Ending Thoughts: Isekai Shokudou

Synopsis

In a small corner of a shopping district near a business centers there lies a restaurant known as the “Yōshoku no Nekoya” (Western Cuisine Cat Restaurant). From Monday to Friday, this is simple restaurant with a large amount of loyal business customers. But when Saturday arrives and the clock strikes midnight, a change comes over to the door of the restaurant. The door is in fact a gateway to another world and act as a passage to all kinds of colorful customers,from an old mage, to elves, and even a mermaid, each one has a story to tell.

General Thoughts

The main thing to note about this series is that it is not just one singular story, but multiple stories connecting to one setting and interconnecting with one another. In most episodic stories, after the character’s story ends in that one episode, you almost never see them again. Here, you actually see those characters again in the background of other stories and at times, they even have their own moments with other characters in other episodes.

For example, there is a treasure hunter and a knight who both like a certain fried food and on certain episodes they either argue which of their dishes are better or in one episode, which would make a better sandwich only to get the other characters involved. It is little interactions and moments like this between characters that really make the series stand out on its own.

As stated, there is not one singular plot, but many plots interconnecting, and that may be seen as a flaw of the series. Here we have different and interesting side characters that make up each episode and we see their side of things. However, with one of the main cast, mainly the chef himself, we barely know anything of him. Throughout the series, we see different moments for all the characters, but him.

Aside from the lack of development on the part of the chef, the issues of the series also lies with the opening. While it may be catchy and makes use of good visuals and animation, it doesn’t change the fact that it is not very suited for the tone that the series has set. The ending however, does, it’s a slow toned song that leaves just a bit of whimsy in its notes, like the show does with its story.

Storywise, the series did a pretty good job, there were heartwarming moments, funny moments and even a few thoughtful moments but the overall set-up of things could have worked out better. In terms of art, there isn’t much to be said other than it was appealing and well detailed enough that you could appreciate the work done. In terms of flaws, they are mainly with how the story could have gotten a better development and theme song.

Ending Thoughts

Satisfying, that was the most prevalent word to be found throughout the series. With the ending that was presented, the word is even further cemented. Though the story of the series didn’t necessarily layout a large conflict or a whole of action, the journey was still an enjoyable experience.

The mysteries that it brought was a little treat to enjoy throughout the series and it was a plus point to the series or answering at least a few of them, such as the origins of the restaurant is one the largely answered ones while also being intermixed with the story of a certain mage customer.

Here we have a colorful set of cast who all starred in their own episodes and stories that end up reconnecting to one another at certain points It’s fascinating that one of the first characters that we are introduced to, the old mage to be specific, started off as a mild side character only to end up as being a nearly essential character to the story.

From how the story was set up, it was only a matter of time before a tale of legendary heroes would pop up at one point or the other and the last chapter of the story seemed pretty appropriate. But the way it was laid out by tying in the story of the newly revealed character to the old mage not only answered some questions about the character but also revealed new factors to the story.

They way that the series decided to leave with an open-ended ending with the main cast having their own little developments shown such as Aletta being more open about her love for eating and Kuro choosing to speak more verbally rather than telepathically. Looking at this series as a whole, the series was just an enjoyable ride that ended on a very satisfying note.

Rating: 8/10