DESCRIPTION

CAST

MANGA ComedyHibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi
SPECIALRun Run Lantern

REVIEWS

• 

  pseudo

  90/100
  A recipe for nourishment, seasoned with laughter & memory—Hibimeshi's evocation through thoughtfulness & friendship.

  This review is __spoiler-free.__

  ---

  [ ](https://i.imgur.com/RgpZ86u.jpeg)

  Scrolling through the Spring 2025 offerings, Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi (or Food for the Soul, but henceforth referred to as Hibimeshi) stood out to me because of its marriage between an author I love and a studio I love even more. Behind its original story was Atto, who penned of one of my favourite slice-of-life stories in Non Non Biyori. NNB is a show which does comedy in a consistently layered and iterative manner; it knows which tropes and gags are a hit amongst its fanbase, and adjusts how they're delivered as the franchise progresses in subtle yet effective ways. As a quick example, a character that’s worried about her height and her maturity might not always outright vocalize this concern, but she’ll comically overthink what the most “grown-up” choice at a candy store of all places would be—you can think of the broader comedic structure of the series in that way. And the studio which would bring Hibimeshi to completion was P.A. Works; while some of their originals are sadly a swing and a miss, many more are resonant, illuminating displays of earnestness and passion. I frequently point to their (informally coined) “working women” anthology of sorts (Hanasaku Iroha, Shirobako, Sakura Quest, Aquatope) as the example of what they do best—self-determination and personal betterment explored through the challenges of finding oneself. All of this is to say that while Hibimeshi doesn’t take place in the rural countryside, nor does it feature its main cast gainfully employed under the same roof (they’re university students in the city), I was on the lookout for what its author-studio synthesis—Atto's perfection of slice-of-life comedy and P.A.'s phenomenal control over its uplifting ideas—would bring.

  And the result? Even with the expectations I held, which came with the territory of having two of my favourite creators side-by-side on this project, they were honestly exceeded. Alongside being thoughtful and consistently on-point with its humour, Hibimeshi also scripts its plot beats with heartfelt resonance and a healthy amount of personal inspiration—never overstated in execution nor too reserved that its pathos loses its vigor. It balances silliness and sincerity with charismatic precision—akin to its cooking premise, it mixes all of its ingredients to create a dish where the final product tastes indescribably better than the sum of its parts.

  [ ](https://i.imgur.com/QOYXEjY.jpeg)

  Circling back to said outset, Hibimeshi is one of many shows which I would describe as “premise-aware” (again, this is an informal term). Consider how Super Cub is less about motorcycles as a fascination in and of itself, and is much more about comfortable introversion and finding companionship in a willingness to challenge oneself… or how Ya Boy Kongming is less about the shock factor behind a military general from China’s Warring States period getting isekai’d to the modern day, and is more about growth through embracing your passion and love for the winds which make you fly. These hooks preface the storytelling, but they do not solely sustain it—and Hibimeshi is the exact same. The premiere features our protagonist in Mako seeking an outlet for her budding hobby in cooking, and reuniting with her childhood friend in Shinon, who provides an environment for the former to do exactly that in their newly formed Food Research Club at their school. This setup is representative of the series’ composition: while its heartbeat might be the cooking itself, its soul (pun not intended) is the togetherness and community formed amidst shared interests and a willingness to connect with those around you. Mako is a bit of a lone wolf at first: anxious around strangers and hesitant to try new experiences. Far more than just an excuse to cook more or having hungry mouths to provide feedback for her efforts, stumbling upon Shinon (and the other cast members in Kurea, Tsutsuji, and Nana) serves as a catalyzing space for Mako to grow out of her shell and make memories with people that she's privileged to call her friends.

  Thus, Hibimeshi establishes its rhythm—the activity of cooking is present in basically episode, but it's both accompanied by and bolstered through warming snippets of ordinary life and comedic interactions which strengthen the cast’s bond with each other. The slice-of-life elements and the characterization are in service of the food and the dining table—whether it’s wandering conversations about childhood experiences, scouring for appliances and ingredients with a paltry club budget, spending a Saturday on a hike, or unwinding at the beach for the sake of it… these moments coalesce to reinforce the series’ heart, found in the deliciousness of its dishes as well as the smiles and full stomachs after each and every day.

