Anime Review: Yumeiro Patissiere

Ever found yourself adrift in life, lacking ambition and feeling somewhat purposeless? It's a sentiment many can relate to – I certainly have. However, viewing it as a negative isn't always accurate. Sometimes, discovering your passions takes time, hidden away in the recesses of your mind, waiting for the right moment to emerge.

The anime I'm delving into today follows the journey of a girl who was often dismissed as clumsy and untalented until she unearthed her true passion – creating delectable desserts after remembering her grandmother's desserts, particularly the exquisite strawberry tart.

Yumeiro Patisierri falls into the shojo manga series and belongs to the food anime genre. It narrates the tale of Ichigo Amano, who secures a spot at the prestigious St. Marie Academy, after impressing tutor Henri Lucas with her extraordinary tasting skills.

Yumeriro Patissiere Montage

A Not-So-Perfect Beginning

Ichigo's initial days aren't a joyride. Although she's grouped with the top scorers of her class- the Sweet Princes Hanabusa, Kashino and Andou, she lacks their expertise and knowledge. All she has going on for her is her sheer will and determination. This is what attracts a Sweet Spirit of the Academy to pair up with her. These sweet spirits aren't visible to those who haven't themselves paired up with one.

Together, Ichigo and her sweet spirit Vanilla undergo training, trial and errors to become better and slightly capable within the group. It's a surprise to her when she finds out that all of her teammates too have sweet spirits with them!

Challenges and Victories

Ichigo emerges as the creative force that unites her group. She amalgamates Hanabusa's love for candy, Kashino's penchant for chocolate, and Andou's experimental Japanese confectionery into desserts that not only win hearts but also bring smiles to people's faces.

Beyond the kitchen, Ichigo's endearing nature enables her to win over those who were once envious or considered her a nuisance. She even befriends a senior, Tennouji, an exceptional patissiere.

The Things I Loved About It

The charm of the show lies in its overall concept – sweet, relaxing, and purely enjoyable. While primarily targeted at girls, its unique characterization and the blend of male and female characters make it universally appealing.

As someone with a formidable sweet tooth, I found myself introduced to a plethora of delectable desserts, each presented in vivid detail. The end credits, showcasing various dessert-making techniques and tips, were a delightful bonus.

Magic in the show isn't employed for mischief but rather as a tool for personal growth and learning. The beautifully portrayed bonds of friendship and, dare I say, romance, add an extra layer of depth.

Moreover, the show imparts valuable lessons about the significance of food and its ability to bring joy to both the cook and the consumer.

The Things I Didn't Like About It

While I admired the vibrant and lively art, as well as the mouth-watering dessert depictions, the characters' exaggerated features, particularly their large eyes, felt somewhat odd and out of place. Despite eventually getting used to them, the initial impression was a bit jarring.

Additionally, some competitions in the series followed predictable patterns, which, considering the target audience, was forgivable. The filler episodes, though tolerable, took me by surprise initially.

My Review

Plot and Characters: wonderful, likeable and even relatable. All had unique traits and flaws- from the protagonists to the antagonists. I did not like Oujo-sama and hated her loud bratty laugh. The plot was easy going, even if a little predictable.

Visuals: loved the colourful vibe of the show, the desserts seemed lovely and lickable. On the other hand, characters weren't great with big eyes and lanky physiques.

Themes and Emotional Impact: I felt it would be an amazing show for someone younger, a middle schooler or so and they'd greatly value from the various themes of llife, friendship, food and passions which was within it. But as an adult, although I liked the overall concpet, it seemed too idealistic.

Overall Enjoyment: I enjoyed it, more than I thought I would. It's slow in the beginning but once you get in the story, you gobble through fast. I especially loved the SP Professional season of the show where the characters are in High School, a much relatable age than middle school for me.

I'd rate this a 3.5/5!

Until next time with another something review from my hundred thoughts!