Wakakozake was initially developed as a 2011 manga series by Chie Shinkyu and was later adapted into a short-length anime series by Office-DCI in 2015. Each episode, which is 3 minutes long, follows the daily adventures of Wakako Murasaki, a 26-year-old salary woman. After working hard, she ventures into the city to explore a variety of local restaurants, pubs, bars and food stalls to try an assortment of Japanese foods, which she typically pairs with an alcoholic beverage.
The series is as informative as it is cute, in which Wakako shows her contentment with the dishes she eats with an adorable sigh of "pshuu." From eating familiar foods like potato salad or more exotic appetizers such as monkfish liver, Wakako and those watching will be transported to a culinary paradise that makes them hungry for more. Anyone who enjoyed watching Love is Like a Cocktail will almost certainly fall for this short anime, which has a plethora of quirky and adorable moments.
Can an Anime Have Good Characters if Episodes Are Only 3 Minutes Long?
Wakakozake's first season, which consists of 12 episodes, is just 36 minutes in total length. Many will undoubtedly be dubious that a series is able to build upon a world and the characters that inhabit it within such a short amount of time. However, while viewers don’t learn everything about Wakako Murasaki, including her past or goals for the future, she is certainly memorable and highly distinctive. Even after spending such a short amount of time following this character’s daily habits, it remains nearly impossible to forget her iconic contented sigh, incredible knowledge of Japanese cuisine and quirky mannerisms.
Furthermore, the series does an excellent job of inserting morsels of information about Wakako’s job or the people that she meets during her nightly outings. These elements not only enrich the character but also provide viewers with a greater understanding of the world she occupies, making it really come to life. However, it’s Wakako’s passion for food and the beverages that accompany the dishes she purchases that truly make her character stand out. With each episode, she provides an excellent description of what she is eating that arguably tells a person more about who she is than a flashback ever could.
The Food Looks So Good You Can Almost Smell It
While Wakakozake’s characters will keep viewers engaged with the show, it’s really all about the food and drinks that are put on display. Each episode focuses on a particular dish that Wakako enjoys as a way of kicking back after a hard day's work. As she sits down to partake in a delicacy, Wakako explains everything that there is to know about it. This includes the dish's price, how it was cooked, where it was sourced, what drink pairs with the food, how it smells, what it tastes like and even how it feels in one’s stomach.
Such detailed descriptions, combined with Wakako’s rather charming reactions, are a sight to behold. Each dish looks tastier than the last and will almost certainly make those watching dash to their nearest kitchen cupboard to quench their hunger. For those looking to expand their knowledge of Japanese cuisine, Wakakozake is a great place to start and will likely make any foodie start researching where they can find a restaurant that serves these delicious-looking dishes.