[ERINA] Objection!
We cannot choose this student.
This judgment should be reviewed.
His behavior is completely unacceptable for a time-honored tribute to fine cuisine.
Um, Erina... When it comes to cooking, your opinions are generally correct...
But for some reason, when it comes to Soma,
you become illogical and aren't capable of listening to reason.
Uh!
I wonder... Did something happen between you?
Something private?
Um! Not at all!
I simply don't feel that he's qualified for such an honor!
Um, Isshiki! Could it be...
you're giving favorable treatment to the underclassmen in your dorm?
Hahaha! Oh no, not at all.
[EIZAN] Soma Yukihira...
The boy is a tricky little story.
I support this choice.
True, he's accomplished very little here at school.
And his entry into Tohtsuki was rather questionable.
See a few of you at graduation!
[EIZAN] But at the camp,
he showed great initiative at the 11th hour and cleared 200 servings.
He received high praise even on the first day's challenge.
Wouldn't such an unconventional student
invigorate our festival just that much more?
Why you're dissatisfied with this candidate is beyond me.
Okay then... he's in.
[ISSHIKI] There're no objections and the decision is final.
(Opening Song)
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Hey, hurry!
[SCHOOLBOY 2] They're gonna post the announcements!
(Cheers)
Aw, yeah!
Aw, dammit!
These are the students who'll be in the Fall Selection.
I did it! Ow!
[RYOKO] Yuki! Get...off...me!
Uh, what now? Help me.
OW! [SOMA] Hey!
Did you get chosen for Fall Selection too?
Sure did!
Sweet, that's pretty awesome.
Even before a Food War...
I've been given the chance to battle you directly, Soma!
Hey, Meat-Meat!
Did you make the cut?
Y-yeah.
I take it you did, too?
Oh, and good luck to you, Takumi.
Hey! I don't need you to placate me you, piece of crap!
Quit laughing! What are you lookin at?!
(Giggle) Like it wasn't going to happen.
Let's see...
Ah, there's my name written right over there.
Of course it is, dummy!
If you hadn't been chosen,
you would've been an embarrassment as my intimidating aide.
And I forbid you to get eliminated in the preliminary round.
Don't worry about it.
I'm prepared to put up a fight till the end,
even if it means I have to go up against you to win.
(Grrrrr....)
What's happening to your face?
What the heck is wrong with you?
It wouldn't hurt for you to show me some respect once in awhile.
[RYO] But I always show you respect.
More! Respect me more!
You need to be like Erina's secretary!
She grovels like a pro.
Oh, it's Erina's cousin! Hey!
Oh, hey there! How are you, Soma?
Hope everything's swell.
Looks like Soma is getting to know
all the campus big shots, isn't he?
He's friends with them already?
Yeah! I have to tell Miss Fumio all about it!
It sure would make her happy if this was to be the second Golden Age.
[URARA] Hey, everybody! Good afternoon!
(Laughs)
You ready for the selection?
I am your acting emcee for this battle.
I'm Urara Kawashima!
Hello! (Giggle)
(Boys cheer wildly)
(Girls growl wildly)
Congratulations to those of you who were awesome enough
to make the final cut!
If you'll take a quick look at the signboard, you will see...
the sixty of you who were chosen are split into groups of A and B.
Each block will have their own round of preliminaries, first A and then B.
The top contestants from each block will earn the right to move on
and compete in the actual tournament event!
(Loud cheers)
Okay, guys...
Now it's time for a message from Eizan,
who's on this years action committee:
"The Selection will be attended by several VIPs
and leading authorities of the culinary world.
This is an excellent chance to show off your skills.
However..."
[EIZAN] ...if you present an inferior dish,
any future plans you may have had regarding advancing as a chef
will certainly be crushed.
"So, for the rest of your summer vacation you better..."
Study hard.
(Confused murmurs)
[URARA] And that's all!
Ooohh!
We got this thing in the bag, yo!
I am makin' it to the final round, man!
[ERINA] Congratulations on making the Selection.
But with your skills, it was only natural.
Ma'am!
I will make sure my performance won't bring you shame
as your faithful aide.
Also, please rest assured!
It will be a tremendous honor to get to punish Soma for you!
Uggh...
Ah, I'm so sorry!
I spoke out of turn!
The goal of this training camp
wasn't just the means to weed people out.
