Suntory backs new anime series Bartender: Glass of God

Suntory Spirits Limited, the spirits arm of Japanese multinational brewer and distiller Suntory Holdings Limited has sponsored a new anime television series, titled Bartender: Glass of God, with plans to supervise the alcoholic beverages that appear in the show.

Bartender: Glass of God is set to premiere in April 2024, produced by Liber Entertainment.

The series is based on Japanese manga series Bartender written by Araki Joh and illustrated by Kenji Nagatomo, first serialised in in Shueisha’s Japanese seinen magazine Super Jump from 2004 to 2011. The first 11-episode TV anime adaptation of Bartender directed by Masaki Watanabe at Palm Studio aired in 2006.

In its latest adaptation, legendary bartender Ryū Sasakura uses his talentsat mixing the right drinks for the right customers to ease the worries of his patrons.

Bartender: Glass of God is directed by Ryoichi Kuraya, with series composition written by Mariko Kunisawa and character designs drawn by Yoichi Ueda.

Suntory has joined the project as a sponsor. Along with supervising the alcoholic beverages which appear in the anime series, the Japanese multinational plans to conduct various collaborations with the show.

Suntory refused to go into specifics prior to the series release, but has revealed that the winner of the company’s Cocktail Award 2023 will be partially depicted in the anime.

Liber has released the first trailer for the new series, where renderings of drinks brands including Campari, Laphroaig, Martini and Suntory whisky can be seen.

Suntory’s venture into the world of entertainment comes off the back of the global success of Drops of God on Apple TV+, a live-action adaptation of the anime series of the same name. The series tells the story of Alexandre Léger, a well-known wine critic in Tokyo, who, after passing away, left instructions in his will that his daughter and stepson must successfully find the world’s best wine he had chosen. The first to complete the task would inherit his legacy and winery.

To find out more about the fine wines featured on Drops of God, read our editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt‘s breakdown here.