Manga creator Arata Kawabata is set to launch a gourmet manga spinoff titled Nomi Kui Dōraku ~Nihon Tōitsu~ (The Vice of Eating and Drinking ~Japan Unification~) based on the popular Nihon Tōitsu live-action original video series. The new series will debut in Akita Shoten’s Monthly Princess magazine on October 6.
Gourmet Take on the Yakuza World
The upcoming manga will offer a unique culinary perspective on the established universe of Nihon Tōitsu. While the original series is known for its intense yakuza crime narratives, Kawabata’s spinoff promises “everyone’s relaxed daily life x quite interesting content about food.” The project is being supervised by Yasukaze Motomiya, a prominent actor who portrays one of the main characters in the live-action video series. This collaboration hints at an authentic yet fresh interpretation of the beloved franchise.
Unpacking the Original Nihon Tōitsu Series
The Nihon Tōitsu (Japan Unification) live-action original video series has garnered a significant following for its compelling depiction of the Japanese underworld. The crime series centers on two protagonists who embark on a mission to join Japan’s largest yakuza organization with the ambitious goal of unifying all yakuza groups across the nation. Its long-running nature and intricate plotlines have established it as a cornerstone of the yakuza genre in Japanese direct-to-video productions.
Arata Kawabata’s Diverse Portfolio
Arata Kawabata is a versatile manga artist known for a range of works across different genres. Prior to this new venture, Kawabata serialized a manga adaptation of Mitsuru Yūki’s Onmyōji, Abe no Seimei novel series in Monthly Princess, which ran from February 2020 to July 2024.
Internationally, Kawabata is recognized for the manga Do You Like the Nerdy Nurse? (Hokenshitsu no Otaku Onee-san wa Suki desu ka?), which Yen Press licensed for English publication in September 2020. This diverse background suggests Kawabata’s ability to tackle both action-oriented narratives and more lighthearted or specialized themes, making them an interesting choice to bring a gourmet spin to the Nihon Tōitsu universe.
Release Details
Nomi Kui Dōraku ~Nihon Tōitsu~ will begin serialization in the November issue of Monthly Princess magazine, which is slated for release on October 6. Fans of both the Nihon Tōitsu series and Arata Kawabata’s previous works will be eager to see how this unique culinary spinoff unfolds within the gritty world of yakuza.
