Saru Lock
# Saru Lock

Saru Lock (Japanese: 猿ロック, Hepburn: Saru Rokku, trans. Monkey Lock) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoki Serizawa. It was adapted into a television drama in 2009 and a live action film in 2010.

A reboot series titled Saru Lock Reboot began serialization in Shonen Gahosha's Young King Bull magazine in October 2018. A spin-off manga series titled Saitō - Heaven's Crow Fūun Risshi was serialized in the same magazine from November 2020 to June 2021.

## Plot

Yataro Sarumaru, nicknamed "Saru", is an average high school boy who daydreams about idols but otherwise has no luck with girls. While working with his father, a locksmith in Asakusa, Tokyo, he has gained exceptional skills to pick just about any lock. Using his exceptional skills, Yataro then finds himself solving various mysterious cases, while also trying his luck with the girls.

## Adaptations

### Television drama

**Cast**

* Hayato Ichihara - Yataro Sarumaru (Saru)
* Sousuke Takaoka - Yamada Jiro
* Sei Ashina - Mizuhara Ritsuko
* Watabe Gota - Yamamoto Kenji

### Live-action film

**Plot**

Mayumi (Manami Higa) enlists the help of Yataro Sarumaru (Hayato Ichihara) to open a bank safe deposit box. This results in Yataro fleeing from the police who are in hot pursuit.

**Cast**

* Hayato Ichihara - Yataro Sarumaru (Saru) - is a “genius” locksmith who may have cool hands, but is in a perpetual lather, particularly about the opposite sex.
* Manami Higa - Mayumi Shinozaki
* Sousuke Takaoka - Yamada Jiro
* Sei Ashina - Mizuhara Ritsuko
* Watabe Gota - Yamamoto Kenji
* Manami Konishi - Eiko Mizuki

## Reception

By March 14, 2010, the film had made US$3,101,844 at the box office.

