Sakamoto Days live-action film casts Ren Meguro as legendary hitman in 2026 release

The live-action adaptation of Sakamoto Days has revealed its lead actor, with Ren Meguro of Japanese idol group Snow Man confirmed to play the younger version of Taro Sakamoto.

The announcement was accompanied by a teaser trailer, posted on Toho Movie’s social media account, which recreated the manga’s opening scene depicting Sakamoto during his career as an active hitman.

The film will be directed by Yūichi Fukuda, known for his work on live-action versions of Gintama and Once Upon a Crime. Toho has scheduled its release in Japanese cinemas during Golden Week in 2026, though no details on an international release have yet been provided.

Meguro’s casting adds to his growing list of acting roles. He previously starred in the live-action My Happy Marriage, where he played Kiyoka Kudou, and appeared in Trillion Game and Phases of the Moon.

His performances have earned him recognition, including a Japan Academy Film Prize nomination for Best Supporting Actor and multiple domestic television acting awards.

Based on Yuto Suzuki’s ongoing manga, Sakamoto Days follows Taro Sakamoto, once known as the Legendary Hitman and a member of the Order. After leaving behind his violent past to run a family convenience store, he becomes the target of a ¥1 billion bounty. The series blends action and comedy as Sakamoto defends his family while following his wife’s strict “no kill” rule.

The franchise expanded in January 2025 with a Netflix anime adaptation. The first season, consisting of 22 episodes and featuring Matthew Mercer, Dallas Liu, and Rosalie Chiang, became a streaming success.

While there has been no confirmation of a second season, all current episodes remain available on Netflix.