There's no way you'll be picked to be a member of the selection.
"Selection"?
There's no way they'll ever choose you
for something as elite as this!
Don't get cocky, Soma Yukihira.
Erina Nakiri is by far your superior.
[SOMA] I didn't see Erina's name up there.
Nope.
Council of Ten has to oversee things.
They're in charge of the Fall Selection every year.
Erina's too busy. She's on the administrative end.
Hmm?
Ah! Man!
It's gonna be a while before I can battle Erina.
Sure enough...
the other members are super elite.
I really get the feeling I don't belong!
How come we didn't make the cut, but somehow that loser country bumpkin' did?
My cooking skills and class ranking are both way higher than that little hick.
It makes no sense!
Total bull crap, man.
Shut your hole!
You mindless dolts!
If you think the selection is based solely on grades,
then you nut jobs are even dumber than you look.
Candidates are judged on ALL aspects, from their character to future prospects.
AHH!
Anyone who's content just getting good scores...
has no business being chosen anyway!
Look at that impression!
(Frightened screams)
U-um, thank you!
Miss, uh...
I'm Miyoko Hojo.
And you're Megumi Tadokoro.
You have piqued my curiosity.
[MIYOKO] Chef Kojiro Shinomiya made his name as a former member of the Tohtsuki Council of Ten.
Are the rumors true that you challenged him to a Food War back at camp?
And did you somehow manage to pull out a draw?
Uh, uh... No, um, I swear to you it really wasn't an even draw at all!
Don't tell me...
that you beat him! NO!
N-no, it was-
Well what it is?! Spit it out, girl!
It was, uh, it was all thanks to Soma.
I'm no good on my own, honestly.
If it wasn't for Soma, I would be... Uhhh...
Soma Yukihira, that transfer student?
Oh, I see.
So in the end, you just let some man do it for you?
Sorry I bothered you.
I thought you were someone else.
[ALICE] Let me explain something, Soma.
Most of the current members of the Council of Ten
have fought in the Fall Selection's final battle.
It's one of the ways to get chosen as a member.
In other words, I'm sure you figured out,
one of us is going to go on to become the next member of the Ten.
[NAO] Aah, Miss Erina.
You're as beautiful as always.
With those eyes... with your words...
I want you to scorn me as your unworthy disciple!
RAAGH! That little tramp!
I hate your face!
I'm far more suited to be with Miss Erina than you!
[MIYAMOTO] I'm sure the members have been announced by now.
[MADOKA] Yes, they have.
Hello, Zenji.
[ALICE] Of course...
the point is moot unless one wins here.
I hope the day comes when you, Erina, and I
can battle it out for a spot on the Ten.
Hmph.
[JOICHIRO] There's a stain from a spilt pot of stew.
I was cooking up there one night.
But don't go losing to anyone, till you've lost to me again.
And I look forward to crushing you.
Time to get down to business...
Come and get some.
Aaah... such a lovely refreshing morning, isn't it?
Simply perfect for the first day of summer.
[YUKI] Hey!
I've got it, it finally came!
It's here!
Look. It's from the Fall Selection Office.
[SOMA] Uh! Well, let's open it up!
[TOGETHER] Curry...
Cuisine?
Hmph!
[SOMA] So, are we just supposed to make any old curry and rice?
Well, it said "cuisine," so...
it doesn't HAVE to be limited just to that.
'Kay, so, some sort of dish within the curry family.
Is that really it?
I guess so! What do you think, Isshiki?
(Laugh) Well, who can say?
[YUKI] Hey, don't dodge the question! [SOMA] Curry...
That covers way too muchground.
It doesn't even give us astarting point.
Oh!
This place...
Kyokusei Dormitory...
What was it like for you living here?
I had a blast.
Everyone brushing up their cooking skills, in whatever way they liked...
Yeah, there was one of us who made nothing but curry.
Hm?
Yep, the kid's name was Shiomi.
Went on to become a fine teacher at Tohtsuki.
If you cross paths, drop my name.
I always had Shiomi's back.
[JOICHIRO] Y'oughta get a favor or two that way.
[SOMA] So anyway, that's what my dad told me.
Yeah?
Looks like we made it.
Huh?!
[SOMA] It's a lot more rundown than I expected.
[MEGUMI] He might be even scarier than Mr. Chapelle!
Excuse me!
