Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens originated as a Japanese light novel series written by Chiaki Kisaki and illustrated by Hako Ichii, first published by ASCII Media Works in 2014. The narrative centers on the underground criminal landscape of Fukuoka, blending noir tropes with a dark sense of humor as it follows a hitman, a private investigator, and a diverse cast of underworld figures. The series earned the top prize at the 20th Dengeki Novel Awards, establishing a cult following for its unique fusion of professional killers and regional cultural flavor.

The 2018 television anime adaptation, produced by studio Satelight, was directed by Kenji Yasuda with series composition by Shogo Yasukawa. The production team aimed to capture the gritty, neon-lit atmosphere of Fukuoka while maintaining the rhythmic, character-driven banter of the source material. Upon its release, the series was well-received by fans of the action-mystery genre, noted for its stylish animation and its successful transition of the light novels' distinct, eclectic character dynamics into an episodic format.