Netflix Fans Torn Over ‘Sakamoto Days’ Live-Action Movie Reveal

Post By DJ Longers
February 9, 2026

Sakamoto Shoten Goes Live: Netflix Fans Torn Over ‘Sakamoto Days’ Live-Action Movie Reveal

TOKYO — The "neighborhood store" is getting a real-world makeover, but not everyone is ready to check out. Following the massive global success of the Sakamoto Days anime on Netflix last year, the franchise has officially confirmed it is making the jump to live-action with a feature film set to hit Japanese theaters on 29th April 2026, before an expected global streaming debut (trailer below).

While the news has some fans "overjoyed" at the prospect of high-octane, John Wick-style choreography, a vocal segment of the "Saka-fam" is expressing "upset" and apprehension over whether a live-action adaptation can truly capture the manga’s unique blend of surreal comedy and "weighty" action.

The "Snow Man" in the Apron

Headlining the project is J-pop sensation and actor Ren Meguro (of the group Snow Man), who stars as Taro Sakamoto, the legendary hitman who retired, gained weight, and opened a convenience store for the sake of his wife.

The first teaser trailer, released this week, highlights the production’s commitment to the source material’s visual gags. Meguro reportedly spent four hours each day in the makeup chair to transform into the "plump" version of Sakamoto.

“I’ve never seen Ren Meguro like this before,” co-star Junki Tozuka shared in a production note. “He is the strongest, but he is also a dad who loves snacks. Seeing that balance in real life is surreal.”

A "Gintama" Pedigree

Giving fans a reason for optimism is the attachment of director Yuichi Fukuda, the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed live-action Gintama films. Fukuda is known for his ability to translate the chaotic, fourth-wall-breaking humor of Weekly Shonen Jump titles into live-action without losing the "soul" of the characters.

The film features an elite ensemble cast to bring the "ORDER" and Sakamoto's allies to life:

Fumiya Takahashi as the mind-reading apprentice Shin Asakura.
Aya Ueto as the ever-patient Aoi Sakamoto.
Takumi Kitamura (of Yu Yu Hakusho fame) as the mysterious Nagumo.
Yusei Yagi as the hammer-wielding Shishiba.

The Fan Divide: "Campy" vs. "Cringe"

On platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), the reaction has been a tug-of-war. For those "overjoyed," the success of Netflix's One Piece and Yu Yu Hakusho has proved that the "live-action curse" might finally be broken.

“Based on the trailer, it looks campy, but for a crazy series like Sakamoto Days that takes inspiration from action movies, it fits like a glove,” wrote one Reddit user in a trending discussion.

However, the "upset" contingency points to the "cheap-looking wigs" and the difficulty of recreating Sakamoto’s impossible physics-defying combat in the real world. Many fans still feel stung by the 2025 anime's early controversies regarding animation quality and are wary of the franchise being "rushed" into another medium.

April Roadshow

The film is being produced by CREDEUS and Avex Pictures, with distribution handled by Toho. While the 29th April release is exclusive to Japanese cinemas for the "Golden Week" holiday, Netflix is heavily involved in the project’s international rollout strategy.

Whether Sakamoto Days will be the next One Piece or the next Death Note remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the legendary hitman is about to find out if his "no-kill" policy works in three dimensions.