Created By: Yūto Tsukuda
Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani
Written By: Shogo Yasukawa
Studio: J.C. Staff
Audio: Japanese, English
Subtitles: English
No. of Discs: 3
Episode Count: 1 – 24
Classification: 15 (BBFC)
Format: DVD, Blu-Ray, Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray
Licensed By: Animatsu Entertainment
Release Date: 28th August 2017
Soma Yukihira is a middle school student, with outstanding culinary skills. The second chef in a family run restaurant, he is in constant competition with his father. Soma’s father drops the bombshell that he is closing the restaurant whilst he plans to travel Europe for work. Soma steps up and offers to run the restaurant himself, but is instead enrolled in the top culinary school in Japan. Here he is up against students from high born families, children of successful hotel/restaurant owners and one of the top students nicknamed ‘The God Tongue’. Soma quickly realises he has much to learn from this school, its students and the challenges it throws at him.
I highly advise having a pile of snacks beside you when watching this series. It is basically food porn for the eyes, with a few scenes of undressed characters also thrown in the mix. Soma, an already determined young man who is always up to challenge his father, is left with no choice but to attend a high class culinary school. However in the interview process, his Judge decides to refuse him entry into the school. The higher ups have other plans for young Soma, and he quickly makes enemies once he attends the opening ceremony. Soma certainly knows how to make an impression, although not a positive one. It’s not all about Soma though, as more classmates get introduced during the season, all of which are on the same path to culinary graduation (which is only for a slim 10% of all students).
Soma may not be the smartest kid in the class, and certainly not the most refined, but his skills are certainly amongst the strongest. French for one, is not his strong point! The ‘God’s Tongue’ Erina Nakiri, member of the school’s’ Elite Ten Council, takes an instant dislike to Soma. Although she appears to be a hard to please, solitary individual, she does reveal a more delicate and amusing side later in the series. Soma’s father seems to talk about nothing else but food with his son, and only when Soma is attending his new school does he find out more about his mysterious father. Soma’s new housemates in the dorm he lives in on campus, which used to house many of the Elite members in the past, has fallen in ranks in recent years. It is a more dilapidated building than most and stands out like sore thumb amongst the many elaborate looking buildings. Soma’s housemates include a quiet country girl, two meatheads, one high strung nerd and a nudist, amongst others.
There is a meaning behind the title of this show. A Food War is a challenge between two students in the school. For example, Soma could challenge any student to a cook off. These Food Wars are a sight to behold, as glistening beads of sweat skatter like glitter, and trainee chefs prepare mouth watering dishes of delight. Sometimes a little too much delight, as those who eat the dishes tend to imagine themselves either being attacked by tentacles or being stripped of their clothes.
Food Wars is animated by J.C. Staff, a Japanese anime studio which was founded back in 1986. With over 30 years in the animation business, they have one impressive catalogue. The same studio has produced Slayers, The Familiar of Zero, Toradora and will be animating the second season of One Punch Man. Food Wars the anime was directed by Yoshitomo Yonetani, who was also the director for Tiger & Bunny The Beginning and Rising. The animation was flawless; real world food can never look as heavenly as what was on the screen*. You can clearly see why they are now responsible for taking over the next season of One Punch Man.
Bonus Features Include:
- 3 x Blu-ray Discs
Episodes 1-24 packed inside 14mm Blu-ray Case
Plastic O-card
Rigid Collector’s Box
Art Cards
Bonus Poster
Food Wars the anime is adapted from the Japanese Shonen manga of the same name, by Yūto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki. Tsukuda may only be known for Food Wars, but Saeki has also worked as the original character designer for the anime Active Raid. Food Wars currently has two seasons, with a third airing this October in Japan. The manga is currently on-going in Japan with 25 volumes at present, and is available in English from Viz Media. There is also a four volumed light novel series named Shokugeki no Sōma: à la carte, currently available only in Japanese. Lastly, there is a three volumed side manga series, once again only in Japanese, named Shokugeki no Sōma – L’étoile.
*Interesting Fact: Yuki Morisaki, a famous Japanese chef and entertainer, worked as a collaborator on Food Wars by providing real recipes for the series.
A much more light-hearted show than what I was expecting, with flawless animation and an appetising storyline. Season One is the starter, next up will be the main course from Animatsu Entertainment!
Overall: 8.5/10
