This review is spoilerfree. 700https://i.ur.com/RgpZ86u.jpeg https://i.ur.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 Attohttps://anilist.co/staff/103195/Atto who penned of one of my favourite sliceoflife stories in Non Non Biyorihttps://anilist.co/anime/17549/NonNonBiyori/. 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 theyre delivered as the franchise progresses in subtle yet effective ways. As a quick example a character thats worried about her height and her maturity might not always outright vocalize this concern but shell comically overthink what the most grownup choice at a candy store of all places would beyou 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. Workshttps://anilist.co/studio/132/PAWORKS while some of their originalshttps://anilist.co/anime/170891/NaNareHanaNare/ are sadly a swing and a miss many more are resonant illuminating displays of earnestness and passion. I frequently point to their informally coinedhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20170405/crunchyrolltostreamp.aworkssakuraquestoriginalanime/.114386 working women anthology of sorts Hanasaku Irohahttps://anilist.co/anime/9289/HanasakuIroha/ Shirobakohttps://anilist.co/anime/20812/SHIROBAKO/ Sakura Questhttps://anilist.co/anime/97903/SakuraQuest/ Aquatopehttps://anilist.co/anime/128545/ShiroiSunanoAquatope/ as the example of what they do bestselfdetermination and personal betterment explored through the challenges of finding oneself. All of this is to say that while Hibimeshi doesnt take place in the rural countryside nor does it feature its main cast gainfully employed under the same roof theyre university students in the city I was on the lookout for what its authorstudio synthesisAttos perfection of sliceoflife comedy and P.A.s phenomenal control over its uplifting ideaswould bring. And the result? Even with the expectations I held which came with the territory of having two of my favourite creators sidebyside on this project they were honestly exceeded. Alongside being thoughtful and consistently onpoint with its humour Hibimeshi also scripts its plot beats with heartfelt resonance and a healthy amount of personal inspirationnever overstated in execution nor too reserved that its pathos loses its vigor. It balances silliness and sincerity with charismatic precisionakin 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. 700https://i.ur.com/QOYXEjY.jpeg https://i.ur.com/QOYXEjY.jpeg Circling back to said outset Hibimeshi is one of many shows which I would describe as premiseaware again this is an informal term. Consider how Super Cubhttps://anilist.co/anime/113418/SuperCub/ 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 Kongminghttps://anilist.co/anime/141774/ParipiKoumei/ is less about the shock factor behind a military general from Chinas Warring States period getting isekaid 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 itand 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 shes privileged to call her friends. Thus Hibimeshi establishes its rhythmthe activity of cooking is present in basically episode but its both accompanied by and bolstered through warming snippets of ordinary life and comedic interactions which strengthen the casts bond with each other. The sliceoflife elements and the characterization are in service of the food and the dining tablewhether its 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 its where the Atto part of Hibimeshi is most evident. The jokes land not just because the skits are safe choices for its genreoverdramatized social anxiety rambunctious and happygolucky facepalm scenes deadpan delivery of comedically charged snapshots and the straight man sitting exasperated at it all to name a fewit 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 Nanas anxiety can be funny but theyre 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 groups shared happiness through excursions and trips. Kurea might play up her frustration for fun but she truly enjoys indulging in the oftenditzybutalwayshappy company of her friends. Its a point that bears repeatingthe cooking is heartwarming and disarming but its only as evocative as it is because the scenes feel like the culmination of the casts time together as opposed to the lone premise modulating their interactions. 700https://i.ur.com/JMaPerR.jpeg https://i.ur.com/JMaPerR.jpeg And on occasionin just the right amount of frequency and pathosthe 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 ensembledriven 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 softlystated introspection which feel like they emerge out of a genuine appreciation for what the material has cultivated the belonging and conviviality gestated by the casts willingness to shape each others lives. No matter if its 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 presentHibimeshi 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 Ill never forget this day or Im 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 oneofakind moments which are emblematic of their friendship. While Im 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 Id also assert that the directorial and audiovisual stature of the series is perfect for what it aims to be. Hibimeshi doesnt 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 goodboth 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 its 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 participationmanifesting 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 youre 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 mouthwatering moments through its boarding and soundtrackon top of just looking good for the entirety of its runtime. 700https://i.ur.com/I42hVHB.jpeg https://i.ur.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 its the charming comedy and endearing sliceoflife plotting the cutaway nostalgia and fullness which transcends its own mold or the simple fact that its food just looks incredibly deliciousall of these aspects converge onto and support one another to create one of the most inviting seasonal experiences Ive had the pleasure to consume in a long time. Hibimeshi is a show with a cooking premise. And yet its truly about the warmth of its company the pulse of its happiness and the appreciation towards its simple yet moving interstices of daily life. Its 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 sinceritya magnetism which effortlessly transfers to the viewer in the form of feeling lighter more thankful and more full than when you first hit playeven if not in terms of satiating ones stomach than surely in placating ones 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 theyre had with kind company and genuine laughtermaking for a tender recipe of belonging authenticity in pathos and the soothing yet resonant joys of shared memories which will last a lifetime. 700https://i.ur.com/Wp6gddB.jpeg https://i.ur.com/Wp6gddB.jpeg Thank you for reading :