NOTE: Take any review with a grain of salt. Neutral reviews don’t exist. No review is without bias, which is why my final ratings ignore typical breakdown and are solely based on personal enjoyment only (short explanation: https://kitsu.io/comments/28661981). Always watch the anime for yourself and use others’ reviews as a guideline or reference point. I respect your opinions and I hope you will also do so in return.
EDIT: Please note that due to the transition from Hummingbird to Kitsu, links to pictures and videos are all missing, so that’s why you may find random sentences scattered throughout.
As the scent of essence and herbs permeate through your nostrils, a feeling of invigoration courses through your body unlike anything you’ve ever felt before. Your mind goes blank as your olfactory receptors are stimulated to their limits. The warm embrace of the scent wrapped around you like heaven’s
blanket, caressing your insides. Hypnotized and captivated by the scent, you take a bite into the dish…
Suddenly, the world around you fades as you feel your body ascend into the skies, as if lifted by angels,transporting you into a haven of glory. Your gustatory senses begin to overload, sending jolts of pleasure into your brain. Your palates become increasingly moist as salivation increases, slowing starting to flow. Your breathing becomes heavy as you began to pant. A
moment of pure bliss and harmony. Paradise. Suddenly, that moment of ecstasy dissipates as the surrounding reality shrouds back in. You slowly open your mouth and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Then you take another bite…
Such savor….much luxury
Welcome to my fifth review! From studio JC Staff (Toradora!, Bakuman, Railgun, etc), today we’ll betaking a bite out of “Shokugeki no Souma” or “Food Wars”; the show that tantalizes your very taste buds (and other body parts too…*wink wink*) with not only its gorgeous presentation of mouthwatering
food, but also its riveting characters and story execution which keep you hungry for more with every subsequent episode. A veneration of differences; prepare for an epic journey of innovation, aspiration, and a whole new appreciation of cultural cuisines around the world. Bon Appétit.
Are you ready?!
Note:The only section that may contain major spoilers is the characters section.
Story:
Cooking is like an endless realm scattered with infinite possibilities. The amount of creativity and combinations that come with the copious amounts of ingredients are limitless! This is a story of overcoming struggles to reach the top,creating new experiences, and adapting to hardships; all the while never failing to look bad*ss doing it! The story centers on our main protagonist Yukihira Souma (Sōma), a proud and confident young chef who works for his family restaurant. His primary goal is passing on the tradition of the Yukihira household, continuing to serve delectable food to anyone.
Pursuing the dream to become a world renowned chef, he is then granted the opportunity to prove his worthiness at the Tōtsuki Culinary Academy, the origin of the world’s most illustrious cooks.
So badss…*
The story is divided into 2 main arcs: the training camp and the Tōtsuki Autumn Elections. The minor karaage arc was a very short subsidiary, but vital filler arc in between. The training camp arc begins with our protagonist Souma as he prepares to embark on a gauntlet of cooking challenges. Being his initial exposure to an elite cooking environment, Souma realizes that Totsuki Academy is no ordinary student-friendly preparation school. No matter what skill level one may possessor how successful they were, their abilities will be pushed to their limits and all prior experiences suddenly become null. Souma meets and befriends many promising students along his journey. The relations he build with his newfound friends will have a strong impact on who
he becomes later as his motivations extend beyond that of his personal family tradition. This is not exactly that typical story of overwhelming dominance by our protagonist as he blazes through every challenge unscathed. He has his own fair share of struggles and competitive rivalry. Strong opposition exist and everyone is capable of possessing the edge. As aforementioned, it’s a story of growth and perseverance not only from him, but also by his surrounding folks as well (Megumi specifically). As strong of a competitor he is, he still learns, adapts, and utilizes unique arrays of techniques so that he can stand out as
the most eminent component in the boiling stockpot that is the Totsuki Academy.
