View source for Saki (manga)

{{Short description|Japanese manga and anime series by Ritz Kobayashi}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Saki
| image           = Saki volume 1 cover.jpg
| caption         = Cover art of the first Japanese manga volume featuring the title character Saki Miyanaga
| ja_kanji        = 咲-Saki-
| ja_romaji       = 
| genre           = [[Sports manga|Sports]] ([[Japanese Mahjong|mahjong]])<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Saki Mahjong Manga to Have 'Important Announcement' on September 2 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-08-19/saki-mahjong-manga-to-have-important-announcement-on-september-2/.105549 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=May 22, 2020 |date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820031001/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-08-19/saki-mahjong-manga-to-have-important-announcement-on-september-2/.105549 |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = Ritz Kobayashi
| publisher       = [[Square Enix]]
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[Yen Press]]}}
| demographic     = ''[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]''
| magazine        = [[Young Gangan]]
| first           = February 3, 2006
| last            = 
| volumes         = 24
| volume_list     = List of Saki chapters
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = Manabu Ono<br/>Kenji Setō (assistant)
| producer        = Yūichirō Takahata<br/>Yūka Sakurai<br/>Takao Aoki<br/>Takuto Kumatani
| writer          = Tatsuhiko Urahata
| music           = Takeshi Watanabe
| studio          = [[Gonzo (company)|Gonzo]], Picture Magic
| network         = [[TV Tokyo]]
| first           = April 6, 2009
| last            = September 28, 2009
| episodes        = 25
| episode_list    = List of Saki episodes#Saki (2009)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Game
| title           = Saki Portable
| developer       = [[Alchemist (company)|Alchemist]]
| publisher       = 
| genre           = [[Mahjong]]
| platforms       = [[PlayStation Portable]]
| released        = {{vgrelease|JP|March 25, 2010}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Saki Biyori
| author          = Saya Kiyoshi
| publisher       = [[Square Enix]]
| demographic     = ''[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]''
| magazine        = [[Young Gangan]]<br/>Big Gangan
| first           = June 17, 2011
| last            = March 24, 2018
| volumes         = 7
| volume_list     = List of Saki chapters#Saki Biyori
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A
| author          = Ritz Kobayashi
| illustrator     = [[Aguri Igarashi]]
| publisher       = [[Square Enix]]
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = [[Monthly Shōnen Gangan]]
| first           = September 2011
| last            = 
| volumes         = 9
| volume_list     = List of Saki chapters#Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| title           = Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A
| director        = Manabu Ono<br/>Kenji Setō (assistant)
| producer        = Yūichirō Takahata<br/>Yūka Sakurai<br/>Ryōsuke Ōno
| writer          = Tatsuhiko Urahata
| music           = Takeshi Watanabe
| studio          = [[Studio Gokumi]]
| network         = [[TV Tokyo]], [[TV Osaka]], [[TV Aichi]], [[TV Setouchi]], [[TV Hokkaido]], [[TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting]], [[AT-X (company)|AT-X]] 
| first           = April 9, 2012
| last            = May 25, 2013
| episodes        = 16
| episode_list    = List of Saki episodes#Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A (2012)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Game
| title           = Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A Portable
| developer       = [[Alchemist (company)|Alchemist]]
| publisher       = 
| genre           = [[Mahjong]]
| platforms       = [[PlayStation Portable]]
| released        = August 29, 2013
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Side Story of Saki: Shinohayu the Dawn of Age
| author          = Ritz Kobayashi
| illustrator     = [[Aguri Igarashi]]
| publisher       = [[Square Enix]]
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = Big Gangan
| first           = September 25, 2013
| last            = 
| volumes         = 16
| volume_list     = List of Saki chapters#Side Story of Saki: Shinohayu the Dawn of Age
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| title           = Saki: The Nationals
| director        = Manabu Ono<br/>Kenji Setō (assistant)
| producer        = Yūichirō Takahata<br/>Yūka Sakurai<br/>Ryōsuke Ōno
| writer          = Tatsuhiko Urahata
| music           = Takeshi Watanabe
| studio          = [[Studio Gokumi]]
| network         = 
| first           = January 5, 2014
| last            = April 6, 2014
| episodes        = 13
| episode_list    = List of Saki episodes#Saki: The Nationals (2014)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ova
| title           = Saki Biyori
| director        = Manabu Ono<br/>Kenji Setō (assistant)
| producer        = Yūichirō Takahata<br/>Yūka Sakurai<br/>Ryōsuke Ōno
| writer          = Tatsuhiko Urahata
| music           = Takeshi Watanabe
| studio          = [[Studio Gokumi]]
| network         = 
| released        = July 25, 2015
| runtime         = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Toki
| author          = Meki Meki
| illustrator     = 
| publisher       = [[Square Enix]]
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = Big Gangan
| first           = June 25, 2016
| last            = 
| volumes         = 10
| volume_list     = List of Saki chapters#Toki
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = drama
| director        = Yuichi Onuma
| producer        = 
| writer          = Hayashi Mori
| music           = 
| studio          = 
| network         = [[Tokyo Broadcasting System Television|TBS]]
| first           = December 4, 2016
| last            = January 8, 2017
| episodes        = 5
| episode_list    = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title           = Live-action film
| content         = 
*[[Saki (film)|''Saki'' (film)]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = drama
| title           = Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A
| director        = 
| producer        = 
| writer          = 
| music           = 
| studio          = 
| network         = 
| first           = December 3, 2017
| last            = January 7, 2018
| episodes        = 5
| episode_list    = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = live film
| title           = Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A
| director        = 
| producer        = 
| writer          = 
| music           = 
| studio          = 
| released        = {{Start date|2018|01|20}}
| runtime         = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Saki'''''|咲-Saki-}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by Ritz Kobayashi. The story revolves around a first-year high school girl named Saki Miyanaga who is brought into the competitive world of [[Japanese Mahjong|mahjong]] by another first-year, Nodoka Haramura. The manga has been serialized in [[Square Enix]]'s ''[[Young Gangan]]'' since February 3, 2006 and is licensed in English by [[Yen Press]].<ref name="enPub-YP">{{cite web|title=Saki|website=[[Yen Press]]|url=https://yenpress.com/series/saki|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-date=30 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330135719/https://yenpress.com/series/saki|url-status=live}}</ref> A 25-episode [[anime]] adaptation by [[Gonzo (company)|Gonzo]] aired between April and September 2009 on [[TV Tokyo]].

