A collaboration between manga artist Fujiwara Kamui's metaverse project [Fujiwara Kamui Verse] and Ehime Prefecture's [Mizuguchi Sake Brewery], the Japanese sake Kamui Bar Sake "Kamirei", was completed and unveiled on February 2025, 2. The bottles are limited to 15 bottles each with a serial number and an original special label designed by Fujiwara Kamui.
This time, we interviewed him about his thoughts on Kanrei, a product that shows his commitment to being made from rice.

I spoke to this person

Manga artist Kamui Fujiwara

Profile

He made his professional debut as an artist in 1981 with "The Paradise of Babel." His original and delicate style of drawing became a hot topic, and he subsequently published a number of short stories based on his unique worldview in various magazines. He became a popular artist. He subsequently produced a number of outstanding full-length works. His representative works include "Raika" (original story by Terashima Yu), "Dragon Quest Retsuden: Emblem of Roto" (original story and setting by Kawamata Chiaki), and "Guardian of the Spirit" (original story by Uehashi Nahoko).

The reason why Shinrei was born

[Fujiwara Kamui Verse] is a project that develops and evolves content together with fans based on the world setting designed by Fujiwara. The concept is "Earth in the early days, a world where gods and humans coexisted." The setting is the continent of Antiqua. The story unfolds as various gods and the people who worship them create an ideal world.

Aiming to create a metaverse where users' activities in the virtual reality world lead to rewards, we are working towards the goal of creating an economic sphere that combines real-world problems while creating entertainment and enjoying world-building.

Fujiwara Kamui Verse has collaborated with Mizuguchi Sake Brewery in Ehime Prefecture.

-What made you decide to work on the second Kamui Bar Sake product, "Kamirei"?

"It all started with our first project with Ikuo Shuzo. For the second project, it all started with saying that we wanted to create something completely original from scratch. Mizuguchi Shuzo told us that they had a field and also an available experimental tank. Mizuguchi Shuzo has 'challenge' as their company motto, so we decided it was the right timing to take on the challenge from scratch," says Fujiwara Kamui.

-When you were thinking up the original theme, did you never imagine that you would start with rice planting?

"I never thought I would do it. I never thought I would have to start from planting rice. Of course, you can't make sake without rice, but planting rice is a tall order (laughs). I never thought I would be able to do it."

-How was the rice planting and harvesting?

"We organized a tour and did rice planting, rice harvesting, a tour of the sake brewery, and a sake tasting session. It was a lot of fun. We were able to communicate with local people and learn a lot. It was a very intensive time in a short period of time."

"The acidity is exquisite."

-What was your impression after the first bite?

"It exceeds my expectations and tastes better than I imagined! It's one of the best sakes I like! It would be a shame to drink it only as part of the Kamuiverse brand. I want the general public to try it too."

- Just hearing your story makes me want to drink it! By the way, what is your favorite flavor?

"I like refreshing sake that combines sourness, sweetness, and fruitiness. Kanrei has a dry, sake-like taste, so it's perfect for people who like alcohol as well as those who don't. I think it will suit the tastes of many people."

-Please tell us your thoughts and impressions about Minakuchi Sake Brewery and Ehime.

"I made requests such as using Omachi rice and using flower yeast. Unfortunately we couldn't use flower yeast, but I think we've created a sake of amazing quality. Minakuchi Shuzo is amazing! In particular, the acidity that comes from combining the sake rice. Minakuchi Shuzo specializes in dry sake, but this sake has a slight acidity to it. I think it's well-balanced."

"Ehime is rich in nature and seafood such as seared bonito and sea bream rice, which go well with sake.
When it comes to pairing Kanrei with food, it goes well with fish and meat dishes. It can be paired with a wide variety of dishes.

■ God Zero
A pure rice sake made using only rice, rice malt, and water.
A refreshing feeling the moment you drink it
It has a refreshing acidity reminiscent of white wine and a lingering rice flavor.

・Kamui Bar Sake・Kamikoboshi Namazake Kamui Bar Version Label 720ml
Because it is not pasteurized, you can directly taste the rice. This is a dish that allows you to taste the sake itself.

・Kamui Bar Sake・Kamikoboshi Kamui Bar Original Label Version 720ml
This is the first pure rice sake to be produced on the Japanese sake market, made by crossing Kumakogen-grown Koshihikari (edible rice) with Omachi (brewing rice). Mizuguchi Sake Brewery has recreated Kamui's favorite taste.

Alcohol content: 15%
Rice polishing ratio: 60%
Raw rice: 50% Koshihikari (Ehime Prefecture) and XNUMX% Omachi (Okayama Prefecture)
Sake degree: +1
Acidity: 2.0
Amino Acid Degree: 1.1
Contents: 720 ml
Manufacturer: Minakuchi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Date of manufacture: 25.02

The potential of sake and NFT

--Please tell us about your future plans and any messages you have for your fans.

"I'd like to do something that combines food and alcohol. It would be interesting to offer special benefits to shops that sell Kanrei and have a real-life RPG where you go around the shops."

"I think many of my fans have been readers for a long time, so I would love for them to try this. It would be great to drink it with the mushroom soup that appears in the Seirei no Moribito manga. This is a bottle that is full of my thoughts and efforts."

-Regarding the Sake x NFT initiative

Sake World NFT allows for the immediate delivery of sake, as well as the ability to age it at zero degrees (-5 degrees Celsius). The sake can be drunk as is, or it can be used in secondary distribution to increase the value of the new sake.

"Since there are only a limited number of Shinrei sakes, I think their value increases the more they are stored. I'm excited to see what it will taste like in 10 years' time. Also, sake is delicate, so it's impossible to produce the same taste twice. The taste changes slightly depending on the year of production, so it's a rare item."

[I also want to read]
-What is NFT?
How to purchase here.From!
・Sake World NFT is here.

Text: Sake World Editorial Department