The most notable twists and surprises don’t occur from the story itself, but from the vastness of food culture from around the world. It gives you a scope and magnitude of the insane potential of combinations which are possible, further immersing you into their world. If you’re a food expert/connoisseur, you may have a deeper understanding of their explanations and their reasoning on why they selected a certain ingredient. If not,
then sit back and enjoy the presentation of art. A large majority of the script was devoted to the description (and lustfulness) of the dishes themselves, and it serves as an extremely potent method of engaging the viewer with the anime. Even simply spoiling the reaction scenes won’t do the show justice. This is a show that you have to watch and experience for yourself. You can learn many interesting food terms such as “aspic” (a jelly
made from meat stock) and “vichyssoise” (a soup base made from leeks, potatoes, and cream).
They sure do…
And I must also add that the comedy is perfectly marinated into the show, adding a great wealth of laugh-out-loud moments which really makes this show all the more enjoyable to watch. It never felt out of place to me. The mixture of comedy alongside the intensity of the cooking battles makes for an exceptionally delectable combo.
Oh yeeaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Alas, unfortunately, this show is not conclusive (manga is ongoing at the time of this review). It ends on a strong note, but it does not sought to complete what it initially presented from the very beginning, but that can easily be solved with a sequel! This whole season was a journey and a stepping stone, and that alone will take time.You cannot expect it all to wrap up here or else it’ll be rushed. There is definitely room for another
season, and that fact should not be a deterrent for anyone from watching this show. As simple as the story may seem with its superficial themes of growth and perseverance, it’s truly about the presentation and appreciation of the multitude of worldwide cuisines that will captivate you. Expect and watch this show as if it were an intriguing piece of artistic prowess.
Animation:
What exactly defines art? Aesthetics? Distinctiveness? Innovativeness? Flair? It’s all and much more! This show depicts cooking in such ways. Cooking is an art, and Shokugeki no Souma respects that notion. It takes immersion of the culinary theme to another level. The application of human creativeness and imagination are at their apex with this show. The gates of possibility are wide open and an endless slew of ideas are possible. It idolizes different cuisines and truly tries to appeal to the viewers’ heart via its exaggerated visual flair. Whatever emotions the characters would normally feel inside are expressed exteriorly (well it’s still internal, but you get my point. Can you imagine a character orgasming with a straight
face? That’s just creepy…). The different ways the show expresses passion and emotions through food-related themes are just so creative and imaginative. From personification to analogous representations, every food evokes out their own unique reaction. These displays of overwhelming satisfaction are an
absolute joy to watch and are definitely one of the highlights of the show.
Magical Cabbage! The future of superheroes!
The manliest thing you will EVER experience. The testosterone is strong with this one…
I-it’s….SO GOOD! *instant paralysis*
Someone give the animation director (or the manga artist) a raise, because everything about this show pays extreme homage, admiration, and reverence to the culinary and cultural origin from around the world, and it was executed magnificently. You can tell the visuals are truly praising and respecting delicacies worldwide. The different angles, slow motion captures, the facial expressions of wonder, the gracefulness of the ingredients as they baste alongside each other; cookingcannot get any more respect than this. You can see the luminous sparkle of the aspic gelatin, the tantalizing aroma of the pork roast, and the fragrant essence of the simmering curry sauce. How the scents are like smoky tendril swrapping around the person, enveloping and
seducing them with their mesmerizing odor. Dishes are presented in such an enchanting and harmonious manner as light shines down upon them that it might as well have been served directed from the heavens. There is possibly no other anime that show more admiration and love for food visually than this. They try (and succeed) in putting you in a duo state of awe and hunger.
Such majestic presentation!
It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!
Melting down…literally.
Small details such as the parodic commercial drawings in between are added bonuses to insure nothing ever gets stale.
I’d be watering that much from my mouth too tbh…
Street Fighter!
The visuals for the OP and EDs are great as well! Extremely colorful and refined, the openings always prepare you for some fast paced food action! The first ending song cleverly mimics the painting of “The Last Supper”, whereas the second is a calm serenading scene to close everything out nicely!
“The Last Supper” reference.
Extra treats such as the usage of chibi models adds an extra layer of cute light-heartedness and offers a breath of fresh air. These are used mainly in comedic moments, and clearly emphasizes their childish behavior as they argue or fool around.
