What do you think?
Rate this book
Oishinbo a la carte #4
Fish, Sushi and Sashimi
R to L (Japanese Style). Fish, Sushi and Sashimi Yamaoka and his father, Kaibara Y zan, have never enjoyed an ideal father-son relationship. In fact, it's about as far from ideal as possible, and when they start arguing about food--which they inevitably do--the sparks really fly. In this volume of
Oishinbo
the subject of dispute is fish, starting with the question of whether mackerel can ever be truly good sashimi. Later, things come to a head during the "Salmon Battle," which pits father against son in an epic contest to develop the best dish before a panel of judges. Will Yamaoka finally defeat Kaibara? Or will he once again be left in his father's shadow?
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
14 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Tetsu Kariya
319 books46 followers雁屋哲
Manga writer and essayist extraordinaire Tetsu Kariya graduated from prestigious Tokyo University. Kariya was employed with a major advertising agency before making his debut as a manga writer in 1974, when he teamed up with legendary manga artist Ryoichi Ikegami to create Otoko Gumi (Male Gang). The worlds of food and manga were forever changed in 1983 when Kariya, together with artist Akira Hanasaki, created the immensely popular and critically acclaimed Oishinbo.
Manga writer and essayist extraordinaire Tetsu Kariya graduated from prestigious Tokyo University. Kariya was employed with a major advertising agency before making his debut as a manga writer in 1974, when he teamed up with legendary manga artist Ryoichi Ikegami to create Otoko Gumi (Male Gang). The worlds of food and manga were forever changed in 1983 when Kariya, together with artist Akira Hanasaki, created the immensely popular and critically acclaimed Oishinbo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 7, 2018
This wasn't my favorite of the series.
From a culinary point of view it was a bit dull, since I don't have any of these fishes available and wouldn't go through the hours of prep they describe.
Also, there is a section on Ikezukuri (cutting flesh from still-living fish), a practice which is revolting to me on a moral level.
Not recommended for vegetarians.
However, there was a section I really liked:
Regarding the human interest aspect of the story: Kurita and Yamaoka seem to just maybe be at the point where they may actually admit their mutual feelings -- and then on the next page they are planning the wedding dinner! I assume this is the result of the English version being edited shorter than the original, but it was quite disappointing. I would really have liked to see Yamaoka try to be romantic, and Kurita deserves some courting after all the allowances she makes for his immaturity.
From a culinary point of view it was a bit dull, since I don't have any of these fishes available and wouldn't go through the hours of prep they describe.
Also, there is a section on Ikezukuri (cutting flesh from still-living fish), a practice which is revolting to me on a moral level.
Not recommended for vegetarians.
However, there was a section I really liked:
The nigiri-zushi of the kohada's shinko seems unsophisticated, but actually, it's something created from the very heart of culinary skills. Using those skills to draw out the best of the food and make a person happy isn't just playing around with food. It's a culture that can enrich your life.
Regarding the human interest aspect of the story: Kurita and Yamaoka seem to just maybe be at the point where they may actually admit their mutual feelings -- and then on the next page they are planning the wedding dinner! I assume this is the result of the English version being edited shorter than the original, but it was quite disappointing. I would really have liked to see Yamaoka try to be romantic, and Kurita deserves some courting after all the allowances she makes for his immaturity.
May 7, 2025
I understand the psychology that Kaibara is using on type-B Shiro. He's like a drill sergeant, using dominance and humiliation to hone him into a proper man, or something like that. It's in the nature of a serial for the two men to snarl at each other--and for their respect for each other to be grudging at best--in every single episode, and for there to be little or no change in how they deal with each other. It gets pretty tiresome after a while, though.
As a contrast to that, reading a couple of these anthologies shows that Shiro and Yuko's relationship has changed, at least in its external trappings. In this and the ramen volume, we've seen love rivalries, wedding preparations, and maternity leave, all out of order. Or I can only hope. ;)
The story featuring salmon sashimi made me wonder why parasites in raw food aren't as much of a well-known public concern anymore, at least in the US. Cultivated fish, of course, would be treated for diseases and parasites as they're raised, but many fish are still caught out in the oceans and rivers, and some are eaten raw. Unfortunately the endnotes don't offer any reassurance that raw fish is any safer now than it was in the 80s. I mean, I could look it up, but I don't want to.
This series remains solid, rather old-fashioned edutainment. I've got a couple more of these yet to read, but I've had enough bristly masculine posturing for now.
