Saki

咲-Saki-

Genres: School, Seinen, Slice of Life, Strategy Game
Themes: School, Strategy Game
Demographics: Seinen
Studios: Gonzo, Picture Magic
Producers: Future Vision Music, Kiyosumi High School Mahjong Club, KlockWorx, Lantis, Pony Canyon, Sotsu, Sotsu Music Publishing, Square Enix, TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Music
Rating: 7.45 / 10
Rank: #2223
Popularity: #2328
Users Listed: 98,027
Users Scored: 39,287
NSFW: No
Last Updated: 08/24/2023
Aired: April 6, 2009 – September 28, 2009 (Spring)
Type: tv
Source: manga
Age Rating: PG 13
Episodes: 25
Broadcast: Monday at 02:00 (JST)

Synopsis:

The series follows Saki Miyanaga, a high school freshman with a deeply ingrained aversion to mahjong stemming from past experiences. When persuaded by a friend to join the school's mahjong club, she finds herself surrounded by seasoned players and unexpected rivalries. The club introduces her to Nodoka Haramura, a former national champion, and Yuuki Kataoka.

Initially attempting to remain unnoticed, Saki’s unique skill is recognized by the club president, leading to a challenging assessment of her abilities. This revelation creates friction with Nodoka, forcing both to confront their pride and preconceived notions about talent and dedication. As Saki rediscovers a passion for the game and forms bonds with her fellow club members, the group sets their sights on competing in the national championships, navigating personal growth alongside competitive play. The anime explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and overcoming past trauma through the lens of a traditionally strategic game.

Trailer:

Streaming Platforms:

Crunchyroll

Episodes:

Episode 1: Encounter (Aired: 04/06/2009)
Episode 2: Battle (Aired: 04/13/2009)
Episode 3: Confrontation (Aired: 04/20/2009)
Episode 4: Beat-down (Aired: 04/27/2009)
Episode 5: Training Camp (Aired: 05/04/2009)
... and 20 more episodes

Characters:

Haramura, Nodoka (Main) - Voice Actors: Koshimizu, Ami, Jeong, Mi Sook
Kataoka, Yuuki (Main) - Voice Actors: Kugimiya, Rie, Park, Seon Yeong
Miyanaga, Saki (Main) - Voice Actors: Ueda, Kana, Lee, Yong Sin
Someya, Mako (Main) - Voice Actors: Shiraishi, Ryouko, Yun, Mi Na
Takei, Hisa (Main) - Voice Actors: Itou, Shizuka, Wu, Jeong Sin
Amae, Koromo (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Fukuhara, Kaori
Bundou, Seika (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Matayoshi, Ai
Fujita, Yasuko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Asano, Masumi
Fukabori, Sumiyo (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Saiga, Mitsuki, Yeo, Min Jeong
Fukuji, Mihoko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Horie, Yui
Hagiyoshi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ono, Daisuke, Byeon, Hyeon Wu
Haramura, Kei (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Nakata, Jouji, Jang, Gwang
Hirose, Sumire (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Saiga, Mitsuki, Lee, Ji Yeong
Ikeda, Kana (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Morinaga, Rika
Inoue, Jun (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kaida, Yuuko
Kadomatsu, Youko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Mikami, Shiori
Kajiki, Yumi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kobayashi, Yuu
Kamigaki, Megumi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yamakawa, Kotomi
Kanbara, Satomi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kuwatani, Natsuko
Kubo, Takako (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yamada, Miho
Kunihiro, Hajime (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shimizu, Ai
Mishina, Kenta (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shiraishi, Minoru
Miyanaga, Kai (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Onosaka, Masaya
Miyanaga, Teru (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Nakahara, Mai
Murohashi, Hiroko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Toudou, Mai
Nagamori, Kazuko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Toudou, Mai
Naiki, Ichita (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shiraishi, Minoru
Nanpo, Kazue (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Sanpei, Yuuko
Nanpo, Satoru (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ootsuka, Houchuu
Nishida, Junko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kosuge, Mami
Ryuumonbuchi, Touka (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Chihara, Minori
Sawamura, Tomoki (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ohashi, Ayuru
Senoo, Kaori (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shintani, Ryouko
Suga, Kyoutarou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Fukuyama, Jun, Kim, Yeong Seon
Sugino, Ayumu (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Nagata, Yoriko
Tanaka, Mai (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Saitou, Yuka
Touyoko, Momoko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Saitou, Momoko
Tsuchiya, Yuri (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Seiwa, Yuuko
Tsuyama, Mutsuki (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Nanasawa, Shin
Yamaguchi, Daisuke (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Koyama, Tsuyoshi
Yoshitome, Miharu (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kanzaki, Chiro
Yumeno, Maho (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Tokunaga, Ai

