Okami-san

Not to be confused with Ōkami-san.

Okami-san (おかみさん; lit. 'The Manageress') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ichimaru [ja]. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Original from 1990 to 1999, with its chapters collected in 17 tankōbon volumes. It was followed by a sequel, Okami-san Heisei Basho, serialized in the same magazine from 2011 to 2013, with its chapters collected in two tankōbon volumes. The series is about a woman who becomes the manager of a stable of sumo wrestlers.

Okami-san
First tankōbon volume cover
おかみさん
Genre	Comedy[1] Slice of life[2] Sports[3]
Manga
Written by	Ichimaru [ja]
Published by	Shogakukan
Magazine	Big Comic Original
Original run	1990 – 1999
Volumes	17
Manga
Okami-san Heisei Basho
Written by	Ichimaru
Published by	Shogakukan
Magazine	Big Comic Original
Original run	October 20, 2011 – September 5, 2013
Volumes	2

In 1993, Okami-san won the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category.

Plot

Hatsuko Yamazaki (山咲 はつ子, Yamazaki Hatsuko) is a cheerful and energetic woman who becomes the manageress of the newly established Kasugabeya stable after marrying sumo wrestler Kazuo Yamazaki (山咲 一雄, Yamazaki Kazuo). Initially, she has no knowledge of sumo, is inexperienced in household management, and struggles with cooking. Despite these challenges, her optimism and determination allow her to connect with the stable's young wrestlers. Through conflicts and mutual encouragement, she gradually grows into a supportive figure for them. Set in the world of professional sumo, the series depicts the daily life of a sumo stable, incorporating details about sumo traditions and culture. The story focuses on Hatsuko's personal growth as she adapts to her role and forms bonds with the wrestlers under her care.

Publication

Written and illustrated by Ichimaru [ja], Okami-san was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Original from 1990 to 1999.^[2][1] Shogakukan collected its chapters in seventeen tankōbon volumes, released from August 30, 1991, to March 30, 1999.^[4]

A sequel, titled Okami-san Heisei Basho (おかみさん 平成場所; lit. 'The Manageress: Heisei Tournament'), was serialized for sixteen chapters in the same magazine from October 20, 2011, to September 5, 2013.^[5][6] Two tankōbon volumes were released on February 28 and December 27, 2013.^[7][8]

Volumes

Okami-san

No.	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	August 30, 1991[4]	978-4-09-182651-0
2	December 17, 1991[4]	978-4-09-182652-7
3	July 30, 1992[4]	978-4-09-182653-4
4	January 30, 1993[4]	978-4-09-182654-1
5	September 30, 1993[4]	978-4-09-182655-8
6	April 28, 1994[4]	978-4-09-182656-5
7	November 30, 1994[4]	978-4-09-182657-2
8	August 30, 1995[4]	978-4-09-182658-9
9	April 27, 1996[4]	978-4-09-182659-6
10	September 30, 1996[4]	978-4-09-182660-2
11	February 28, 1997[4]	978-4-09-184411-8
12	June 30, 1997[4]	978-4-09-184412-5
13	September 30, 1997[4]	978-4-09-184413-2
14	February 26, 1998[4]	978-4-09-184414-9
15	July 30, 1998[4]	978-4-09-184415-6
16	October 30, 1998[4]	978-4-09-184416-3
17	March 30, 1999[4]	978-4-09-184417-0

Okami-san Heisei Basho

No.	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	February 28, 2013[7]	978-4-09-185023-2
2	December 27, 2013[8]	978-4-09-185724-8

Reception

In 1993, alongside Hideki Arai's Miyamoto kara Kimi e, Okami-san won the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category.^[9][10]