As a contrast to that, reading a couple of these anthologies shows that Shiro and Yuko's relationship has changed, at least in its external trappings. In this and the ramen volume, we've seen love rivalries, wedding preparations, and maternity leave, all out of order. Or I can only hope. ;)
The story featuring salmon sashimi made me wonder why parasites in raw food aren't as much of a well-known public concern anymore, at least in the US. Cultivated fish, of course, would be treated for diseases and parasites as they're raised, but many fish are still caught out in the oceans and rivers, and some are eaten raw. Unfortunately the endnotes don't offer any reassurance that raw fish is any safer now than it was in the 80s. I mean, I could look it up, but I don't want to.
This series remains solid, rather old-fashioned edutainment. I've got a couple more of these yet to read, but I've had enough bristly masculine posturing for now.
February 1, 2015
One of the more informative and more interesting volumes. The Japanese really are quite passionate about their seafood. To me, the most interesting thing was learning that there's apparently a taste difference between right eye flounder and left eye flounder. There is some of that father-son rivalry that I don't particularly care for, but at least it was used sparingly. I guess it wouldn't bother me so much if the father didn't come off as such an incredible ass, and I really can't see why anybody puts up with him at all. Maybe he doesn't seem so much like a rude, entitled blowhard in the original Japanese?
March 26, 2019
I'll overlook the occasional pedantic bits and award this five stars for entertaining characters (Yūzan Kaibara is THE WORST) and its clever use of food as a lens for understanding broader Japanese culture and society.
November 8, 2014
After the 3rd volume this one is slightly more informative especially with all the different breeds of fish and how you prepare them for a meal..What you do and what you don't do. One of the chapters goes big into eating raw fish and how bad/dangerous it can actually be. It gets into the nitty gritty about flukes, tapeworm,etc. Actually, it made my eyes expand in shock and made my tummy flip uncomfortably thinking of the dangers of raw fish.
Like I've nearly said for every review there is always a format to these mangas in the way the stories are told...They actually aren't that imaginative in that sense BUT it's the additional information about the food that makes this manga a reading pleasure. Food for the eyes!
Never thought I'd be reading about Left Eye Fish vs Right Eye Fish...I'm not going to say anymore because that'll spoil the fun for you. I think that storyline they leave very open when it comes to the fish themselves but tack in a story about a child getting entrance to the second best college vs the best...Bit hammy (or fishy in this case) with how the fish/college play together but it's got a good message behind it.
Some of the meals prepared in this manga made me want to go to Japan! The food there is so different from Western food and it really feels like it could be an amazing experience.
Now, the personal storylines...Again...They are chopped into pieces and in one chapter there is a mention of marriage between the two main characters. THIS isn't a spoiler because from Volume 1 they mention it next to the two main characters bios. But I find it just jars things...Anything personal doesn't really make sense. I dunno but I wish I could properly find out who the characters were, I am interested in them but that's not going to happen unless I personally research it online.
Like I've nearly said for every review there is always a format to these mangas in the way the stories are told...They actually aren't that imaginative in that sense BUT it's the additional information about the food that makes this manga a reading pleasure. Food for the eyes!
Never thought I'd be reading about Left Eye Fish vs Right Eye Fish...I'm not going to say anymore because that'll spoil the fun for you. I think that storyline they leave very open when it comes to the fish themselves but tack in a story about a child getting entrance to the second best college vs the best...Bit hammy (or fishy in this case) with how the fish/college play together but it's got a good message behind it.
Some of the meals prepared in this manga made me want to go to Japan! The food there is so different from Western food and it really feels like it could be an amazing experience.
Now, the personal storylines...Again...They are chopped into pieces and in one chapter there is a mention of marriage between the two main characters. THIS isn't a spoiler because from Volume 1 they mention it next to the two main characters bios. But I find it just jars things...Anything personal doesn't really make sense. I dunno but I wish I could properly find out who the characters were, I am interested in them but that's not going to happen unless I personally research it online.
Read
January 21, 2015I've been looking for some manga that would be great for folks who haven't found a good entry point into the format. And I think this might be it.
Feel free to start with this volume. I did, and here's what you need to know:
There is a competition to create the perfect Japanese meal from which recipes and dishes will be passed down through generations. There are two main chefs involved in the contest. Really, that's about it, and most of that you can pick up in context.
It's a great food book. It goes pretty deep into different food topics, and it's also part mystery. Like watching an episode of House where some clever person has not only found the answer to a tough question, but anticipated pitfalls along the way.
