Image: DMM TV, Toshiya Wakabayashi/Seikaisha
AMBot | 08/21/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
Streaming service DMM TV has expanded the cast of the second season of the live-action series "Shiawase Kanako no Koroshiya Seikatsu" (English: "Happy Kanako's Killer Life"): Aoi Morikawa, Hikaru Takahashi, and Sayu Suzukawa step into the roles of new hitwomen Ado, Nana, and Yui. The sequel starts on September 17, 2026, exclusively on DMM TV and picks up the story of Kanako, who, after leaving an exploitative company, unexpectedly ends up at a contract killer agency and discovers her unexpected talent there. At the center is the legendary hitwoman "K," a name that the once insecure Kanako has now made for herself.
The three new characters work in the same industry as Kanako. Aoi Morikawa plays Ado, a self-confident and fashion-conscious young woman with brightly pink-dyed hair who seems extremely sociable but possesses extraordinary combat skills and a good instinct for her assignments. She suddenly appears before Kanako. Hikaru Takahashi portrays Nana, a mysterious girl from a shady assassin organization who holds the key to the plot. Sayu Suzukawa takes on the role of 16-year-old Yui, who has the special gift of seeing through other people's lies—an ability that thoroughly shakes up the dynamics around Kanako.
Along with the announcement, DMM TV released scene stills showing the three actresses in their new métier: Ado, aiming a pistol at her target with a sharp gaze; Nana, conducting a phone call in the dark with a bunny plush under her arm; and Yui, determinedly holding a weapon in both hands. Whether the three newcomers will stand by Kanako as allies or turn out to be dangerous rivals remains open for now.
Those involved also commented on the new cast. Manga artist Toshiya Wakabayashi, whose original work started as a web comic on Pixiv in 2018 and has been running on Kodansha's Twi4 portal since 2019, was enthusiastic: As with the existing ensemble, the new faces have become charming characters through the interplay of their respective strengths. During a set visit, he experienced how exuberantly Aoi Morikawa went about her work as Ado, how much Hikaru Takahashi spread a dark atmosphere with her mere presence, and how realistically Sayu Suzukawa filled her role.
Morikawa describes her character Ado as a particularly girlish figure marked by quiet melancholy, whose appeal lies in the humanity that shines through behind the strength. At the same time, she admitted that the appearance under the direction of Tsutomu Hanabusa—with whom she has previously worked—was accompanied by considerable respect and pressure for her. Takahashi, who remembers season 1 as an "incredibly intense work," appreciates that Nana usually seems rather cool but, in critical situations, quietly and persistently gains intensity. Suzukawa could hardly believe her engagement at first and is especially looking forward to her first action role as well as the renewed collaboration with director Hanabusa; her character Yui captivates through the contrast between professional coldness and youthful innocence.
Season 1 started on DMM TV in February 2025 and quickly became a success: The first episode was viewed more than ten million times on the official YouTube channel, and the total number of views of related videos on social media platforms exceeded 130 million. The underlying manga series, which has over two million "likes" on SNS, has also sold more than 1.2 million copies so far; the ninth compiled volume was released in May 2026, and the English edition is published by Seven Seas Entertainment.
The second season, which DMM TV announces as an "energy drink action comedy that resumes operations with an increased ingredient amount," comprises five episodes: The first two episodes will be released on September 17, with further episodes following on Thursdays, September 24, and October 1 and 8. On the start day, there will also be an event where lead actress Non, along with other ensemble members, talks about the highlights and anecdotes from the shoot; participation slots will be raffled off via DMM TV's official X account. In addition to Non as Kanako and Taisuke Fujigaya as her partner Sakurai, Yuma Yamoto, Hirona Yamazaki, Yuka Sugai, Shun Sugata, Tae Kimura, and Atsuro Watare return. Direction is again by Tsutomu Hanabusa, who also handles the screenplay together with Ruriko Matsushima and Yusuke Aose.
The three new characters work in the same industry as Kanako. Aoi Morikawa plays Ado, a self-confident and fashion-conscious young woman with brightly pink-dyed hair who seems extremely sociable but possesses extraordinary combat skills and a good instinct for her assignments. She suddenly appears before Kanako. Hikaru Takahashi portrays Nana, a mysterious girl from a shady assassin organization who holds the key to the plot. Sayu Suzukawa takes on the role of 16-year-old Yui, who has the special gift of seeing through other people's lies—an ability that thoroughly shakes up the dynamics around Kanako.
Along with the announcement, DMM TV released scene stills showing the three actresses in their new métier: Ado, aiming a pistol at her target with a sharp gaze; Nana, conducting a phone call in the dark with a bunny plush under her arm; and Yui, determinedly holding a weapon in both hands. Whether the three newcomers will stand by Kanako as allies or turn out to be dangerous rivals remains open for now.
Those involved also commented on the new cast. Manga artist Toshiya Wakabayashi, whose original work started as a web comic on Pixiv in 2018 and has been running on Kodansha's Twi4 portal since 2019, was enthusiastic: As with the existing ensemble, the new faces have become charming characters through the interplay of their respective strengths. During a set visit, he experienced how exuberantly Aoi Morikawa went about her work as Ado, how much Hikaru Takahashi spread a dark atmosphere with her mere presence, and how realistically Sayu Suzukawa filled her role.
Morikawa describes her character Ado as a particularly girlish figure marked by quiet melancholy, whose appeal lies in the humanity that shines through behind the strength. At the same time, she admitted that the appearance under the direction of Tsutomu Hanabusa—with whom she has previously worked—was accompanied by considerable respect and pressure for her. Takahashi, who remembers season 1 as an "incredibly intense work," appreciates that Nana usually seems rather cool but, in critical situations, quietly and persistently gains intensity. Suzukawa could hardly believe her engagement at first and is especially looking forward to her first action role as well as the renewed collaboration with director Hanabusa; her character Yui captivates through the contrast between professional coldness and youthful innocence.
Season 1 started on DMM TV in February 2025 and quickly became a success: The first episode was viewed more than ten million times on the official YouTube channel, and the total number of views of related videos on social media platforms exceeded 130 million. The underlying manga series, which has over two million "likes" on SNS, has also sold more than 1.2 million copies so far; the ninth compiled volume was released in May 2026, and the English edition is published by Seven Seas Entertainment.
The second season, which DMM TV announces as an "energy drink action comedy that resumes operations with an increased ingredient amount," comprises five episodes: The first two episodes will be released on September 17, with further episodes following on Thursdays, September 24, and October 1 and 8. On the start day, there will also be an event where lead actress Non, along with other ensemble members, talks about the highlights and anecdotes from the shoot; participation slots will be raffled off via DMM TV's official X account. In addition to Non as Kanako and Taisuke Fujigaya as her partner Sakurai, Yuma Yamoto, Hirona Yamazaki, Yuka Sugai, Shun Sugata, Tae Kimura, and Atsuro Watare return. Direction is again by Tsutomu Hanabusa, who also handles the screenplay together with Ruriko Matsushima and Yusuke Aose.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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