Staff:

Aoki, Takao (Producer)
Kumagai, Takuto (Producer)
Sakurai, Yuuka (Producer)
Shibata, Tomonori (Producer)
Takahata, Yuuichirou (Producer)
Ono, Manabu (Director, Episode Director, Storyboard)
Tsuruoka, Youta (Sound Director)
Houri, Kouji (Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation)
Ikehata, Hiroshi (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Kanasaki, Takaomi (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Karato, Mitsuhiro (Episode Director)
Kimura, Hiroshi (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Kumazawa, Yuuji (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Setou, Kenji (Episode Director, Storyboard, Assistant Director)
Yabana, Kaoru (Episode Director, Key Animation)
Yoshizawa, Toshikazu (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Urahata, Tatsuhiko (Script, Series Composition)
Hidaka, Masamitsu (Storyboard)
Kotaki, Hiroshi (Storyboard)
Matsutake, Tokuyuki (Storyboard, Key Animation)
Mugino, Ice (Storyboard)
Tanaka, Hironori (Storyboard, Animation Director, Key Animation)
Andou, Takahiro (Theme Song Arrangement)
Hashimoto, Miyuki (Theme Song Performance)
Hata, Aki (Theme Song Lyrics)
Itou, Shizuka (Theme Song Performance)
Koshimizu, Ami (Theme Song Performance)
Kugimiya, Rie (Theme Song Performance)
Little Non (Theme Song Performance)
Shiraishi, Ryouko (Theme Song Performance)
Ueda, Kana (Theme Song Performance)
Abe, Chiaki (Key Animation)
Akao, Ryoutarou (Key Animation, Assistant Animation Director)
Amemiya, Akira (Key Animation)
Asai, Akito (Key Animation)
Fudesaka, Akimi (Assistant Animation Director)
Fujisaki, Kenji (Key Animation, Assistant Animation Director, Animation Director)
Fujita, Masayuki (Key Animation)
Fujiwara, Akito (2nd Key Animation)
Fujiwara, Mikio (Animation Director)
Fukagawa, Kasumi (2nd Key Animation)
Fukuda, Jun (Publicity)
Furuya, Kouji (Key Animation)
Han, Seung-hui (Key Animation)
Hatta, Shinsaku (Planning)
Hayashi, Koujirou (Director of Photography)
Hirabayashi, Takashi (Key Animation)
Houjou, Naoaki (Key Animation)
Hwang, Hyung-rak (2nd Key Animation)
Inoue, Shunji (Planning)
... and 151 more staff

News:

TV Anime Saki: National Championship Announced (10/28/2012)
Japan's Weekly DVD Ranking for Feb 1 - 7 (02/09/2010)
Production Studio of Saki Changed (07/12/2009)
Saki Collaborates with Tacos Shop (06/29/2009)

Forum Topics:

External Links:

Related Anime/Manga:

Saki: Zenkoku-hen (anime - Sequel)
Saki (manga - Adaptation)
Saki Picture Drama (anime - Side Story)
Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A (anime - Side Story)
Saki Biyori Animation (anime - Side Story)