Ugh, dammit. I'm trying really hard to not say it's like Food Network meets Sherlock.
So my office mate was reading me some publisher descriptions for upcoming titles. And can I tell you something? Every single goddamn one was "It's like X meets Y." Which gets old.
Some of them don't make sense. It's like Gone Girl meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I know those aren't exactly the same, but I think they share a tonal similarity that doesn't warrant them crossing.
Some of them don't make sense because you read it, and you're thinking "No, it's not. It's not like the Avengers meets Gran Turismo. Because that isn't a thing where the things can meet."
Also, it gets frustrating. I feel like the late 90's were all about "It's like nothing you've ever seen before." Which was a lie. Everything from the late 90's was just repackaged Dark City. Don't even question it. But at least THEIR lie was based on new possibilities, not imitating something else.
The only time I'll accept it from now on is when it's not used as simile. I only want things that are literally one thing crossed with another thing. Cars crossed with robots? That's what Transformers are, and I accept that. Transformers crossed with nonsense? That's a Go-Bot.
Feel free to start with this volume. I did, and here's what you need to know:
There is a competition to create the perfect Japanese meal from which recipes and dishes will be passed down through generations. There are two main chefs involved in the contest. Really, that's about it, and most of that you can pick up in context.
It's a great food book. It goes pretty deep into different food topics, and it's also part mystery. Like watching an episode of House where some clever person has not only found the answer to a tough question, but anticipated pitfalls along the way.
Ugh, dammit. I'm trying really hard to not say it's like Food Network meets Sherlock.
So my office mate was reading me some publisher descriptions for upcoming titles. And can I tell you something? Every single goddamn one was "It's like X meets Y." Which gets old.
Some of them don't make sense. It's like Gone Girl meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I know those aren't exactly the same, but I think they share a tonal similarity that doesn't warrant them crossing.
Some of them don't make sense because you read it, and you're thinking "No, it's not. It's not like the Avengers meets Gran Turismo. Because that isn't a thing where the things can meet."
Also, it gets frustrating. I feel like the late 90's were all about "It's like nothing you've ever seen before." Which was a lie. Everything from the late 90's was just repackaged Dark City. Don't even question it. But at least THEIR lie was based on new possibilities, not imitating something else.
The only time I'll accept it from now on is when it's not used as simile. I only want things that are literally one thing crossed with another thing. Cars crossed with robots? That's what Transformers are, and I accept that. Transformers crossed with nonsense? That's a Go-Bot.
April 14, 2016
A fun and informative tour of Japanese cuisine. In this volume our hero Yamaoka searches far and wide to find to find the very best seafood. I only wish these books came with all the food! I all sounded so yummy. It did make me thing about the increasing scarcity of certain types of fish, as the characters often note how certain species were once much more plentiful. Also the predictable format of each chapter can get rather tiring if you read it all in quick succession.
If you liked this, make sure to follow me on Goodreads for more reviews!
If you liked this, make sure to follow me on Goodreads for more reviews!
January 21, 2019
Dentro de la cuarta entrega de éste famoso manga gastronómico, en dónde se trata las elaboraciones Niponas con pescado, prima la importancia de la información acerca de la materia base para la realización de las recetas. Así que, a través de las distintas historietas se habla sobre el modo de crianza y entorno, el aderezo apropiado y modo de cocción de los escualos Nipones, los prejuicios en relación con algunos peces en el mercado, además de útil información sanitaria (si bien alguna obsoleta, otra es novedosa para mí) respecto a las especies parasitarias que albergan algunos, con sus sintomatologías y enfermedades derivadas.
Aquí, y para beneficio del lector adentrado en éste particular manga, las conversaciones de tono arrogante y pomposo ya no resultan tan molestas e incluso se comprenden, en parte, para la correcta exposición de las elaboraciones y los porqué culinarios. Sin embargo, le sigue faltando algo de ‘chicha’ y empatía al hilo conductor de todas las recetas y ABC gastronómico oriental. Pero debo confesar que aquí intentaron darle dimensión y calado melodramático- cotidiano-realista a las historias, como la de la expropiación de un orfanato, la convalecencia de un anciano o las dificultades de ser aceptado por los prejuicios, tanto sociales como estéticos. Pero tampoco os esperéis gran cosa.
Al no haber tanto duelo (juntándolo para el final) prepotente entre padre e hijo listillos gourmets, su lectura se hace más agradable y tolerable. Hasta el momento, el mejor de los que he leído.
