This is too delicious!
It makes perfect use of seasonal spring ingredients.
He made an extremely delicate dish in a short amount of time!
This is on a whole different level than the other people here.
Allow me the indulgence of re-introducing myself:
[ISSHIKI] From the Tohtsuki Council of Ten...
Uhh.
[ISSHIKI] I am Chair No. 7...
Satoshi Isshiki.
So, that means...
you're on the council of Ten?
Now then...
I would like to try YOUR food, next.
(Nervous inhale)
[ISSHIKI] I'm curious as to what you will prepare.
Come and show me...
how you express yourself...
through your cooking.
(Nervous exhale)
[SOMA] I think I'm beginning to understand...
why my dad sent me here.
Hmph!
Huh?
(Swish)
Order up!
(Opening Song)
(Owl hooting)
(Heavy snoring)
Mackerel...
[SOMA] His dish. A peppered mackerel. With a puree...
So I'm guessing your family's restaurant...
is in traditional fine dining?
Interesting. Why would you think that?
Because peppered mackerel is normally found on that type of menu.
Plus, you can't learn to prepare this kind of thing at just any old restaurant.
(Laugh)
[SOMA] That mackerel, cooked up flaky and delicate...
And the surprising choice to make the spring cabbage the base of the puree...
Still, the silky smoothness is a perfect match for the mackerel.
Mackerel's in season now, and paired with spring cabbage,
the palatability of each heightens the other.
It's just like a gorgeous spring day!
Mackerel...
Yes!
Yukihira's No. 20 from our secret menu!
"Yukihira"?
That's the name of our family restaurant.
[SOMA] I will use mackerel as the ingredient, too.
It's one of our most popular dishes.
And just like your dish, mine will have a spring theme as well.
Ahmm... Uhh?
Buh! I fell asleep...
[RYOKO] Oh, gosh! I think I drank too much special rice juice!
(Sizzling) [BOTH] Hm?
[YUKI] Huh? Soma's cooking?
[RYOKO] Um... Maybe he's still hungry.
No, it's a cooking battle.
Oh, Shun, you were awake this whole time?
Wait! They're really facing off?!
How'd this happen?!
Beats me.
But it was Isshiki.
He was the one who threw down the gauntlet.
[GIRLS] Uh!
[YUKI] Um, shouldn't we be talking about someone's lack of clothes?
[RYOKO] I don't know. It'd be a shame to ruin the mood.
[YUKI] I guess.
(Sizzling)
Order up!
[SOMA] Yukihira secret menu No. 20: revamped!
Mackerel onigiri chazuke!
Now it really should be done using salmon,
but I wanted to make a slightly different version using mackerel.
There's enough for everybody, so please dig in, guys!
Ah! Thank you very much!
Okay, so what do we have here?
[SOMA] Salted seaweed tea.
It's bold, but its lightly salted flavor
should finish out the meal perfectly.
GAH!
If you cook up something like this,
you're gonna make us all hungry!
Got that right.
[ISSHIKI] Okay, it looks like simple, normal ochazuke.
This dish would be served at any cheap family eatery.
Unless...
Don't mind if I do!
Eat it, everyone!
[BOTH] This is looking good.
(Slurp)
(Heartbeat) Mm! Mmm...
Mmmmmm...
Delicious!
The mackerel is perfectly juicy,
but the skin is still nice and crispy!
[YUKI] The flavor pops out with every bite!
This kind of texture wouldn't be possible by simply broiling it.
How did he do this?
[ISSHIKI] Poele... Hm?
This mackerel was cooked using the poele method.
Po...e...le?
Why are YOU acting so surprised, too?!
Uh, I'm just not sure what "poele" is...
Huh?!
It's time to learn, kids:
Poele is a French method used to cook protein.
It is a style of saute.
[ISSHIKI] Olive oil is poured on top of the protein,
basting it if you will, giving it a consistent browning.
Would you mind telling me, Young Soma?
Where did you happen to learn your French cooking techniques?
From my dad. He's my mentor.
He taught me how to cook like this.
He said it's perfect for making fish nice and crispy.
[SOMA] The crunchiness goes great on a bed of rice,
or you can add seaweed tea to give it a whole different texture.
It all depends on what you're trying to do.
Hm...
So, it appears your father has studied French cuisine?
I'm not sure, I couldn't really tell you anything about that...
But it sure seems like he's studied in several different countries, though.
I can see that.
[ISSHIKI] Who could've imagined
onigiri done in a French fashion?
He's bound by neither genre nor nationality...
This cooking is so free!
And poele was the perfect choice, given the thickness of the fish's skin.
Ideal for both salmon and mackerel.
Young Soma made that determination in an instant,
and arranged his menu accordingly.
The pure white of the rice is like newly fallen snow!
And amidst it, the mackerel flavor is so pronounced...
It is the essence of spring itself!
With this dish,
he has expressed the very moment
of spring's awakening!
(Blowing)
Mm... Mm!
(Slurp)
(Slurping)
Mmm...
(More slurping)
(Aggresive scarfing)
Ah...
(Twinkling) (Choral music)
(Leaves rustling)
(Birds chirping)
Mm! AHH!