Also note that this show is labelled as ecchi, but what did you expect when the show’s nickname is practically “food porn”? About 95% of ecchi scenes will occur during each momentous scene of a character consuming food. And I feel that of all shows that utilize ecchi, THIS show is one that possibly uses it in a most appropriate manner. The show oozes elated exaggeration and over-the-top reactions, so what better way to express one’s jubilant satisfaction than to GET WET! There has been psychological studies showing that the barer the human body displays, the higher the magnitude and obsession with experience it portrays. Being bare is a symbol of strong spiritual power arising (not that arising you perv…). In other words, if someone is about to get naked from something, they must REALLY like it.
This reaction is pretty tame for what the show has to offer. For the better though!
Yuri lovers rejoice!
Context! I NEED CONTEXT NOW!
But not to worry! The ecchi moments aren’t just limited to exclusively female characters like many other ecchi shows: men-lovers get their fair share of muscular men moments having their manly moments of bliss as well!
Men lovers rejoice!
Fun fact: Often nicknamed the “pleasure hormone” or the“feel-good hormone”, dopamine is a class of catecholamines responsible for regulating the flow of information through our brains and allowing us toe xperience feelings of passion and satisfaction. Guess what hormone is released during sexy lewd
time and eating? Bingo! The ecchi scenes are completely applicable and appropriate for this show.
Characters(possible spoilers):
There are many different characters, but all are so lovable in their own way.Most get their fair share of development and unique personalities. Many characters are defined by their specialty style of cooking, dubbed self-identifying nicknames such as “meat
commander” or “prince of smoke”. Despite more attention on certain characters, the cast are all apparent throughout the show and never really drop off to make you think they are insignificant. They are just presented with such flair and pizzazz that it’s difficult to purge them from your head. You’ll love them all.
Aside from his infamous peanut butter tentacles, everything he cooks is guaranteed to cause knees tobuckle with orgasmic euphoria. One may claim that Souma is an “OP” protagonist,and I would definitely understand if one calls him that (and done right). His aspiring confidence and boisterous attitude
definitely lends a hand in that as well. But I would also argue that he isn’t as overpowering as the oversaturated buzzword may proclaim. The definition of “OP” only exists contextually with regard to surrounding peers. Since everyone has equally advanced skill levels, OP becomes the new average. Years
and years of competing (and failing) with his world renowned father and co-managing the family restaurant has honed his skills to an extreme level in order to surpass who possibly may be the world’s best. He’s gifted, but he had to earn it. Being in Totsuki Academy has suddenly put him on equal grounds with everyone else, each with the same intensity as the other. Souma is constantly put to the test and is required to use the extent of his cooking knowledge to innovate, prepare, and present dishes. He even fails a challenge(against a teacher nonetheless, but still, no true shounen plot armor here), and this proves to be a learning experience. By the end, Souma used those failures as reinforcements for his future cooking. Overall, Souma is sanguine, determined, and will always step up to any challenge in order to prove his worth.
The second major character of the anime is Tadakoro Megumi. Shy, innocent, and delicate, Megumi strives to make her family and village proud. Nervous, shy, and always relying on the help of others, she was the obvious underdog and feeble one of the show; like a lone lamb among a pack of ravenous wolves. Getting into Totsuki Academy by the skin of her teeth, she started out fairly weak and dependent. Following her heart,trusting her friends and instincts, she demonstrates that even the small and feeble can take down the strong empowered. She becomes a much stronger character by the end, able to stand toe to
toe with others by herself, proving to others that she belongs. By the end, she truly demonstrates that with a top finish in the preliminaries. Of all characters that show growth, Megumi demonstrated the most maturity through the whole series.
Masochistic fans rejoice. Nakiri Erina is the tsundere of the show with the textbook definition of an elitist personality. Also known as the one who possesses the “god tongue”, she is the 10th seat in the Elite Ten Council. Pompous yet grandiose, she is essentially Souma’s primary rival antagonist. She will do anything to show that her tastes are supreme, literally. She has her cute blushing tsundere moments and is thus quite popular. She does not have the most prominent role in the show, but her presence alone drives many.
