Saki (manga)

Saki (咲-Saki-) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ritz Kobayashi. The story revolves around a first-year high school girl named Saki Miyanaga who is brought into the competitive world of mahjong by another first-year, Nodoka Haramura. The manga has been serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan since February 3, 2006 and is licensed in English by Yen Press. A 25-episode anime adaptation by Gonzo aired between April and September 2009 on TV Tokyo.

Saki
Cover art of the first Japanese manga volume featuring the title character Saki Miyanaga
咲-Saki-
GenreSports (mahjong)[1]
Manga
Written byRitz Kobayashi
Published bySquare Enix
English publisher
MagazineYoung Gangan
DemographicSeinen
Original runFebruary 3, 2006 – present
Volumes20
Anime television series
Directed byManabu Ono
Kenji Setō (assistant)
Produced byYūichirō Takahata
Yūka Sakurai
Takao Aoki
Takuto Kumatani
Written byTatsuhiko Urahata
Music byTakeshi Watanabe
StudioGonzo, Picture Magic
Original networkTV Tokyo
Original run April 6, 2009 – September 28, 2009
Episodes25
Game
Saki Portable
DeveloperAlchemist
GenreMahjong
PlatformPlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP: March 25, 2010
Manga
Saki Biyori
Written bySaya Kiyoshi
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineYoung Gangan
Big Gangan
DemographicSeinen
Original runJune 17, 2011 – March 24, 2018
Volumes7
Manga
Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A
Written byRitz Kobayashi
Illustrated byAguri Igarashi
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineMonthly Shōnen Gangan
DemographicShōnen
Original runSeptember 2011 – present
Volumes6
Anime television series
Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A
Directed byManabu Ono
Kenji Setō (assistant)
Produced byYūichirō Takahata
Yūka Sakurai
Ryōsuke Ōno
Written byTatsuhiko Urahata
Music byTakeshi Watanabe
StudioStudio Gokumi
Original networkTV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, AT-X
Original run April 9, 2012 – May 25, 2013
Episodes16
Game
Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A Portable
DeveloperAlchemist
GenreMahjong
PlatformPlayStation Portable
ReleasedAugust 29, 2013
Manga
Side Story of Saki: Shinohayu the Dawn of Age
Written byRitz Kobayashi
Illustrated byAguri Igarashi
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineBig Gangan
DemographicShōnen
Original runSeptember 25, 2013 – present
Volumes9
Anime television series
Saki: The Nationals
Directed byManabu Ono
Kenji Setō (assistant)
Produced byYūichirō Takahata
Yūka Sakurai
Ryōsuke Ōno
Written byTatsuhiko Urahata
Music byTakeshi Watanabe
StudioStudio Gokumi
Original run January 5, 2014 – April 6, 2014
Episodes13
Original video animation
Saki Biyori
Directed byManabu Ono
Kenji Setō (assistant)
Produced byYūichirō Takahata
Yūka Sakurai
Ryōsuke Ōno
Written byTatsuhiko Urahata
Music byTakeshi Watanabe
StudioStudio Gokumi
ReleasedJuly 25, 2015
Manga
Toki
Written byMeki Meki
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineBig Gangan
DemographicShōnen
Original runJune 25, 2016 – present
Volumes3
Television drama
Directed byYuichi Onuma
Written byHayashi Mori
Original networkTBS
Original run December 4, 2016 – January 8, 2017
Episodes5
Live-action film
Television drama
Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A
Original run December 3, 2017 – January 7, 2018
Episodes5
Live-action film
Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2018 (2018-01-20)

A side-story manga illustrated by Aguri Igarashi, Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A (咲 Saki 阿知賀編 episode of Side-A), was serialized between the September 2011 and April 2013 issues of Monthly Shōnen Gangan, with an anime adaptation by Studio Gokumi airing between April and July 2012, with four additional episodes airing between December 2012 and May 2013. A third anime series, Saki: The Nationals (咲-Saki-全国編, Saki: Zenkoku-hen), also by Studio Gokumi, aired between January and April 2014. A spin-off series to Saki, Side story of -Saki-: Shinohayu the dawn of age, began serialization in Big Gangan from September 2013. A gag manga series by Saya Kiyoshi, Saki Biyori, began serialization in Young Gangan from June 2011, with an original video animation released on July 25, 2015. Another spin-off manga illustrated by Meki Meki, Toki, began serialization in Big Gangan from June 2016. A live-action television series aired between December 2016 and January 2017, and a live-action film opened in Japan in February 2017.