Aquí, y para beneficio del lector adentrado en éste particular manga, las conversaciones de tono arrogante y pomposo ya no resultan tan molestas e incluso se comprenden, en parte, para la correcta exposición de las elaboraciones y los porqué culinarios. Sin embargo, le sigue faltando algo de ‘chicha’ y empatía al hilo conductor de todas las recetas y ABC gastronómico oriental. Pero debo confesar que aquí intentaron darle dimensión y calado melodramático- cotidiano-realista a las historias, como la de la expropiación de un orfanato, la convalecencia de un anciano o las dificultades de ser aceptado por los prejuicios, tanto sociales como estéticos. Pero tampoco os esperéis gran cosa.
Al no haber tanto duelo (juntándolo para el final) prepotente entre padre e hijo listillos gourmets, su lectura se hace más agradable y tolerable. Hasta el momento, el mejor de los que he leído.
May 16, 2019
I never knew, or thought I would read, this much about the differences in sushi and sashimi.
Oishinbo manages to strike a fine balance between informative information about Japanese food and culture, as well as fictional story that has characters often ridiculous enough to offset the rather basic story concept.
I really enjoyed reading about the lazy but kind hearted main character, putting food elitist in their place, and finding interesting ways food is served.
I would suggest finding one of the A la Carte volumes that covers food you are interested in. I am not a fan of sushi, and while this book did educated me a lot on the love of sushi, it was not something I could personally enjoy as deeply. I partly read a volume called the Joy of Rice, which I enjoyed a lot more, as I also enjoy rice!
A fun read, that also let me feel more knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine; however, lacking a deep central plot, each story feels very saturday morning cartoonish, entertaining, but not deep enough that I was dying for more.
Oishinbo manages to strike a fine balance between informative information about Japanese food and culture, as well as fictional story that has characters often ridiculous enough to offset the rather basic story concept.
I really enjoyed reading about the lazy but kind hearted main character, putting food elitist in their place, and finding interesting ways food is served.
I would suggest finding one of the A la Carte volumes that covers food you are interested in. I am not a fan of sushi, and while this book did educated me a lot on the love of sushi, it was not something I could personally enjoy as deeply. I partly read a volume called the Joy of Rice, which I enjoyed a lot more, as I also enjoy rice!
A fun read, that also let me feel more knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine; however, lacking a deep central plot, each story feels very saturday morning cartoonish, entertaining, but not deep enough that I was dying for more.
March 18, 2018
Como en el primer tomo de esta estupenda colección, al hacer un repaso de la cocina japonesa en general han optado en muchas ocasiones para hablarnos de Sushi y del Sashimi, sus platos más populares en occidente, aquí se han esforzado para presentarnos el karaage de pescado y otras delicias menos conocidas, ofreciéndonos interesantes explicaciones sobre la pesca en río y otras curiosidades de la cocina del pescado. Las historias siguen siendo una excusa para hablarnos de los distintos platos sobre los que quieren ilustrarnos, pero cumplen su función a la perfección y hacen que tengamos ganas de conocer más sobre la cocina del país del sol naciente.
Muy recomendable.
Muy recomendable.
April 8, 2020
This was pretty good! The review I'd give it is honestly very similar to the review I gave the other volumes. It's a smaller, themed collection of stories (this one about fish, sushi, and sashimi), edited for English, taken out of the context of a much longer-running manga. While this one was interesting, I found it could feel a little overly technical at times. There are a lot of descriptions about the proper way to slice and prepare fish for sushi and in general, it can get a little taxing at times. The notes in the back of the manga are incredibly helpful to provide context for English readers. I personally really love this series so far, but it can be a little dry in parts.
May 13, 2019
Fabulous. The stories and art of this manga are fun, but the skill described in making some of these dishes is awe-inspiring.
Some quotes:
Some quotes:
The main reason for eating is to provide nutrition for your body and spirit. Going through an adventure just for the gourmet aspect of it goes against that.
That's the meaning of cooking. You don't just eat the ingredients - you create a wonderful dish out of something that doesn't taste good on its own. That isn't playing around with food. It's a true culture that people have built up over the years.
May 6, 2017
I'm continuing to enjoy the Oishinibo series, and this book tackled a few of my favorite areas of Japanese cuisine, all revolving around fish. Also, there were several episodes involving Yamaoka's father, which are my favorites.
I still have a little bit of frustration that the plot and characters change so much between episodes since these a la carte volumes are only snapshot episodes, but nonetheless they are enjoyable.
