Is Food Wars! worth watching? – Complete Review

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a Japanese shōnen manga series written by Yūto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.

Teenager Soma Yukihara who is sent by his father to an elite culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute. The story revolves around the adventures Soma has as he gets to know his classmates and faces challenges from Totsuki’s students as well as others in shokugeki or cooking competitions.

An anime adaptation by J.C.Staff has aired four seasons of the series. Season 5 was set to release in July of 2020 but has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1.Quick Review

The series primarily takes at Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, an elite culinary school located in Tokyo, Japan. The institute is said to be uncompromising when it comes to the expectations they have of their students. This is the reason why only a handful of students graduate from the school each year.

The students of the academy are given the freedom to initiate a food war with any other student or alumni. The wagers could be for things as simple as cooking utensils, research society facilities, or even as high stakes as expulsion from the school.

The series follows the adventures of Soma Yukihara who joins the elite institute to surpass his father’s cooking skills and become a better chef. Along the way, he befriends his classmates and faces interesting food war competitions that not only make him a better chef but also shed light on the impressive skills that his opponents possess.

Food Wars! : Shokugeki no Soma is extremely entertaining with slapstick comedy and charismatic characters. The action in the anime is brought through the art of cooking as you’ve never seen before. With excellent art and animation, this show should be on your list of shows to binge-watch.

2.Info Card

3. Is it worth watching?

Food Wars! : Shokugeki no Soma Gives you the best of both worlds: an intense story and you may have figured this one out, FOOD. As is expected from a show called Food Wars, we see the characters prepare food that looks so good it will make you wish you could eat it through your screen.

The story progression is buttery-smooth and the unique concept is portrayed by some incredibly charismatic characters.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–v6zWSR_Ko

The most memorable part about this anime besides the delicious-looking dishes is the character’s reactions to them. Food Wars! takes an interesting turn towards the ecchi genre with the concept of the characters’ clothes flying or ripping off of them whenever they taste outstanding dishes.

I. Plot

The series is based on the main character Soma Yukihira who is sent to an elite culinary school by his father so that he can master the art of cooking. Soma wishes to exceed his father’s cooking abilities and hence, works hard to prove himself at the Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute.

During his time at the Institute, Soma makes friends and faces food wars that help us see his passion for cooking and also the awesome art of gastronomy.

Food Wars! has some hilarious character interactions and an amazing soundtrack. The world-building is so polished and realistic that at some point, you forget that this academy doesn’t actually exist. The best part of the show is the animation which makes the food look so good, it’s sure to make you hungry.

II. Characters

SOMA YUKIHIRA

Soma Yukihira is the main protagonist of Shokugeki no Soma.

Soma has an energetic and optimistic personality with the constant drive to improve his cooking. This is mostly due to his strong relationship and friendly rivalry with his father, Joichiro Yukihira. Soma’s character is confident in his skills and always seeks to challenge others to a food war to prove his abilities through his cooking.

ERINA NAKIRI

Erina Nakiri is one of the main characters and sometimes a rival to Soma Yukihira in the series.

Her character is known for having the best palate in the world and is often referred to as “God’s Tongue”. Erina is a member of the prestigious Nakiri family and outshines everyone in her class due to her capabilities. She is thought of as a high-privileged princess because of her elite background. Erina is feared and admired for her deadly combination of beauty, talent and elite status.

MEGUMI TADOKORO

Megumi Tadokoro is Soma’s fellow Polar Star Dormitory resident and classmate.

Megumi is portrayed as a clumsy, timid yet thoughtful and kind character. She is someone who always speaks in a polite tone irrespective of the situation. Megumi is a nurturing sort of person and is always looking out for others and willing to help them in any way that she can.

JOICHIRO YUKIHIRA

Joichiro Yukihira is the father of Sōma Yukihira.

Like his son, Joichiro is laid back but has a serious side that emerges whenever he is cooking. He is the only role model and parental figure in Sōma’s life.  Joichiro is Soma’s mentor, teacher, and rival.

III. Setting

The series is set mainly at Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, an elite culinary school located in Tokyo, Japan, which only a handful of students graduate from each year. The campus is a wide-ranging resort with many research clubs, cooking classrooms, and large arenas used for competitions.

Housing depends on affordability. The most budget-friendly dorm is the Polaris Dormitory, where characters have to impress the dorm matron with a delectable dish to secure residence. This is where our protagonist Soma Yukihara stays during his time at the elite institute.

IV. Theme Songs

The opening theme songs for the first season are “Kibō no Uta” (The Song of Hope) (eps 1-14) by Ultra Tower and  “Rising Rainbow” ( Raijingu Reinbō) by Misokkasu (from eps 15). The ending theme is “Spice” ( Supaisu) by Tokyo Karankoron (eps 1-14) and “Sacchan’s Sexy Curry” (Sacchan no Sekushī Karē) by Seiko Oomori (from eps 15).

Season two’s opening theme song is “Rough Diamonds” by Screen Mode, while the ending theme song is “Snowdrop” by Nano Ripe.

Season three’s opening theme songs are “Braver” by Zaq and “Symbol” by Luck Life. The ending theme songs are “Kyokyo Jitsujitsu” by Nano Ripe and “Atria” by Fo’xTails.

Season four’s opening theme is “Chronos” by Stereo Dive Foundation, while the ending theme song is “Emblem” by Nano Ripe.

The fifth and last season’s opening theme so far is “Last Chapter” by Nano Ripe, while the ending theme song is “Crossing Road” by Mai Fuchigami.

The music in Shokugeki no Soma are simply beautiful. The music ranges from pleasant, elegant music to fast-paced and upbeat themes. The thrilling songs match the concept and mood of the series perfectly.

4. Grade: 4 out of 5

5. Final Thoughts

Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma is one of the best anime in its genre and is well on its way to becoming a classic. The series brings us entertainment not just through storytelling but also through its amazing characters.

The show displays some beautiful animation and soundtracks. This is going to be an anime that you think about a lot as time goes by. Especially, when you’re hungry.