The 'Hamster Reincarnation Game' Taking the World by Storm: Live-Action Romance Sim 'Sweet Hamster Days' is Out Now; Launch Sale: 10% Off

The live-action adventure where you are reincarnated as a pet hamster and get pampered by three beautiful sisters was released on July 17! The secrets of the three sisters, played by Sayaka Tomaru, Momoha Takatsuru, and Shiori Ikemoto, will finally be revealed!

Kodansha Ltd. has officially released "Sweet Hamster Days" on Steam and the Epic Games Store as of Friday, July 17.
Born from a collaboration between Kodansha Game Creators Lab and the weekly photo magazine FRIDAY, this is a one-of-a-kind live-action romance simulation game.
To celebrate the launch, a special 10% off launch sale is currently underway on Steam, discounting the regular price of 1,800 JPY (tax included) until Thursday, July 30. Don't miss this opportunity to pick it up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68o9TXZEJc

■ What You Can Experience in "Sweet Hamster Days"
● Experience the Ultimate "Pampered" Life in Live-Action!
Waiting for you is a blissful life only permitted for a hamster—sleeping in bed together, being spoon-fed, and getting head pats when you do a good job. Enjoy the overwhelming immersion through "4K live-action video" from a hamster's perspective.

● Where Did the Sisters' Father Go? Solve Big Problems with a Small Body!
As you live with the three sisters, their individual "worries" and "secrets" gradually become clear. Where exactly did their father disappear to? What must be done to make all three sisters truly happy? While making choices, players will use their unique hamster perspective and mobility to help solve the girls' problems.

● A "4K Reward Video" for Excellent Hamsters ♡
For the excellent hamsters (players) who successfully solve the problems and satisfy the three sisters, a special 4K reward video, proudly presented by FRIDAY, awaits in the game.

■ Synopsis

You were supposed to be reuniting with your childhood friends, the three sisters of the "Shiratori" family, for the first time in 6 years—.
However, when the protagonist, Kota, wakes up, he has somehow turned into their pet hamster!? While bewildered by his new life as a hamster living with the three sisters, Kota finds himself being spoiled rotten... but something about their relationship feels a bit more awkward than it used to be...?
What happened to them during those 6 blank years? Make full use of your tiny hamster body to uncover the issues and restore them to the close-knit sisters they once were!

■ Character Profiles
Eldest Sister: Himari Shiratori
Cast: Sayaka Tomaru
"Sigh... Hamuta is my healing. I can't live without you anymore~"
Outside, she is a career woman working fiercely as the breadwinner at a major consulting firm. At home, she is a kind older sister who is a bit sloppy and loves alcohol. Sometimes she plays cosplay dress-up with Hamuta. She seems a little tired lately...?

Middle Sister: Futaba Shiratori
Cast: Momoha Takatsuru
"Here, I'll give you lots of pats, so listen to me, okay?"
A university student the same age as Kota. Currently job hunting. She has been doing ballet since she was a child. Right now, she is worried about her future path. She acts like the serious and reliable class-president type, but she has a hidden side that she only shows at home...?

Youngest Sister: Miyu Shiratori
Cast: Shiori Ikemoto
"Look, Hamuta... do your 'hop' like always."
A slightly cheeky youngest child. She is in the brass band club and plays the alto saxophone. She has outstanding musical talent and is the ace of her club, but recently she has been feeling down. It seems she is hiding something.

Protagonist: Kota Kurono / Hamuta
A young man who returned to his hometown for the first time in 6 years. Just after reuniting with Futaba, he got into a traffic accident and reincarnated as the Shiratori family's hamster. Because he was small as a child and has the character for "Ko" (Public/Prince) in his name, the three sisters gave him the nickname "Hamuta".

■ Former Heavy-Hitting Politicians and Pro Baseball Umpires Are Also Stunned by "Sweet Hamster Days"!
FRIDAY Digital is currently publishing review articles from various prominent figures who have experienced "Sweet Hamster Days" firsthand!
Former LDP Secretary-General Nobuteru Ishihara was also stunned! When asked which of the three sisters caught his attention, he commented: "I'd choose the youngest sister. The older sisters are working hard too, but the youngest is definitely the cutest. No... but honestly, my wife Risa is the best of them all (laughs)."
Unexpected "Nobuteru Ishihara" tries a "Live-Action Romance Game"! The Former LDP Secretary-Genera's Heart-Pounding "HamKoi" Experience | FRIDAY Digital

On the other hand, Ryotaro Sakai, a former Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) umpire who frequently shares insights into baseball rules and the realities of umpiring, shared his thoughts: "The soothing middle sister was right down the middle of my strike zone."
https://friday.Kodansha.co.jp/article/471735
Additionally, a wide variety of people from different genres have experienced the game, including VTuber Choeki Taro, who is knowledgeable about the underworld, and viola player Kazuhide Iino, who appeared on the romance reality show "The Bachelorette Japan Season 3". FRIDAY Digital plans to continue publishing "Sweet Hamster Days" review articles in the future.