A side-story manga illustrated by [[Aguri Igarashi]], {{nihongo|''Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A''|咲 Saki 阿知賀編 episode of Side-A}}, was serialized between the September 2011 and April 2013 issues of ''[[Monthly Shōnen Gangan]]'', with an anime adaptation by [[Studio Gokumi]] airing between April and July 2012, with four additional episodes airing between December 2012 and May 2013. A third anime series, {{nihongo|''Saki: The Nationals''|咲-Saki-全国編|Saki: Zenkoku-hen}}, also by Studio Gokumi, aired between January and April 2014. A spin-off series to ''Saki'', ''Side story of -Saki-: Shinohayu the dawn of age'', began serialization in ''Big Gangan'' from September 2013. A gag manga series by Saya Kiyoshi, ''Saki Biyori'', began serialization in ''[[Young Gangan]]'' from June 2011, with an [[original video animation]] released on July 25, 2015. Another spin-off manga illustrated by Meki Meki, ''Toki'', began serialization in ''Big Gangan'' from June 2016. A live-action television series aired between December 2016 and January 2017, and [[Saki (film)|a live-action film]] opened in Japan in February 2017.

==Plot==
{{main|List of Saki characters}}
Saki Miyanaga, a freshman in high school, does not like [[mahjong]] because her family would always force her to play it and punish her regardless of the outcome of the game. Due to this, she learned how to keep her [[Japanese Mahjong scoring rules|score]] at zero, neither winning nor losing, a skill said to be more difficult than actually consistently winning. However, her friend from middle school, completely unaware of such circumstances, convinces her to visit the school's small mahjong club upon entering Kiyosumi High School. After the club discovers her ability, they recruit her permanently and convince her to win instead of breaking even. She easily does so with her skill and discovers a new love for mahjong, along with a friendship with her fellow club member, Nodoka Haramura. This leads the team to enter the prefecture's high school mahjong tournament with the goal of reaching the national high school competition.

