The Drops of God Anime: Release Date, Cast & What to Expect

A new anime adaptation of Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto’s manga series, Drops of God, is set to premiere on April 10, bringing the story of a high-stakes wine inheritance competition to a new audience. The series, animated by Satelight, follows Shizuku Kanzaki, the estranged son of a renowned wine critic, as he navigates a challenge to identify twelve exceptional wines, including the elusive “Drops of God,” to claim his father’s vast and valuable collection.

Yutaka Kanzaki, the late wine critic, left behind an estate containing an estimated 87,000 bottles of wine, valued at approximately 12 billion yen (roughly $148 million USD, as of 2023), according to information revealed in the will. The inheritance is not straightforward; Shizuku, who has never tasted wine and previously worked in the beer division of the Taiyo company, must compete against Tomine Issei, a rival identified as the “prince of the wine world” and another adopted son of the critic.

The anime’s first episode introduces Shizuku as he learns of his father’s death and the terms of the inheritance. He is quickly thrust into the world of wine, initially assisting sommelier apprentice Miyabi in a restaurant setting where his innate sense of smell is noted. The series visually depicts the experience of wine tasting, employing a blend of character designs reminiscent of the mid-2000s and painterly effects to represent the sensory experience.

Drops of God has seen previous adaptations, including a 2009 Japanese television drama and a French-American-Japanese Apple TV+ series in 2023. The Apple TV+ series, which premiered on April 21, 2023, and continued airing on various networks internationally through March 27, 2024, and January 21, 2026, centers on the same competition between an heiress and a sommelier apprentice to uncover the identity of twelve iconic wines. Despite these previous adaptations, this marks the first time the story has been adapted into an anime format.

While the anime appears visually competent, with strong character designs, some animation choices, such as the use of low-quality CGI for pouring wine, feel dated. The series relies more on atmosphere and character interactions than dynamic action sequences. The production features the voice talents of Kazuya Kamenashi as Shizuku Kanzaki and Takuya Sato as Issei Tomine.

The anime is slated to air on Tokyo MX and Kansai TV, with a worldwide streaming debut on Crunchyroll on April 10, though the specific time remains unconfirmed. Early indications suggest the series may be a niche offering, currently ranking low on MyAnimeList’s Spring 2026 rankings.