I still have a little bit of frustration that the plot and characters change so much between episodes since these a la carte volumes are only snapshot episodes, but nonetheless they are enjoyable.
February 22, 2019
Encontré este manga en la biblioteca y lo cogí pensando que este era el primer tomo. Aunque no lo sea, es muy fácil entender de qué va la historia en general. Divertido viaje a través de la cocina y cultura japonesa, en este caso centrado en el pescado. 100% recomendado.
Las únicas pegas que le pongo son los personajes y la trama, aunque entiendo que solo son la excusa para mostrar los distintos platos.
Las únicas pegas que le pongo son los personajes y la trama, aunque entiendo que solo son la excusa para mostrar los distintos platos.
December 8, 2023
For whatever reason, this is my favorite volume in the series. In my opinion, there's actually some story and character development between MC and his father. Made me want to eat fish.
I read it a few years ago and again recently. Perhaps it's because it did leave an impression on me, but the re-read value was not as great as other volumes. I'd give it a 4.5/5 if I could.
I read it a few years ago and again recently. Perhaps it's because it did leave an impression on me, but the re-read value was not as great as other volumes. I'd give it a 4.5/5 if I could.
October 1, 2017
I love this series and I always learn so much when I read them. I fins myself wanting to try things like sea urchins and fish heads because they make everything sound so mouth-watering. I wish Kaibara would be less of an asshole to his son, though. Parents should know better than that.
Read
March 9, 2021Honestly I didn't particularly enjoy this one as I did the other volumes. I find it hard to enjoy any story when I don't like the characters and Yamaoda is one character whose pretentiousness and laziness not to mention cluelessness really showed through in this volume. On the other hand, I learned a lot about fish and sashimi. But I didn't enjoy this as the other 3. Giving it 1 star for the food knowledge, although I also heard the arguement of eating raw fish vs parasites before.
January 2, 2022
The series continues to be fascinating. A taste difference between left and right eye flounder? The insistence on freshness can be taken a bit too far. And there is some pretty informative information about the dangers of fish parasites, especially in salmon.
July 24, 2023
I could read a new one of these every day for the rest of my life - sadly I've almost finished all of the series. Bittersweet.
(note - I am just learning there were 100+ volumes of this and it ran until 2014? What the heck? Hope there's a fan translation!!!)
(note - I am just learning there were 100+ volumes of this and it ran until 2014? What the heck? Hope there's a fan translation!!!)
July 15, 2018
Super interesting and informative, learned a lot about Japanese fish!
April 29, 2019
Informative and interesting. A more mellow volume than the previous but full of fun anecdotes and technique. Looking forward to the next!
December 31, 2019
Highly entertaining as well as informative. Made me REALLY want sushi, though.
March 13, 2021
Just another one in the series....
It is a lot of yelling and insulting and the father is always able to trick Shiro to make him look stupid and win the food competition in the end.
It is a lot of yelling and insulting and the father is always able to trick Shiro to make him look stupid and win the food competition in the end.
June 9, 2022
Plot was interesting, lots of twists and turns, towards the end it got a little boring though.
April 4, 2024
This is a Great manga series teaching about Japanese food!
July 12, 2024
The pentultimate quarter of the manga dealing with the dangers of fish parasites in sashimi was particularly fascinating.
September 30, 2025
(Sin haber leído los 3 volúmenes anteriores)
Buenas historias entendidas sin explosiones de placer al comer pero si con sentido.
Buenas historias entendidas sin explosiones de placer al comer pero si con sentido.
July 7, 2020
Fun installment in the series, though there were definite jumps in time regrind the "action". Loved learning more about my favorite part of Japanese cuisine.
October 12, 2011
You have to give this manga credit for having one of the most oddly specific and fussy of plot devices ever conceived. A food critic has the job of designing the ultimate menu for Japanese cuisine of all time. Each episode involves the hero, a too cool for school guy in a black suit and tie, solve some dilemma with his knowledge of gourmet sushi, and then they eat. That's it. Repeat.
The caste of characters centers mainly on the hero gourmand Yamaoka, his plucky but demure girlfriend, and his tough as nails father who also happens to be his arch-nemesis. Frequently the plot centers around them having some kind of weird food tasting competition. Trust me it is weird. Especially because this isn't even about them being skilled cooks but skilled eaters. Imagine Dragon ball Z, or some action manga except all of the fight scenes have been replaced with pictures of raw fish. Quite odd. Since this manga began in the 80's I wonder if it might have somehow inspired the "Iron Chef" show, which in turn seems to have influenced various cooking shows a lot. Who knows?
