Veteran Actor Jun Kunimura Joins 'Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Arc' Live-Action Sequel Cast; 2026 Release Date Confirmed
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The cinematic adaptation of Satoru Noda’s historical-action saga, Golden Kamuy, is set to continue with its highly anticipated second live-action installment. Officially titled Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Kangoku Shūgeki-hen (Golden Kamuy: Attack on Abashiri Prison Arc), the sequel is scheduled to premiere in theaters on March 13, 2026. This follow-up promises to escalate the suspense and action as it adapts a critical narrative point from the original manga.
A significant addition to the already strong cast is veteran actor Jun Kunimura, internationally recognized for his roles in acclaimed films such as The Wind Rises. Kunimura will portray the formidable Rear Admiral Heiji Koito, who is the father of Otonoshin Koito. This casting announcement marks one of the most notable developments for the sequel.
The production of the sequel follows the immense success of the first live-action film, which debuted in January 2024. The initial movie dominated the Japanese box office, generating a substantial 533,848,690 yen (approximately US$3.69 million) and selling 356,000 tickets within its first three days of release.
The production ensures continuity by welcoming back the core creative team and beloved stars. Kento Yamazaki returns as the determined protagonist, Saichi Sugimoto, known as the "Immortal Sugimoto." Anna Yamada reprises her role as the resourceful Ainu girl, Asirpa. The ensemble cast expands dramatically for the Abashiri arc, introducing new key players.
New additions include Yū Inaba as Tokishige Usami, Sōkō Wada as Toshiyuki Kadokura, and Tetta Sugimoto as Anji Toni, one of the notorious tattooed convicts. Further enriching the lineup are established talents such as Gordon Maeda, Yūma Yamoto, Asuka Kudō, Shuntarō Yanagi, Ryōhei Ōtani, Taishi Nakagawa, Kazuki Kitamura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Arata Iura, Hiroshi Tamaki, and Hiroshi Tachi.
Behind the camera, Director Kenji Katagiri remains at the helm, working with the production company CREDEUS. The script is penned by returning writer Tsutomu Kuroiwa, and Yutaka Yamada is back to compose the film's score. Crucially, Hiroshi Nakagawa and Debo Akibe continue their essential roles as Ainu culture and language supervisors, ensuring cultural authenticity.
The Abashiri Prison sequence is a narrative cornerstone in Satoru Noda’s original manga, which concluded its serialization in Shueisha's Young Jump in April 2022. This arc promises intense conflict and major plot revelations that fans of the source material eagerly anticipate. The enduring popularity of the franchise is also evident in its successful anime adaptation, which has produced four seasons, with the final arc officially greenlit for production.