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Anime with a mature cast for a mature audience doesn't always have to include mature content. Sometimes all it needs is a couple of deeply nuanced interpersonal relationships.

I started this series mostly on a whim, since I saw it included a lot of glasses-wearing guys, but was pleasantly surprised by the care and detail within the story. The main characters, although only onscreen for 11 episodes, are fully fleshed out with their own detailed personalities and backgrounds. For a cooking anime (or "gourmet" as MAL calls it) there is very little focus on the actual food. Instead, the creation and presentation of the meals is ... used to emphasize the interactions between characters, with the main character's foray into the world of restaurant work running parallel to her personal development. This is all to say that the main focus of this series is the characters and the way they interact with one another, which is more often than not incredibly wholesome and moving.

This anime is plated Italian style, taking place on the streets of Rome. The backgrounds are often almost completely 3D rendered, in a way that's reminiscent of old video games, particularly Gregory's Horror Show and Lunacy. While this, alongside the often 3D rendered food and wine, might at first seem janky or off-putting, it takes the backseat to the story and wonderful art style. The art features varying line thickness and slightly exaggerated proportions, providing just enough flair to still resemble Natsume Ono's source material while still being able to pass as standard anime fare.

The audio is fine, the voice actors do a great job at characterizing the roles they play, and the BGM is unobtrusive, although nothing special. The opening and ending songs are quite unique as far as anime soundtracks go, taking the form of Japanese jazz circa 2009. They're incredibly fitting for the series.

If anything in this review piqued your interest, I really do wholeheartedly recommend this series. While unassuming on the outside, the story and relationships within the doors of Casetta dell'Orso are really lovely, and that which I'm not likely to forget anytime soon.