Ao Ashi and Kyo no Ryouri Collaboration: Nutritious Menu Against Summer Fatigue
Japan's long-established cooking program Kyo no Ryouri ('Today's Meal') has made a surprise collaboration with the anime Ao Ashi (Blue Foot), which tells the story of young football players. The special episode, airing on NHK E-TV on Saturday, June 22 at 9:00 PM, is titled "Kyo no Ryouri: Beat the Extreme Heat! Nutrient-Filled Menu". In the program, real recipes from the famous flower-shaped menu board that Ao Ashi protagonist Ashito Aoi shares with his teammates will be made.
The collaboration draws attention to the common summer problems of appetite loss and fatigue. The experienced chefs of Kyo no Ryouri will recreate the nutritious, light, and refreshing dishes from Ao Ashi live on air. The menu, prepared with a focus on the protein, vitamin, and mineral balance that athletes need before and after training, appeals not only to football fans but to all viewers. The program's producers stated, 'We wanted to bring that energetic table from the anime to real life. Enjoy summer with both delicious and healthy recipes.'
Ao Ashi was started by mangaka Yuugo Kobayashi in 2015 in Big Comic Spirits magazine. The series, adapted into an anime by Production I.G in spring 2022, follows the rise of a young talent from the suburbs of Tokyo into the professional football world. The manga has reached over 30 volumes, while the anime has garnered great acclaim over two seasons. Kyo no Ryouri, on the other hand, is a classic that first aired in 1957 and has been bringing Japanese cuisine into homes for over 60 years. This collaboration, bridging two generations, offers an enjoyable experience for both young and adult viewers.
The collaboration episode was also announced on Ao Ashi's official social media accounts. Fans are eagerly awaiting the recipes for Ashito's favorite dish, 'omurice' (rice omelet), and cold noodles made with summer vegetables. The episode, which will also be available on NHK's online platform NHK Plus after the broadcast, can be watched for one week. If you're looking for both practical and nutritious meals in hot weather, don't miss this special program.
