Sake to Koi ni wa Yotte Sarubeki

Sake to Koi ni wa Yotte Sarubeki, written by Eguchi Mayumi and illustrated by Yoshida Maki, began its serialization in the manga magazine Kiss in 2017. The series serves as both an entertaining romantic comedy and an educational exploration of Nihonshu, or Japanese sake. Eguchi, a renowned sake journalist and expert, utilized her deep knowledge of the craft to ensure that the descriptions of sake regions, brewing techniques, and flavor profiles remained grounded in authentic industry practices.

The narrative follows Matsuko, a thirty-two-year-old woman working in an office, as she navigates personal growth and budding romance through the lens of her evolving appreciation for sake. Yoshida Maki’s art style provides an accessible and warm aesthetic that balances character-driven humor with detailed illustrations of real-world sake labels and traditional drinking culture. Upon its release, the series was well-received for its ability to demystify sake for a younger audience, effectively positioning it as a sophisticated lifestyle companion rather than an intimidating traditional beverage.