Promotional poster featuring the live-action main character from the movie "Sakamoto Days." Shueisha
The Japanese manga and anime series "Sakamoto Days," which has gained immense popularity worldwide, is being adapted into a live-action film.
According to Japanese media outlets such as Oricon News on September 22, the movie adaptation is scheduled to be released during Golden Week next year (late April to early May). On this day, the live-action visual of the main character, Sakamoto Taro, was also unveiled for the first time.
Sakamoto Taro, a legendary assassin feared by all villains, instantly retires after falling in love at first sight with a woman working at a convenience store. After getting married and having a daughter, Sakamoto gains a fuller figure and leads a peaceful life running the "Sakamoto Shop." However, his life takes a turn as assassins continue to appear before him.
The original work is by Suzuki Yuto, who began serializing it in Shueisha in November 2020. As of August 2025, 23 volumes have been published, with cumulative worldwide sales surpassing 15 million copies (including digital editions). The TV anime adaptation, which began airing in January this year, was also a huge hit. Distributed simultaneously worldwide via Netflix, it recorded 8.6 million views in its first week and over 10.6 million views in Japan. It ranked second globally, took the top spot in five countries, and entered the top 10 in 67 countries, drawing significant international attention.
The newly released live-action visual preserves the original charm of Sakamoto's fuller physique, depicting a scene where he blocks bullets with chopsticks while eating cup noodles. The visual has been praised for impressively symbolizing both his past as a legendary assassin and his continued proximity to danger in the present.
Suzuki Yuto commented, "Since elementary school, I've always imagined what would happen if someone ran wild in the real world in this way. I am truly excited that this is finally coming to the screen. With such an outstanding production team, it is sure to be entertaining. Please make sure to check it out in theaters."
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