Saki (2009)
A high-stakes anime where mahjong tiles and teenage ambition collide on the road to the national championship.
Saki - Series Information
- Original Title: 咲-Saki-
- First Air Year: 2009
- Last Air Year: 2014
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 38
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 6, 2009 (United States - NR), April 6, 2009 (Canada - 14+), April 6, 2009 (Australia - MA 15+)
- Networks: TV Tokyo
- Alternative Titles: Saki: The Nationals (US), Saki: Zenkoku Hen (JP)
- Production Countries: Japan, United Kingdom
Saki - Plot
Saki tells the story of a girl's mental and emotional growth as she and her fellow teammates battle fearsome rivals, all gunning for the national high school mahjong tournament, and is a cross between sports action and high school drama.
Where to Watch Saki
Looking for where to watch Saki?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Saki - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kana Ueda
- Ami Koshimizu
- Rie Kugimiya
- Ryoko Shiraishi
- Shizuka Itoh
Writers
- Tatsuhiko Urahata
Saki - FAQs
Where can you stream Saki online?
Saki is available to stream on Crunchyroll, both directly and through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. Both options offer flat-rate subscription access, making it easy to watch the full series as part of your existing anime streaming plan.
What is Saki the anime about?
Saki centers on a high school girl named Saki Miyanaga who joins her school's mahjong club and sets her sights on the national tournament. The series weaves together competitive mahjong action with heartfelt character development, friendship, and the emotional highs and lows of high-stakes competition.
Is Saki based on a manga?
Saki is adapted from the manga series of the same name by Ritz Kobayashi, which began serialization in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine in 2006. The manga's blend of mahjong strategy and school-life drama made it a natural fit for an anime adaptation.
How many seasons and episodes does Saki have?
Saki spans 2 main seasons and 38 episodes in total. Season 1 runs for 25 episodes, while Season 2 — subtitled Saki: The Nationals — covers 13 episodes. There are also 8 special episodes collected under Season 0.
Who voices the main characters in Saki?
The principal cast features Kana Ueda as Saki Miyanaga, Ami Koshimizu as Nodoka Haramura, Rie Kugimiya as Yuki Kataoka, Ryoko Shiraishi as Mako Someya, and Shizuka Itoh as Hisa Takei. All are well-regarded voice actresses with extensive careers in anime.
Do you need to know mahjong to enjoy Saki?
Not at all. While mahjong is central to the plot, Saki is designed to be accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the game. The real draw is the character dynamics, emotional rivalries, and tournament drama — the mahjong serves as an exciting backdrop rather than a barrier to entry.
What are some anime similar to Saki?
Fans of Saki often enjoy other school-club and competition-driven anime. Titles like Ouran High School Host Club, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Nisekoi, and SHIROBAKO offer comparable blends of character-driven storytelling, humor, and emotional depth within school or team settings.
When did Saki first air and has it ended?
Saki premiered on April 6, 2009, on TV Tokyo in Japan. The series concluded in 2014 with the end of its second season, Saki: The Nationals. The show has since reached its finale and is no longer in production.
More About Saki
Explore further details about Saki on these trusted reference platforms.