For over 15 years the FATE franchise has been expanded across multiple forms of media since it’s debut as an adult visual novel. It’s had it’s anime adaptations, manga, lite novels, films, and other video games. Normally, the game continuations have been other visual novels and Dynasty Warriors-style games. Spin-offs have expanded the FATE universe across multiple timelines, alternative universes, and even produced humorous and wholesome non-canon material. Some have been so good that they’re arguably better than the source material (FATE/Zero and Grand Order in particular).
One recent spin-off series was Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family, a mini-series in which everyone from the original Stay Night story took a year-long break from the Holy Grail War and just sat down to enjoy a meal together every month. Is it canon? Probably not!
Still, its gentle and calming aesthetic had a welcoming feel to it. Fans couldn’t help be interested in seeing their favorite characters getting along, even if they were enemies in canon. Another charming aspect was that every dish in the anime had a real recipe card presented on the final page of its respective manga chapter. Many were easy enough to make at home, yourself. (I’ve made the foil baked salmon and bamboo shoot gratin many times. They’re delicious!)
The anime ran for 13 episodes, releasing a single 15-minute episode every month while simultaneously being adapted as a manga. The comic is currently four volumes long and still on-going in Japan.
Now, Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family is getting its own cooking simulator video game, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch! Called Everyday♪ Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family, the game follows the same premise as the anime and manga, with a slight twist. Players will assume the role of Saber in her own adventures in learning how to cook. With a bit of practice, Saber will no longer leave everything Excaliburned.
A mix of 2D-animation cutscenes and 3D models will be used throughout the game, having the same soft-toned likeness as the original anime. The game’s controls are nothing new compared to other cooking simulators such as Cooking Mama, but that’s to be expected in some regards. Rhythm portions are shown, as well as button pattern memorization, and speed control depending on actions being performed. The gameplay is described as “simple cooking actions” in the trailer.
The game will include a newly written story to explain Saber’s sudden desire to learn to cook, as well as exclusive recipes for the game. Rin and Sakura will be joining Saber’s cooking lessons, though just how important they will be to the game is unclear at this time. Makoto Tadano, who was the culinary supervisor for both the anime and manga, will be returning to assist with the game’s menu. No doubt this means that all dishes will follow suit from the anime and manga, and be completely safe to prepare at home.
Everyday♪ Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family is set for release in Japan this spring. Currently, a western release has not been announced and the chances may be slim. Still, with so much FATE media being localized overseas, dedicated fans can keep their fingers crossed.
Itadakimasu!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OntAkbR-aGc
