Anime and manga have all kinds of genres—romance, action, slice of life, drama, but food always seems to get special attention. I’ve always wondered how food in anime looks so perfect, while in real life, it’s just okay. So, here’s my list of 10 anime characters who love food and would make great food critics
10) Itsuki Nakano (The Quintessential Quintuplets)
Affectionately nicknamed Eatsuki by fans thanks to her never-ending appetite,
Itsuki Nakano is the youngest of the Nakano quintuplets. Serious and overprotective, she dreams of becoming a teacher like her late mother, Rena Nakano
Although she and her sisters—Ichika, Nino, Miku, and Yotsuba-share identical appearances, each has a unique personality, and all struggle with their studies.
With support from their tutor and love interest Fuutaro Uesugi, they strive to grow and improve together, both academically and as people.
Itsuki’s love of food isn’t just a running joke; it’s a genuine passion. Later in the series, she even takes on the role of a food critic under the pseudonym MAY at the cake shop where Fuutaro and Nino work.
With her straightforward opinions and heartfelt enthusiasm for food, Itsuki would make a delightful and honest food critic
9) Kaoruko Waguri (The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity)
Kaoruko Waguri, the kind-hearted female protagonist and open-minded student at the prestigious Kiyoko High, is known for not letting school rivalries or rumors cloud her perception of others.
Her favorite escape is a cozy cake shop, where she’s a regular customer and where she meets Rintaro Tsugumi— the male protagonist, a gentle boy and her love interest from Chidori High, her school’s supposed rival.
Despite the tension between their schools, Karouko and Rintaro quickly form a genuine friendship, bonding over their shared love of sweets and their refusal to let others define them.
Kaoruko ’s thoughtful and nonjudgmental nature shines through in how she approaches food. She takes the time to appreciate every dessert she tries, always offering warm, encouraging feedback—especially to Rintaro, who helps run his family’s shop.
Her ability to notice the little details, celebrate effort, and express her thoughts kindly would make her a wonderful food critic. Kaoruko’s reviews would be as sweet and sincere as her relationship with Rintaro, inspiring both bakers and readers alike.
8) Soma Yukihira (Shokugeki no Soma)
Soma is the protagonist of Food Wars and someone who’s never afraid to experiment with food. He is the son of Joichiro Yukihira, a legendary chef whose culinary prowess inspires Soma to push his own boundaries constantly.
Growing up at his family’s humble restaurant, Soma has developed a fearless approach to cooking, often inventing wild and unconventional dishes to surprise and challenge his father—and their customers. This creative spirit carries over to his time at Totsuki Culinary Academy, where he faces off against some of the best young chefs in the world.
As a student at Totsuki Culinary Academy, he’s constantly tasting, critiquing, and improving dishes—both his own and others’.
His open-mindedness, sharp palate, and knack for delivering honest, constructive criticism would serve him well as a food critic. Soma’s ability to articulate exactly what’s working (and what isn’t) in a dish is second to none.
7) Toriko (Toriko)
As a Gourmet Hunter in a world obsessed with food, Toriko’s entire life revolves around tasting and discovering the world’s rarest and most delicious ingredients. His superhuman sense of taste, relentless curiosity, and near-poetic appreciation for flavors make him a natural food critic.
Toriko can break down the subtle differences in texture, aroma, and taste, describing food in such vivid detail that he inspires everyone around him to crave a bite.
6) Brock (Pokémon)
Brock, Ash’s ever-reliable traveling companion in the Pokémon series, is famous for his cooking as he is for his love of Nurse Joy.
As the group’s chef, Brock whips up delicious meals for both humans and Pokémon, always using fresh, healthy ingredients and a dash of creativity. His experience traveling through different regions has given him a wide-ranging palate—and an encyclopedic knowledge of local specialties.
Brock’s food critiques would be both practical and heartfelt, filled with improvement tips but always encouraging. He’s not afraid to experiment, even if it means serving rice balls (onigiri) and calling them jelly donuts—a legendary moment that still makes fans smile.
With his genuine passion for food and knack for bringing people together, Brock would make a charming, entertaining food critic whose reviews might just inspire a new generation of chefs and trainers alike.
5) Nino Nakano (The Quintessential Quintuplets)
Nino Nakano is the second oldest of the Nakano quintuplets and stands out for her fiery tsundere personality, her signature butterfly hairpins, and strong, motherly instincts towards her sisters. As the main cook for her sisters, Nino’s passion for food is clear—she pours her heart into every meal she prepares.
