Bartender (manga)

Bartender
Company type	Manga series
Industry	Entertainment (Manga, Anime, Drama)
Founded	2004
Founder	Araki Joh (writer), Kenji Nagatomo (artist)
Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Products	Manga volumes, anime series, live-action drama

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Bartender (manga), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 10 August 2025

is a Japanese manga series created by writer Araki Joh and artist Kenji Nagatomo. The story revolves around Ryū Sasakura, an exceptionally skilled bartender who uses his craft to comfort patrons facing personal difficulties. This manga appeared in Shueisha's seinen publication Super Jump from 2004 until 2011, compiled into a total of twenty-one volumes.

In 2006, Bartender was transformed into an anime television adaptation by Palm Studio, broadcast on Fuji TV. Later, in 2011, it was adapted into a live-action Japanese drama aired on TV Asahi. The franchise expanded with three spin-off manga series—Bartender à Paris, Bartender à Tokyo, and Bartender 6stp—which were serialized in Grand Jump and Grand Jump Premium between 2012 and 2019. The entire series has achieved sales surpassing 2.8 million copies within Japan, although English-language critical responses have been varied.

A reboot anime titled Bartender: Glass of God, consisting of twelve episodes and produced by Liber, was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April through June 2024.

Plot

Bartender explores the nocturnal world of (voiced by Takahiro Mizushima in the anime and portrayed by Masaki Aiba in the live-action version), a prodigious bartender acclaimed for his mastery in crafting exquisite cocktails. After completing his studies in France, Ryū initially serves as an assistant at the bar Lapin before establishing his own exclusive establishment, , tucked away in Tokyo's Ginza district. Access to Eden Hall is strictly by invitation, and Sasakura has gained renown for preparing the , a signature cocktail that demonstrates his expertise in selecting the ideal drink tailored to each customer's circumstances.

Another prominent figure is (voiced by Ayumi Fujimura in the anime and played by Shihori Kanjiya in the drama), who is the granddaughter of Hotel Cardinal's proprietor, . Employed as an office lady, she encourages Ryū to vie for a bartending role at the hotel. Although initially turned down by beverage manager , Taizo eventually recognizes Ryū’s exceptional talent and becomes an advocate for Miwa’s efforts to recruit him.

Throughout the narrative, Eden Hall welcomes a variety of clients grappling with intricate personal challenges. Sasakura’s meticulously prepared cocktails act as catalysts for introspection, helping patrons confront and navigate their issues.

Themes

The structure of Bartender is largely episodic, with each installment focusing on resolving dilemmas through the selection of an appropriate drink. The series presents alcohol not as a hazard but as a conduit for profound self-examination. Success in bartending hinges on perceptiveness beyond mere knowledge of spirits; Ryū exemplifies this by interpreting subtle indicators such as hand gestures to discern emotions and honesty. Frequently, customer narratives intertwine with the history behind their chosen beverages, enriching the storytelling alongside the artistry of mixology.

Manga

Authored by Araki Joh and illustrated by Kenji Nagatomo, the Bartender manga was serialized biweekly in Shueisha's seinen magazine Super Jump from May 2004 through September 2011. After Super Jump's discontinuation, it briefly transitioned to Grand Jump later that year. The series comprises twenty-one volumes; the inaugural volume debuted on December 3, 2004, with the final installment released on February 17, 2012.

A special edition titled "Encounter Edition" (出会い編, Deai-hen), which centers on Ryū’s return from Paris, was published across four volumes between September and October 2014.

Internationally, complete editions have been published by Haksan Publishing in South Korea and Sharp Point Press in Taiwan.

Spin-offs

The spin-off series Bartender à Paris, featuring protagonist Ren Sajima (佐島蓮, Sajima Ren), began serialization in Grand Jump on January 4, 2012. Osamu Kajisa took over illustration duties from Nagatomo. This series concluded on October 2, 2013, with six volumes released between June 19, 2012, and December 19, 2013.

Subsequently, Bartender à Tokyo commenced serialization within the same magazine on November 6, 2013, later moving to Grand Jump Premium from December 24, 2015. It wrapped up on August 17, 2016, with eight volumes published from April 18, 2014, through October 19, 2016.

