What's on the Plate? A Look at Food in Sports Anime

Japanese anime is a big deal worldwide, and it's not just about action and drama. It also shows a lot of food, which might influence what people eat. But how often does food pop up in sports anime, and what kinds of food are shown? A recent study took a close look at 151 episodes from seven sports anime series, both with male and female leads, made between 2019 and 2022. The total watch time was a whopping 3, 634 minutes. Researchers watched these episodes and noted every scene with food. They found 282 food scenes, meaning there's a food scene about every 12. 9 minutes. So, what's on the menu in these anime? Grains like rice and bread were the most common, showing up in 39. 4% of the scenes. Beverages came next at 32. 6%, followed by vegetables at 31. 9% and meats at 25. 9%. But here's something interesting: in anime with female leads, sweets like cakes and candies appeared much more often than in anime with male leads (39. 0% vs. 3. 5%). This study shows that sports anime often features grains, vegetables, meat, and drinks, probably because they're important for hydration and energy. But the types of food shown can vary a lot depending on the series and the characters. The study also points out that more research is needed to understand the quality of the food portrayed in these anime. It's important to think about how anime might influence eating habits. While sports anime often shows healthy foods, the focus on sweets in female-led series could send a different message. This is something to keep in mind, especially for younger viewers who might be inspired by what they see on screen.