New TV anime adaptation of Etsushi Ogawa (小川 悦司)’s cooking manga Chūka Ichiban! (中華一番!) confirms premiere on 11th October. Under the title of “Shin Chūka Ichiban!” (真・中華一番!), the anime streams a new PV, revealing the cast member and opening theme song, “Kōfukuron” (Theory of Blessed Light) by Qaijff.
NAS is producing the anime with animation cooperation by Production I.G. JY Animation is credited with planning and production. The Legend of the Legendary Heroes director Itsuro Kawasaki (川崎逸朗) is directing the anime and overseeing the series scripts.
The Chūka Ichiban! manga ran in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine for five volumes from 1995 to 1997, and the Shin Chūka Ichiban! sequel manga ran for 12 volumes from 1997 to 1999. The manga inspired a 52-episode television anime in 1997-1998. A Chinese live-action drama adaptation also aired in 2005.
▍Story
It centers on Liu Mao Xing, a young chef from Sichuan province who learns cooking from his mother. After saving his mother’s restaurant, Mao goes on a journey to become a Super Chef, battling other chefs with other cooking styles along the way. During the journey, Mao obtains a legendary cooking tool, thus unveiling his battle with the Dark Cooking Society.
▍Characters and Cast
■ Liu Mao Xing – CV: Natsumi Fujiwara (藤原夏海)
■ Mei Li – CV: Ai Kayano (茅野 愛衣)
■ Zhi Lao – CV: Yukiyo Fujii (藤井 ゆきよ)
■ Xi Er (Shell) – CV: Yuichi Nakamura (中村 悠一)
■ Li Wen (Leon) – CV: Tomokazu Sugita (杉田 智和)
■ Lan Fei Hong – CV: Junya Enoki (榎木淳弥)
■ Chouyu – CV: Yoshimitsu Shimoyama (下山 吉光)
■ Ruoh – CV: Shinpachi Tsuji (辻親八)
■ Shouan – CV: Keiichi Nakagawa (中川慶一)
■ Shan – CV: Yūko Kaida (甲斐田 裕子)
▍PV