Episodes consist mostly of characters cooking plus tasters' reactions to their food. It sounds simple but there are underlying themes that accompany each cooking event that always manage to mix things up. One battle might be about building up confidence while another might be about learning from past mistakes. And of course there will be "conflict" infused into each cookoff. Whether it's spectators wondering how a character will make a certain technique work, lacking an ingredient, or coping with pressure, the problems these protagonists face are interesting and it's always satisfying to see them pull through. All the while, the kitchen drama is really emphasized but not so much that it's laughable.
I will say that the first arc is where the series shines brightest because of the very natural character progression and much more varied plot. The second arc tried to flesh out side characters but the way it was attempted felt far too forced and almost comes out of nowhere. In my opinion it's a terrible idea to suddenly bring up someone who hardly ever gets screen time, put in some flashbacks and a few observations from other characters, and call that fleshing out that person. Another thing I especially didn't like about the second arc is how the last part became all about judging dishes. I understand that it's a necessary evil, given the circumstances. But it strays away from the typical format by completely removing the well-handled cooking sequences.
Something I appreciated a lot about the show is how it will subvert expectations every now and then. Given that a lot of characters sort of fall into their own comedic roles (a la Fairy Tail), you would this simplicity would carry over to plot points and event outcomes. The fact that it doesn't is a welcome surprise.
The art style is very appropriately colorful, with dishes almost guaranteeing salivation. The attention to food science is admirable, and the soundtracks used are so memorable you'll probably look them up on YouTube. With the amazing looking dishes these characters put out, the likable characters, and controlled humorous style, I have to definitely recommend Shokugeki no Souma.