AAHHH!
Mmmmaaahh!
Bloom!
You're welcome!
So beautiful...
A magical greeting to the season...
Well done!
You too, my man.
I really like what you did...
It felt just like spring.
Thank you for your scrumptious competition.
Mm. Ah... Huh?
Huh?!
What the heck? What's goin' on?
Uh! Uhhh...
Hoh...
(Light snoring) [YUKI] Zenji? Zenji! Zenji!
Hey.
He's not waking up, is he?
Doesn't look like it.
(Aoki and Sato groan)
Okay, time to go!
We'll definitely clean up next time, dude.
Totally, next time for sure, bro-chinski.
(Yuki hums) (Megumi whimpers)
(Yawn)
[MEGUMI] Okay, so why did Isshiki decide
that he wanted to do a cooking battle tonight?
Beats me. Who ever knows what he's thinking?
There's really no point in wondering what a freak-a-zoid like him is thinking anyway.
[AOKI] So sleepy!
[YUKI] Well, goodnight, Megumi.
[MEGUMI] Yeah, goodnight.
[ISSHIKI] Well, Young Soma,
With these festivities, you are officially
one of us here at Kyokusei.
(Yawn)
If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
In that case...
How does someone join the Ten?
Hm?
(Laugh)
[ISSHIKI] Oh, yes!
You ARE out to take the top spot
at the Academy, aren't you?
So I must ask you then... what keeps you so motivated?
[SOMA] The truth is, my dad and I are kind of at odds at the moment.
Unless I can become a member of The Ten,
he won't acknowledge what I can do.
That battle we just had may have been a draw, but...
If I do end up beating you...
would that make me the new Tohtsuki No. 7?
Heh.
This is wonderful! WHA?!
You have such powerful ambition, Young Soma!
[ISSHIKI] I'm so ridiculously moved right now!
That's exactly what it takes for a student to thrive here at Kyokusei!
Uh... Okay... (Gleeful yelling)
[ISSHIKI] Alas, we must postpone that discussion for another day.
It's getting pretty late.
We should probably get some rest, okay?
Yeah... I guess you're right.
Take the top spot at Tohtsuki, huh?
I believe the true weight of those words will soon become clear.
[SOMA] So, um, my name's Soma Yukihira.
And well, to be honest it's an honor to attend this school,
as a stepping stone in my career.
I might as well take the top spot.
Young Soma, you will come to learn...
at this school, cooking is everything.
[ERINA] Your main ingredient will be eggs.
Make me one proper dish.
Those whose plate impresses me may transfer.
All others will be forever banned from the Academy.
Shut up and give me that bowl, you idiot!
DISGUSTING!
I'll make myself clear:
I do not approve of this decision.
Not of you and not of your peasant cooking!
"Take the top spot," will you? Don't make me laugh.
[ERINA] All the students who've advanced from the middle school division
have learned cutting-edge gastro techniques!
You don't have nearly enough training for this.
There's no way you can measure up to them.
Have fun trying to play catch up!
Mmmm...
I'm gonna ferment...
Uh. Huh? Hey, Bunny.
(Oinking)
Hm? (Quacking)
Heavy!
(Yawn)
Hi there, guys... Good Morning.
GAH! They always, ALWAYS mess up my room!
I'm gonna tell em like it is,
no more, not ever, I am done with those mouth-breathers!
AGHH!
[AOKI] 'Sup?
[SATO] How's it going?
[BOTH] Huh?
(Yawn)
What is it? What's going on?
(Upbeat music)
[SOMA] We put it off last night...
But now, with your No. 7 seat on the line...
Satoshi Isshiki... I challenge you!
(Music ends abruptly)
(Tap Tap Tap)
(Groans and yawns)
Hm!
Hm?
Hello?
[SATO] We should eat.
[YUKI] I'm so freakin' starving!
[AOKI] Hey, Gramma, you done yet?
Stop complaining and wait patiently, you big ol' babies!
[ISSHIKI] I'm sorry, Young Soma.
I failed to explain things well.
HM?! [ISSHIKI] About how challenges work
here at Tohtsuki Academy.
(Crowd cheering)
[SCHOOLGIRL] Good luck!
Dosukoi! Hah!
[GODABAYASHI] We of the Chanko Stew Society
have a long and noble history, stretching back to the Academy's very founding.
And yet, Erina Nakiri, you wish to demolish it.
In order to build what exactly?!
A cooking annex for my personal use.
My fifth kitchen has gotten a wee bit crowded for my taste-
How dare you!
That grand historic building
is home to a long passion for eating
fostered by the students of Tohtsuki Academy!
It's not for you to toss aside!
How can you even call yourself a chef?!
[SUMO 1] Yeah, that's right!
Miss Erina...
(Sigh)
Trying to imitate the recipes of those senior students,
while also squandering away your budget...
Is that YOUR grand idea of "passion"?
Uh?!
These past few years,
you've contributed little of value.
A society that merely praises its past accomplishments
isn't needed here at Tohtsuki.
You are always quick to flaunt your authority...
Someone needs to put you in your place!
If I beat you, you will step down from the council!
