Starting Monday, May 27, France 2 will broadcast the Franco-Japanese series The Drops of God, which is a free adaptation of a successful manga. This wine-themed thriller is a fine vintage that enthusiasts will surely appreciate. Here are 5 good reasons to discover this unique fiction.
1- This TV series is inspired by a successful manga.
The many French manga fans are likely already familiar with The Drops of God, a manga series that has captivated readers around the world for two decades. Since 2004, the 44 volumes of this series have sold nearly 20 million copies.
It is said that the best vintages improve with time. Apple TV+, Hulu Japan, and France Télévisions have undoubtedly followed this old adage, as they waited almost twenty years to adapt the famous manga series by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto.
It was a wise decision because this new TV series, set to premiere on France 2 starting Monday, May 27 at 9:10 PM, offers an excellent adaptation of the successful manga. Long-time fans will not be disappointed by these 8 episodes that honor the original work.
Season 1 is faithful to the original storyline.
In this new TV series, as in the original manga, we follow the clash between the two heirs of a renowned oenologist. One is his biological heir, while the other is his spiritual heir...
As a child, Camille underwent drastic training from her father to develop an exceptional nose and palate. When her dying father reestablishes contact and demands her presence, she travels to Tokyo. There, she meets Issei Tomine.
To bequeath his invaluable collection of fine wines, the deceased envisioned, in his will, a competition around the art of wine. Thus begins a true duel of the senses and, for Camille, a difficult return to her roots between Tokyo and the French vineyards...
3- The series brings a French touch to this manga.
As we mentioned before, the thriller Les Gouttes de Dieu is a Franco-Japanese series. The television adaptation takes some liberties compared to the original manga.
In the books, the protagonists are all Japanese. However, in the TV series, the oenologist who tests his heirs is a French expatriate named Alexandre Léger, played by Stanley Weber. Upon his death, he leaves behind his daughter Camille (Fleur Geffrier) and his apprentice Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita).
But fans of the manga can rest assured! The series' script and its potential deviations from the comic have been approved by the original authors, Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto.
4- This series is designed as an introduction to the art of wine.
If the manga Les Gouttes de Dieu has enjoyed such success and longevity in Japan and around the world, it is undoubtedly because French wine exerts a fascination beyond our borders...
Japanese readers loved this manga constructed as an initiation into wine tasting. Through the main character, this comic book allows one to discover the gestures and techniques of this sensory-driven universe.
In Japan, this comic book democratized wine consumption, and sales of French producers exploded from the publication of the first volume in 2004, to the point of causing stock shortages for the major houses mentioned in the work!
The two authors of this manga even received an award from the prestigious Revue des vins de France in 2010. A true consecration, which also explains why this manga was the subject of a Franco-Japanese adaptation.
To be as realistic as possible, the series enlisted the services of Sébastien Pradal, a sommelier-restaurateur from southwestern France. This passionate professional was involved both in the writing of the series and during filming. He acted as a coach for the main actors, ensuring their gestures were perfect during the choreography of tastings.
5- This TV series is unlike any other.
If you find that many TV series rely on the same patterns and use the same formulas, you will love this fiction built around wine tasting challenges.
This unique creation offers an immersion into the work of the land and an intoxicating journey through confidential Tokyo cellars and some of the most beautiful vineyards in France.
Opposite the character of Issei, who is a true professional in this field, the heroine Camille guides the viewer through the delicate and almost sacred art of oenology. In this coming-of-age story, the secrets of the trade soon intertwine with family secrets...
More than just an introduction to the world of wine, this series offers a universal story of lineage and transmission. One of the strengths of this fiction is that it can be enjoyed without having read the original manga and without knowing anything about wine or the codes of this universe!
The chemistry between French actress Fleur Geffrier and the charismatic Japanese superstar Tomohisa Yamashita perfects this remarkable series that can be savored like a fine vintage. Get ready to experience a true sensory adventure starting tonight, Monday, May 27 at 9:10 PM on France 2.
Good to know
This adaptation has already convinced critics and Apple TV+ subscribers, so much so that the streaming platform has just ordered a second season. Unlike the first one, season 2 will be unrelated to the manga's plot. This time, Camille and Issei will have to discover the origin of the most wonderful wine in the world, a secret that even Alexandre Léger couldn't unravel...