The side-story manga, ''Saki: Achiga-hen episode of Side-A'', is based in the area around Yoshino, Nara and follows a girl named Shizuno Takakamo, an old friend of Nodoka's, who used to be in Achiga Girls Academy's mahjong club together. A few years after the club disbanded and the two split up, Shizuno spots Nodoka on television as she makes her stride in mahjong. Wanting to see her old friend again, Shizuno decides to revive the Achiga Mahjong Club so that she can face against Nodoka in the inter-high national championships. The spin-off, ''Shinohayu the dawn of age'', shows the childhood of the various pro mahjong players in the series, focusing on a girl named Shino Shiratsuki who enters the world of competitive mahjong to seek out her mother who disappeared one day.

==Media==

===Manga===
{{See also|List of Saki chapters}}
Written and drawn by Ritz Kobayashi, the ''Saki'' [[manga]] series is serialized in [[Square Enix]]'s biweekly [[seinen manga]] magazine, ''[[Young Gangan]]''.<ref name="Gangan Official">{{cite web|url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/|title=''Saki'' manga official website|publisher=[[Square Enix]]|language=ja|access-date=2009-03-11|archive-date=2018-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029161414/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/|url-status=live}}</ref> Serialization began on February 3, 2006. Square Enix has collected the chapters in ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes. The first volume was released on December 25, 2006, and as of July 2023, 24 volumes have been released. [[Yen Press]] have licensed the series in English for digital release.<ref name="enPub-YP" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-05/yen-press-licenses-my-youth-romantic-comedy-is-wrong-as-i-expected-how-to-raise-a-boring-girlfriend-baccano-more/.90112 |title=Yen Press Licenses My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected, How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, Baccano!, More |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706172424/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-05/yen-press-licenses-my-youth-romantic-comedy-is-wrong-as-i-expected-how-to-raise-a-boring-girlfriend-baccano-more/.90112 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A [[yonkoma|4-koma]] series written by Saya Kiyoshi, {{nihongo|''Saki Biyori''|咲日和|}}, was serialized in ''Young Gangan'' between the June 17, 2011 and August 17, 2012 issues. It was also serialized in ''Big Gangan'' between the October 25, 2011 and March 24, 2018 issues. The first volume was released on March 24, 2012; seven volumes have been released as of March 24, 2018.

A [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] manga series written by Kobayashi and illustrated by [[Aguri Igarashi]], {{nihongo|''Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A''|咲 Saki 阿知賀編 episode of Side-A}}, originally ran in Square Enix's ''[[Shōnen Gangan]]'' magazine between the September 2011 and April 2013 issues.<ref name="saki-anime2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-23/new-saki-tv-anime-project-launching |title=New ''Saki'' TV Anime Project Launching |work=Anime News Network |date=June 23, 2011 |access-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624151826/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-23/new-saki-tv-anime-project-launching |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-06/saki-episode-of-side-a-manga-to-end-in-march |title=''Saki Episode of Side A'' Manga to End in March |work=Anime News Network |date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208093202/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-06/saki-episode-of-side-a-manga-to-end-in-march |url-status=live }}</ref> It was compiled into six volumes released between March 24, 2012 and August 24, 2013. It resumed serialization on March 23, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-02-24/saki-achiga-hen-episode-of-side-a-manga-resumes-after-7-years/.156791|title=Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A Manga Resumes After 7 Years|work=Anime News Network|date=February 24, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-date=March 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316204827/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-02-24/saki-achiga-hen-episode-of-side-a-manga-resumes-after-7-years/.156791|url-status=live}}</ref> and two new volumes were added in 2021. Nine books have been published as of September 2022.

Another spin-off manga titled ''Side Story of Saki: Shinohayu the Dawn of Age'' began serialization in ''Big Gangan'' from September 25, 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-24/saki-episode-of-side-a-gets-spin-off-manga-in-september |title=Saki Episode of Side A Gets Spin-Off Manga in September |work=Anime News Network |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 24, 2013 |archive-date=July 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726011402/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-24/saki-episode-of-side-a-gets-spin-off-manga-in-september |url-status=live }}</ref> As of July 2023 it has 16 volumes published. A spin-off of ''Achiga-hen'' illustrated by Meki Meki, {{nihongo|''Toki''|怜-Toki}}, began serialization in ''Big Gangan'' on June 25, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-24/saki-mahjong-manga-gets-toki-spinoff-in-june/.102453 |title=Saki Mahjong Manga Gets Toki Spinoff in June |work=Anime News Network |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526110027/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-24/saki-mahjong-manga-gets-toki-spinoff-in-june/.102453 |url-status=live }}</ref> There have been ten ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes as of July 2023.

