Six Members of the Star-Studded Cast Take the Stage! TV Anime “Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle” Episode 1 Advance Screening Stage Greeting

Ahead of the television broadcast of the anime “Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle,” an advance screening event for episode 1 was held. Six main cast members appeared on stage for a special greeting.

The original work is a coming-of-age light novel written by Hiromu and published under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko imprint. It tells a youth ensemble drama that starts when Saku Chitose—a well-rounded high school student blessed with striking looks, intelligence, athletic ability, and social skills—is asked by his homeroom teacher to help rehabilitate his reclusive classmate Kenta Yamazaki. The story meticulously depicts adolescent struggles and complex relationships and has won first place for two consecutive years in the “Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!” rankings, earning a spot in the Hall of Fame. The long-awaited TV anime is scheduled to begin airing in October.

On stage were Shogo Sakata, who plays the main character Saku Chitose; Manaka Iwami as Yuko Hiiragi; Hina Yomiya as Yua Uchida; Ikumi Hasegawa as Yuzuki Nanase; Rumi Okubo as Haru Aomi; and Chika Anzai as Asuka Nishino. Before the TV broadcast, they shared their excitement about seeing the anime on a huge screen and passionately discussed every appealing aspect of the series.

Report from the Episode 1 Advance Screening Stage Greeting

Set in Fukui, the series is a youth ensemble drama. Reflecting on his impressions of both the original novel and the completed anime, Sakata said with a smile, “Hiromu-sensei’s depiction of youth, the vivid and beautiful scene descriptions, and the sense for words—all of the beauty in the novel—made me anticipate how it would be adapted. Even as a fan, I was excited. Every shot is so beautiful that I think episode 1 will captivate everyone.” His delight was obvious as he spoke about the allure of both the original and the anime and expressed his admiration for the finished footage.

Anzai, who is from Fukui Prefecture herself, showed a strong attachment to the work, saying, “It’s a series with a distinct flavor that could only have been created in Fukui. I still feel a bit bashful about it, but I’m truly happy that it’s set in Fukui!” She beamed with joy. In the venue, there were also fans who had obtained items available to participants of the ongoing “Chiramune Fukui Collaboration 2025.”

Okubo added, “They’ve even got a stamp rally and such, so I think some people must have visited Fukui to participate in person!” Responding to Sakata’s comment, “Are there a lot of people here from Fukui?” audience members from Fukui Prefecture raised their hands, prompting Anzai to exclaim, “This is my first time meeting so many people from Fukui in Tokyo!” The excitement continued, with Hasegawa remarking, “This is probably the place with the most Fukui natives gathered in Tokyo right now!” From the very start, the cast actively engaged the audience, creating a lively and convivial atmosphere.