You ever heard the saying that good food tastes better when you eat it with others? Gourmet Girl Graffiti is literally that concept turned into a wholesome Slice of Life series, and I’m all for it.

Relaxing Slice of Life series that focus on appreciating the small things—like ARIA and Hidamari Sketch—are probably my favorite overall subgenre in anime and manga. Graffiti took that vibe and combined it with one of my favorite things: enjoying food, especially Japanese food. It was a combo I didn’t know I needed until this aired in the mid-2010s.

The first episode does a great job of setting up the theme. The main character, Ryou, is a nice but shy and modest girl who’s naturally a good cook. The animation shows off her food beautifully, but she feels like something is missing—her cooking doesn’t taste right, even though she follows the same recipes she was taught as a kid.

Then there’s her second cousin, Kirin. Despite being family, she’s basically Ryou’s complete opposite—hyperactive, curious, and full of energy. She loves Ryou’s cooking, but more than that, she specifically emphasizes that eating it together is what makes it so good. This simple but emotionally effective moment hooked me for the rest of the series, and that warm, comforting tone is why I love it so much.

Slice of Life often gets criticized for being slow or uneventful, but to me, Graffiti proves that just a little theming and two likable, contrasting main characters are enough to make a show feel engaging and comfy.

I love the dynamic between Ryou and Kirin. Despite their differences, they’re always so happy just hanging out, trying new recipes, and describing why they love food so much. Honestly, even though I’m not a girl, their friendship reminds me of the kind I wished I had growing up.

A good Slice of Life keeps a consistent tone and stays entertaining, but what elevates a good one to a great one is emotional depth and character development. While Graffiti doesn’t go super deep, the little growth we get is satisfying. Ryou starts off as someone who enjoys cooking but learns to appreciate the experience of sharing food and company. Meanwhile, Kirin, despite being the hyper one, gets some surprisingly strong moments later in the season. Let’s just say that while Ryou does most of the cooking, Kirin isn’t completely out of the picture—and when she does get involved, it’s really well done.

Aside from the wholesome interactions, there’s some quirky humor sprinkled in. It’s never too over-the-top or out of place for this kind of show, which just goes to show how well the writing balances the comedy and comfy vibes.

That said, as much as I love the vibe, the emphasis on beautifully animated Japanese food, and the main duo’s interactions, I have to admit Graffiti isn’t perfect. One thing that could be a hit or miss for viewers is the way it presents the characters’ lowkey sensual enjoyment of food. Even in something like Shokugeki no Souma (Food Wars), the “foodgasms” can be divisive. Graffiti has similar moments—super slow, detailed close-ups of slicing, picking up, and eating food. As a foodie, I actually love this; the attention to detail makes me hungry. But then there’s the other aspect.

I haven’t mentioned this yet, but both Ryou and Kirin are middle schoolers. Look, anime already has a habit of sexualizing high schoolers, which is a gray area I’ve had to come to terms with over the years. But middle schoolers? In a show that’s supposed to be about wholesome food appreciation? Occasionally lewding them feels unnecessary and just weird.

Another issue is that while there’s solid character development, some episodes feel repetitive—reusing the same themes but with different food. It doesn’t ruin the show, but it happens a little too often for my liking.

Then there’s Shiina, the third main character. She’s chill and makes fun commentary about Ryou and Kirin’s dynamic, but she’s barely around. When she is there, she feels more like a third wheel than a real part of the group. Maybe if there were more recurring side characters for her to bounce off, she’d have more of a role, but as is, she’s just likable enough without being fully utilized.

Otherwise, I can’t find too much to criticize objectively. It’s a super wholesome Slice of Life that nails the iyashikei vibe, has a great family dynamic, and—shockingly—doesn’t rely on yuri-baiting. Plus, the focus on Japanese food is right up my alley.

It’s a shame the series never got popular enough for a second season or even full manga scanlations. Honestly, this should be the poster child for how to do a good, wholesome, down-to-earth Slice of Life.