  Evidence of its effectiveness is found in its clarity of character; it’s where the “Atto” part of Hibimeshi is most evident. The jokes land not just because the skits are safe choices for its genre—overdramatized social anxiety, rambunctious and happy-go-lucky facepalm scenes, deadpan delivery of comedically charged snapshots, and the “straight man” sitting exasperated at it all, to name a few—it breathes through the arrangement of its cast dynamics and the timbre of each character echoing off of each other. The general setup of the humour is distilled in individualized ways, and this translates to the fact that the ensemble are never caricatures who function as a conduit for the comedy alone. Mako and Nana’s anxiety can be funny, but they're also etched with the honesty found in their desire to connect with the other three instead of shutting themselves off. Shinon transforms from a girl who just wanted a club to slack off in to cultivating the group's shared happiness through excursions and trips. Kurea might play up her frustration for fun, but she truly enjoys indulging in the often-ditzy-but-always-happy company of her friends. It’s a point that bears repeating—the cooking is heartwarming and disarming, but it’s only as evocative as it is because the scenes feel like the culmination of the cast’s time together as opposed to the lone premise modulating their interactions.

  [ ](https://i.imgur.com/JMaPerR.jpeg)

  And on occasion—in just the right amount of frequency and pathos—the series ventures beyond its humble outings and usual hijinks to express the depth of their companionship through emotional and nostalgic climax. If Atto thrives in the vibrant ordinariness of the everyday, this approach to ensemble-driven poignancy and sentimentality is one of the things which P.A. Works has demonstrated time and time again that they excel in, and Hibimeshi is a show that is no exception. There are episodes and scenes of softly-stated introspection which feel like they emerge out of a genuine appreciation for what the material has cultivated, the belonging and conviviality gestated by the cast's willingness to shape each other's lives. No matter if it’s under a sky ignited by fireworks at a distant vacation home, revisiting your hometown after having drastically changed as a person, or making a shrine visit while reflecting on blessings both past and present—Hibimeshi has a remarkable ability to slow down and take a step back in ways which are adjacent to its comfortable mold, but are still distinct enough to carry its own climatic execution. Enshrining its gratitude in words like “I’ll never forget this day” or “I’m glad I was able to rekindle the happiness I never knew I was missing,” these snippets of nostalgia and meditation are gentle nudges towards memory and the joys of sharing something with company you cherish, be it the rhythm of its meals or the special, one-of-a-kind moments which are emblematic of their friendship.

  While I’m not as much of a technical observer as many other members of the community (in terms of understanding and articulating the minutiae of animation, cinematography, and related aspects), I’d also assert that the directorial and audiovisual stature of the series is perfect for what it aims to be. Hibimeshi doesn't necessarily show off flashy backgrounds or kinetic spectacle, but instead leverages thoughtful character acting and welcoming storyboarding when the gravitas of a scene calls for something to look and act "good”—both in an artistic sense as well as a broader aesthetic or felt sense. Yes, as mentioned above, the series is much more about the charisma of its cast interactions and the subtlety of its mellow pathos… but it’s still a cooking story. The least it could do is make its food look like it could actually quench our hunger if we were to take a bite of it. And the show indeed does just that through drawing and colouring its assortment of meals in appealing ways, but also achieves far more through its carefully composed understanding of cooking in its own context as “active participation”—manifesting in its visual and aural storytelling. Alongside seeing cutlery go to work on the ingredients, or hearing the various food items sizzling in the pan, you’re also treated to cuts of Tsutsuji playing her ukulele, Nana setting the table, or Shinon getting all excited and seemingly looking to contribute (while still slacking off in the end). Hibimeshi magnificently sells “mood” and “atmosphere” in these mouth-watering moments through its boarding and soundtrack—on top of just looking good for the entirety of its runtime.

  [ ](https://i.imgur.com/I42hVHB.jpeg)

  Again, the fact that the breadth behind this series' merit imparts so well is compounded by the reverence the material has for its characters as companions. Whether it’s the charming comedy and endearing slice-of-life plotting, the cutaway nostalgia and fullness which transcends its own mold, or the simple fact that its food just looks incredibly delicious—all of these aspects converge onto and support one another to create one of the most inviting seasonal experiences I’ve had the pleasure to consume in a long time.

  Hibimeshi is a show with a cooking premise. And yet, it’s truly about the warmth of its company, the pulse of its happiness, and the appreciation towards its simple yet moving interstices of daily life. It’s remarkably scripted, paced, and executed, and its texture is equal parts comfortable and relaxing as it is affectionate and poignant. It does its comedy in an exceptionally mindful way, which allows its emotional pendulum to swing the other way and immortalize its own sincerity—a magnetism which effortlessly transfers to the viewer in the form of feeling lighter, more thankful, and more full than when you first hit play—even if not in terms of satiating one’s stomach, than surely in placating one’s heart. Cherishing the ordinary and the unforgettable moments alike with those by your side and opening up your mind (and mouth) to new experiences… more than just a story about food, Hibimeshi lovingly portrays just how filling its dishes can be when they're had with kind company and genuine laughter—making for a tender recipe of belonging, authenticity in pathos, and the soothing yet resonant joys of shared memories which will last a lifetime.