While she’s initially hostile toward their tutor, Fuutaro, even going so far as to play tricks on him to drive him away, Nino’s character goes through remarkable growth. As she warms up to Fuutaro, she openly confesses her feelings and becomes a fan favorite by season 2 for her honesty and determination.
Later in the series, she and Futaro work at the same cake shop, where she unleashes more of her true feelings for Futaro, which often leaves him flustered!
With her discerning palate, straightforward opinions, and deep love for cooking, Nino would make an exceptional food critic. She wouldn’t hesitate to offer honest (and sometimes blunt) feedback, but her reviews would always be rooted in a genuine passion for food and caring for others.
4) Sanji (One Piece)
As the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece, Sanji is renowned for his incredible culinary skills and unwavering dedication to feeding his friends. Trained at the Baratie floating restaurant under the strict but loving Zeff, Sanji learned to respect every ingredient and to always put his heart into his cooking.
He dreams of finding the All Blue, a legendary sea where every kind of fish and ingredients in the world gather, so he can create the ultimate dishes.
Sanji’s refined palate and deep knowledge of ingredients allow him to instantly recognize the quality and preparation of any meal.
His standards are high—he’s not afraid to call out a poorly made dish—but he also appreciates ingenuity and effort in the kitchen. Sanji’s flair for dramatic presentation and his passionate, sometimes poetic, way of describing flavors would make his food critiques both entertaining and insightful.
Whether reviewing a five-star feast or a humble meal, Sanji would bring honesty, expertise, and plenty of style to the world of food criticism.
3) Rin Okumura(Blue Exorcist)
Rin Okumura is the hot-headed protagonist of the supernatural action series Blue Exorcist. When he’s not fighting demons with his fellow exorcists and his younger twin brother, Yukio, you’ll find Rin in the kitchen, happily cooking up everything from fluffy cakes to classic omurice.
Even in a world of chaos and demons, Rin uses food as a way to bring his friends together and show he cares, offering comfort and a sense of home through every meal.
His enthusiasm and down-to-earth attitude would make him a food critic whose reviews are lively, genuine, and full of heart.
With Rin, every meal—and every review—would be about sharing happiness and good company, no matter how wild the world around him gets.
2) Kazumi Araiwa(Cooking Papa)
Kazumi Araiwa, the iconic protagonist of Cooking Papa, is a humble salaryman with a hidden talent: he’s a masterful home cook who prepares delicious, hearty meals for his family every day.
Despite his impressive skills in the kitchen, Kazumi prefers to keep his culinary prowess a secret at work, allowing his wife, Nijiko Araiwa, to take credit for the meals he brings to the office. This modesty is part of his charm—he cooks purely out of love and never seeks the spotlight.
Kazumi’s deep knowledge of cooking, practical approach to family meals, and passion for sharing good food would make him an outstanding food critic. His reviews would focus on comfort, practicality, and the joy that comes from home cooking.
With his warm, down-to-earth perspective, Kazumi would offer food critiques that are both relatable and inspiring—proving that the best meals often come from the heart.
1) Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter(Sailor Moon)
Makoto Kino, also known as Sailor Jupiter, is the heart and soul of the Sailor Moon team when it comes to food and comfort. While she’s famous for her strength and bravery in battle, Makoto is equally renowned for her exceptional cooking and baking skills. Her name, Makoto, means honest, which perfectly suits her straightforward, genuine personality—both in life and on the battlefield!
Having lost her parents at a young age, Makoto found a true family in her fellow Sailor Guardians—Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Minako. She expresses her warmth and affection through food, preparing delicious bentos and treats that make her friends feel truly at home.
As a food critic, Makoto would offer honest, nurturing reviews, focusing not just on flavor but on the love and comfort behind every meal. Her sincerity and heartfelt perspective would inspire cooks everywhere to put care into every dish they serve.
Final Thoughts
Food is more than just a recurring motif in anime—it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection. The characters highlighted here don’t just eat; they savor, critique, and share, bringing their own personalities and stories to every bite. Whether they’re seasoned chefs, devoted home cooks, or simply passionate eaters, each one would offer a fresh and engaging voice as a food critic.
Whether it’s Soma’s fearless experimentation, Sanji’s gourmet expertise, or Makoto Kino’s nurturing touch, these characters remind us that great food is more than just flavor—it’s about the memories made and the bonds formed around the table.
Their unique perspectives would make their reviews insightful, heartfelt, and endlessly entertaining.
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