Normally we are more used to manga adaptations arriving in the form of anime, so if at some point they arrive in live action, they come out a little regular and we remember them as sound disasters.
This is usually the case if we go for action and fantasy series, but manga that stay down to earth often receive very careful and lovingly made adaptations that don’t sound as much… And although ‘The drops of God’ It has gone somewhat unnoticed, it is tremendously addictive (and makes you want to become an oenology expert).
A multi-million dollar winery at stake
‘God’s Drops’ (‘Kami no Shizuku’) It began to be published in the Weekly Morning magazine back in 2004 by Tadashi Agithe pseudonym used by the brothers Yuko and Shin Kibayashi to write, and Shu Okimoto. And the story focuses on a somewhat special competition to settle a millionaire legacy and determine who is the true heir of a renowned wine critic.
Camille Leger He hasn’t spoken to his father for years, but when he dies he discovers that the largest collection of wines in the world is at stake. His rival for his inheritance is Issei Tominethe best student of his father, and both must pass a series of tests related to the world of oenology if they want to win their fortune.
Even if wines have never been your thing, ‘The drops of God’ it is completely fascinating and manages to fully envelop you. Not only in the tasting and uncorking processes, but also in the harvest and all the work behind each bottle. Just because you can feel the passion of the characters for this world.
The French-Japanese series on Apple TV+ unfolds the plot little by little and in a very natural way, taking its time to introduce you to each character but without ever getting boring. And even at times when things could go down (and a lot), They manage to make you part of all the sensations, smells and flavors, especially during Camille’s training.
Every trial Camille and Issue go through (and their preparation) keeps you completely on your toes and leaves you wanting more. But also by playing with very well-measured flashbacks, we get to know the Legér and Tomine families better and the somewhat toxic dynamics that they have been dragging for decades… And that have ended up leading us to where we are at the beginning of the series.
The manga consists of 44 volumes with its first part, and 26 with its sequel, but luckily the series of ‘The drops of God’ gets a very worthy adaptation with only eight episodes. It maintains a lot in common with the original manga, but it also manages to put its own twist on it with some changes that have felt very good, such as changing the nationality of some characters and allowing us to explore French vineyards instead of just staying in Japan.
It is not a legacy to match that of Logan Roy in ‘Succession’, but of course the protagonists of ‘The drops of God’ they are also played a historical heritage…And they also have to deal with some daddy issues huge and buried traumas that are not far behind either.
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