This means she likes it…really…
The rest of the cast are not as major, but all equally important in paving the way towards success for our main characters. If that be supportive, intimidating, or downright dominating, every character has a trait that makes them who they are and unforgettable. The characters are the true highlights of the show.
One of my favorite and funniest characters in the show
Oh…..my…
Sound:
The OST is superb. Many of the musical pieces matches the cultural origin of the food. If the food is from a particular country, then there will be a corresponding soundtrack with iconic sound effects to accompany it. It makes that moment feel so appropriate and memorable since you have more
than the food to remember and associate it by. The soundtrack is as pleasing to the ears as the food is to the character’s palates. Sound effects and orchestral accompaniment help focus and emphasize those epic moments and dramatic events,further boosting the immersion factor for the viewer.
One of the more notable tracks is the vocal chorus which plays when the “grand dish” is served. Graceful,motivational, beautiful, and elegant. It invokes strong emotions and accentuates the divine holiness and harmony of the dish. Take a trip beyond the heavens!
The first OP, “Kibou no Uta (希望の唄)” by Ultra Tower (ウルトラタワー), is a lovely song which outlines the journey of Souma as he battles his way to the top. It definitely gets you in the mood for some food!
The second OP, “Rising Rainbow (ライジングレインボウ)” by Misokkasu, is an energetic song that mimics a shounen battle face-off. Alongside the visuals, it’s basically telling you: “ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOD BATTLES?!”
The first ED, “Spice (スパイス)” by Tokyo Karankoron is my favorite theme from the show. It’s a very sweet song that makes you want to rock your head back and forth and hum along with joy. Cute and super catchy.
The second ED, “Sacchan no Sexy Curry (さっちゃんのセクシーカレー)” by Seiko Oomori, is a soothing calm song that taunts you after each cliffhanger. Just kidding. It’s a cute song that wraps up the episodes nicely.
I never have any real complaints about voice acting as I heard nothing wrong. Cute, epic, sad, mocking,and joyous when it wants to be. Exceptionally well done expressing emotions at the correct time.
Enjoyment:Every so often we get treats. This was the main course of all shows airing. If you’re the type that loves a rule of cool show with an extremely inventive portrayal of themes or just real like to grow attached to personalities, then this show will definitely satisfy your palate. Want a story of growth and development? Want a confident protagonist that doesn’t blaze his way through everything? Want comedic moments that balance epic ones? Want orgasms and ecchi but at appropriate times? This is the show for you. It was the best thing since sliced bread (I can hear the groans already). Every week, I would heavily anticipate this show, and I would have a blast watching it each time. A well-deserved spot in my favorites and huge props to JC Staff. Much revere for global cuisine has resulted. Now obviously, this show isn’t going to make you a food expert or anything like that, but it will make you have a whole new appreciation for
the wide diversity of worldwide cuisine. And for that alone,it’s worth a watch. The only time you shouldn’t be watching this show is if you are deathly starving, and in that case, RIP. I highly look forward to future installments.Actually I cannot wait….JC Staff pls…(EDIT: I know there is a sequel….but it’s NOT ENOUGH)
Ahhhh so good!
Recommendations:
Koufuku Graffiti (Gourmet Girl Graffiti)
The only other show I know of which has exaggerated reactions from eating. It is more slice-of-life than anything else. While nowhere near as intense or entertaining as Shokugeki no Souma in my opinion, if you’re looking for delicious looking food with extreme non-ecchi reactions of satisfaction,this is the show for
you. This show is all about cute people enjoying their food. Nothing overly exaggerated.
Yakitate!! Japan
I have no real backing on this anime as I have not seen it, but from the people I’ve spoken to who have, it’s similar with its food battles and theme of food appreciation, but minus the ecchi and more emphasis on bread!
And with that, I thank you for reading this review!*Poke* You awake? Hope you all found this review helpful in your decision to watch or continue (shame on you…jkjk) this show. Enjoy your day and hope it’s filled with orgasmic inducing food! After all, food is love!
