So like I imagine Espio to be Japanese as I’m sure many other people do and like. Something I think about frequently is how much he must miss his culture’s food. Like I know he still eats a lot of Japanese things- in the sonic cook book almost all his recipes are Japanese, actually, like how to make Onigiri or cold Udon or Dango! And he’s shown eating dango in arts too! It’s just that like, other than self made Onigiri or noodle dishes, he probably doesn’t get to eat his cultures food that often? At least where I’m from, a lot of ingredients for Japanese food and just. Japanese food in general is SUPER expensive, like just look at sushi! (Which I know, generic example, but I hope you get my point). Like, when you look at the prices of most Japanese things, they’re pretty high! Which makes sense, import costs and all, but it just makes me feel bad because it means the few times he DOES get to indulge in his culture’s food are really only on special occasions. After all- if the chaotix are going grocery shopping, they have to make every single penny count. There’s really no place for snacks or foods that not everybody likes, and especially if they’re expensive.
Idk, does this make sense? I know espio has other things to remind him of his culture, like the shamisen for example! But I still couldn’t imagine never or only rarely being able to eat my culture’s food, yk? And with how serious Espio is about his culture (or at least, that’s how I view it) I imagine that fact kinda upsets him too, at times. Not often- it’s not the worst thing in the world, after all, and I’m positive Espio’s grateful to just have food in general! But I also imagine that he’d get a little wistful walking by the occasional Japanese restaurant and being reminded of that. Shshssh