Ask John: Is There More Sorcerer on the Rocks?

Question:
Is there more Sorcerer on the Rocks coming to DVD or in manga form?

Answer:
Unfortunately, probably not. Sorcerer on the Rocks, created by Satoru Akahori and originally titled “Chivas 1-2-3” in Japan, had its name altered for its American release in order to avoid possible copyright disputes with the well known Chivas Regal brand whisky. The American title was also designed utilize the appeal of Sorcerer Hunters, which is set several hundred years before the events in Chivas 1-2-3 and was also created by Japanese comedy master Akahori Satoru. On a related side note, Akahori Satoru has quite a fondness for naming his characters after foods, among them: Cocoa, Milk and Lamune from NG Knight Lamune & 40; Carrot & Maron Glaces and Chocolate & Tira Misu from Bakuretsu Hunter; Lime & Cherry from Saber Marionette; and Chivas Scotch & Gin Fizz from Chivas 1-2-3.

Chivas 1-2-3 was part of a multimedia project that lasted for roughly 4 years. The Chivas 1-2-3 manga by Yuki Mirai was collected into 7 volumes published between December 1996 and December 1999. 1999 also saw the debut of a Chivas 1-2-3 radio drama, later collected onto two CDs; a 2 episode anime OAV series; and a pocket novel titled Chivas 1-2-3: Birth of Outlaw, written by Satoru Akahori. The Chivas project seemed to conclude in January 2000 with the release of the Chivas 1-2-3 Destiny! Unmei wo Kaerujya role playing game (front/back) for the Playstation.

We haven’t heard of any plans for the Chivas manga, novel or RPG to ever be released in America.