The TV anime "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin," based on the rice farming action game that became known as the "Modern Rice Uprising," will officially collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to promote Japanese agriculture and the appeal of rice. Various projects are planned, including participation in the Children's Kasumigaseki Tour Day, a special exhibit in the Consumer's Room, BUZZ MAFF videos, an article in the July issue of the promotional web magazine "aff," and features on the Ministry's official social media.

The collaboration aims to convey the importance of producing food for survival, the joy of sharing meals with friends, and the appeal of rice. A spokesperson expressed hope that the collaboration would spark interest and curiosity about food and agriculture, stating, "We hope that through Sakuna, people will appreciate the appeal of rice."

Released in 2020, the game is a Japanese-style action RPG set on the island of "Hinoe," combining action elements of battling demons that control the island with deeply recreated simulation aspects of traditional Japanese rice cultivation. In the game, players engage in rice farming, carefully performing each step from plowing and planting to harvesting to produce high-quality rice, which strengthens the protagonist, the harvest goddess Sakuna. The rice farming element is crucial to the game's progression, and the realistic farming processes led players to refer to the MAFF website as the best strategy guide. The game has shipped over 1.5 million copies worldwide and achieved strong sales, earning the nickname "Modern Rice Uprising."

The anime adaptation will be produced by P.A.WORKS, known for works like "SHIROBAKO" and "Hanasaku Iroha." The cast includes familiar faces from the original game, such as Naomi Ozora as the harvest goddess Sakuna and Rika Kinugawa as Kokorowa, Sakuna's best friend and a high-ranking deity living in the capital.

Source : ORICON NEWS