NOTE: Take any review with a grain of salt. Neutral reviews don’t exist. No review is without bias, which is why my final ratings ignore typical breakdown and are solely based on personal enjoyment only (short explanation: https://kitsu.io/comments/28661981). Always watch the anime for yourself and use others’ reviews as a guideline or reference point. I respect your opinions and I hope you will also do so in return.
EDIT: Please note that due to the transition from Hummingbird to Kitsu, links to pictures and videos are all missing, so that’s why you may find random sentences scattered throughout.
As the scent of essence and herbs permeate through your nostrils, a feeling of invigoration courses through your body unlike anything you’ve ever felt before. Your mind goes blank as your olfactory receptors are stimulated to their limits. The warm embrace of the scent wrapped around you like heaven’s
blanket, caressing your insides. Hypnotized and captivated by the scent, you take a bite into the dish…
Suddenly, the world around you fades as you feel your body ascend into the skies, as if lifted by angels,transporting you into a haven of glory. Your gustatory senses begin to overload, sending jolts of pleasure into your brain. Your palates become increasingly moist as salivation increases, slowing starting to flow. Your breathing becomes heavy as you began to pant. A
moment of pure bliss and harmony. Paradise. Suddenly, that moment of ecstasy dissipates as the surrounding reality shrouds back in. You slowly open your mouth and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Then you take another bite…
Such savor….much luxury
Welcome to my fifth review! From studio JC Staff (Toradora!, Bakuman, Railgun, etc), today we’ll betaking a bite out of “Shokugeki no Souma” or “Food Wars”; the show that tantalizes your very taste buds (and other body parts too…*wink wink*) with not only its gorgeous presentation of mouthwatering
food, but also its riveting characters and story execution which keep you hungry for more with every subsequent episode. A veneration of differences; prepare for an epic journey of innovation, aspiration, and a whole new appreciation of cultural cuisines around the world. Bon Appétit.
Are you ready?!
Note:The only section that may contain major spoilers is the characters section.
Story:
Cooking is like an endless realm scattered with infinite possibilities. The amount of creativity and combinations that come with the copious amounts of ingredients are limitless! This is a story of overcoming struggles to reach the top,creating new experiences, and adapting to hardships; all the while never failing to look bad*ss doing it! The story centers on our main protagonist Yukihira Souma (Sōma), a proud and confident young chef who works for his family restaurant. His primary goal is passing on the tradition of the Yukihira household, continuing to serve delectable food to anyone.
Pursuing the dream to become a world renowned chef, he is then granted the opportunity to prove his worthiness at the Tōtsuki Culinary Academy, the origin of the world’s most illustrious cooks.
So badss…*
The story is divided into 2 main arcs: the training camp and the Tōtsuki Autumn Elections. The minor karaage arc was a very short subsidiary, but vital filler arc in between. The training camp arc begins with our protagonist Souma as he prepares to embark on a gauntlet of cooking challenges. Being his initial exposure to an elite cooking environment, Souma realizes that Totsuki Academy is no ordinary student-friendly preparation school. No matter what skill level one may possessor how successful they were, their abilities will be pushed to their limits and all prior experiences suddenly become null. Souma meets and befriends many promising students along his journey. The relations he build with his newfound friends will have a strong impact on who
he becomes later as his motivations extend beyond that of his personal family tradition. This is not exactly that typical story of overwhelming dominance by our protagonist as he blazes through every challenge unscathed. He has his own fair share of struggles and competitive rivalry. Strong opposition exist and everyone is capable of possessing the edge. As aforementioned, it’s a story of growth and perseverance not only from him, but also by his surrounding folks as well (Megumi specifically). As strong of a competitor he is, he still learns, adapts, and utilizes unique arrays of techniques so that he can stand out as
the most eminent component in the boiling stockpot that is the Totsuki Academy.
