Fermat no Ryouri

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Fermat no Ryouri (Fermat's Cooking). You might have heard of Fermat's Last Theorem, a famously challenging mathematical problem that numerous mathematicians attempted and failed to prove until it was finally solved in recent years. Borrowing its name from this theorem, Fermat no Ryouri is a manga that creatively portrays cooking through the lens of mathematics. The author, Yūgo Kobayashi, is also known for Ao Ashi, a popular soccer manga. Kobayashi excels at exploring common subjects from unusual perspectives. For instance, in typical soccer manga, main characters often play glamorous positions like striker or attacking midfielder, but in Ao Ashi, the protagonist shines as a full-back—a notably less flashy role. Kobayashi consistently avoids the conventional, delivering unique, fresh experiences to readers. Now, regarding Fermat no Ryouri, my honest first impression: it's captivating, and the dishes portrayed look incredibly delicious! Much of the manga's appeal stems from its meticulous research, providing a deep sense of authenticity. Everything from cooking temperatures, textures, seasonings, and techniques is rationalized through mathematical equations. Even readers unfamiliar with math (myself included!) can enjoy the intriguing presentation of culinary artistry through mathematical logic. The protagonist, Gaku, excels at mathematics and has the talent to represent Japan at the Math Olympiad. However, disillusioned by differing perspectives on math, he fails to qualify. His life takes a turn when, while preparing a simple staff meal of spaghetti Napolitan at his part-time job, he impresses Kai Asakura, a renowned French chef who immediately recognizes Gaku's unique potential and invites him to join his restaurant. Gaku then applies mathematical logic to cooking, reverse-engineering dishes to achieve perfection. While cooking manga are abundant, the innovative concept of blending cooking with mathematics feels fresh and genuinely engaging. Since the manga is ongoing, one can only hope it avoids the usual pitfall of many shonen cooking series, where storylines become increasingly unrealistic due to a lack of new ideas. I highly recommend Fermat no Ryouri to anyone who enjoys Kobayashi's other works, particularly Ao Ashi, or simply loves cooking. The manga also features recipes, and having tried one myself—I can confirm it's genuinely delicious!

June 12, 2025