Plot
Main article: List of Saki characters

Saki Miyanaga, a freshman in high school, does not like mahjong because her family would always force her to play it and punish her regardless of the outcome of the game. Due to this, she learned how to keep her score at zero, neither winning nor losing, a skill said to be more difficult than actually consistently winning. However, her friend from middle school, completely unaware of such circumstances, convinces her to visit the school's small mahjong club upon entering Kiyosumi High School. After the club discovers her ability, they recruit her permanently and convince her to win instead of breaking even. She easily does so with her skill and discovers a new love for mahjong, along with a friendship with her fellow club member, Nodoka Haramura. This leads the team to enter the prefecture's high school mahjong tournament with the goal of reaching the national high school competition.

The side-story manga, Saki: Achiga-hen episode of Side-A, is based in the area around Yoshino, Nara and follows a girl named Shizuno Takakamo, an old friend of Nodoka's, who used to be in Achiga Girls Academy's mahjong club together. A few years after the club disbanded and the two split up, Shizuno spots Nodoka on television as she makes her stride in mahjong. Wanting to see her old friend again, Shizuno decides to revive the Achiga Mahjong Club so that she can face against Nodoka in the inter-high national championships. The spin-off, Shinohayu the dawn of age, shows the childhood of the various pro mahjong players in the series, focusing on a girl named Shino Shiratsuki who enters the world of competitive mahjong to seek out her mother who disappeared one day.

Media

Manga
See also: List of Saki chapters

Written and drawn by Ritz Kobayashi, the Saki manga series is serialized in Square Enix's biweekly seinen manga magazine, Young Gangan.[2] Serialization began on February 3, 2006. Square Enix has collected the chapters in tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on December 25, 2006, and as of December 24, 2016, 16 volumes have been released.[3] Yen Press have licensed the series in English for digital release.[4] As of August 29, 2017, 11 volumes have been published.[5]

A 4-koma series written by Saya Kiyoshi, Saki Biyori (咲日和), was serialized in Young Gangan between the June 17, 2011 and August 17, 2012 issues. It was also serialized in Big Gangan between the October 25, 2011 and March 24, 2018 issues. The first volume was released on March 24, 2012; seven volumes have been released as of March 24, 2018. A spin-off manga series written by Kobayashi and illustrated by Aguri Igarashi, Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A (咲 Saki 阿知賀編 episode of Side-A), originally ran in Square Enix's Shōnen Gangan magazine between the September 2011 and April 2013 issues,[6][7] but will resume serialization on March 23, 2020.[8] It was compiled into six volumes released between March 24, 2012 and August 24, 2013.

Another spin-off manga titled Side Story of Saki: Shinohayu the Dawn of Age began serialization in Big Gangan from September 25, 2013.[9] A spin-off of Achiga-hen illustrated by Meki Meki, Toki (怜-Toki), began serialization in Big Gangan on June 25, 2016.[10] A series of parody one-shots titled Ritz (立, Ritsu), which detail the fictionalized backstory behind Kobayashi's serialization of Saki, have been written and illustrated by Hideki Owada and published in Young Gangan. Another spin-off by Meki Meki, titled Someya Mako no Jansō Meshi (染谷まこの雀荘メシ, Mako Someya's Mahjong Parlor Food), began serialization in Young Gangan on June 7, 2019.[11] Saki to Final Fantasy XIV, a manga drawn by Saya Kiyoshi in collaboration with the Final Fantasy XIV video game, will launch on Square Enix's Manga Up! app on January 22, 2021.[12]

Anime
See also: List of Saki episodes, which lists both Saki and its spin-off, Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A

An anime adaptation of Saki was announced in the 24th issue of Young Gangan.[13] The series was adapted by Gonzo, directed by Manabu Ono, and written by Tatsuhiko Urahata,[14] From episode fifteen onwards, animation production was done by Picture Magic. On January 31, 2009, a 105-second promotional video began streaming on the anime's official website.[15] The series aired on TV Tokyo and its affiliate stations between April 6 and September 28, 2009.[16]

