The anime adaptation of the rice-farming RPG Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, dubbed "Reiwa's Rice Riot" in Japan, hit screens in 2024. This rice-centric masterpiece wasn't just recommended by Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in a video; it even snagged an official government agency credit in the end roll—a rare feat for any production!
Now, the title for its TV anime sequel has been revealed today (1/14) as "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin - Kokorowa's Rice-Farming Journal" (天穂のサクナヒメ ココロワ稲作日誌). Get ready for a two-part broadcast, airing over two consecutive weeks! Part one drops on February 15th, with part two following on February 22nd.
This new chapter shines a spotlight on Sakuna's best friend, the multi-talented inventor and novelist, Princess Kokorowa (ココロワヒメ). She's trading her pen for a hoe, diving headfirst into the unfamiliar world of rice farming.
What twists of fate await Princess Kokorowa as she tackles agriculture for the very first time, with Sakuna by her side? The official main visual has also dropped, showing Kokorowa diligently tilling and cultivating the fields under the watchful eyes of Sakuna and friends, revealing a whole new side to her.
Interestingly, the previously announced new game title was "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Gaiden - Kokorowa and the Gears of the World" (サクナヒメ外伝 ココロワと想世の歯車), hinting that the creators wanted to delve deeper into Princess Kokorowa's character and give her an independent storyline.
However, this sequel, "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin - Kokorowa's Rice-Farming Journal," is actually an adaptation of the novel of the same name, released in October 2021. Anime director Masayuki Yoshihara shared that when he received the spin-off project proposal and the idea for "Kokorowa's Rice-Farming Journal," he immediately thought, "A story centered on Princess Kokorowa would be incredibly interesting."
In both the original game and TV anime, she's always been the loyal best friend and inventor god, quietly supporting everyone from the sidelines. But this time, she takes center stage, exploring the creative spirit, dilemmas, and growth that come with asking "why do I create stories?"
The novel's original author, Edelweiss, also exclaimed, "It's incredible..." upon seeing the anime's storyboards. Expect to see the daily life of Miyashira, never before depicted in the game, Princess Kokorowa's inner struggles as a creator, and the super high-quality art crafted by P.A.Works, all supervised by rice-farming pesticide expert Mr. Ando. From field restoration to rice cultivation scenes, it's packed with highlights—don't miss it!
If you've seen the previous "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin" anime, then this long-awaited sequel is definitely one you won't want to miss. Get ready to see how Princess Kokorowa's story unfolds!
via： 《天穗之咲稻姬》動畫官方X