A series of parody one-shots titled {{nihongo|''Ritz''|立|Ritsu}}, which detail the fictionalized backstory behind Kobayashi's serialization of ''Saki'', have been written and illustrated by Hideki Owada and published in ''Young Gangan''. Another spin-off by Meki Meki, titled {{nihongo|''Someya Mako no Jansō Meshi''|染谷まこの雀荘メシ|Mako Someya's Mahjong Parlor Food}}, began serialization in ''Young Gangan'' on June 7, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-04-06/saki-mahjong-manga-gets-gourmet-spinoff-manga-in-june/.145443|title=Saki Mahjong Manga Gets Gourmet Spinoff Manga in June|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 6, 2019|access-date=June 7, 2019|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408181125/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-04-06/saki-mahjong-manga-gets-gourmet-spinoff-manga-in-june/.145443|url-status=live}}</ref> and has 3 volumes as of September 2022.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:染谷まこの雀荘メシ|lang=ja|trans-title=Someya Mako's Janso Meshi|publisher=[[Square Enix]]|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/yg/introduction/someyamako/|access-date=January 26, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127062446/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/yg/introduction/someyamako/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Saki to Final Fantasy XIV'', a manga drawn by Saya Kiyoshi in collaboration with the ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]'' video game, will launch on Square Enix's ''[[Manga Up!]]'' app on January 22, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-01-21/final-fantasy-xiv-game-gets-saki-mahjong-collaboration-manga/.168642|title=Final Fantasy XIV Game Gets Saki Mahjong Collaboration Manga|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 21, 2021|access-date=January 21, 2021|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121142319/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-01-21/final-fantasy-xiv-game-gets-saki-mahjong-collaboration-manga/.168642|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Anime===
{{see also2|[[List of Saki episodes]], which lists both Saki and its spin-off, Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A}}
An [[anime]] adaptation of ''Saki'' was announced in the 24th issue of ''Young Gangan''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-04/saki-mahjong-manga-to-reportedly-get-tv-anime-in-2009 |title=Saki Mahjong Manga to Get TV Anime from Gonzo in 2009 (Update 2) |date=December 4, 2008 |work=Anime News Network |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620041203/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-04/saki-mahjong-manga-to-reportedly-get-tv-anime-in-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The series was adapted by [[Gonzo (company)|Gonzo]], directed by Manabu Ono, and written by Tatsuhiko Urahata,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saki-anime.com/staff.html|title=Staff and cast at ''Saki''{{'}}s anime official website|publisher=[[Gonzo (studio)|Gonzo]]|language=ja|access-date=2009-05-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831072105/http://www.saki-anime.com/staff.html|archive-date=2009-08-31}}</ref> From episode fifteen onwards, animation production was done by Picture Magic. On January 31, 2009, a 105-second promotional video began streaming on the anime's official website.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-31/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-promo-video-streamed |title=Saki High School Mahjong Anime's Promo Video Streamed |date=January 31, 2009 |work=Anime News Network |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227004347/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-31/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-promo-video-streamed |url-status=live }}</ref> The series aired on [[TV Tokyo]] and its affiliate stations between April 6 and September 28, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/143/143975/|title=TV Anime ''Saki'' Broadcast Information Unveiled! And Also New Character Information!!|date=2009-03-06|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works|Dengeki Online]]|language=ja|access-date=2009-03-11|archive-date=2013-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527004117/http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/143/143975/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A 12-episode anime adaptation of ''Saki: Achiga-hen'' aired in Japan between April 9 and July 2, 2012.