Toriko: Jump Super Anime Tour 2009 Special
Synopsis
Special shown at the Jump Super Anime Tour in 2009. In a world where the taste and texture of food is extremely important, there exist individuals known as Bishoku-ya (luxury food providers) who specialize in the acquisition of rare ingredients and animals. Toriko is one of these hunters and it is his dream to find the most precious foods in the world and create the ultimate dinner course. As one of the most skilled hunters in the world he is regularly hired by restaurants and the rich to seek out new ingredients and rare animals. A man with inhuman ability, he utilizes his incredible strength and knowledge of the animal kingdom to capture ferocious, evasive and rare beasts to further his final goal, the ultimate dinner course composed of the most delicious food in the world. He is currently accompanied by a weak and timid chef who, inspired by Toriko's ambition, travels with him to improve his culinary skills and find rare ingredients.
Audience Consensus
The Toriko pilot is generally well-received as a good introduction to the world and characters of the manga. Viewers appreciated the unique premise, art style, and voice acting. Some criticism is directed towards the pilot's limited explanation for new viewers and some annoyance towards a side character. Overall, the pilot successfully generates interest in the Toriko series, although the later anime adaptation deviates from the tone of the pilot.
Strengths
- Original concept of hunting monsters for food is appealing.
- Art and animation are well-done, especially the coloring and details.
- Voice acting and music effectively capture the mood of the scenes.
- Toriko is a likable and courageous protagonist.
Weaknesses
- Pilot episode may not fully explain the premise for newcomers.
- Some find the sidekick character, Komatsu, annoying initially.
- Pilot was made in 2009, while the anime series was not released till 2011, thus being 3 years.
- The pilot is viewed as a rough draft with differences in the final product.