I challenge you! Let's go Erina Nakiri!
And if I win, construction continues as planned.
Ready, Godabayashi?
Let the battle begin.
[ISSHIKI] Here at the Academy, there's a system
for resolving disputes between all the students.
And it involves following a few specific rules.
[ISSHIKI] You may challenge me for the No. 7 seat if you wish,
but the guidelines state that you must offer something of corresponding value.
What would be considered "corresponding value"?
For something to the level of losing my council seat...
Even you being expelled wouldn't be adequate.
Guh! Why not?!
That's right.
That's how much weight
the Council of Ten carries.
[FUMIO] After all,
they're the highest decision-making body on campus.
Not even the teachers can go against a ruling made by the Council of Ten.
In the past, residents from this very dorm would join the prestigious Ten every year.
It was truly the Golden Age of Kyokusei's dormitory.
By comparison, you're all just pathetic losers.
Aww, Ms. Fumio, you don't really mean that.
I guess that would be that...
You could battle me only if I accepted the challenge,
and to be honest I would not prefer you leaving the school.
Put simply... this challenge is not going to happen.
Are you serious?
But I've been up since 5 in the morning all ready to go!
In any case, going for the No. 7 seat...
...is too ambitious!
They'd probably think you were some kinda idiot.
[ISSHIKI] And it's not like you can just challenge people on a whim.
Hm?
There are three things you need to challenge someone.
First off: You need authorized officials to declare the challenge valid.
Second: An odd number of judges.
And third: The agreement of both parties as to the conditions of the challenge.
Only then will things start to come together.
Oh man, that seems like a lotta hassle.
[ISSHIKI] However, the upside is...
When the conditions are met,
you are free to battle anyone who attends the school.
(Light gasp)
[ISSHIKI] "Any and all challengers must be put down through cooking."
That is Tohtsuki's traditional, one-on-one battle mantra.
And it has become known as:
"Food War"!
[JUDGE 1] A judgment has been reached!
In this Food War, the victor is Erina Nakiri!
(Crowd cheers)
No... What the hell?!
How can this be?
[GODABAYASHI] But the... Stew Society...
What is the matter with you people?
What was wrong with my lobster hotpot, huh?
Uwaahh...
Ah...
(Bubbles churning)
Ahh...
(Railroad alarm)
(Stampeding footsteps)
(Growling)
[ERINA] Godabayashi...
your dish fails on 27 points.
First, there's the lobster.
You blanched it for two seconds far too long.
Ehh!
[ERINA] Next, the oysters produced
a slight off-flavor that affected the whole dish.
Guh! Shut up!
As for how the vegetables were treated-
Shut your mouth!
Do you really think what you made
is that much better than mine?
I have been perfecting that dish for weeks,
just for this challenge!
[JUDGE] Hakkeyoi!
AH! Ooooh!
[ERINA] Well, Godabayashi?
Huh?!
What do you say to my langoustine ravioli?
[GODABAYASHI] The ravioli is steamed light and fluffy,
while the langoustine inside is plump and bursting with flavor.
Mm!
(Struggling)
[GODABAYASHI] The sheer delicacy of it is like being at the mercy of a champion yokozuna!
This is a different dimension of flavor!
It's immaculate!
Uuhhh. Uhh.
(Groaning)
It's me. I won.
Huh? [ERINA] Take it down.
AHH! NO!
She's so heartless!
This...
This is truly the granddaughter of the Demon of Food!
Hmm. I'll be seeing you.
(Crowd cheers)
[SOMA] "Food Wars," huh?
Okay then. I was kinda hoping to challenge Erina Nakiri...
Uh. There's no way you could ever beat her, Soma.
(Satoshi chuckles)
I look forward to seeing how things play out.
I am certain he will achieve some impressive victories.
After all, he was able to cook to a draw against me, the No. 7 seat.
I'm sure you see it too, don't you, Shun?
Tch. Too early to tell.
You don't seem to be taking this very seriously.
[SHUN] You didn't even serve your specialty.
That dish you made is the definition of playing it safe.
Don't be silly, my friend.
I put a great deal of effort into making that dish special.
Yeah... I'm not buying it.
Young Soma...
when I ate your food, I had a revelation:
[ISSHIKI] You might be a little green right now...
But you are going to be the catalyst
that will bring the academy's Food Wars to flourish!
(Ending Song)
(Distant crowd cheering)
[HISAKO] That was an excellent performance, Miss Erina.
[ERINA] Eh...
Defeating that toad is nothing to brag about.
The entire ordeal was a disappointment.
The Tohtsuki Academy is in search of nothing less than perfection.
Give me the list of the next targets.
Uh! M-ma'am! It's right here!
[IKUMI] Miss Erina.
Hm?
[IKUMI] Would you allow me to go next?
There's really no need for you to waste your time
going after these low-life imbeciles yourself.
I would like to handle them for you.
Oh, would you?
Now that sounds promising.
But well, you do know what that entails, don't you?
(Shink)
They don't call me the "Meat Master" for nothing.
[IKUMI] And I'll protect that title...
You can bet on that.
I will serve up a flawless victory.
(Giggle)