A 12-episode anime adaptation of Saki: Achiga-hen aired in Japan between April 9 and July 2, 2012.[6][17][18] Ono and Urahata return as director and writer and animation production is done by Studio Gokumi. Four additional episodes aired on AT-X between December 24, 2012 and May 25, 2013.[19][20] A short anime was included with a Blu-ray boxset released on March 18, 2015.[21] A third Saki anime series, titled Saki: The Nationals (咲-Saki-全国編, Saki: Zenkoku-hen), aired 13 episodes between January 5[22] and April 6, 2014. Ono and Urahata again return as director and writer under Studio Gokumi.[23] Each of the series are simulcasted by Crunchyroll.[24] An original video animation of Saki Biyori, also animated by Studio Gokumi, was bundled with the 14th manga volume of Saki on July 25, 2015.[25]

Music

Saki uses five pieces of theme music, two opening themes and three ending themes.[26] Saki: Achiga-hen episode of side-A uses four pieces of theme music, two opening themes and two ending themes.[27][28] Saki: The Nationals currently uses one opening theme and two ending themes, one of which has variations featuring different artists.

Opening themes
"Glossy:MMM" by Miyuki Hashimoto (Saki, episodes 2-14, ending theme of episodes 1, 25, The Nationals ep 13)
"Bloooomin'" by Little Non (Saki, episodes 15-25)
"Miracle Rush" by StylipS (Saki: Achiga-hen, episodes 2-12, ending theme of episodes 1, 16)
"TSU・BA・SA" by StylipS (Saki: Achiga-hen, episodes 13-15)
"New Sparks!" by Miyuki Hashimoto (Saki: The Nationals, episodes 2-13, ending theme of episode 1)
"Dramatic Cycle" (ドラマティック＊サイクル, Doramatikku Saikuru) by StylipS (Saki Biyori)
Ending themes
"Netsuretsu Kangei Wonderland" (熱烈歓迎わんだーらんど, Enthusiastic Welcome Wonderland) by Kana Ueda, Ami Koshimizu, Rie Kugimiya, Ryōko Shiraishi, and Shizuka Itō (Saki, episodes 2-6, 8-9, 11-14)
"Zankoku na Negai no Naka de" (残酷な願いの中で, Inside a Cruel Wish) by Kana Ueda and Ami Koshimizu (Saki, episodes 7, 10, 16, 18, 22)
"Shikakui Uchū de Matteru yo" (四角い宇宙で待ってるよ, Waiting For You in the World of Rectangles) by Kana Ueda, Ami Koshimizu, Rie Kugimiya, Ryōko Shiraishi, and Shizuka Itō (Saki, episodes 15, 17, 19-21, 23-24)
"Square Panic Serenade" performed by Aoi Yūki, Nao Tōyama, Kana Hanazawa, Mako and Yumi Uchiyama (Saki: Achiga-hen, episodes 2, 5-7, 12)
"Futuristic Player" by Miyuki Hashimoto (Saki: Achiga-hen, episodes 3, 4, 8-11, 14-15)
"True Gate" by Miyuki Hashimoto (Saki: The Nationals, episodes 2, 7, 9)
"Kono Te ga Kiseki o Eranderu " (この手が奇跡を選んでる, This Hand Will Draw a Miracle)
"Koromo Biyori" (ころもびより, Koromo Days) by Kaori Fukuhara, Minori Chihara, Ai Shimizu, Ayuru Ōhashi, and Yuko Kaida (Saki Biyori, ep 1)

For the PSP game, the respective opening and ending themes are "Kimi ga Waratte Kureta kara, Kyō mo Yume no Tane o Makō (Kimi Tane)" (君が笑ってくれたから、今日も夢の種を蒔こう。-キミたね-, lit. "Because You Make Me Laugh, The Seeds of Dreams Will Bloom Today As Well") and "Bakuhatsu Shidō Revolution" (爆発始動レボリューション, Bakuhatsu Shidō Reboryūshon, lit. "Exploding Startup Revolution"), both performed by Little Non. For the Achiga-hen PSP game, the opening theme is "Moment of Glory" by Miyuki Hashimoto.