The most notable twists and surprises don’t occur from the story itself, but from the vastness of food culture from around the world. It gives you a scope and magnitude of the insane potential of combinations which are possible, further immersing you into their world. If you’re a food expert/connoisseur, you may have a deeper understanding of their explanations and their reasoning on why they selected a certain ingredient. If not,
then sit back and enjoy the presentation of art. A large majority of the script was devoted to the description (and lustfulness) of the dishes themselves, and it serves as an extremely potent method of engaging the viewer with the anime. Even simply spoiling the reaction scenes won’t do the show justice. This is a show that you have to watch and experience for yourself. You can learn many interesting food terms such as “aspic” (a jelly
made from meat stock) and “vichyssoise” (a soup base made from leeks, potatoes, and cream).
They sure do…
And I must also add that the comedy is perfectly marinated into the show, adding a great wealth of laugh-out-loud moments which really makes this show all the more enjoyable to watch. It never felt out of place to me. The mixture of comedy alongside the intensity of the cooking battles makes for an exceptionally delectable combo.
Oh yeeaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Alas, unfortunately, this show is not conclusive (manga is ongoing at the time of this review). It ends on a strong note, but it does not sought to complete what it initially presented from the very beginning, but that can easily be solved with a sequel! This whole season was a journey and a stepping stone, and that alone will take time.You cannot expect it all to wrap up here or else it’ll be rushed. There is definitely room for another
season, and that fact should not be a deterrent for anyone from watching this show. As simple as the story may seem with its superficial themes of growth and perseverance, it’s truly about the presentation and appreciation of the multitude of worldwide cuisines that will captivate you. Expect and watch this show as if it were an intriguing piece of artistic prowess.
Animation:
What exactly defines art? Aesthetics? Distinctiveness? Innovativeness? Flair? It’s all and much more! This show depicts cooking in such ways. Cooking is an art, and Shokugeki no Souma respects that notion. It takes immersion of the culinary theme to another level. The application of human creativeness and imagination are at their apex with this show. The gates of possibility are wide open and an endless slew of ideas are possible. It idolizes different cuisines and truly tries to appeal to the viewers’ heart via its exaggerated visual flair. Whatever emotions the characters would normally feel inside are expressed exteriorly (well it’s still internal, but you get my point. Can you imagine a character orgasming with a straight
face? That’s just creepy…). The different ways the show expresses passion and emotions through food-related themes are just so creative and imaginative. From personification to analogous representations, every food evokes out their own unique reaction. These displays of overwhelming satisfaction are an
absolute joy to watch and are definitely one of the highlights of the show.
Magical Cabbage! The future of superheroes!
The manliest thing you will EVER experience. The testosterone is strong with this one…
I-it’s….SO GOOD! *instant paralysis*
Someone give the animation director (or the manga artist) a raise, because everything about this show pays extreme homage, admiration, and reverence to the culinary and cultural origin from around the world, and it was executed magnificently. You can tell the visuals are truly praising and respecting delicacies worldwide. The different angles, slow motion captures, the facial expressions of wonder, the gracefulness of the ingredients as they baste alongside each other; cookingcannot get any more respect than this. You can see the luminous sparkle of the aspic gelatin, the tantalizing aroma of the pork roast, and the fragrant essence of the simmering curry sauce. How the scents are like smoky tendril swrapping around the person, enveloping and
seducing them with their mesmerizing odor. Dishes are presented in such an enchanting and harmonious manner as light shines down upon them that it might as well have been served directed from the heavens. There is possibly no other anime that show more admiration and love for food visually than this. They try (and succeed) in putting you in a duo state of awe and hunger.
Such majestic presentation!
It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!
Melting down…literally.
Small details such as the parodic commercial drawings in between are added bonuses to insure nothing ever gets stale.
I’d be watering that much from my mouth too tbh…
Street Fighter!
The visuals for the OP and EDs are great as well! Extremely colorful and refined, the openings always prepare you for some fast paced food action! The first ending song cleverly mimics the painting of “The Last Supper”, whereas the second is a calm serenading scene to close everything out nicely!
“The Last Supper” reference.
Extra treats such as the usage of chibi models adds an extra layer of cute light-heartedness and offers a breath of fresh air. These are used mainly in comedic moments, and clearly emphasizes their childish behavior as they argue or fool around.
