What is it with 2019 and remakes/comebacks of those nostalgic anime we all loved as kids? There is the Netflix remake of Saint Seiya, then a new movie for the decade-old Code Geass series, and of course the much talked-about remake of beloved shoujo anime Fruits Basket. We are just five months in for this year and—surprise!—we have news of another beloved anime classic getting a remake!
This time it’s the ’90s cooking anime Shin Chuka Ichiban (The True Best Cuisine in China), more known to us international viewers as Cooking Master Boy. Remember how the ingredients would just fly straight to the pan while being chopped (I begged my mom to do that; she, of course, told me it was impossible)? Those scenes thrilled me as a kid, and now we’re going to see those again! Exciting, right?
A teaser visual featuring the lead characters was released, along with a trailer. The new visual below shows (clockwise): Li Wen, Xi Er, Lan Fei Hong, lead character Liu Mao Xing or Mao, and Mei Li.
Also check out the teaser trailer for the remake!
Don’t be thrown by the Chinese names, as the anime is indeed set in China. Etsushi Ogawa’s manga, which was adapted into an anime series in 1997, tells the story of Liu Mao Xing, whose mother Pai was known throughout China as the “Fairy of Cuisine”. Anime News Network further describes Cooking Master Boy’s story as such:
“The manga is set during a fictitious 19th century China, where chefs from all over China competed in culinary tests of ability, and being a master chef granted one respect and authority. The story centers on Liu Mao Xing, a young chef from Szechuan 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, and contending with the conspiracies of the Dark Cooking Society.”
The remake of the beloved anime classic will be directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (Arc the Lad, Shining Hearts); he will also oversee the series’ scripts. Saki Hasegawa (Seraph of the End: Battle of Nagoya) will be handling character design. The remake will be produced by NAS, with animation to be done by Production I.G. The studio has not announced a release date yet, so stay tuned for further details!
Source: Crunchyroll News