Rokuhoudou Yotsuiro Biyori – Putting the “Comfort” in Comfort Food

Is it normal to be hungry and full at the same time?

Yotsuiro Biyori was a nice breather in the lieu of some of the heavier fare this season. It doesn’t leave as strong of an impression as other culinary or healing anime within the past year, but it is therapeutic to visit Rokuhoudou every week to curl up to some green tea, sweets, and comfort food with a show that is infatuated with the craft behind the cafe’s menu. Every episode exemplifies the dedication that one of the four staff members have towards the dishes and drinks that each excel in on a personal level. The mood is set well with how calm and serene the light jazzy music is while patrons attend the cafe nestled in the bamboo forests away from the hustle and bustle of their daily routines. Everything from the scenery to the food is given gorgeous detail as well to emphasize how special the quality and charm of the cafe exude.

The staff of Rokuhoudou cafe helps to bring something special to the series with how well they work with each other and the other guests. Most of the fun and excitement comes from Gure, the part-Italian coffee specialist who brings eagerness to crafting lattes despite the horrendous nature of his foam art. Ono Daisuke plays him with just the right amount of enthusiasm Gure needs to amplify the character’s eccentric, peppy personality. On the flipside, Yamashita Daiki trades in the wholesome timidity of Hero Academia‘s Midoriya Izuku for his latest role as the abrasive yet passionate sweets chef Tsubaki. Tsubaki is neat in that he goes through a sizable amount of development in growing accustomed to his fellow cooks and becoming less hot-headed about Gure and the others bothering him by shifting his priorities towards being a perfectionist about the pastries and sweets he makes. Tokitaka’s focus is mainly on what he cooks as he sifts through his memory bank in the fond memories he carries about his experience with food. As the leading protagonist, Sui is given a heavy focus as his love for green tea and cats is given ample attention throughout the series while he reflects on his grandfather’s accomplishments at Rokuhoudou and his brother moving as far away from the past as possible to pursue the corporate life.

Sui’s relationship with his brother is also a great example of the emotional depth that the show has with its many segments. Much of the episodes hone in on the different guests at the cafe ranging from a young granddaughter of a traditional tea vendor who tries to introduce her grandfather and best friend to Rokuhoudou to a rough-looking journalist who only wants to enjoy sweets with a co-worker he is interested in. Some take on a more humorous route like the drunk businessman who has a craving for tempura bowls while others cause the crew to look introspectively into their roles as chefs like the co-worker of Sui’s brother who sets up a booth for them to cook at the mall, a young student who Gure sees himself in, and a lost kitten that Sui and his favorite cat find themselves gravitated towards. What Yotsuiro Biyori brings to the table goes beyond the
gastronomy and libations as its endearing cast and its uplifting, charming atmosphere make Rokuhoudou a cafe worth revisiting.