  [ ](https://i.imgur.com/Wp6gddB.jpeg)

  Thank you for reading :)

  Continue on AniList
• 

  HeartbreakRebel

  84/100
  Food for the Soul and Entertainment for the Eyes

  My Review of "Food for the Soul"!

  

  ---

  Warning: This anime WILL make you hungry.

  ____Story____

  Mako Kawai is a regular university girl who’s into cooking. After hearing about a Food Culture Research Club in her university, she joins to learn more and practice her cooking skills. Now, Mako and all of the other club members enjoy cooking and going on food adventures to make the most out of their club activities.

  ____Characters____

  Since there are 6 main characters, I will only list 3. Mako Kawai is a shy talker and struggles to communicate with strangers. However, when conversing with friends, she’s more friendly and outgoing. Shinon Ogawa is the leader of the Food Culture Research Club. She’s quite the extrovert, being very energetic and a bit dumb. Tsutsuji Higa resembles the personality of a sheep, meaning she’s very chill but also a very fun person to have around.

  ____The Good____

  Everything about this anime screams comfy. From the relaxing sounds of the opening and ending to the adorable personalities of the main characters, this was such a cozy anime. Despite having the food in the title, this show doesn’t really put food as the main focus. Rather, the show lets the personalities of each character shine in their different interactions. Does food still play a role in progressing their stories? Of course! The food looks absolutely amazing every time and it would make me hungry most of the time, which led to me choosing to eat while watching this. However, this show doesn’t fully revolve around just cooking food, and that’s something I can appreciate. By doing that, this anime feels like it’s not one-sided and actually has a foundation to build around besides food. Every main character was entertaining to watch, Tsutsuji Higa was my favorite of the bunch. Her sheepish personality just made me love every second of her doing something silly.

  ____The Bad____

  I honestly don't have many complaints about this anime. However, if I have to be nitpicky, I wasn’t really a fan of Mokotaro, and I’m sure a lot of others weren’t too. That was one of the major concerns I’ve heard from the community and also one I did have myself. Unfortunately, those concerns were somewhat right. On the bright side, despite being labeled as a main character of the story, Mokotaro doesn’t appear as much as many would think they do, which fortunately lessens the impact of Mokotaro in the story.

  ____The Downright Ugly____

  Nothing downright ugly here (Except Shinon’s driving skills)

  ____Is It Worth The Watch?____

  If you’re just looking for complete coziness and fun, this show is worth the watch. It’s an anime that doesn’t just focus on cooking food and chooses to prioritize character development and interactions to prevent the show from going stale, which does end up working for these 12 episodes.

  Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope this helped you with your decision on whether to watch this anime or not! If you already have watched it, I hope that you can agree with me with some of the points I made. If you enjoyed this review, I would greatly appreciate a follow too! ^^

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• 

  patkarunungan

  70/100
  This is the best CGDCT in Spring 2025. It's a metaphor for the pleasures of friendship.

  'Food for the Soul' is a nice slice-of-life anime. One could argue that it's the best CGDCT in the Spring 2025 Season.

  § Overview

  Kawai Mako, an introvert, loves cooking food. She is a loner. That changes when she reconnects with her childhood friend Ogawa Shinon, who invited her to form the Food Culture Research Club

  ---

  § Notes

  Coming from their disastrous Narenare: Cheer for You, P.A. Works has come out with one of the best anime you can relax on that's centred on eating food. While Cheer for You has this weird æsthetic of having weird neon-like colours, Food for the Soul is relatively normal and even pleasing to the eyes.

  

  Just as food preparation can and does enhance your experience of eating food (it can ruin it if the food looks ugly), the same could be said of the colour choices in the visual medium: the characters' hair colour and how the food looks vibrant and pleasing to one's eyes.

  The colours in the key visual and the series title card consist of green and orange, which point to vegetation and the sense of being alive.

  ---

  “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” — James Beard, an American chef and cookbook author

  ---

  

  Characters

  Food for the Soul has somewhat believable characters. It's about how their relationship grows in the series.

