TOKYO—The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the critically acclaimed manga series, Sakamoto Days, is officially set for release on April 29 next year, production executives announced today. The film, directed by renowned comedy auteur Yuichi Fukuda of Gintama fame, will star Snow Man member Ren Meguro as the titular protagonist, a retired, overweight legendary killer, Taro Sakamoto.
The announcement coincided with the release of a new teaser trailer, offering fans the first glimpse of Meguro portraying both the hefty, present-day Sakamoto and his slimmer, highly lethal past self. Meguro revealed the extensive transformation required for the role, noting that the physical changes, particularly for the full-body suit, demanded nearly four hours of preparation before each shoot.
“This is the first time in my career I’ve taken on a role with such an intensive physical demand and so many action sequences,” Meguro stated. “I am focused on authentically capturing the character’s speed, agility, and absolute lethality as depicted in the manga.”
All-Star Cast Drives High Expectations
The ensemble cast assembled for the production features several celebrated talents from Japanese cinema and television, bolstering the film’s profile as a major cinematic event. Meguro’s character, Sakamoto Taro, a former top assassin forced into early retirement who now runs a small convenience store while hiding his murderous past, will be joined by a formidable supporting cast.
Fumiya Takahashi, known for his work in The Flowers We Saw That Day, will portray Sakamoto’s young and loyal partner, Shin Asakura. Adding a sense of grounding to the chaotic narrative are two significant female roles: Aya Ueto (Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon) steps into the shoes of Sakamoto’s wife, Aoi Sakamoto, the only person who can keep his violent tendencies in check. Completing the Sakamoto family unit, child actress Miyu Yoshimoto (The Dream and Love of 18/40) will play their daughter, Hana Sakamoto.
Director Fukuda, known for his ability to translate serialized works into cinematic hits while retaining key comedic and dramatic elements, has promised a faithful yet dynamic interpretation of Yuto Suzuki’s original manga, which has garnered immense global popularity.
Action and Transformation Challenges
The core premise of Sakamoto Days hinges on Sakamoto’s struggle to maintain a peaceful, domestic life despite his deadly, trained instincts. His dramatic weight gain is meant to camouflage his identity, a significant plot point that required the lead actor to oscillate between two distinct physical personas.
Industry analysts suggest that the emphasis on practical effects and physical action, rather than solely CGI, will be crucial to the film’s authenticity given the nature of the source material. Meguro’s commitment to mastering the intricate choreography associated with Sakamoto’s unparalleled combat skills highlights the production’s focus on bringing high-octane martial arts to the screen.
With a definitive premiere date set for next spring, the film is poised to be a major box office contender, capitalizing on the manga’s substantial fanbase both domestically and internationally. The live-action adaptation represents a significant effort to bridge the gap between popular comic book narratives and mainstream blockbuster cinema, potentially setting a new benchmark for manga-to-screen transitions in Japanese entertainment.
