MaGin Journal — Recap

MaGin
& Japan

A bridge between Liège and the land of yuzu

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Recap · Japanese culture · Pop culture

MaGin and Japan:
a Belgian gin, a Japanese soul

2024–2025 · Liège & Brussels · 6 min read

Japan has been at the heart of MaGin from day one: in the bottle, with yuzu, and in the universe, with manga. Along the way, this bond became very real: the Embassy of Japan, Japanese restaurants in Liège, Japan Day, Made In Asia and geek festivals. The story of a bridge between the Fiery City and the land of yuzu.

An armoured samurai at the Kaiju counter, beneath the noren

A samurai at the Kaiju counter

Japan in the bottle

MaGin Ki Yuzu is an organic Belgian gin built around yuzu, the Japanese citrus that is both tangy and fragrant, softened with vanilla. Its label, its names and its universe draw on manga and shōnen, those stories of quests and surpassing yourself that shaped a whole generation, ours included.

2024–2025 — The Embassy of Japan

December 2024: the MaGin Team meets a delegation of the Ambassador of Japan. A few weeks later, it is invited to the Japanese New Year. Read the whole story in MaGin and the Embassy of Japan.

On the menu of Japanese restaurants

On 5 December 2024, MaGin joined the menus of Ninja Ramen and Sushi Time. In the Ninja Ramen restaurants of the Liège region, MaGin even became the only gin on offer: a Belgian yuzu gin, served where Japanese food is shared. Find all these addresses on our stockist map.

September 2025 — The Liège Japan Day

On 27 September 2025, MaGin took part in the Liège Japan Day, the meeting point for fans of Japanese culture and pop culture. This edition also marked the preview of the collaboration with La Pâte de l’Ours: chocolate treats inspired by the MaGin universe, between indulgence and Japanese aesthetics.

Manga and pop culture: MaGin plays at home

MaGin was born from a love of manga. So it was only natural for the Team to go and meet the people who share it: fairs, conventions and gaming nights.

A gin you read like a manga

At MaGin, the shōnen universe is more than decoration: the label, the names and the tone all tell a quest. In September 2024, the adventure even became a real manga: Les Recettes, Volume 01, created with mixologist Maria Picon, gathers the brand’s signature cocktails in a manga-inspired format whose main character is none other than MaGin. Today you will find it in the MaGin Box.

March 2025 — Made In Asia

From 7 to 9 March 2025, MaGin takes part in Made In Asia in Brussels, one of Belgium’s biggest gatherings dedicated to Japanese culture and pop culture. Among cosplayers, manga fans and curious visitors from all over the country, the Team introduces its Belgian yuzu gin and its signature cocktails.

A highlight of the quest: meeting a community that shares the same passions face to face, and showing that a spirit can tell a real story too.

December 2025 — The Winter Geek Festival

On 13 and 14 December 2025, MaGin sets up at the Winter Geek Festival, an event perfectly in line with its DNA: pop culture, manga and immersive experiences. Winter Geek is also one of the partners the samurai met during the Advent Calendar quest, alongside Le Grenier du Geek, Manga Cash and Nakama.

31 December 2025 — New Year at Pixel Café

To close the year, MaGin teams up again with Pixel Café in Liège for a New Year’s Eve party all about celebration, gaming and pop culture. Cocktails, energy and a jump to the next level: a year-end like a final boss.

A thread that carries on

Japan runs through the whole MaGin story: a samurai in the streets of Liège for the AdvenTURE Calendar, the legend of the red thread of fate for Akai Ito, and matcha recipes among our cocktails.

Kanpai!

To taste this bridge between Belgium and Japan, MaGin Ki Yuzu is available in our online shop.

Japan Yuzu Embassy of Japan Japan Day Manga Made In Asia Belgian gin Recap