  Kawai Mako is our main girl, and she cooks the food for the Food Culture Research Club. Whilst she had friends in elementary school, she was a loner in high school. This streak of being a loner would have continued in college had she not connected with her childhood friend Shinon.

  Ogawa Shinon actually proposed to create the club just so they would have a dedicated club room to hang out with her friends. She is so impulsive. She doesn't even know how to create delicious food. Recruiting Mako to join the club gave it a semblance of seriousness.

  Despite these faults, Shinon is a social connector. She can persuade people to do things, which is why she is able to borrow so much.

  Higa Tsutsuji loves her sheep dress. She has some humour based on observation. She reminds me of the class representative types in early 2000 anime. Tsutsuji is pretty close to Nana and has known her for far longer. She lightens up the mood of the group.

  Furutachi Kurea's family owns a restaurant that sells sauced katsudon. It is thanks to Kurea that Mako joined the Food Culture Research Club. She encouraged Mako to come out of her shell.

  Kurea seems to be the big sister figure of the club and prevents it from being too unhinged.

  Shinon then eventually works at Kurea's restaurant, where Shinon's sociability shines.

  Hoshi Nana has seemingly two personalities. She has far worse social anxiety than Mako has. She is tongue-tied when talking to strangers, which is why her seiyuu, Aizawa Saya, got some practice here before her role of Monica in Secrets of the Silent Witch. But once she has rapport with you, she acts as the typical gyaru.

  At first, she comes across as rude to Mako. But it was her extreme social anxiety at work. She actually wants to befriend Mako. Once the initial hurdles are overcome, they bond by helping each other in their German class.

  The growth of their relationships is the point of this anime.

  ---

  Unlike a certain inferior competitor, this anime has a unifying motif: the activity of cooking and eating food. It's the alpha and omega, and that's why some episodes can involve random stuff but don't end up feeling disjointed. Sometimes they travel to a certain location, and it doesn't feel like an inferior version of Zatsu Tabi. In one way or another, you will see them eating food.

  K-On! works well for most people because of the musickal theme, despite them actually slacking off with practice most of the time. The girls of K-On! are unforgettable due to their characterisation, and that's coming from someone who dislikes K-On! and rated it so low. The same can be said of Food for the Soul to an extent.

  P.A. Works' previous CGDCT, Cheer for You, has cheerleading as the unifying theme. It didn't work, though, because the character arcs are uneven, leaving some characters developed and some barely developed. It felt like an ensemble that needs at least two cours to give proper character development. Their relationship is fine, but could have been better. Furthermore, it would have worked really well if the cheerleading aspect were about different schools in a cheerleading competition.

  If P. A. Works fumbled with Cheer for You, it has recovered big with Food for the Soul.

  ---

  The OP and ED are a nice listen and go hard on the food aspects. The OP talks about going hungry, while the ED talks about the tasty miso soup. Both offer a sense of warmth and positive vibes.

  ---

  

  The Japanese title is 日々は過ぎれど飯うまし (Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi), which literally means 'Days pass but the food is delicious.' One could take this to mean literally that food is constant despite the changes associated with the passing of time. But such subjective experience depends on one's attitude towards food, and that's where the English title, Food for the Soul, becomes poetick.

  

  We always see delicious food, but the literal food is only food for the body. What's only seen indirectly through the interactions of the characters is the real Food for the Soul, namely friendship.

  An interesting side note is that the term Epicurean has a popular and vulgar meaning that's far from its philosophical roots. It's being 'eating and drinking because tomorrow you die' — a strawman made by St Paul.

  The truth is that Epicurean philosophy is about maximising pleasure and minimising pain, and one of the greatest of these pleasures is friendship.

  ---

  "Of all things that wisdom provides for living one's entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship."
  — Epicurus in Principal Doctrines no 27

  ---

  This is also mentioned by Aristotle: "For without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods..." in Book VIII of The Nicomachean Ethics.

  ---

  § Conclusion

  'Food for the Soul' is not just a nice iyashikei/CGT that one can watch at the end of a stressful day. It reaffirms friendship as one of the greatest pleasures ever, and that's the real Food for the Soul.

  NOTA BENE: A grade of 7 out of 10 [or a 70 out of 100 in anilist] means that I find this anime is very good and two notches above average. I enjoyed watching it.

  It is a high score because it is two notches above average. It's not mid or average unlike the misconception of some people in this site.

  My enjoyment spectrum lies from 4 to 10. If I have scored an anime below 4, I actively dislike it.

  Continue on AniList

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