Today’s Menu for Emiya Family is a Japanese anime series that was released in 2018 for the first time. The series is a spin-off from the popular anime series Fate/Stay Night which was developed by Type Moon. The manga adaptation of the series was illustrated and written by TAa and was published by Kadokawa Shoten in 2016. In the anime adaptation, ufotable produced the anime and aired it in Japan since 2018 with each episode’s duration not exceeding 15 minutes.
The story is set after the Holy Grail War, where the residents of the Fuyuki City can finally enjoy their peaceful life without the fear of war. The masters and servants have become good friends and even neighbors. Shirou Emiya, the protagonist, decides to live his life as a high school student while also becoming a cook in the Emiya family’s residence. Shirou tries to showcase his modern cuisine skills to Saber, his servant.
The anime series follows Shirou’s daily life in the Emiya residence as he prepares various recipes for himself and his close friends. With each episode, Shirou prepares a new dish, which adds to the story’s charm. The dishes that Shirou prepares are not only mouth-watering but also have a deep meaning behind them. The anime portrays the popular Japanese culture of finding meaning in food deeply.
Each episode of the series is unique and is titled either by the dish Shirou prepares or by the event surrounding the story. Each episode is only 15 minutes long, making it a quick and enjoyable watch. The series’s art style is uniquely beautiful, and the anime’s animation quality is phenomenal, making the story more engaging.
In episode one, Toshikoshi Soba, Shirou and Saber are looking for food ingredients for their New Year’s Eve dinner. The episode portrays the importance of traditional Japanese cuisine during the New Year festival. Shirou chooses soba noodles for the night as they symbolize long life and a smooth transition from the past year to the new one.
In episode two, Salmon, Mushroom, and Butter Baked in Foil, Shirou visits a fish market where he encounters Lancer, a servant and a Celtic hero. Shirou chooses salmon for his dinner, but later, Lancer adds another piece of salmon to the mix, accepting Shirou’s invitation to dinner. The episode portrays the importance of sharing food with loved ones.
In episode three, Spring Chirashizushi, the Emiya residence hosts a Hina Matsuri festival. Shirou prepares a Chirashizushi dish, and everyone enjoys the company and the beautiful display of the traditional Hina dolls. The episode shows how food always unites people.
In episode four, Spring Greens and Bacon Sandwich, Shirou visits Ryuudou temple’s kitchen, and he recommends making sandwiches with cauliflower leaves. The episode portrays the importance of using all parts of the vegetables while cooking.
In episode five, Bamboo Shoot Gratin, Shirou adds bamboo shoots to gratin and teaches Sakura how to prepare the same dish. The episode depicts how food is the perfect way to teach and pass on traditions.
In episode six, First Hamburg Steak, Shirou prepares Hamburg steak, and he recalls his past memories with his foster father who introduced him to Hamburg steak. The episode shows how the food we eat can trigger beautiful memories.
In episode seven, Refreshing and Easy to Eat Chilled Ochazuke, Rin, Shirou, and Saber go to the beach and play volleyball. After the game, Rin loses her appetite, so Shirou prepares a light dish that’s perfect for her. The episode shows how food can also help us recover from a tiring day.
In episode eight, Toosaka’s Gomoku Fried Rice, Shirou helps Rin to clean her house and teaches her how to cook Gomoku fried rice. The episode shows how food makes even the most mundane household chore enjoyable.
In conclusion, Today’s Menu for Emiya Family is an excellent anime series that portrays the importance of family, friends, and traditional Japanese culture. The series’s charm lies in how Shirou cooks and prepares a different dish in every episode, and his friends’ reaction to his delicious cuisine. The anime is perfect for people who love food and traditional Japanese culture, and its phenomenal animation quality makes it a visual masterpiece.
