The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Hiromu’s light novel series, Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle (千歳くんはラムネ瓶のなか, Chitose-kun wa Ramune Bin no Naka), is set to premiere in October 2025. Recent updates have revealed a delightful “voice trailer,” offering a first listen to the characters and a glimpse of the series’ vibrant animation.
What’s the Story About?
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle centers around Saku Chitose, a popular and seemingly perfect high schooler. He excels in academics, sports, and social interactions, making him the envy of many. However, his seemingly flawless world is shaken when his homeroom teacher tasks him with helping a shut-in classmate, Kenta Yamazaki, return to school. This challenge forces Saku to confront the complexities of adolescence and the realities that lie beneath the surface of his ideal life.
Yen Press, which licenses the light novels and manga in English, describes the premise as: “Being popular isn’t easy. It’s hard to beat Saku Chitose… But when a teacher asks for his help bringing back a student who has been shut away in his room for months, Saku’s perfect world will never be the same”.
A Voice Trailer and Key Visual
The “Ramune Day” special livestream unveiled the anime’s “voice trailer,” which is the first promotional video to feature the character’s voices. Along with the trailer, a key visual was also revealed, showcasing the five main female characters. The trailer is available with English, Mexican Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.
The Talented Cast
The anime boasts a talented cast, breathing life into the characters created by Hiromu and raemz:
- Shogo Sakata as Saku Chitose
- Manaka Iwami as Yuko Hiiragi
- Hina Yomiya as Yua Uchida
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Yuzuki Nanase
- Rumi Okubo as Haru Aomi
- Chika Anzai as Asuka Nishino
Each cast member has expressed their excitement about bringing these characters to life. Shogo Sakata, as Saku Chitose, was deeply moved by the fresh portrayal of adolescence in the story. Manaka Iwami, playing Yuko, enjoys playing a cheerful character with a mature side. Hina Yomiya, as Yua Uchida, is doing her best to capture the character’s essence.
The Creative Team
The anime adaptation is being brought to life by a skilled team:
- Original Work: Hiromu
- Original Character Design: raemz
- Director: Yuji Tokuno (known for work on Kiratto Pri☆Chan and Pretty Boy Detective Club)
- Series Structure: Naruhisa Arakawa (known for Kingdom and Elemental Gelade)
- Script: Hiromu and Naruhisa Arakawa
- Character Design: Sumie Kinoshita (known for Forest of Piano and Idoly Pride)
- Animation Production: Feel. (known for My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU)
From Light Novel to Anime
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle began as a light novel series written by Hiromu and illustrated by raemz. Shogakukan published the first volume in June 2019 under its Gagaga Bunko imprint. As of August 2024, the series includes nine volumes and one short story collection.
The light novel series has also been adapted into a manga illustrated by Bobcat, which was serialized in Square Enix’s Manga Up! from April 2020 to February 2025.
Both the light novels and manga are licensed for English publication by Yen Press.
Themes and Setting
The story is set in Fukui Prefecture, adding a layer of regional authenticity to the narrative. Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle explores themes of adolescence, social dynamics, and the challenges of connecting with others. It delves into the complexities of high school life, portraying characters who are “torn between ideals and reality, but who are still moving forward”. The series also touches on the impact of online interactions and the pressures of maintaining a perfect image in the digital age.
Reception
The light novel series has garnered positive attention, even leading to a pop-culture tourism campaign in Fukui Prefecture in 2022. The anime adaptation is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see how the story and characters will be brought to life on screen.
With its relatable themes, engaging characters, and talented creative team, Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle is poised to be a must-watch anime in October 2025. The release of the voice trailer and key visual has only heightened the excitement, promising a refreshing and heartfelt coming-of-age story.
