Get ready, wine lovers and anime fans! The critically acclaimed wine manga, The Drops of God, written by Tadashi Agi and illustrated by Shu Okimoto, is officially getting a TV anime adaptation! Announced today (11/20), the series is slated to premiere in 2026. This marks the franchise's return to the screen since its 2009 live-action Japanese drama. What's more, the original live-action star, Kazuya Kamenashi, is set to lend his voice to the anime, creating quite a buzz!
Originally serialized in Kodansha's "Morning" magazine from 2004 to 2014, "The Drops of God" captivated readers with its quest for the legendary wine, "The Drops of God." Its vivid and accessible descriptions demystified wine culture for the masses, sparking a global wine boom. Beyond its popularity, the manga earned high praise from the wine industry for its professional and in-depth content. A sequel, "Mariage ~The Drops of God Final Arc~," continued the story from 2015 to 2020.
Before this anime announcement, "The Drops of God" first hit screens as a well-received live-action Japanese drama in 2009, starring Kazuya Kamenashi. More recently, an international co-production between Japan, France, and the US launched in 2023 as the series "Drops of God," with its second season slated to drop on Hulu Japan on January 23, 2026.
Kazuya Kamenashi's return to voice the protagonist, Shizuku Kanzaki, is a full 16 years after he first portrayed the character in the live-action drama. This marks a unique milestone for Kamenashi, as it's his first time interpreting the same role across both live-action and animated mediums. He shared his thoughts, saying, "It's been 16 years since the drama, and to be able to portray this character again, I truly feel a deep connection." He added that, much like Shizuku, he plans to learn about this unknown world step by step and fully embody the character until the very end.
Beyond Kamenashi, the official cast reveal includes some big names for key roles:
● Issei Tomine — Takuya Sato (Shizuku's fated rival, a genius wine critic)
● Miyabi Shinohara — Maaya Uchida (A sommelier-in-training who joins Shizuku in his quest for "The Drops of God" and "The Twelve Apostles")
Director Kenji Itoso stated that the anime will be set in the early 2000s, weaving together a unique "Drops of God" worldview through themes of "aroma, memory, and destiny." He aims to use the distinct power of animation, music, and performance to bring to life "the life stories carried within wine."
With "The Drops of God" anime slated for 2026, fans are undoubtedly buzzing with anticipation for this adaptation of such a beloved manga. Stay tuned for more official updates!
via： 動畫《神之雫》官方X