Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma (Comedy Food Anime Review)
Only a few episodes in, Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma is quickly becoming one of this season’s most interesting new anime. Based on the shonen manga series, of the same name, the story focuses on Soma Yukihira, who has learned the art of cooking from his father and is known in their small town as a top chef, second only to Soma’s father Joichiro Yukihira. The quaint local restaurant is more than a simple eatery, as it brings immense happiness to all those who are able to taste the foods of the Yukihiras. Even though the Joichiro’s restaurant brings joy to the locals that know of it, there is a group that looks to buy the restaurant so that it, along with the block of other businesses and homes, can be turned into a new condominium.
Soma successfully defends the honor of his family’s restaurant, after a break in while his father was away on business, by making a deal that if he can impress the land shark with his cooking they will leave the location alone. Upon Joichiro returning he tells Soma that he will be leaving to cook around the world, and that Soma will be transferring to one of the best, and toughest, culinary schools. Joichiro also tells Soma that if he can graduate from this school, which Soma later finds only has a graduation rate of less than 10%, he will be allowed to have the restaurant.
Upon arriving at the elite culinary school, Totsuki Academy, Soma is confronted with constant challenges to improve, much as he had experienced in the past. Many of these challenges come from people, who look down on him for his ‘commoner’ pedigree in the world of culinary arts. The crux of the story, at the moment, seems to be one of judge every person for who they are and what they can do individually. Even with his great skill Soma will have to overcome many challenges to graduate from this school that is anything but ordinary.
The story of this anime is an interesting mix of comedy, drama, and fan service. The best way to describe this anime is as a mix of the overstated drama of Iron Chef with some great comedic style that reminds me a bit of Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, with a big helping of comedic fan service similar to the type seen in Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka. Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma is a great anime if you are looking for a relaxing and funny show to try out this season. All of the drama and seriousness is done in a joking manner, but the way the show is structured with a moments of exaggerated seriousness, is enough to keep watching this anime. It should be noted though that while funny, some of the “foodgasm” moments might get a little too extreme for those under the age of 13. Also, there are many sexual innuendos that are well done, that will go over some peoples’ heads.
