'Drops of God' takes Apple TV+ by storm. All you may want to know

"Drops of God", an Apple TV+ sensation that combines French sophistication with Japanese flair, originating from a popular manga. Created by the talented writer Quoc Dang Tran, this multinational collaboration has garnered critical acclaim since its premiere on April 21, boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In an era of tighter budgets and the need for international partnerships, Drops of God, an emotionally captivating series centered around a high-stakes competition for a multimillion-dollar wine collection, may serve as a blueprint for future producers.

Title: Drops of God

Country: France/Japan
Networks/Streamers: Apple TV+, France Télévisions, Hulu Japan

Producers: Les Productions Dynamic (Dynamic Television), Legendary Television in association with 22H22, Adline Entertainment
Recommended for fans of: The Queen's Gambit, The Lunchbox
Distributor: Legendary Television

When Weekly Morning magazine published a manga about wine in 2004, few could have predicted that it would evolve into a prestigious drama series nearly two decades later. 神の雫 (Kami, No Shizuku), written by Tadashi Agi and illustrated by Shu Okimoto, delivered an unconventional tale of a Japanese man compelled to become a wine expert in order to inherit his late father's extensive and valuable wine collection. While the TV adaptation incorporates a more international narrative, it remains true to its source material.

Fleur Geffrier (Elle), a talented French actress, portrays Camille Léger alongside Tomohisa Yamashita (The Head) in this eight-part series. Geffrier's character takes on the role of the estranged daughter (changed from a Japanese son in the series) who must master the properties of thirteen wines to gain control over her recently deceased father's collection. Yamashita plays the renowned young oenologist Issei Tomine, who has been adopted into the prestigious Léger family in Tokyo, granting him the same opportunity to claim the fortune. As Camille realizes her extraordinary abilities in taste and smell, she engages in a gripping sensory battle with Issei, matching his wine expertise. Drops of God premiered on April 21 on Apple TV+ and has been receiving positive reviews, although specific ratings data is not currently available. Even the Telegraph in the UK, in a somewhat mixed review, noted that the series evokes "echoes of The Queen's Gambit," the Netflix series that transformed the cerebral game of chess into a captivating and alluring spectacle.

A Fusion of Europe and Asia

This remarkable series serves as a rare example of a high-end co-production between Europe and Asia. Recent years have seen limited collaborations in this realm, such as the BBC and Netflix's Giri-Haji (2019) and HBO Max and Wowow's Tokyo Vice (2022). Quoc Dang Tran emphasizes the need for a genuine bridge between Europe and Asia and a compelling script to justify such a partnership. As he states, "If it feels forced, viewers will sense it."

FAQs

Q1: What is Drops of God?
A1: Drops of God is a drama series available on Apple TV+, France Télévisions, and Hulu Japan. It is based on a popular manga and follows the story of two individuals competing to inherit a valuable wine collection.

Q2: Who are the main actors in Drops of God?
A2: Fleur Geffrier and Tomohisa Yamashita are the main actors in Drops of God. Geffrier portrays Camille Léger, while Yamashita plays the role of Issei Tomine.