Anime shows are renowned for their action-packed scenes and dramatic cliff-hangers, yet there’s another aspect of these compelling series that stands out – food. Be it captivatingStudio Ghiblianimations or the intricate dishes fromFood Wars: Shokugeki no Soma, food in anime has become a genre of its own, with avid fans actively seeking out this concept.
Anime series are also responsible for popularizing a number of Japanese dishes and bringing them into mainstream Western media. Even anime that are primarily based on adventure and action have also inadvertently popularized a number of dishes,such as Ramen fromNarutoand Katsudon fromYuri!!! On Ice. But what makes these seemingly normal dishes stand out so eloquently in anime? Ranging from enticing visuals to the symbolism behind these dishes, Japanese animators incorporate a number of elements that allow viewers to become engrossed in these three-dimensional foods.
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Extensively Detailed Animations
The steam rising from a bowl of hot Ramen, or the soft glistening texture of Omurice, Japanese animators truly have a way of playing with food visuals that arouse asentimental feeling within the viewers. In other forms of media,such as Western animations, food is generally treated as a background element in the frame, consequently being animated with the least effort. Japanese animations, on the other hand, make food the focal point of the frame, which in-turn makes the dishes look warm and soulful.
Another factor that adds to why food on-screen looks much more tempting compared to real-life is the art of emphasis. Food in anime looks good simply because animators can elevate certain features and bring them close to perfection. Moreover, animated dishes pertain to the viewers’ perception of food, meaning the dishes are presented in a way that satiates the mind’s bias of how the food should look like.
Emotional Aspect of Food
Anime is known for stirring up a blend of emotions, from theirgloomy scenes to hair-raising fights, with food also playing a similar role in these shows. Viewers find these inviting dishes appetizing due to the emotional connection they feel with the dishes. The smoke churning from a tender meat dish or the doughy texture of mochi – all of these sights are bound to arise a warm and comforting sentiment.
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Moreover, the cooking process in anime is treated quite unconventionally, as the whole feat is treated as an enjoyable moment. Contrary to real-life, mundanecooking is highly romanticized in anime, presenting the menial chore as something intriguing and exciting. Studio Ghibli effortlessly captures the essence of emotions within food, as evident from its heart-warming dishes that are coupled with sentimental value. The egg-on-toast fromLaputa: Castle in the Skyis the perfect example, showcasing how scarfing down a simple two-ingredient dish can produce an iconic scene with a compelling undertone.
Washoku – Japanese Food Culture
The stringent conditions for nailing food within anime isn’t simply a matter of intrinsic reasoning, as the real force behind this aspect of animations is ‘Washoku’, a term used to describe Japanese food culture. Washoku in itself is a principle, defining all thetraditional customs and rulespertaining to the production and processing of food. These fundamental principles have been preserved for centuries and are clearly evident in 21st century Japan’s cooking methods.
Considering the significance food culture holds in Japanese society, it’s natural for the country’s staple media to incorporate the very same values into its animations. Food holds considerable importance in Japan’s culture as well, since traditional dishes are a focal part of all cultural festivals. The country takes this reverence further by celebrating seasonal fruits with festivals all year round.
Food and Religion
As evident from the concept of Washoku, food is deeply ingrained in every aspect of Japanese society, forcing animators to excessively detail and nail this aspect of anime. However, another factor behind Japan’s superfluous consideration of food lies in religion. The country’s majority religion is‘Shintoism’, a belief that worships spiritsthat lie within every living and non-living being, and to worship these spirits, offerings are made in the form of delectable foods.
With such religious importance attributed to food, it comes as no surprise that tremendous effort is put into perfecting the visual effects of food, and any emotions that may arise with the mouth-watering sights. Piecing all these factors together, food holds immense value in Japanese culture and society as a whole, which is bound to be reflected in the country’s media, especially anime.
