Ask John: Why Do Some Characters Eat So Much?

Question:
Why is it that in nearly every series, and not just strictly the humor titles, there is at least one character that downs unimaginable quantities of food?

Answer:
This may be one of those unexplainable anime characteristics like SD and the giant sweat droplets, but I am willing to venture a guess that this has a little bit more of a basis in reality than some anime characteristics. I can not say for certain, as I honestly do not know, but I suspect that the common anime joke with characters that have insatiable appetites stems from the fact that, especially relative to Westerners, Japanese people have very small appetites. Relative to typical American meals, Japanese meals are rather small, but most Japanese people are used to eating “less” and find it perfectly natural and normal. Therefore, characters that eat gigantic helpings, and constantly ask for more stand out. Characters like this express two characteristics: they are different from “normal” people, and they are more assertive, demanding and aggressive. While in examples like Slayers, this running gag is used mainly as exaggerated humor, it also helps develop character depth and personality.