Written by Tadashi Agi and illustrated by Shu Okimoto, The Drops of God manga debuted in 2004 and gradually rose to become one of the greatest seinen series of all time. Tadashi Agi is the pen name of sibling duo Shin Kibayashi and Yuko, who have collaborated on numerous works over several decades. While the original story concluded in 2014, the creators returned with a sequel series running from 2015 through 2020.
The story centers on wine enthusiasts and has gained huge popularity in Japan, South Korea, China, and France. Due to uneven publishing and distribution, the series has not received the recognition it deserves in the West. That is about to change, as an anime adaptation is almost confirmed despite the manga having finished serialization several years ago.
Although no official announcement has been made, the well-known anime and manga news account @MangaMoguraRE on X revealed that a new website domain for the anime has just been registered. Typically, an official announcement follows within a month of such a domain registration. Details about the anime adaptation are expected to be revealed later, possibly by the end of this year.
It is unusual for a series that debuted over two decades ago to receive an anime adaptation, but The Drops of God stands apart from other stories and certainly deserves wider recognition.
What is The Drops of God about?
The story begins with Shizuku Kanzaki, a junior beer salesman at Japan’s Taiyo Beer company. His life takes a turn when he learns that his father Yutaka, a world-renowned wine critic, has passed away, leaving behind a priceless wine collection.
To inherit this vast legacy, Shizuku must overcome a tough challenge outlined in his father’s will: to find and identify 13 legendary wines. The stakes rise as Issei, Yutaka’s adopted son and a famous wine critic, also competes in this quest. Ironically, unlike the seasoned expert Issei, Shizuku has never tasted wine due to his rebellion against his father’s strict and unusual training methods during childhood.
Though initially hesitant and haunted by his past, Shizuku is forced into the world of wine, motivated by the desire to defeat Issei. He quickly discovers that the rigorous training he once resisted was not in vain. It helped him develop an extraordinary ability to describe flavors and aromas through vivid, powerful imagery. With the support of friends, including wine apprentice Miyabi Shinohara, Shizuku embarks on his journey to glory.