Also note that this show is labelled as ecchi, but what did you expect when the show’s nickname is practically “food porn”? About 95% of ecchi scenes will occur during each momentous scene of a character consuming food. And I feel that of all shows that utilize ecchi, THIS show is one that possibly uses it in a most appropriate manner. The show oozes elated exaggeration and over-the-top reactions, so what better way to express one’s jubilant satisfaction than to GET WET! There has been psychological studies showing that the barer the human body displays, the higher the magnitude and obsession with experience it portrays. Being bare is a symbol of strong spiritual power arising (not that arising you perv…). In other words, if someone is about to get naked from something, they must REALLY like it.
This reaction is pretty tame for what the show has to offer. For the better though!
Yuri lovers rejoice!
Context! I NEED CONTEXT NOW!
But not to worry! The ecchi moments aren’t just limited to exclusively female characters like many other ecchi shows: men-lovers get their fair share of muscular men moments having their manly moments of bliss as well!
Men lovers rejoice!
Fun fact: Often nicknamed the “pleasure hormone” or the“feel-good hormone”, dopamine is a class of catecholamines responsible for regulating the flow of information through our brains and allowing us toe xperience feelings of passion and satisfaction. Guess what hormone is released during sexy lewd
time and eating? Bingo! The ecchi scenes are completely applicable and appropriate for this show.
Characters(possible spoilers):
There are many different characters, but all are so lovable in their own way.Most get their fair share of development and unique personalities. Many characters are defined by their specialty style of cooking, dubbed self-identifying nicknames such as “meat
commander” or “prince of smoke”. Despite more attention on certain characters, the cast are all apparent throughout the show and never really drop off to make you think they are insignificant. They are just presented with such flair and pizzazz that it’s difficult to purge them from your head. You’ll love them all.
Aside from his infamous peanut butter tentacles, everything he cooks is guaranteed to cause knees tobuckle with orgasmic euphoria. One may claim that Souma is an “OP” protagonist,and I would definitely understand if one calls him that (and done right). His aspiring confidence and boisterous attitude
definitely lends a hand in that as well. But I would also argue that he isn’t as overpowering as the oversaturated buzzword may proclaim. The definition of “OP” only exists contextually with regard to surrounding peers. Since everyone has equally advanced skill levels, OP becomes the new average. Years
and years of competing (and failing) with his world renowned father and co-managing the family restaurant has honed his skills to an extreme level in order to surpass who possibly may be the world’s best. He’s gifted, but he had to earn it. Being in Totsuki Academy has suddenly put him on equal grounds with everyone else, each with the same intensity as the other. Souma is constantly put to the test and is required to use the extent of his cooking knowledge to innovate, prepare, and present dishes. He even fails a challenge(against a teacher nonetheless, but still, no true shounen plot armor here), and this proves to be a learning experience. By the end, Souma used those failures as reinforcements for his future cooking. Overall, Souma is sanguine, determined, and will always step up to any challenge in order to prove his worth.
The second major character of the anime is Tadakoro Megumi. Shy, innocent, and delicate, Megumi strives to make her family and village proud. Nervous, shy, and always relying on the help of others, she was the obvious underdog and feeble one of the show; like a lone lamb among a pack of ravenous wolves. Getting into Totsuki Academy by the skin of her teeth, she started out fairly weak and dependent. Following her heart,trusting her friends and instincts, she demonstrates that even the small and feeble can take down the strong empowered. She becomes a much stronger character by the end, able to stand toe to
toe with others by herself, proving to others that she belongs. By the end, she truly demonstrates that with a top finish in the preliminaries. Of all characters that show growth, Megumi demonstrated the most maturity through the whole series.
Masochistic fans rejoice. Nakiri Erina is the tsundere of the show with the textbook definition of an elitist personality. Also known as the one who possesses the “god tongue”, she is the 10th seat in the Elite Ten Council. Pompous yet grandiose, she is essentially Souma’s primary rival antagonist. She will do anything to show that her tastes are supreme, literally. She has her cute blushing tsundere moments and is thus quite popular. She does not have the most prominent role in the show, but her presence alone drives many.
