The official website for the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Yuu Saiki's manga Yamaguchi-kun Isn't So Bad ( Yamaguchi-kun wa Warukunai in Japan) revealed two new cast members today. The movie starring Kyohei Takahashi (idol group Naniwa Danshi member) is set to release in Japan on June 5, 2026. Actor and fashion model Hikaru Takahashi (Totoko in the Mr. Osomatsu live-action film) plays the main heroine, Satsuki Shinohara. Satsuki learns of Yamaguchi-kun's true, unexpected nature and is drawn to him after he transfers to her school. "The chemistry between the straightforward characters is cute yet entertaining," said Takahashi. "There are so many adorable scenes packed with things to poke fun at, so please come to the theater and join Satsuki in mentally throwing in a punchline at them." Meanwhile, Yoji Iwase (Ruka in the A Girl & Her Guard Dog live-action film) is cast as Rion Ishizaki, who stirs up trouble in Satsuki and Yamaguchi's relationship, becoming the heroine's "love rival." "Ishizaki is a comical character who significantly impacts the story. Playing this role broadened my acting range and proved to be a very enjoyable challenge," said Iwase. "Also, Kyohei-san and Hikaru-san are my senior colleagues. While I was nervous at first, they were both very friendly and approachable, especially since we're both from Kansai. The entire shoot was enjoyable, and I had a wonderful time." Individual visuals of the three main cast members — Kyohei Takahashi as Asuka Yamaguchi, Hikaru Takahashi as Satsuki Shinohara, and Yoji Iwase as Rion Ishizaki — were also revealed. Asuka Yamaguchi played by Kyohei Takahashi Satsuki Shinohara played by Hikaru Takahashi Rion Ishizaki played by Yoji Iwase Saiki's original Yamaguchi-kun Isn't So Bad manga is serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Friend shojo manga magazine since September 2019, releasing 12 collected volumes to date in Japan. Kodansha USA, which is releasing an English edition of the manga, describes the synopsis as such: Shy Satsuki Shinohara’s plan for a big high school debut are almost ruined by a pervert on the train, but she’s saved by none other than the “gangster” student in her class, Yamaguchi-kun. He’s already got a bad rap with the other students, and though Satsuki tries to approach him, he seems to always weasel out of her grasp. But she’s not one to let a challenge daunt her, and she’s out to prove that Yamaguchi-kun is so much more than he’s cracked up to be. Source: " Yamaguchi-kun Isn't So Bad" live-action film official website / X (formerly Twitter)
