Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards (Japanese: 赤羽骨子のボディガード, Hepburn: Akabane Honeko no Bodigādo) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masamitsu Nigatsu. It has been serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from September 2022 to November 2024, with its chapters collected in twelve tankōbon volumes. A live-action film adaptation premiered in Japanese theaters in August 2024.
Honeko Akabane and Ibuki Arakuni have been childhood friends since they were kids. Ibuki harbors feelings for Honeko and is fiercely protective of her, often leading to fights. Honeko always scolds him for his recklessness but is deeply grateful for his presence, as she feels safe around him. Ibuki's unwavering determination to protect Honeko stems from his knowledge of her true heritage. She is the daughter of a powerful yakuza organization and destined to be its next leader after her father's death. Due to this, rival organizations are plotting to eliminate her, even hiring professional assassins. To keep Honeko safe, she was adopted by a lawyer's family, concealing her Yakuza connections. Ibuki became her bodyguard for a year, although he is not alone; all their friends and classmates were also assigned as Honeko's bodyguards. The story follows the daily lives of Class 3–4 as they protect Honeko without her knowledge, while also exploring the budding romance between Honeko and Ibuki.
Written and illustrated by Masamitsu Nigatsu, Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards was serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from September 21, 2022,[7] to November 20, 2024.[8]Kodansha collected its chapters in twelve tankōbon volumes, released from January 17, 2023, to January 17, 2025.[1][9]
Kodansha has published the manga digitally in English through its K Manga digital service.[10] In March 2024, Kodansha USA announced that they had licensed the manga for print release, with the first volume set to be published in January 2025.[11]
95. "Sumihiko Somejima's Promise" (染島澄彦の約束, Somejima Sumihiko no Yakusoku)
96. "The Kodo Family's Full Score" (孤堂一家のフルスコア, Kodō Ikka no Furusukoa)
97. "Soji Kodo's Envy" (孤堂惣慈の羨望, Kodō Sōji no Senbō)
98. "Soji Kodo's Story" (孤堂惣慈の物語, Kodō Sōji no Monogatari)
99. "Yuma Kodo's Devotion" (孤堂由真の献身, Kodō Yuma no Kenshin)
100. "Yuma Kodo's Will" (孤堂由真の遺言, Kodō Yuma no Yuigon)
101. "Arakuni Ibuki's Conclusion" (威吹荒邦の決着, Ibuki Arakuni no Ketchaku)
102. "Honeko Akabane's Address" (赤羽骨子の答辞, Akabane Honeko no Tōji)
103. "Arakuni Ibuki's Journey is Complete" (威吹荒邦の完走, Ibuki Arakuni no Kansō)
Live-action film
In February 2024, it was announced that the series would receive a live-action film adaptation.[29][30] The film stars Raul as Arakuni Ibuki and is directed by Junichi Ishikawa, with scripts written by Hiroyuki Yatsu. It premiered in Japanese theaters on August 2, 2024.[31][4]
Reception
The series was nominated for the Next Manga Award in the print category in 2023.[32]