<ref name="saki-anime2" /><ref>{{Cite news |first=Egan |last=Loo |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-10-05/new-saki-tv-anime-to-adapt-saki-achika-spinoff |title=New ''Saki'' TV Anime to Adapt ''Saki Achiga'' Spinoff |work=Anime News Network |date=October 5, 2011 |access-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006141151/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-10-05/new-saki-tv-anime-to-adapt-saki-achika-spinoff |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saki-anime.com/onair/|script-title=ja:放送情報|trans-title=Broadcast News|publisher=Studio Gokumi|access-date=March 2, 2012|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302190154/http://www.saki-anime.com/onair/|archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> Ono and Urahata return as director and writer and animation production is done by [[Studio Gokumi]]. Four additional episodes aired on [[AT-X (company)|AT-X]] between December 24, 2012 and May 25, 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-09/saki-episode-of-side-a-anime-to-air-3-more-episodes |title=''Saki Episode of Side A'' Anime to Air 3 More Episodes |work=Anime News Network |date=June 9, 2012 |access-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712173213/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-09/saki-episode-of-side-a-anime-to-air-3-more-episodes |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="achigaspecials">{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-28/saki-episode-of-side-a-13th-episode-to-air-in-december |title=''Saki Episode of Side A''{{'}}s Special Episodes to Air in December |work=Anime News Network |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029135541/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-28/saki-episode-of-side-a-13th-episode-to-air-in-december |url-status=live }}</ref> A short anime was included with a Blu-ray boxset released on March 18, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-23/saki-episode-of-side-a-blu-ray-box-to-add-new-anime-short/.81335 |title=Saki Episode of Side A Blu-ray Box to Add New Anime Short |work=Anime News Network |date=November 23, 2014 |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125062022/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-23/saki-episode-of-side-a-blu-ray-box-to-add-new-anime-short/.81335 |url-status=live }}</ref> A third ''Saki'' anime series, titled {{nihongo|''Saki: The Nationals''|咲-Saki-全国編|Saki: Zenkoku-hen}}, aired 13 episodes between January 5<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-16/saki-national-tournament-arc-anime-slated-for-january |title=Saki's National Tournament Arc Anime Slated for January |work=Anime News Network |date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016084311/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-16/saki-national-tournament-arc-anime-slated-for-january |url-status=live }}</ref> and April 6, 2014. Ono and Urahata again return as director and writer under Studio Gokumi.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-28/saki-national-tournament-arc-gets-tv-anime |title=''Saki''{{'}}s National Tournament Arc Gets TV Anime |work=Anime News Network |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029135546/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-28/saki-national-tournament-arc-gets-tv-anime |url-status=live }}</ref> Each of the series are simulcasted by [[Crunchyroll]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-27/crunchyroll-to-stream-saki-the-nationals-tv-anime-series |title=Crunchyroll to Stream Saki – The Nationals TV Anime Series |work=Anime News Network |date=December 27, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2013 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228114604/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-27/crunchyroll-to-stream-saki-the-nationals-tv-anime-series |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[original video animation]] of ''Saki Biyori'', also animated by Studio Gokumi, was bundled with the 14th manga volume of ''Saki'' on July 25, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-24/saki-4-panel-spinoff-saki-biyori-gets-anime-dvd/.79139 |title=Saki 4-Panel Spinoff Saki Biyori Gets Anime DVD |work=Anime News Network |date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-date=September 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927001548/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-24/saki-4-panel-spinoff-saki-biyori-gets-anime-dvd/.79139 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Music===
''Saki'' uses five pieces of theme music, two opening themes and three ending themes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saki-anime.com/goods_cd.html|title=CD goods section at ''Saki''{{'}}s anime official website|publisher=[[Gonzo (studio)|Gonzo]]|access-date=2009-05-02|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323081230/http://www.saki-anime.com/goods_cd.html|archive-date=2009-03-23}}</ref> ''Saki: Achiga-hen episode of side-A'' uses four pieces of theme music, two opening themes and two ending themes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-02-29/stylips-to-sing-saki-achiga-hen-mahjong-anime-opening |title=StylipS to Sing ''Saki Achiga-hen'' Mahjong Anime's Opening |work=Anime News Network |date=February 29, 2012 |access-date=February 29, 2012 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160713/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-02-29/stylips-to-sing-saki-achiga-hen-mahjong-anime-opening |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saki-anime.com/music/ed.php|title=エンディング・テーマ 「Square Panic Serenade」|trans-title=Ending Theme "Square Panic Serenade"|publisher=Studio Gokumi|access-date=March 2, 2012|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309203108/http://www.saki-anime.com/music/ed.php|archive-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref> ''Saki: The Nationals'' currently uses one opening theme and two ending themes, one of which has variations featuring different artists.