The fourth entry titled Bartender 6stp ran across Grand Jump Premium and Grand Jump Mucha from August 24, 2016 until December 25, 2019. Its four volumes were issued between March 17, 2017 and February 19, 2020.

Both Bartender à Paris and Bartender à Tokyo secured licensing agreements for distribution in South Korea through Haksan Publishing and Taiwan via Sharp Point Press.

Anime

The original anime adaptation of Bartender consisted of eleven episodes directed by Masaki Watanabe with scripts by Yasuhiro Imagawa and produced by Palm Studio. It aired on Fuji TV between October 15 and December 31, 2006. The series incorporated New Wave cinematic techniques including fourth-wall breaks and innovative staging choices. Pony Canyon released the show across five DVD volumes from December 2006 to April 2007. In 2018 Anime Limited acquired distribution rights for the UK and Ireland; subsequently partnering with Shout! Factory for North American release on digital platforms and Blu-ray in January 2021.

Kaoruko Ōtake composed the soundtrack released under Sony Music Japan's DefStar Records label in November 2006. The opening and closing themes performed by Natural High—with Junpei Shiina featured on the opening track—were issued as a single in December of that year.

A new anime project was unveiled in October 2022: a reboot titled Bartender: Glass of God. Produced by Liber and helmed by director Ryōichi Kuraya with scripts written by Mariko Kunisawa; character design and chief animation direction were managed by Yōichi Ueda; music was composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi. This twelve-episode series aired on TV Tokyo from April to June 2024. Its opening theme "Stardust Memory" was performed by Takaya Kawasaki while Mone Kamishiraishi provided vocals for the ending theme "Spica". Crunchyroll streamed this reboot worldwide with an English dub debuting in July 2024. Medialink licensed it for Southeast Asia and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), distributing it via Ani-One Asia.

Drama

In November 2010 it was announced that a live-action adaptation of Bartender would be produced for Japanese television starring Masaki Aiba—who underwent professional bartender training starting September that year—and Shihori Kanjiya. Directed by Osamu Katayama with scripts penned by Natsuko Takahashi, it aired during TV Asahi's "Friday Night Drama" slot from February 4 to April 1, 2011. The theme song "Lotus" was performed by Arashi—the boy band including Aiba as a member.

On August 5, 2011 TC Entertainment released all episodes in DVD and Blu-ray box sets. Additionally, various merchandise such as straps, cups, pens, and candles were marketed alongside the drama.

Reception

By January 2011,Bartender had sold more than 2.8 million copies domestically; individual volumes frequently appeared among Japan’s top-selling manga titles. The anime finale garnered a television viewership rating of 3.4%, ranking fourth among anime broadcasts that week. The drama’s premiere attracted an audience rating of approximately eleven percent which rose slightly to about eleven point seven percent for its final episode. Its DVD box set sold close to eight thousand units—a figure deemed successful by TV Asahi—with related merchandise also performing well commercially. At the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix awards,Bartender earned fourth place among dramas while Masaki Aiba ranked third among actors. Furthermore,the series received accolades from the Nippon Bartenders Association.

David Welsh writing for The Manga Curmudgeon commended Ryū’s use of alcohol as a means to assist others as an inspiring message. Reviewer "Ink" at Ani-Gamers observed that while bars are somewhat idealized,the narrative quality along with narration style,vivid visuals,and tonal balance made it "a love letter to liquor." Bamboo Dong from Anime News Network (ANN) described it as "a delicious ode to mixology," whereas Michael Toole (ANN) found it "deeply compelling" despite moments he considered "cheesy."

Tim Jones at THEM Anime Reviews regarded it as "an intriguing concept," praising its computer-generated depiction of drinks and atmospheric elements despite generic character designs and repetitive music over its eleven-episode run. Conversely,Carl Kimlinger (ANN) criticized its premise as "insipid" and lacking originality though he acknowledged its animation quality. Erin Finnegan (ANN) disparaged its graphics as subpar while finding the notion of solving problems through cocktails somewhat clichéd or "cheesy."

External links