Live-action
Main article: Saki (film)

A four episode live-action television series began airing in Japan on December 4, 2016, and a live-action film debuted in Japan on February 3, 2017.[29][30][31]

Video games

A mahjong video game was unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo International Anime Fair,[32] and later released on April 22, 2009.[33] Gonzo collaborated with Sega in developing the arcade mahjong video game based on the series, and it is based on the MJ4 Ver.C network mahjong game.[34] The game includes a Saki Single Mode, where the player can play with Saki characters instead of matching-up with opponents online. Another mahjong video game was developed by Alchemist for the PlayStation Portable,[35] and was released in March 2010 in Japan under the name Saki Portable. A sequel, Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A Portable, was released on August 29, 2013.[20][36] Another sequel, Saki Zenkoku-hen, was released by Kaga Create on September 17, 2015 for PlayStation Vita.[37] On December 22, 2016, Entergram re-released the game as Saki Zenkoku-hen Plus, with the latest update folded into it.[38]

See also
  •  Japan portal
  •  Games portal

References
  1. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 19, 2016). "Saki Mahjong Manga to Have 'Important Announcement' on September 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  2. "Saki manga official website" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  3. "List of volumes of the Saki manga at the official website" (in Japanese). Young Gangan, Square Enix. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  4. "Yen Press Licenses My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected, How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, Baccano!, More". Anime News Network. July 5, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  5. "List of works of Ritz Kobayashi at Yen Press". Yen Press. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  6. "New Saki TV Anime Project Launching". Anime News Network. June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  7. "Saki Episode of Side A Manga to End in March". Anime News Network. February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  8. "Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A Manga Resumes After 7 Years". Anime News Network. February 24, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  9. "Saki Episode of Side A Gets Spin-Off Manga in September". Anime News Network. July 24, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  10. "Saki Mahjong Manga Gets Toki Spinoff in June". Anime News Network. May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  11. "Saki Mahjong Manga Gets Gourmet Spinoff Manga in June". Anime News Network. April 6, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  12. "Final Fantasy XIV Game Gets Saki Mahjong Collaboration Manga". Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  13. "Saki Mahjong Manga to Get TV Anime from Gonzo in 2009 (Update 2)". Anime News Network. December 4, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  14. "Staff and cast at Saki's anime official website" (in Japanese). Gonzo. Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  15. "Saki High School Mahjong Anime's Promo Video Streamed". Anime News Network. January 31, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  16. "TV Anime Saki Broadcast Information Unveiled! And Also New Character Information!!" (in Japanese). Dengeki Online. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  17. Loo, Egan (October 5, 2011). "New Saki TV Anime to Adapt Saki Achiga Spinoff". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  18. 放送情報 [Broadcast News] (in Japanese). Studio Gokumi. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  19. "Saki Episode of Side A Anime to Air 3 More Episodes". Anime News Network. June 9, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  20. "Saki Episode of Side A's Special Episodes to Air in December". Anime News Network. October 28, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  21. "Saki Episode of Side A Blu-ray Box to Add New Anime Short". Anime News Network. November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  22. "Saki's National Tournament Arc Anime Slated for January". Anime News Network. October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  23. "Saki's National Tournament Arc Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. October 28, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  24. "Crunchyroll to Stream Saki – The Nationals TV Anime Series". Anime News Network. December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  25. "Saki 4-Panel Spinoff Saki Biyori Gets Anime DVD". Anime News Network. September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  26. "CD goods section at Saki's anime official website" (in Japanese). Gonzo. Archived from the original on 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  27. "StylipS to Sing Saki Achiga-hen Mahjong Anime's Opening". Anime News Network. February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  28. "エンディング・テーマ 「Square Panic Serenade」" [Ending Theme "Square Panic Serenade"] (in Japanese). Studio Gokumi. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  29. "Saki Mahjong Manga Gets Live-Action Show in December, Film in 2017". Anime News Network. August 31, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  30. "咲－Saki－：ドラマと映画で実写化 12月に4話放送＆来年初頭に公開へ" (in Japanese). Mantan Web. September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  31. "Live-Action Saki Project Reveals Full Cast in Costume". Anime News Network. October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  32. "TAF 2009: Bishojo Mahjong Anime Saki is to come out as a Mahjong Game". Gigazine. 2009-03-18. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  33. "Saki's Arcade Mahjong Game Came Out!". Gigazine. April 24, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  34. "MJ4 Ver.C's Exhibit at Tokyo International Anime Fair 2009" (in Japanese). Sega. 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  35. "人気アニメ『咲-Saki-』がPSPのゲームに! 夏コミ・アルケ祭2009 ぷちで発表" [Popular Anime Saki Gets a PSP Game! Summer Comiket / Arukesai 2009 Small Announcement] (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  36. "Saki Episode of Side A PSP Slated for August 29 With Limited Edition". Anime News Network. June 1, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  37. "Saki - The Nationals Arc Gets PS Vita Game". Anime News Network. November 30, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  38. "咲-Saki-全国編Plus" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
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