How a light novel series became a driver for Japanese tourism
In short: What begins as a story about high school social dynamics can evolve into a significant economic tool. Beyond the popularity of Saku Chitose and his classmates, this series has moved from bookshelves to government budgets, illustrating the growing power of pop-culture collaborations in regional development.
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle, written by Hiromu and illustrated by raemz, follows Saku Chitose, a popular class president at Fuji High School. Saku leads a group known as Team Chitose, assisting students like Kenta Yamazaki, a former shut-in, in navigating their personal challenges. The series has seen significant commercial success, with over 280,000 copies in circulation and top rankings in the bunkobon category of the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! guidebook in both 2021 and 2022. The plot focuses on helping various classmates overcome their specific difficulties. This narrative journey follows the group as they support their peers through various trials.
The franchise's reach extends far beyond the original light novel, which was first published by Shogakukan under the Gagaga Bunko imprint in June 2019. Bobcat illustrated a manga version that ran in Square Enix's Manga Up! magazine. Between April 2020 and February 2025, this series appeared, while a Feel-produced anime was revealed in August 2024. The anime's first cour was scheduled to air between October 2025 and March 2026. The manga adaptation was serialized through Square Enix's digital platform. This expansion helped broaden the franchise's audience significantly.
The cultural impact of the series is evidenced by its integration into regional economic strategies. In 2022, the government of Fukui allocated a budget of JP¥6 million (approximately US$40,500) for a pop-culture tourism campaign in collaboration with the series. This highlights how modern media properties can serve as vital assets for local governments seeking to drive tourism through fan engagement. This initiative demonstrates the practical application of media-driven regional revitalisation. Such partnerships leverage character popularity to attract visitors to specific locations.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-chitose-is-in-the-ramune-bottle.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
