Anime, renowned for its rich narratives, intricate character development, and stunningly detailed worlds, has captivated a broad audience worldwide. Central to many anime is the iconic ramen, far more than just a noodle dish. It symbolizes comfort, connection, and cultural identity. This article delves into the diverse role of ramen in anime, exploring its historical roots and the unique symbolism it imparts to the viewers.
The Historical Foundations of Ramen: A Culinary Journey
Starting off in China, ramen made its way to Japan in the 19th century, where it quickly became a much-loved comfort food that warms bellies and hearts alike.
In anime, ramen is depicted with creative flair, often exceeding real-world counterparts. This innovation is exemplified in Shokugeki no Soma (Food Wars!), where characters like Joichiro Yukihira create unique dishes, such as the “Special Rich Ramen,” in culinary showdowns. Joichiro’s special vegetarian ramen, featuring unique ingredients like tempeh from Indonesian cuisine, represents a creative twist on traditional flavors that perfectly captures the essence of culinary innovation.
Comfort and Connection: Ramen as More Than a Meal
In anime, ramen often appears as a comforting staple, mirroring its role as a practical, hearty meal in real-life Japanese households. In Studio Ghibli’s renowned film Ponyo, the scene where Sousuke and Ponyo enjoy a bowl of hot ramen captures not just the comfort of the dish, but also the warmth of their growing connection, illustrating the simple yet pure joy that ramen can bring.
Symbolism Beyond the Broth: Ramen as Metaphor
In anime, ramen often transcends its role as a mere culinary delight and takes on a powerful symbolic function, representing a variety of themes, emotions, and character traits. Let’s explore some of the symbolic aspects of ramen in anime.
Comfort and Sanctuary: In the anime series Naruto, the titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, often finds solace in a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku Ramen, a place of acceptance that contrasts the ostracism he faces in the village. This setting symbolizes the unconditional love and warmth Naruto finds in a humble ramen shop.
Mentorship and Connection: In Mob Psycho 100, shared ramen meals between Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama and Reigen Arataka symbolize their bond and mentorship. These moments of eating together represent Reigen’s nurturing role and the trust and connection they share.
Simplicity and Joy: In Kaguya-sama: Love is War, the character Chika Fujiwara’s unwavering love for ramen becomes a symbol of her warm and endearing nature. Chika’s joyful encounters with ramen reflect her genuine passion for the dish and her ability to find happiness in the simple pleasures of life.
Culinary Innovation in Adversity: In Dr. Stone, Senku Ishigami’s creation of ramen in a post-apocalyptic world showcases human innovation and resilience, symbolizing the perseverance of culture and ingenuity despite adversity.
These examples show how ramen in anime becomes a metaphor for various emotions and themes, demonstrating the medium’s ability to use a simple dish to articulate intricate ideas and sentiments.
A Dish with Impact Beyond the Screen
In anime settings, ramen resonates with fans as a relatable element that embodies life’s comforts, cultural richness, and storytelling depth. But anime fans often extend their passion for ramen beyond the screen. The wave of ramen-themed merchandise and events is sweeping through the anime fan community. Aficionados are eagerly snapping up items like ramen bowls, ramen-inspired shirts, adorable keychains, and phone cases, among others, all sparked by their on-screen fascination with the comforting dish.
A Tokushima ramen keychain, available at ZenPlus.
A Doraemon-themed ramen bowl, which you can buy at ZenPlus.
Black Shiba Inu Ramen T-shirt sold at ZenPlus.
A 2021 Myojo Food’s Charumera x Attack on Titan collaboration.
The booming popularity of ramen merch speaks volumes, signifying the remarkable transformation of a humble noodle dish into a cultural phenomenon that’s celebrated in anime and the real world alike.
Since the anime ramen craze took off in Japan and later spread worldwide, it’s no surprise that high-quality, authentic ramen-themed merchandise is made there. This has ramen aficionados either jetting off to the Land of the Rising Sun or turning to trusted online destinations like the e-commerce giant, ZenPlus.
With a whopping 5+ million Japanese products and over 3,000 Japanese retail shops at your fingertips, this extensive platform with a decade of industry experience is like a virtual shopping spree in Japan. Ready for a taste of Japan? ZenPlus is your passport – no boarding pass is needed!
Article written by Cristy Cuadra and edited by Mariam Atef.
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.