Fujiko Fujio A’s classic manga, The Laughing Salesman, is getting a new live-action TV drama adaptation! Scheduled to begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Japan on July 18, 2025, this series promises to bring the dark humor and psychological thrills of the original manga to a new audience.
What is The Laughing Salesman?
The Laughing Salesman (笑ゥせぇるすまん, Warau Sērusuman) is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko Fujio A, one half of the famous Fujiko Fujio duo, best known for creating Doraemon. However, unlike the child-friendly adventures of Doraemon, The Laughing Salesman delves into darker, more mature themes.
The story revolves around Fukuzou Moguro, a mysterious, ever-smiling salesman who appears to people struggling with their lives, offering to fill the “gaps in their hearts.” He promises to grant their desires for free, but with a catch: his clients must follow his advice and adhere to his conditions. Inevitably, they succumb to their desires, break their promises, or betray Moguro’s trust. When they do, Moguro exacts a heavy, often ironic, price, leaving their lives in ruins. With a hearty laugh (“Ho-ho-ho!”), Moguro moves on to his next client, ready to exploit their weaknesses and desires.
Origins of the Manga
The Laughing Salesman first appeared as a one-shot manga titled The Black Salesman (黒イせぇるすまん, Kuroi Sērusuman) in Shogakukan’s Big Comic magazine in 1968. It later became a full-fledged series, running in Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha’s Manga Sunday magazine from 1969 to 1971. After the first anime adaptation, Fujiko Fujio A continued the series from 1990 to 1995 in Chuokoron-Shinsha’s Chuokoron magazine, this time under the same title of the anime, The Laughing Salesman (笑ゥせぇるすまん, Warau Sērusuman), and later in Manga Sunday from 1996 to 2000 as The Salesman Returns (帰ッテキタせぇるすまん, Kaettekita Sērusuman). A fourth sequel, The Dancing Salesman (踊ルせぇるすまん, Odoru Sērusuman), ran in Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha’s Manga Sunday from 2001 to 2004.
Anime Adaptations
The manga’s popularity led to several anime adaptations:
- 1989-1992: The first anime series, produced by Shin-Ei Animation, aired as part of the Gimme a Break variety show on TBS. It ran for 103 episodes, each about 10 minutes long, and included 9 TV specials.
- 2017: A second anime adaptation, New Laughing Salesman (笑ゥせぇるすまんNEW, Warau Sērusuman Nyū), aired on Tokyo MX. Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired.
Other Media
The Laughing Salesman has also been adapted into other forms of media, including:
- Live-Action TV Drama (1999): A live-action adaptation aired on TV Asahi, starring Shirō Itō as Moguro Fukuzou. Sadly, most of the episodes are considered lost, with only one known to be archived.
- Video Games: Compile released a video game for the MSX2 in 1991, and a visual novel was released for the Sega CD in 1993.
- Stage Play (2020): A stage play adaptation, Warau Salesman the Stage, debuted in Japan, with Ryūji Satō starring as Fukuzō Moguro.
What to Expect from the New Live-Action Series
The new live-action series is directed by Masaaki Ito, Youhei Osabe, Daisuke Yamamoto, and Shota Sasaki, with scripts by Kankuro Kudo, Maggy, Toru Hosokawa, and Udai Iwasaki. The series will consist of 12 episodes, distributed over three weeks starting July 18th.
Modernized and Original Stories
According to reports, the new series will feature both updated versions of classic Laughing Salesman stories and completely original stories, bringing Moguro Fukuzou’s eerie brand of wish-fulfillment and karmic retribution to modern-day scenarios.
The Enigmatic Moguro Fukuzou
The actor playing Moguro Fukuzou has not yet been revealed, adding to the air of mystery surrounding the project. A teaser image featuring the silhouette of Moguro has been released, sparking excitement and speculation among fans.
Why The Laughing Salesman Resonates
The Laughing Salesman has remained popular for decades because it taps into universal human desires and fears. The stories explore themes of greed, selfishness, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Moguro Fukuzou serves as a dark reflection of our own weaknesses, reminding us to be careful what we wish for.
Fujiko Fujio A’s Legacy
Motoo Abiko, under the pseudonym Fujiko Fujio A, created The Laughing Salesman as a departure from the more lighthearted works he created with Hiroshi Fujimoto (Fujiko F. Fujio). The Laughing Salesman allowed Abiko to explore darker themes and create a unique, unsettling character that has captivated audiences for generations.
Get Ready to Laugh (and Shudder)
Mark your calendars for July 18, 2025, and prepare to enter the world of The Laughing Salesman once again. This new live-action series promises to be a faithful and chilling adaptation of Fujiko Fujio A’s timeless manga, offering a fresh dose of dark humor and cautionary tales for the modern age. Just remember Moguro Fukuzou’s warning: be careful what you wish for, or you might just end up paying the ultimate price. Ho-ho-ho.
