Style of Hiroshi Nohara’s LUNCH
If you have ever lived the corporate life, surely you must know about the fabled lunch hour where many an event takes place. Even the hours before and after lunch can be filled with activities typically associated with non-corporate life, making this time something to look forward to and enjoy each day. I fondly look forward to stepping out of the office and away from the laptop to buy lunch for the day, followed by the anticipation of enjoying the warm meal surrounded by my colleagues while discussing all manner of things, both official and not. No matter how stressful or dull the workday may seem, this window truly offers everyone a simple form of happiness.
“Style of Hiroshi Nohara's Lunch,” also known as “Nohara Hiroshi: Hiru Meshi no Ryuugi,” is a 12-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 3rd of October until the 18th of December in Fall 2025. It was produced by TV Asahi, Shin-Ei Animation, Futabasha, ADK Emotions, BS Asahi, and Bandai Namco Filmworks and brought to life by Studio DLE; the staff team consisted of Nishiyama Tsukasa as Director, Mori Hayashi on Script and Series Composition, Moral on Script, and Saba Sister for the Theme Song Performance, among others. Featuring Comedy and Gourmet genres, this 23-minute episode series earned a PG-13 rating for teenagers 13 years or older.
The anime is based on the manga series with the same title, which began publication on December 4th, 2015, and is still ongoing. Featuring the Slice of Life genre, this work by author and artist Tsukahara Youichi was serialized on Manga Town. The Parent Story for it is “Crayon Shin-chan,” which began airing on the 13th of April 1992 and is still ongoing to this day. Produced by TV Asahi, licensed by Funimation (Crunchyroll), and brought to life by Studio Shin-Ei Animation, the show is a Seinen manga, featuring Comedy and Ecchi genres along with the School theme.
The series follows the protagonist, Hiroshi Nohara, the father of the Nohara family and Shin-chan in the parent story, as he pursues his ultimate lunchtime philosophy while living out his days as an average Japanese salaryman. He is a man who very meticulously selects and savors all his midday meals while remaining within the limitations of his budget and break duration. However, this series is not just about enjoying cultured food; Hiroshi goes the extra mile to delve into relevant cooking trivia, preparation methods, and even the daily dilemmas of being a salaryman. There’s something new each episode, like pondering whether to treat his juniors to lunch, attempting to find quick meals between meetings and hectic schedules, and even venting about his boss. It’s never a dull day in this series full of relatable moments for members of the workforce and office lifestyles!
This mini-series is a slice-of-life series that focuses on food, featuring the comical character Nohara Hiroshi, who indulges in his favorite foods. In each episode, we follow the man as he finds and eats his favorite food, even during work. While enjoying these meals, he also gets new ideas about food, whether it's coming up with delectable combinations he hasn’t tried yet or being inspired to resolve issues he has with his colleagues at the office. There’s just so much one vibrant meal can change for a man who lives an otherwise dull life, and none of these occasions stop being funny, comforting, and relatable to boot. While I appreciated the comedy, what I loved most was the showcase and the understanding of Japanese food and culture, including Japanese fusion food.
Meanwhile, the message conveyed is exceedingly profound yet straightforward: even if you are despairing and defeated at the moment, go out and eat some delicious food, take a deep breath, and realign yourself with your day. There are so many things at work that upset and stress us out, but a satisfying meal can help us turn things around. Each episode left me with an uplifting feeling and food cravings!
Character-wise, there isn't much to discuss, as Hiroshi is the main character. He is his family’s sole breadwinner, being a father of two and a devoted husband to Misae. He works eight hours each day while enduring packed trains and the occasional nightlife. As he hands over all his earnings to his wife, he ends up with minimal funds each month, yet we see him make the most of them. He is a man who, like most, enjoys the occasional beer and beautiful young women and doesn't hesitate to save his “allowance” for things he wants, with food at the center of it all. This man takes us through a straightforward yet heartfelt narrative that is neither unique nor groundbreaking, allowing us to enjoy the sights and experiences of delicious food and office life alongside him. Each of his lunch adventures is so charming yet meaningful, even if mostly predictable, and each episode offers a dish and experience unique to it, capturing the beauty of the 9-to-5 life most of us follow robotically.
Moving on to the Art and Animation department, this series employs an exceedingly simple art style that works so well with the story format. It looks and feels calm, warm, neat, and grounded, embracing its simplicity rather than striving for visual spectacle. The visuals have a tranquil vibe that lets the food scenes shine even more, and I cannot stress enough how much I want to try all the dishes myself. All the character designs reflect their well-rounded personalities, despite their simplicity, where Hiroshi is a non-exaggerated, realistic protagonist with a design that brings out the best in the food rather than himself. Still, we can love this man for his relatable habits, disappointments, and simple joys. Meanwhile, his reactions to everyday situations feel very natural and believable, enhancing the overall authenticity. The animation is clean and modest amid their comparatively more detailed backgrounds, highlighting the venues that facilitate the partaking of these wondrous meals and inspiring new ideas.
In the Sounds and Music department, it’s as simple and charming as the rest of the show. The Opening theme is "Gohan Tabeyo" by Mega Shinnosuke, a laid-back, flowing theme that alternates between hectic office life and wondrous food sessions. The visuals feature our MC walking around, musing on all the food he can treat himself to on a given date, set against vibrant, detailed backgrounds that showcase the cityscape at its best. It is a fantastic way to start each episode; it left me with the feeling, “What kind of meal experience will we have today?” The Ending theme, "Kyou no Gohan wa Nandarou na" by Saba Sister, is another chill piece that is a bit more quirky, almost reflecting the mood one would have once they’re off for the day. I barely even noticed the OSTs here; perhaps that’s a good thing, because that’s never a focus here. The Voice Acting is decent, too, especially in Hiroshi’s case, who does most of the heavy lifting here naturally.
Overall, “Style of Hiroshi Nohara’s LUNCH” is a realistic slice-of-life series that cares little about conveying a coherent story and focuses more on individual experiences played out in each episode. The main point here is the food and the events that unfold before and after the meal, highlighting the everyday happiness most of us might be overlooking. There's no drama here, just food, which we all enjoy. As you head to lunch, remember all the wonderful things you can do to brighten your day. While you watch this calming, character-driven tale, remember to appreciate the little things in life. Do I recommend it? Go for it if you're looking for a simple and chill show that revolves around food and related topics!