This means she likes it…really…
The rest of the cast are not as major, but all equally important in paving the way towards success for our main characters. If that be supportive, intimidating, or downright dominating, every character has a trait that makes them who they are and unforgettable. The characters are the true highlights of the show.
One of my favorite and funniest characters in the show
Oh…..my…
Sound:
The OST is superb. Many of the musical pieces matches the cultural origin of the food. If the food is from a particular country, then there will be a corresponding soundtrack with iconic sound effects to accompany it. It makes that moment feel so appropriate and memorable since you have more
than the food to remember and associate it by. The soundtrack is as pleasing to the ears as the food is to the character’s palates. Sound effects and orchestral accompaniment help focus and emphasize those epic moments and dramatic events,further boosting the immersion factor for the viewer.
One of the more notable tracks is the vocal chorus which plays when the “grand dish” is served. Graceful,motivational, beautiful, and elegant. It invokes strong emotions and accentuates the divine holiness and harmony of the dish. Take a trip beyond the heavens!
The first OP, “Kibou no Uta (希望の唄)” by Ultra Tower (ウルトラタワー), is a lovely song which outlines the journey of Souma as he battles his way to the top. It definitely gets you in the mood for some food!
The second OP, “Rising Rainbow (ライジングレインボウ)” by Misokkasu, is an energetic song that mimics a shounen battle face-off. Alongside the visuals, it’s basically telling you: “ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOD BATTLES?!”
The first ED, “Spice (スパイス)” by Tokyo Karankoron is my favorite theme from the show. It’s a very sweet song that makes you want to rock your head back and forth and hum along with joy. Cute and super catchy.
The second ED, “Sacchan no Sexy Curry (さっちゃんのセクシーカレー)” by Seiko Oomori, is a soothing calm song that taunts you after each cliffhanger. Just kidding. It’s a cute song that wraps up the episodes nicely.
I never have any real complaints about voice acting as I heard nothing wrong. Cute, epic, sad, mocking,and joyous when it wants to be. Exceptionally well done expressing emotions at the correct time.
Enjoyment:Every so often we get treats. This was the main course of all shows airing. If you’re the type that loves a rule of cool show with an extremely inventive portrayal of themes or just real like to grow attached to personalities, then this show will definitely satisfy your palate. Want a story of growth and development? Want a confident protagonist that doesn’t blaze his way through everything? Want comedic moments that balance epic ones? Want orgasms and ecchi but at appropriate times? This is the show for you. It was the best thing since sliced bread (I can hear the groans already). Every week, I would heavily anticipate this show, and I would have a blast watching it each time. A well-deserved spot in my favorites and huge props to JC Staff. Much revere for global cuisine has resulted. Now obviously, this show isn’t going to make you a food expert or anything like that, but it will make you have a whole new appreciation for
the wide diversity of worldwide cuisine. And for that alone,it’s worth a watch. The only time you shouldn’t be watching this show is if you are deathly starving, and in that case, RIP. I highly look forward to future installments.Actually I cannot wait….JC Staff pls…(EDIT: I know there is a sequel….but it’s NOT ENOUGH)
Ahhhh so good!
Recommendations:
Koufuku Graffiti (Gourmet Girl Graffiti)
The only other show I know of which has exaggerated reactions from eating. It is more slice-of-life than anything else. While nowhere near as intense or entertaining as Shokugeki no Souma in my opinion, if you’re looking for delicious looking food with extreme non-ecchi reactions of satisfaction,this is the show for
you. This show is all about cute people enjoying their food. Nothing overly exaggerated.
Yakitate!! Japan
I have no real backing on this anime as I have not seen it, but from the people I’ve spoken to who have, it’s similar with its food battles and theme of food appreciation, but minus the ecchi and more emphasis on bread!
And with that, I thank you for reading this review!*Poke* You awake? Hope you all found this review helpful in your decision to watch or continue (shame on you…jkjk) this show. Enjoy your day and hope it’s filled with orgasmic inducing food! After all, food is love!