto the scene in Weekly Shonen Jump in November 2020, quickly establishing itself as a fresh voice in the action genre. Suzuki, a rising star in the manga industry, drew from influences like classic hitman tales and comedic underdog stories to craft a narrative that balances visceral combat with heartfelt family dynamics. With its serialization spanning over four years and accumulating more than 15 million copies sold, the series has not only dominated Japanese charts but also built a global following through English-licensed volumes from VIZ Media.
At its core, Sakamoto Days follows the improbable exploits of Taro Sakamoto, a once-feared assassin who has traded his weapons for a quiet life as a shopkeeper. The plot kicks off when shadows from his violent history resurface, forcing him back into the fray. As VIZ Media describes it:
Time has passed peacefully for Sakamoto since he left the underworld. He’s running a neighborhood store with his lovely wife and child and has gotten a bit…out of shape. But one day a figure from his past pays him a visit with an offer he can’t refuse: return to the assassin world or die!
This setup propels Sakamoto into a whirlwind of high-stakes chases, gadget-filled skirmishes, and alliances with a ragtag crew of fellow outcasts—all while he desperately clings to his suburban routine. The manga's appeal lies in its subversion of assassin tropes: Sakamoto's "out-of-shape" physique becomes a comedic foil to his superhuman skills, leading to sequences where everyday objects double as deadly improvised weapons. Suzuki's artwork shines in these moments, with dynamic paneling that conveys both the slapstick humor and the raw intensity of the fights.
You can watch the trailer for Sakamoto Days anime below:
The live-action film appears poised to amplify these elements, potentially leveraging practical stunts and Meguro's expressive performance to ground the absurdity in relatable human emotion.
The Sakamoto Days anime, which faithfully adapts the early volumes, is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix in multiple languages, including English subtitles and dubs. All episodes from both cours are available for binge-watching, with future seasons anticipated based on the manga's ongoing serialization.
Source: Oricon
