I felt that the characters, while fun to watch, seemed lacking in impact (aside from Souma, who I might argue isn't as OP as people make him out to be). The development of Megumi was very slow, and then made somewhat of a jump. While that lasted to the finale, it felt a tad rushed. Other supporting characters are fun to look at, but eventually forgettable. The only characters I can really remember details of are Souma, Megumi, and Erina. While the supporting characters are there to help things along (in each one's own way), they did feel throw-away by the end of the season. If there is a Season 2, I hope the focus is better distributed.
Story-wise, as I said before, things are generally standard. The use of "food gasms" demonstrates the appeal of the dishes served, and always manages to make me hungry. Despite the fan-service being over-the-top, at least it was mixed-gender. The entire season somewhat felt like an appetizer, and I hope the next one (be it existing or not) will fill my stomach more.
The animation is top-notch, giving everything (and everyone) vibrant and distinct identifiers. It's clear, direct, and beautiful. Since the show is comedic in nature, there are nice changes in the animation to lighten the tone of the show, and keep things lighthearted (and not just battle-oriented). Character designs are nice. The music for the series is VERY clever. It blends distinct sounds from different cultures depending on the theme of the dish that is currently being shown. It helps with the immersion of the viewer, bringing forth epic tracks when called for, and a lighter tone otherwise. ED 1 and OP 2 are definitely favorites. I have no real complaints about the voice acting; each character is portrayed true to their traits.
Every week, I loved sitting down and watching this show. It would leave me hanging, wanting the next episode to come out already. The comedy balanced the drama, the characterization was well done, the atmosphere was cute, and in the end, it just made me HUNGRY. On that note, if you watch this show while rather hungry... good luck.
"Food Wars" is a highly-enjoyable and delicious (hah) experience. Despite some lacking character development, it leaves you wanting more.
