Wakakozake


Wakakozake is a Japanese seinen manga series by Chie Shinkyu. It is serialized by Tokuma Shoten on Monthly Comic Zenon magazine beginning with the September 2011 issue; it is also available on Web Comic Zenyon. The series has thirteen volumes so far; the first volume was released in May 2013, and the latest upcoming release in August 2019.
It was adapted into a Japanese television drama by North Stars Pictures starring Rina Takeda, and an short-length anime television series by Office DCI aired from July 5, 2015, to September 20, 2015. Season 1 of the live action adaptation was aired April 3, 2015, followed by the second season, released on January 8, 2016, and the third season, released on April 7, 2017. After a year hiatus, the fourth season aired on January 7, 2019. On October 24, 2019, TV Tokyo and Monthly Comic Zenon simultaneously announced that the Season 5 of the live-action adaptation will air in January 2020.
All adaptations, both anime and live-action of Wakakozake was broadcast on TV Tokyo and BS Japan. The anime are currently streaming on Crunchyroll, with the platform also streaming two early seasons of the live-action adaptation, both are distributed by SPO Entertainment. As of 2019, it is unknown when Crunchyroll will release Season 3, 4, and 5 of the live-action Wakakozake.

Story

The series follows the daily adventures of Wakako Murasaki, an ordinary 26-year-old salary woman. After a tiring day's work, she goes off alone to explore various local restaurants, pubs, food stalls and the like and tries out random Japanese food that she usually pairs up with an alcoholic beverage.
She is said to be a drinker girl with a taste for liquor. Whenever her drink compliments her food, Wakako shows her contentment with a sigh of "pushu".
Oftentimes, Wakako goes to faraway cities as well to try out cuisines or even go out with her close friends. In the first few seasons of the live action, she also stays at home or visits others to cook with her friends or try out cuisines from venues rather than actual restaurants.

Characters

;Murasaki Wakako
;Miura
;Nakano
;Shiraishi
;Chief Okada
;Stupid
;Hiroki

Reception

It was ranked 10th in 2014 Recommended comic selected by nationwide writing clerk.

TV Series

The live-adaptation of manga series Wakakozake is produced by North Stars Pictures, TV Tokyo and RCC Broadcasting. Released from 2015 to 2019, the drama series consists of 12 episodes of 30-minutes each. Followed by the announcement from the volume 3 of the manga, which began selling on August 24, 2014, casts was announced in October that same year.
Season 1 was released on April 3 until July 30, 2015, Season 2 was released on January 8 until April 1, 2016, Season 3 was released on April 7 until June 23, 2017, and currently, Season 4 was released on January 7 until March 25, 2019.
The live-action will return in January 2020, with Rina Takeda confirmed to return as the titular character Murasaki Wakako. All seasons of the series are broadcast on TV Tokyo and BS Japan respectively. Currently, Crunchyroll broadcast the first two seasons of the series.

Cast (as of 2019)

Cheers to Me was the Korean remake of the series, released on South Korea on December 10, 2015, until January 7, 2016, 10 episodes with 25 minutes, original network UMAX Network and O'live.
An ordinary single woman who enjoys cooking and dining alone in the evenings, Ra Yeo Joo is an editor at a publishing house where she's worked for the past ten years, while Lee Jae Yoon works in marketing at the same company. Their relationship is sometimes friendly, sometimes flirty, and sometimes competitive. They have different approaches to food: while she finds healing in food and drink, his goal in life is to live lean and long, until he discovers new pleasures and changes because of her.

Cast

  1. ANATA NO KUNI NO MERRY-GO-ROUND
  2. NAKIGAO PIERROT
  3. KONO SAKI NO SCENARIO HA ANATA SHIDAI
  4. 71OKU PIECE NO PUZZLE GAME -UTA TO ACCORDION VER.-
  1. ANATA NO KUNI NO MERRY-GO-ROUND
  2. SHIMAI NO KIROKU NO KIROKU -71OKU PIECE NO PUZZLE GAME -UTA TO ACCORDION VER.--
It was broadcast from July 5 to September 20, 2015, short animation of 3 minutes.

Broadcasting station (TV animation)

Japan domestic television / broadcasting period and broadcasting time.
Japan domestic Internet distribution / broadcasting period and broadcasting time.

Episode list (Anime)

Related items

DVD

Wakakozake DVD Box
DVD box set release from TV series "Wakakozake" starring Rina Takeda. Includes all the 12 episodes. Comes with a bonus disc and a gourmet booklet. May 1, 2015, by SPO Entertainment.
Wakako Zake Hiroshima Gourmet Hen Director's Cut Ver.
Director's cut version of the tenth episode of TV series "Wakako Zake" featuring foods in Hiroshima Prefecture. Stars Rina Takeda. Comes with a gourmet map of Hiroshima.
Special Feature / Bonus Track: making-of the 10th night, dialogue between Chie Shinkyu x Rina Takeda. May 20, 2015, by SPO Entertainment.

Blu-ray

Wakako Zake, Animation . October 2, 2015 by SPO Entertainment.
Features complete 12 episodes with booklet. Special Feature / Bonu Track: interview with Miyuki Sawashiro, and more.

Book

Wakakozake Recipe Book JAN/
June 19, 2015, by Asahi Shimbun Publications.
Watashi mo Konya wa Wakako Zake JAN/
July 15, 2015, by Tokuma Shoten.