Wasted Chef Anime Film Teaser Trailer Reveals Manga Adaptation
The manga adaptation launching before the film's completion gives audiences early access to the story, a strategy that builds anticipation while the feature remains in production.
Reporting from 4 sources: Anime News Network, Comic Natalie, Anime Corner, Anime Anime.
The official website for director Takayuki Hirao's original anime film project Wasted Chef opened on May 31, releasing a teaser trailer and announcing a manga adaptation. The teaser shows a boy and girl meeting in the rain and spending time at a restaurant called THE DAY, with a detailed shot of a hamburger. The tagline reads: "That day, 'you' and 'taste' vanished from the world." The manga adaptation, drawn by Aero05, will begin serialization in Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine on June 4. Hirao, who previously directed Pompo: The Cinéphile, is credited for the original story, script, and direction at animation studio CLAP. Character designer Shingo Adachi and composer Kenta Matsukuma are also returning from the Pompo team. The project was first announced in June 2023. Variety reported that the film is slated for completion in 2027. The film was selected for the Annecy Animation Showcase at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May 2026.
The teaser trailer for Wasted Chef opens with rain and a chance encounter between a boy and a girl, then moves to the interior of the restaurant THE DAY. A close-up of a hamburger-lettuce, tomato, onion, and a patty glistening with juice between fluffy buns-is rendered in detailed animation. Later shots show a mysterious structure and an eerie light covering the sky. The teaser closes with the line: "That day, 'you' and 'taste' vanished from the world."
The manga adaptation by Aero05 will launch in Young Ace's July issue, on sale June 4. The manga will deliver the story ahead of the film's release. Hirao is writing the script and directing the film at CLAP, the studio behind The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes. Adachi, known for Sword Art Online and Lycoris Recoil, is handling main character design. Matsukuma, whose credits include Kamen Rider Black Sun, composes the music. The film was one of several works-in-progress featured at the Annecy Animation Showcase at Cannes in May 2026. Variety reported a 2027 completion target, though no official release date has been announced.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network News Wasted Chef Anime Film Reveals Teaser Trailer, Manga Adaptation
- Comic Natalie 平尾隆之監督作「WASTED CHEF」特報に“飯テロ”ハンバーガー、コミカライズも開始
- Anime Corner WASTED CHEF Original Anime Film by Pompo the Cinephile Director Takayuki Hirao Announced
- Anime Anime 「映画大好きポンポさん」平尾隆之監督の最新作「WASTED CHEF」特報が公開！ 「ヤングエース」にて連載もスタート