● Choeki Taro's article here: https://friday.Kodansha.co.jp/article/469210
● Kazuhide Iino's article here: https://friday.Kodansha.co.jp/article/469214

■ Creating a Massive Buzz in Global Media!

The game hit a bump in the road last year when its Steam store page was temporarily taken down, but it successfully made its comeback this April after making the necessary adjustments. Upon its return, its eccentric concept and gorgeous visuals caught the attention of players both in Japan and overseas, drawing massive buzz for the return of "Japan's crazy live-action game."

During the Steam Next Fest announcement, former heavy-hitting Japanese politician Nobuteru Ishihara played the demo and commented: "This is a bit dangerous. If games get this realistic, it's going to accelerate the birth rate decline even further." This reaction was picked up by international outlets such as Dexerto in the UK and MasGamers in Mexico, sparking a massive wave of reactions.

MasGamers official FB page
Dexerto official website
Official X post sharing the article

【The Team Behind the Game】
This project is brought to you by a one-of-a-kind collaboration: the weekly photo magazine "FRIDAY" and Kodansha Game Creators Lab! Overcoming departmental barriers within Kodansha, these two divisions aimed for a new form of gaming. The beautiful and sexy world of FRIDAY leaps off the printed page and can be enjoyed as stunning 4K live-action video.

The lead writer is Ken Shimomura, who has penned hits like "Chain Chronicle" and "Onmyoji". Enjoy a narrative rich with mystery, exploring questions like: "Where did the sisters' father disappear to?" and "What must be done to make all three sisters truly happy?"
Enjoy a full-fledged story packed with puzzle-solving elements.

【The Cast】

Sayaka Tomaru: Born 1996, Gunma Prefecture. She's one of Japan's top gravure idols, and she celebrated 10 years in this industry in 2024. She's active in TV dramas, movies, and variety shows as well. Her hobby is going to the sauna.
X: https://x.com/tmr_syk_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmrsyk
TikTok: https://www.TikTok.com/@tmrsyk

Momoha Takatsuru: Born 2003, Hokkaido. She started ballet at age 2 and eventually studied abroad in Switzerland and Belgium. She debuted in entertainment after appearing on a reality dating show in 2022. She is also active as a member of the idol group "Kimi to Miru Sora". Her hobby is playing the violin.
X: https://x.com/momoha_kimisora
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momoha2003523
TikTok: https://www.TikTok.com/@sweets_suki3

Shiori Ikemoto: Born 2002, Hyogo. She was a finalist in the 2020 edition of Seikore, a gateway contest for actresses and talents. Her hobby is playing the saxophone.
X: https://x.com/shiori_ikemoto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiori_ikemoto/
TikTok: https://www.TikTok.com/@teratera_shiori

【Product Information】
● Title: Sweet Hamster Days
● Platforms: Steam / Epic Games Store
● Steam Store Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4390720/
● Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional)
● Genre: Live-Action Romance Simulation Game
● Release Date: July 17, 2026
● Price: Steam: 17.99USD
● Players: 1 Player
● Developer: Kodansha Ltd.
● Publisher: Kodansha Ltd.
● Production Cooperation: Tales & Co., Ltd. / Qualia Writers Inc. / Production Exabilities, Inc.
● Copyright: ©Kodansha Ltd.

■ About Kodansha Creators Lab (https://creatorslab.Kodansha.co.jp/)

Kodansha Creators Lab is an R&D department founded in June 2021 within Kodansha's Fourth Business Division.
Under the banner of "Redefining Editing," the lab connects with creators across all genres to release a wide variety of content unconstrained by traditional book or magazine formats.
● Kodansha Game Creators Lab: Supports indie game creators and plans new game development.
● UGC Media Lab: Operates matching-type manga submission sites like DAYS NEO.
● Kodansha Cinema Lab: Supports independent video creators and plans new video projects.
● Creator Boost Lab: Broadly supports the advancement of creators regardless of genre.
● Content Design Lab: Proposes solutions to corporate and municipal challenges using the power of content.
● IP Produce Lab: Creates new content through producermanship.
Comprising these divisions, the lab not only realizes the dreams of creators but also solves corporate and municipal issues through "editing." For the latest information on "Kodansha Game Creators Lab," please check our official X account:
X: https://x.com/kodanshaGCL