In each episode, the hero, Yamaoka uses his food expertise to solve the problems of, among other things: a boy who is sad about going to his second choice college (!), a pompous businessman overly cocky of his cooking prowess (he gets humbled), and a guy who was dumped because he is ugly learns to get over it and take pride in his cooking instead of his looks. Every problem is solved by the hero's knowledge of food.
Jaw droppingly ridiculous stuff. To some extent it is entertaining, and in fact amazing that the writers were able to come up with issue after issue of this manga, while repeating basically the same plot ad naseum. It ran from 1983 to 2008 totaling over a hundred volumes! And that is why people are a fan of this no doubt, one can dip into any volume and have a very good idea of what is going to happen. Predictability is comforting, so this is comfort food.
Of course this criticism, that each issue is merely a slight variation on what came before, that actually the writers and artists are simply recreating the exact same product over and over, holds true for most manga, as well as the majority of books, tv shows, movies etc. This is the distinction between high and low art. Low art is simply an endless iteration of a non-changing template. Most mystery novels and most romance novels are essentially the same soup reheated, with maybe a different pinch of seasoning depending on the day of the week. Just as every sitcom is the same plot reborn endlessly. In other words, all repetitious art is just as contrived as plots involving this super hero whose super power is his epicurean knowledge of sushi.
On the other hand there is only one, say, Moby Dick, all examples of actual art exist as a singularity.
All of this is a long-winded way of saying, that while low art may be entertaining, and even skillfully and craftfully made, life is too short to read the same thing more than once. It is like choosing between a Mcdonald's fish filet and a plate of salmon nigiri . . .
The caste of characters centers mainly on the hero gourmand Yamaoka, his plucky but demure girlfriend, and his tough as nails father who also happens to be his arch-nemesis. Frequently the plot centers around them having some kind of weird food tasting competition. Trust me it is weird. Especially because this isn't even about them being skilled cooks but skilled eaters. Imagine Dragon ball Z, or some action manga except all of the fight scenes have been replaced with pictures of raw fish. Quite odd. Since this manga began in the 80's I wonder if it might have somehow inspired the "Iron Chef" show, which in turn seems to have influenced various cooking shows a lot. Who knows?
In each episode, the hero, Yamaoka uses his food expertise to solve the problems of, among other things: a boy who is sad about going to his second choice college (!), a pompous businessman overly cocky of his cooking prowess (he gets humbled), and a guy who was dumped because he is ugly learns to get over it and take pride in his cooking instead of his looks. Every problem is solved by the hero's knowledge of food.
Jaw droppingly ridiculous stuff. To some extent it is entertaining, and in fact amazing that the writers were able to come up with issue after issue of this manga, while repeating basically the same plot ad naseum. It ran from 1983 to 2008 totaling over a hundred volumes! And that is why people are a fan of this no doubt, one can dip into any volume and have a very good idea of what is going to happen. Predictability is comforting, so this is comfort food.
Of course this criticism, that each issue is merely a slight variation on what came before, that actually the writers and artists are simply recreating the exact same product over and over, holds true for most manga, as well as the majority of books, tv shows, movies etc. This is the distinction between high and low art. Low art is simply an endless iteration of a non-changing template. Most mystery novels and most romance novels are essentially the same soup reheated, with maybe a different pinch of seasoning depending on the day of the week. Just as every sitcom is the same plot reborn endlessly. In other words, all repetitious art is just as contrived as plots involving this super hero whose super power is his epicurean knowledge of sushi.
On the other hand there is only one, say, Moby Dick, all examples of actual art exist as a singularity.
All of this is a long-winded way of saying, that while low art may be entertaining, and even skillfully and craftfully made, life is too short to read the same thing more than once. It is like choosing between a Mcdonald's fish filet and a plate of salmon nigiri . . .
January 8, 2019
Oishinbo Volume 4 mostly consists of Yamaoka upsetting various authority figures with the knowledge that they’re dilettantes when it comes to sourcing and preparing fresh fish. I continue to be impressed by the particularity of Japanese cuisine regarding fish, despite already having had some damn good omakase meals. For example, I had no idea about the apparently different flavor and texture of "right-eyed" versus "left-eyed" flounder and how "baby" versions of certain fishes are particularly prized.
In other news, Kaibara continues to be a complete asshole, and I'm going to go eat more raw salmon just to spite him.
In other news, Kaibara continues to be a complete asshole, and I'm going to go eat more raw salmon just to spite him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews