Is the Chūka Ichiban! Anime Really Finished?#
Whether the story of Chūka Ichiban! (also known as Cooking Master Boy) is “finished” depends on which version of the anime you watch and how much of the story you want to experience.
The series follows 13-year-old Liu Mao Tsing as he seeks to become a Super Chef and battle the sinister Dark Cooking Society. While there are multiple anime adaptations, including the original 1997 series and the more recent True Cooking Master Boy retelling (with its 2021 sequel), the anime alone may not provide the full conclusion found in the written works.
If you are looking for the absolute end of Mao’s journey, you will likely need to dive into the source material. The manga continues far beyond the initial adaptation with sequels like Shin Chūka Ichiban! and Chūka Ichiban! Kiwami.
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Themes and Appeal: Who Should Watch This?#
Chūka Ichiban! is a unique blend of action and adventure, centered around the divine art of Chinese cuisine. Rather than simple cooking, the series treats culinary skill as an elite power, where the stakes are incredibly high—sometimes leading to shame or even death.
This anime is perfect for fans who enjoy:
- High-Stakes Competitions: Watching Mao face off against masters across the four provinces of China.
- Underdog Stories: Following a young prodigy inheriting his mother’s genius to change the future of cuisine.
- Adventure: Traveling through different regions to master new techniques.
If you’re ready to witness the battle for the title of Super Chef, you can watch the anime on Prime Video or pick up some Cooking Master Boy merchandise to celebrate your favorite dishes.
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Because this series has both an original run and a modern retelling, the order can be confusing. You can refer to the relationship tree below the article for a visual guide, but here are our recommendations based on your goals:
The Release Order#
If you want to experience the franchise as it aired over the decades:
- Cooking Master Boy (1997)
- True Cooking Master Boy (2019)
- True Cooking Master Boy Sequel (2021)
The Modern Recommended Order#
For those who prefer modern animation and a tighter retelling of the story:
- True Cooking Master Boy (2019)
- True Cooking Master Boy Sequel (2021)
The Completionist Order#
For those who want every single piece of content available:
- Cooking Master Boy (1997)
- True Cooking Master Boy (2019)
- True Cooking Master Boy Sequel (2021)
- Read the original Chūka Ichiban! manga
- Read the manga sequel Shin Chūka Ichiban!
- Read the manga sequel Chūka Ichiban! Kiwami
The “Source Material” Route#
If you don’t mind switching from screen to page to get the full story as quickly as possible:
- Watch True Cooking Master Boy (2019) and its sequel.
- Buy the Chūka Ichiban! manga to follow the story through Shin Chūka Ichiban! and Kiwami.
Quick Tips for New Viewers#
Keep in mind that True Cooking Master Boy is an alternate retelling of the original story, meaning it covers similar ground but may handle the narrative differently. Whether you choose the nostalgic 90s version or the polished 2019 version, you’re in for a treat of epic culinary proportions!
Chūka Ichiban! • manga • 1995-09 to 1996-05 (Weekly Shonen Magazine, 1995 #43 - 1996 #24)
└─(adaptation)→ Cooking Master Boy • anime • 1997-04-27 to 1998-09-13
└─(alternate retelling)→ True Cooking Master Boy • anime • 2019-10-11
└─(sequel)→ True Cooking Master Boy • anime • 2021-01-11
└─(sequel)→ Shin Chūka Ichiban! • manga • 1996-12 to 1999-04 (Weekly Shonen Magazine, 1997 #1-1999 #22-23)
└─(sequel)→ Chūka Ichiban! Kiwami • manga • 2017-11 (serialized on Magazine Pocket)
