"Oishinbo" Review: A fusion of culinary art and human drama

"Oishinbo" Review: A fusion of culinary art and human drama

Oishinbo - In search of the ultimate menu

overview

"Oishinbo" is a TV anime series based on the original manga by Kariya Tetsu, which began airing on Nippon Television on October 17, 1988. The long-running series, which ran for 136 episodes, provided viewers with deep emotions and the world of delicious food. This anime is known for depicting human drama through cooking, and has captivated many fans.

Broadcast information

■ Public Media
TV anime series
■ Original Media
comics
■ Broadcast period
October 17, 1988 to Monday, January 1, 0000
19:30-20:00
■Broadcasting station
Broadcast on Nippon Television Network
■Frequencies
half an hour
■ Number of Episodes
Episode 136
■Original Story
Tetsu Kariya
■ Director
Hiroo Takeuchi
■ Production
・Production cooperation: Yu Company ・Production: Shin-Ei Animation
■Works
©Tetsu Kariya, Akira Hanasaki/Shogakukan, Shinei, Yu, NTV

story

■ Story

Tozai Newspaper Company celebrates its 100th anniversary, and as a commemorative event, the company's owner will personally plan the creation of an "ultimate menu."
Anyone involved in this commemorative project had to have a keen sense of taste, and after a taste test was conducted among employees, the two chosen for the task were Yamaoka Shiro, the company's laziest employee, and Kurita Yuko, a new female employee.
At first, Yamaoka ridicules the plan, but when he meets a man by chance while researching a dish, his hostility and competitive spirit towards him gradually leads him to become passionate about creating the "ultimate menu."
That man was...Yamaoka's real father, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, a ceramicist and a gourmet of rare breed, Kaibara Yuzan. Yamaoka still hates and cannot forgive his arrogant father, who, in his pursuit of gourmet food, does not even consider the emotional sacrifices he makes to his wife (Yamaoka's mother).
As a person with an exceptionally keen palate, Yamaoka encounters a variety of cuisines in an attempt to discover the "real taste," and in order to surpass his father, he devotes himself to creating the "ultimate menu."

*Provided by Shin-Ei Animation

Character Introduction

Shiro Yamaoka

He is the main character and the central character of the story. He is an employee of Tozai Newspaper Company and leads a lazy life at first, but ends up involved in creating the "Ultimate Menu". His keen sense of taste and passion for cooking drive the story. Also, the conflict with his father, Umihara Yuzan, is a major theme of the story.

Yuuko Kurita

A female character who appears as a new employee. She also has a keen palate and challenges herself to create the "ultimate menu" together with Yamaoka Shiro. The story depicts Yamaoka's growth and passion for cooking from her perspective.

Umihara Yuzan

Shiro Yamaoka's father, a potter and gourmet. His arrogance and passion for fine food create conflicts with Shiro Yamaoka. His presence is an important factor in promoting Yamaoka's growth.

The appeal of anime

Description of food

The greatest appeal of "Oishinbo" is its depiction of food. In the anime, various dishes are depicted realistically, and their preparation and taste are described in detail. Viewers can visually experience the deliciousness of the food, which whets their appetite. In addition, Japanese food culture and traditions are often introduced through the food, providing an opportunity for viewers to deepen their knowledge.

Human Drama

In addition to cooking, human drama is also an important element of "Oishinbo." Various human relationships are depicted, centering on the father-son relationship between Yamaoka Shiro and Umihara Yuzan. Various human emotions such as familial love, friendship, and competitive spirit are expressed through cooking, deeply moving viewers.

Educational value

"Oishinbo" not only teaches how to cook and what ingredients to use, but also provides an opportunity to learn about food culture and etiquette. By watching the anime, viewers can learn the joy and importance of cooking and increase their awareness of food. It also depicts the importance of communication through cooking, and viewers can gain knowledge that will be useful in building relationships.

Background

"Oishinbo" was created based on the original manga by Kariya Tetsu. The original was serialized from 1983 to 2014, and became a long-running series with a total of 111 volumes. The anime adaptation was produced in collaboration between Shin-Ei Animation and Yu Company to bring out the best in the original work. Director Takeuchi Hiroo faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while incorporating expressions unique to anime, providing viewers with new excitement.

Evaluation and impact

"Oishinbo" was highly praised when it was first broadcast, and gained many viewers. It was especially praised for its depiction of food and the depth of its human drama, which earned it support from viewers. The anime also had a great influence, and was one of the factors that sparked a cooking boom. Viewers became interested in cooking after watching the anime, and were inspired to start cooking themselves. It was also used as an opportunity to learn about food culture and etiquette, contributing to raising awareness of food in society as a whole.

Recommended points

Recommended for cooking lovers

"Oishinbo" is a must-watch anime for anyone who loves cooking. Various dishes are depicted realistically, and their preparation and flavors are described in detail. By watching the anime, viewers will learn new recipes and whet their appetites. They can also enjoy the human drama told through cooking.

Fun for the whole family

"Oishinbo" is an anime that the whole family can enjoy. Watching it together with your children allows you to share the joy and importance of cooking. It is also an opportunity to learn about family love and friendship through human drama. Watching it with your family will raise your awareness of food and build better communication.

Recommended for those who are interested in food culture

"Oishinbo" is a useful anime for people who are interested in food culture. The anime introduces Japanese food culture and traditions, providing an opportunity for viewers to deepen their knowledge. It also depicts the importance of communication through cooking, providing knowledge that will be useful in building relationships.

Related Titles

Original manga

The original manga for "Oishinbo" was written by Kariya Tetsu and was serialized from 1983 to 2014. It is a long-running series with 111 volumes in total, and was praised for its depictions of food and human drama. By reading the original manga, you can learn about episodes and detailed recipes that are not depicted in the anime.

Other cooking anime

Other cooking-themed anime like "Oishinbo" include "Cooking Master: My Cooking" and "Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma." These anime are also appealing for their depictions of food and human drama, and they move viewers just as much as "Oishinbo." People who love cooking or are interested in food culture will enjoy these anime as well.

summary

"Oishinbo" is an anime that is appealing for its depiction of food and human drama. By watching the anime, viewers will learn the joy and importance of cooking and will have their appetites whetted. It has also been used as an opportunity to learn about food culture and etiquette, contributing to raising awareness of food in society as a whole. This anime is recommended for people who love cooking, people who want to enjoy it with their family, and people who are interested in food culture. Be sure to watch "Oishinbo" and accompany Yamaoka Shiro on his journey in search of the ultimate menu.

<<:  Prestigious! Third Baseball Club - A thorough review of a baseball story of youth and passion

>>:  Hi, it's Akko: A thorough review of the fascinating characters and the depth of the story

Recommend

The appeal and evaluation of the Harbor Light Story -From Fashion Lala-

The appeal and evaluation of the Harbor Light Sto...

Samuel L. Jackson is beaten by Jonah Hill

Secret Invasion star Samuel L. Jackson still thin...