;Opening themes
:"Glossy:MMM" by [[Miyuki Hashimoto]] (''Saki'', episodes 2-14, ending theme of episodes 1, 25, ''The Nationals'' ep 13)
:"Bloooomin'" by Little Non (''Saki'', episodes 15-25)
:"Miracle Rush" by [[StylipS]] (''Saki: Achiga-hen'', episodes 2-12, ending theme of episodes 1, 16)
:"TSU・BA・SA" by StylipS (''Saki: Achiga-hen'', episodes 13-15)
:"New Sparks!" by Miyuki Hashimoto (''Saki: The Nationals'', episodes 2-13, ending theme of episode 1)
:{{nihongo|"Dramatic Cycle"|ドラマティック＊サイクル|Doramatikku Saikuru}} by StylipS (''Saki Biyori'')
;Ending themes
:{{Nihongo|"Netsuretsu Kangei Wonderland"|熱烈歓迎わんだーらんど|Enthusiastic Welcome Wonderland}} by [[Kana Ueda]], [[Ami Koshimizu]], [[Rie Kugimiya]], [[Ryōko Shiraishi]], and [[Shizuka Itō]] (''Saki'', episodes 2-6, 8-9, 11-14)
:{{Nihongo|"Zankoku na Negai no Naka de"|残酷な願いの中で|Inside a Cruel Wish}} by Kana Ueda and Ami Koshimizu (''Saki'', episodes 7, 10, 16, 18, 22)
:{{nihongo|"Shikakui Uchū de Matteru yo"|四角い宇宙で待ってるよ|Waiting For You in the World of Rectangles}} by Kana Ueda, Ami Koshimizu, Rie Kugimiya, Ryōko Shiraishi, and Shizuka Itō (''Saki'', episodes 15, 17, 19-21, 23-24)
:"Square Panic Serenade" performed by [[Aoi Yūki]], [[Nao Tōyama]], [[Kana Hanazawa]], [[Mako (voice actress)|Mako]] and Yumi Uchiyama (''Saki: Achiga-hen'', episodes 2, 5-7, 12)
:"Futuristic Player" by Miyuki Hashimoto (''Saki: Achiga-hen'', episodes 3, 4, 8-11, 14-15)
:"True Gate" by Miyuki Hashimoto (''Saki: The Nationals'', episodes 2, 7, 9)
:{{nihongo|"Kono Te ga Kiseki o Eranderu "|この手が奇跡を選んでる|This Hand Will Draw a Miracle}}
:*{{nihongo|"Miyamori Girls High School ver."|宮守女子高校 ver.|Miyamori Joshi Kōkō ver.}} by [[Juri Nagatsuma]], Mariko Mizuno, Moe Toyota, [[Rina Satou]], and [[Maaya Uchida]] (''Saki: The Nationals'', episodes 3, 8)
:*{{nihongo|"Eisui Girls High School ver."|永水女子高校 ver.|Eisui Joshi Kōkō ver.}} by [[Saori Hayami]], [[Chinatsu Akasaki]], [[Kaori Mizuhashi]], Ayumi Tsuji, and [[Sayaka Ohara]] (''Saki: The Nationals'', episodes 4, 6, 10)
:*{{nihongo|"Himematsu High School ver."|姫松高校 ver|Himematsu Kōkō ver.}} by Arisa Date, Haruka Yoshimura, [[Satsumi Matsuda]], Mariko Nakatsu, and [[Minako Kotobuki]] (''Saki: The Nationals'', episodes 5, 12)
:{{nihongo|"Koromo Biyori"|ころもびより|Koromo Days}} by [[Kaori Fukuhara]], [[Minori Chihara]], [[Ai Shimizu]], [[Ayuru Ōhashi]], and [[Yuko Kaida]] (''Saki Biyori'', ep 1)

