Anime Digest
Shin Chuuka Ichiban! 2nd Season is about Liu Mao, a 13-year-old Super Chef. Mao grew up watching his mother cook in a restaurant kitchen. Growing up, he learned his culinary skills from his mother and developed the same love of cooking as his mother.
The Feel-Good Part
The show was a run down the lane of nostalgia. The anime was very fast-paced, had a lot of flashbacks, and did not give the viewer much information they needed and left them wishing they had seen the original anime. I especially like the unique lighting style used for the character’s clothes and hair plaits.
The Disappointing Factors
The show is about cooking and food, but the main focus of the show did not get that much attention. The animation was a little boring; the creator didn’t convey enough emotion. Mao looks lackluster even in his cooking. As far as the story goes, it seems rushed and doesn’t really engage the viewers or even make them feel.
In-Depth Analysis
Shin Chuuka Ichiban! 2nd Season continues the story of Liu Mao, a 13-year-old Super Chef. Mao grew up watching his mother cook in a restaurant kitchen. Growing up, he learned culinary skills from his mother and developed a love for cooking, just like his mother. After passing the Guangzhou Special Chef Exam, Mao becomes a super chef and earned the title of a master chef at his mother’s restaurant. He decides to continue traveling across China to learn different styles of cooking and develop his cooking methods in hopes of becoming a renowned chef. The plot of the anime is okay, but the subject matter makes it feel a little strange. Cooking and food are the main driving force of the show, and the focus on some food fights and Chinese food was excellent. But overall, the show took it a little too seriously. People’s lives being at risk by cooking contests is a little strange. The pace of the story is sometimes too fast to explain all the plot points.
Star Power
The star power of the show is the nostalgia it brings to the viewers who are aware of the original story. It was refreshing and impressive to see a fan-favorite classic manga get an anime adaptation.
Overall Opinion
Overall, Shin Chuuka Ichiban! 2nd Season is a mess, but if you still want to feel nostalgic and see the anime adaptation of the fan classic you may give this show a chance. The is serious, fast-paced, and takes a step forward with the story. The focus on some food fights and Chinese food was perfect. But overall, the show took it a little too seriously.
