From Netflix to cinema: 'Sakamoto Days' gets live-action treatment
MANILA, Philippines — Fans of the popular manga and anime series "Sakamoto Days" have reason to celebrate as Japanese actor and singer Ren Meguro has been officially announced to play Taro Sakamoto in the upcoming live-action adaptation.
Meguro will bring to life Sakamoto, the retired hitman turned gentle family man, bringing the character’s mix of comedy, heart and action to the big screen.
Meguro, a 28-year-old member of the Japanese male idol group Snow Man and known for his versatility in dramas like the 2023 live-action "My Happy Marriage," shared his excitement about taking on the role.
"I am truly honored to be playing the lead role in 'Sakamoto Days,' a beloved manga and anime series,” he said in Japanese, translated into English.
"Up until now, I've mostly starred in serious works, often taking on roles for someone else, wanting to convey something to the audience. However, this time, I wanted to appear in 'SAKAMOTO DAYS' for myself," he added.
The story follows Sakamoto, a retired assassin turned convenience store owner, whose quiet life is constantly interrupted by assassination attempts.
The first teaser visual for the film gives fans a glimpse of Meguro as the gentle husband and father version of the hitman. Fans are especially curious to see how he will portray the “fat assassin,” a key element of the character’s charm in the manga and anime.
Meguro acknowledged the challenge of portraying the “fat” Sakamoto.
"The character I play, Taro Sakamoto, was once feared as a legendary assassin, but is now a gentle father who puts his family first. This contrast is his greatest charm and makes him a truly cool character," he said.
Meguro also revealed his first major action experience in the role.
"I discovered a new side of myself and a new confidence that I believe will be a valuable asset in my future work. I even wanted to become an action actor who could stand up to anyone (lol)," Meguro said.
Director Yuichi Fukuda’s guidance, according to Meguro, helped him bring both the humor and heart of the manga to life.
"I poured my heart into my performance while cherishing the worldview and charm of the original characters. I gave it my all, hoping to reach the hearts of readers, fans and those who will discover this story in the future!” the actor said.
Fans can look forward to the feature film premiering in Japanese cinemas during 2026’s Golden Week holiday, which falls between April 29 and May 6. No release date has been announced yet in the Philippines.
The "Sakamoto Days" manga, created by Yuto Suzuki, has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since Nov. 21, 2020, with 23 collected volumes in Japan and 18 released in English.
Its anime adaptation, directed by Masaki Watanabe (Bartender) at TMS Entertainment, premiered in January 2025 on Netflix.
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