For the PSP game, the respective opening and ending themes are {{nihongo|"Kimi ga Waratte Kureta kara, Kyō mo Yume no Tane o Makō (Kimi Tane)"|君が笑ってくれたから、今日も夢の種を蒔こう。-キミたね-||lit. "Because You Make Me Laugh, The Seeds of Dreams Will Bloom Today As Well"}} and {{nihongo|"Bakuhatsu Shidō Revolution"|爆発始動レボリューション|Bakuhatsu Shidō Reboryūshon|lit. "Exploding Startup Revolution"}}, both performed by Little Non. For the ''Achiga-hen'' PSP game, the opening theme is "Moment of Glory" by [[Miyuki Hashimoto]].

===Live-action===
{{main|Saki (film)}}
A four episode live-action television series began airing in Japan on December 4, 2016, and [[Saki (film)|a live-action film]] debuted in Japan on February 3, 2017.<ref name="live&film">{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-31/saki-mahjong-manga-gets-live-action-show-in-december-film-in-2017/.105950 |title=Saki Mahjong Manga Gets Live-Action Show in December, Film in 2017 |work=Anime News Network |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831185156/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-31/saki-mahjong-manga-gets-live-action-show-in-december-film-in-2017/.105950 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mantan-web.jp/2016/09/02/20160901dog00m200045000c.html|title=咲－Saki－：ドラマと映画で実写化 12月に4話放送＆来年初頭に公開へ|publisher=Mantan Web|date=September 2, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2016|language=ja|archive-date=September 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901200936/http://mantan-web.jp/2016/09/02/20160901dog00m200045000c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-10-27/live-action-saki-project-reveals-full-cast-in-costume/.108155 |title=Live-Action Saki Project Reveals Full Cast in Costume |work=Anime News Network |date=October 27, 2016 |access-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028135206/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-10-27/live-action-saki-project-reveals-full-cast-in-costume/.108155 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Video games===
A [[mahjong video game]] was unveiled at the 2009 [[Tokyo International Anime Fair]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.gigazine.net/index.php?/news/comments/20090318_saki/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709151256/http://en.gigazine.net/index.php?/news/comments/20090318_saki/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-09|title=TAF 2009: Bishojo Mahjong Anime ''Saki'' is to come out as a Mahjong Game|date=2009-03-18|publisher=Gigazine|access-date=2009-03-19}}</ref> and later released on April 22, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.gigazine.net/news/20090423_saki_mj4/|title=Saki's Arcade Mahjong Game Came Out!|publisher=Gigazine|date=April 24, 2009|access-date=November 18, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Gonzo collaborated with [[Sega]] in developing the arcade mahjong video game based on the series, and it is based on the MJ4 Ver.C network mahjong game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sega-mj.com/mj4/news/news_20090319_3.html|title=MJ4 Ver.C's Exhibit at Tokyo International Anime Fair 2009|publisher=[[Sega]]|date=2009-03-19|language=ja|access-date=2009-03-19|archive-date=2009-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322114108/http://www.sega-mj.com/mj4/news/news_20090319_3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The game includes a Saki Single Mode, where the player can play with ''Saki'' characters instead of matching-up with opponents online. Another mahjong video game was developed by [[Alchemist (company)|Alchemist]] for the [[PlayStation Portable]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/186/186733/|title=人気アニメ『咲-Saki-』がPSPのゲームに! 夏コミ・アルケ祭2009 ぷちで発表|trans-title=Popular Anime ''Saki'' Gets a PSP Game! Summer Comiket / Arukesai 2009 Small Announcement|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works]]|date=2009-08-17|access-date=2009-08-17|language=ja|archive-date=2009-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818134531/http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/186/186733/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was released in March 2010 in Japan under the name ''Saki Portable''. A sequel, ''Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A Portable'', was released on August 29, 2013.<ref name="achigaspecials" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-01/saki-episode-of-side-a-psp-slated-for-august-29-with-limited-edition |title=Saki Episode of Side A PSP Slated for August 29 With Limited Edition |work=Anime News Network |date=June 1, 2013 |access-date=June 2, 2013 |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608061035/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-01/saki-episode-of-side-a-psp-slated-for-august-29-with-limited-edition |url-status=live }}</ref> Another sequel, ''Saki Zenkoku-hen'', was released by [[Kaga Create]] on September 17, 2015 for [[PlayStation Vita]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-30/saki-the-nationals-arc-gets-ps-vita-game/.81598|title=Saki - The Nationals Arc Gets PS Vita Game|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 30, 2014|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804191748/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-30/saki-the-nationals-arc-gets-ps-vita-game/.81598|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 22, 2016, [[Entergram]] re-released the game as ''Saki Zenkoku-hen Plus'', with the latest update folded into it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0741pcsg00908_00sakigame00000003.html|title=咲-Saki-全国編Plus|publisher=Sony|access-date=July 8, 2017|language=ja|archive-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320151212/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0741pcsg00908_00sakigame00000003.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Japan}}
* {{Portal-inline|Games}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/ ''Saki''], [http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/introduction/saki_side_a/ ''Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A''], and [http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/sakibiyori/ ''Saki Biyori''] official manga websites {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.saki-anime.com/ Anime official website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/saki/ ''Saki'' anime] at [[TV Tokyo]] {{in lang|ja}}
* {{anime News Network|manga|10526|Saki}}

{{Saki}}
{{Young Gangan}}
{{Gonzo}}
{{Studio Gokumi}}

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