It has been a while since Better Call Saul ended its run. While Vince Gilligan has shifted his focus to the sci-fi genre with Pluribus, Better Call Saul‘s conclusion left a void in the crime thriller genre. Interestingly, though, an upcoming manga adaptation on Netflix comes off as its perfect replacement. While only time will tell how the new Netflix crime drama will turn out, its source material suggests it could please Better Call Saul‘s fans.
The manga adaptation in question could also be reminiscent of 2001’s Training Day, which stars Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. With story beats from both Better Call Saul and Training Day in its narration, the Netflix manga adaptation has immense potential.
Netflix’s Sins Of Kujo Adaptation Feels Like The Perfect Combination Of Better Call Caul & Training Day
Netflix is adapting Kujō’s Deadly Sins, a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shohei Manabe. Interestingly, the manga seems to be the perfect combination of some of the best elements of Better Call Saul and Training Day. Like Better Call Saul, the Netflix manga adaptation, titled Sins of Kujo, will feature a titular lawyer who does not shy away from bending legal rules and exploiting moral gray areas to win cases.
Similar to Jimmy McGill, Kujo is not necessarily a villain. However, a brilliant pragmatist operating in a broken system, and, while reading the original manga, you find yourself rooting for his intellect while being increasingly disturbed by his methods and the people he defends.
Kujo’s dynamic with a new advocate, Amane, is also reminiscent of Alonzo and Jake’s relationship in Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day. Amane becomes a part of the legal system with the hope of serving justice to wrongdoers. However, like Jake in Tracing Day, he ends up under the wing of a corrupt mentor who encourages him to bend rules and cross moral boundaries.
Just like Alonzo claims his corruption is necessary to keep the streets in check, Cujo argues that defending the “scum” of society is the only way to ensure the legal system actually functions. Both characters force their mentees to get their hands dirty. Meanwhile, both Amane and Jake are fascinated but also terrified by their new mentors.
Sins of Kujo is also distinct in more ways than one, and its adaptation has the potential to etch its own unique identity in the crime thriller genre. However, its parallels with shows like Better Call Saul and movies like Training Day add to its appeal.
Netflix’s Manga Adaptations Have Been Doing Really Well Lately
For a long time, manga and anime live-action adaptations had a bad name, especially on Netflix. Time and again, adaptations of Death Note and Cowboy Bebop had proven that manga and anime were better off being left alone. However, this trend has gradually been changing. Netflix’s take on One Piece established that, if handled carefully, some of the most imaginative shonen anime could be turned into compelling live-action shows.
Netflix’s take on Alice in Borderland remains relatively obscure. However, in its three-season run, the show also showed how fantasy manga can be translated to the small screen without being widely hated by the fans of the source material.
Sins of Kujo premieres on Netflix on April 2, 2026.
A few other titles that also adapt existing manga have received positive receptions, proving that Netflix is on the right path towards redeeming itself from its early mistakes. Owing to this, it is hard not to believe even its take on Shohei Manabe’s Kujō’s Deadly Sins will not disappoint.
While only time will tell how Netflix‘s Sins of Kujo will turn out, it could become the streaming service’s next big manga adaptation if it is anything like Better Call Saul or Training Day.