Before creating the beloved series Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha, iconic manga artist Rumiko Takahashi captivated readers with a charming romantic-comedy series titled Maison Ikkoku. To commemorate this classic manga, a prestigious Japanese whisky label is releasing two limited-edition liquors.
Maison Ikkoku, first published in 1980, tells the heartfelt love story of a struggling college student and his widowed landlord. The series is widely regarded as a timeless masterpiece, with over 200 million print copies in circulation by July 2024. According to PR Times, well-known mail order site Whisky Mew recently revealed details about its upcoming Maison Ikkoku-inspired whiskies, both of which are intended to evoke the warm, nostalgic vibes associated with the manga. These rare liquors will only be available through a customer lottery, with prices ranging from 37,400 yen (US$239.81) to 55,000 yen (US$352.72). The reservation period runs from August 8 to 13 (JST), with winners determined at a later date.
The first liquor is a richly fermented Glen Grant 1998 from one of Speyside’s representative distilleries, a region known for single malt whisky infused with fruit flavors. The bottle features an illustration of Kyoko Otonashi, the main love interest of Maison Ikkoku’s central character, Yusaku Godai. Glen Grant 1998, with Kyoko as its mascot, captures the spirit of Maison Ikkoku with a moderately woody, fruity taste and a complex aroma that evolves from coniferous to milky and fruity as it is consumed. Hideo Yamaoka, a prominent whisky critic and journalist, chose this particular Speyside malt. There will only be 314 bottles available during the lottery period.
The second whisky, named after Kyoko Otanashi and Yusaku Godai, has a lovely illustration of the couple on the label. Kildalton 2009, the base liquor, was brewed in Islay, Scotland, which is known for its peaty and smoky whiskies. According to PR Times, the region’s signature flavors symbolize the unique nature of Kyoko and Yusaku’s love, which endures many bittersweet trials throughout the series. Kildalton 2009’s earthy, peaty flavors are balanced by sweeter ones, symbolizing the couple’s enduring love in the face of adversity. Notably, Whisky Mew has only produced 251 bottles of this variety, making it even rarer than its counterpart.
Maison Ikkoku, like many of Rumiko Takahashi’s other works, has been successfully adapted into anime. Studio DEEN (Ranma 1/2, KonoSuba) produced the series, which aired 96 episodes between March 1986 and March 1988. Many of the elements that made Maison Ikokku popular among anime fans, such as eccentric comic relief characters and comedic romantic rivalries, reappeared in later works such as Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2. The latter franchise is preparing for a major anime adaptation from studio MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen). Ranma 1/2’s world premiere will be held exclusively at this year’s Anime NYC convention, which takes place from August 23 to 25, 2024.
Source – Whisky Mew
