Shohei Manabe’s acclaimed legal drama manga, Kujō no Taizai (“Kujo’s Deadly Sins”), is set to receive a live-action series adaptation that will premiere globally on Netflix in Spring 2026. The series will star Yuya Yagira and Hokuto Matsumura in lead roles, bringing Manabe’s gritty depiction of the legal underworld to a wider audience.
A Dive into Kujō no Taizai: The Manga’s Premise
Kujō no Taizai centers on Taiza Kujo (a pun on the manga’s title), an unconventional lawyer who will go to any lengths to defend his clients, regardless of their moral standing or the wickedness of their actions. Operating as a “guardian of darkness” in a chaotic modern era, Kujo navigates the complex and often murky boundary between law and morality, tackling cases involving gangsters, yakuza, and individuals with criminal records. The manga, which has been serialized in Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits seinen manga magazine since October 2020, has garnered significant attention for its unflinching portrayal of society’s underbelly and its ethical dilemmas, surpassing four million copies in print as of its 14th volume.
The Unconventional Lawyer: Taiza Kujo
The protagonist, Taiza Kujo, is presented as a lawyer devoid of ideology or personal beliefs, his sole mission being the defense of his clients. This stance allows the narrative to explore intricate legal and moral questions without predefined judgments, often delving into taboo subjects and the darkness lurking in everyday life. His approach offers a “breath of fresh air” in a genre often populated by lawyers who prioritize personal values over professional duty.
Key Cast and Production Details
The live-action adaptation boasts a strong cast, with Yuya Yagira (known for his roles in the Gintama live-action film series) taking on the challenging role of the titular lawyer, Taiza Kujo. Joining him is Hokuto Matsumura, a member of the idol group SixTONES, who portrays Shinji Karasuma, Kujo’s associate lawyer and a talented elite graduate from the University of Tokyo.
Other confirmed cast members include:
- Elaiza Ikeda as Nimi Yakushimae, a social worker overseeing the accused.
- Keita Machida as Kengo Mibu, a seemingly innocent bicycle repair shop owner with ties to the criminal underworld who brings Kujo challenging cases.
- Takuma Otoo as Yoshinobu Arashiyama, a detective who holds a grudge against Kujo and Mibu.
- Tsuyoshi Muro as Kiyoshi Kyōgoku, the young boss of the Fushimi yakuza group.
The series is directed by Nobuhiro Doi, Takeyoshi Yamamoto, and Hiroshi Adachi, with Shinji Nemoto penning the script. This collaborative production between Netflix and TBS aims to deliver a compelling legal drama that resonates with both existing fans of the manga and new viewers worldwide.
Shohei Manabe’s Legacy: Beyond Ushijima the Loan Shark
Shohei Manabe is widely recognized for his gritty and realistic seinen manga exploring the Japanese underworld. His most famous work, Ushijima the Loan Shark (2004–2019), earned him a Shogakukan Manga Award and was adapted into multiple successful live-action TV series and films. Kujō no Taizai marks his latest venture into exploring the dark facets of society through a legal lens, further solidifying his reputation for crafting narratives that challenge conventional morality. Manabe’s earlier works also include the one-shot Smuggler (2000), which was adapted into a live-action film in 2011, and the dystopian cyberpunk series Dead End (2001–2002). The anticipation for Kujō no Taizai on Netflix is high, given Manabe’s consistent track record of impactful storytelling.
Anticipation for the Netflix Adaptation
The announcement of a Netflix live-action series for Kujō no Taizai has generated significant excitement, promising a faithful yet fresh interpretation of Manabe’s complex narrative. The global reach of Netflix ensures that the series will introduce Kujo’s ethical dilemmas and the intricate world of Japanese legal drama to an international audience, potentially elevating the manga’s already considerable popularity. Fans eagerly await Spring 2026 to witness how this compelling story and its morally ambiguous protagonist translate to the screen.