[SOMA] Shiomi, Shiomi...
Excuse us.
Huh? No one's here?
Whoa! Nevermind!
Huuh?
Hello there...
I have visitors!
Um, I'm sorry! I'll put some tea on right away!
I'm sorry! I'm really really sorry for the state of this place!
She's so tiny. Is she in school with us?
No, we're the ones who are sorry.
I'm sorry for being so inattentive to visitors.
It's our fault for intruding.
No, it's perfectly all right. Please forgive me!
I'm sorry.
I apologize.
These two are gonna run out
of things to apologize for.
[SOMA] Um, do you know where the teacher for this classroom is?
And could you please tell him that Joichiro Saiba's son is here.
Whuuuuuu...
Hya! HYA! HYA!
Joichiro Saiba's son?!
Get outta here, right now, or else I'll throw you out!
Huh?! Um, he's unconscious right now,
so I don't think he will be moving.
That's too bad!
I didn't need any reminders
of that creep walking in here to torture me!
Hey, Jun.
I bought all that stuff you asked for.
Sorry for the bother!
[JUN] I look forward to staying here with you all.
I-I'm Jun Shiomi.
Hello, and welcome to Kyokusei Dorm.
I heard that you were able to clear Miss Fumio's little entrance exam on your first try.
That's very promising indeed.
Th-thank you so very much!
[JOICHIRO] Mornin'.
[GIN] Joichiro! C'mon. Why aren't you in your uniform?
We got a newbie, huh?
Welcome to our friendly little abode.
Wanna try one of my new dishes? Would'ya?
Y-yes! Please by all means!
(Sinister laugh)
[JUN] And that's how Joichiro Saiba used me,
the youngest resident at Kyokusei at the time.
I was his guinea pig.
Utterly tormenting me with his new dishes
at every opportunity he could find.
And then, he inflicted a wound to my heart that will never be healed.
But you look exactly the same as you did in that flashback!
Ah, that's because I've been eating spices for a very long time.
Many of them help aid in beauty enhancement.
Really? You mean that's all it takes?!
My dad did some pretty cruel things.
His underclassman had it rough while he was here.
Wouldn'tcha say, Megumi? (Groan)
[MEGUMI] Um, well, we're residents at Kyokusei,
and we thought you could tell us about curry.
Yes, that's right. That's the theme of the Fall Selection-
Hmph! I will only talk to the sweet little girl sitting over there.
I will have nothing to say to either Joichiro or any of his filthy blood relatives.
[AKIRA] Yeah, I'm really sorry about that guys.
We finally get some visitors, and you end up getting the cold shoulder.
Hi, my name is Akira Hayama...
I'm a freshman here just like you.
Huh? I didn't think you could take special seminars till your second year.
Yeah, well...
The thing is, she kinda needs me.
You see, messing around with spices is pretty much the only thing she really does.
Isn't that right, Jun?
Don't call me Jun! It's "Professor Shiomi"!
You're my helper, Akira,
so you need to show me some proper respect around here!
Jun... It's your turn to water the plants.
You forgot again.
Flinch!
So I watered them for you again.
Okay, I'm sorry.
And you forgot last week too...
and almost killed an important herb dear to both of us.
Uh, yeah, that was my fault.
Oh and who was it that entertained the visitors you stood-up last month as well? Hm?
You, Akira...
She's getting even smaller...
[MEGUMI] Soma, you gotta see this!
[SOMA] Wow, that's an amazing collection of spices!
This totally smells like curry!
[AKIRA] It's a spice called karipatta.
It is also quite well known as the "curry leaf."
Huh? You really have raw curry leaves here?
You know about this stuff, Megumi?
Yeah.
As seedlings, they can't handle cold weather
and will wither before the winter's over.
That's why dried leaves are the most common here in Japan.
It has to be almost impossible to find them raw around here!
Yeah, that's one of the main focuses for Jun's research:
Finding a way to safely cultivate spices from tropical areas here in Japan.
She's found a freezing method to preserve them for long periods of time,
and in doing so, she's come up with several new flavor components.
Well, you are a lot more awesome than you look, Professor!
I don't appreciate praise from the likes of someone like YOU...
But you're getting it.
That's just how much potential
spices can truly hide within them.
After all, spices are...
Fragrance, heat, color...
They influence all three of these!
Combining them produces a synergistic effect.
The more spices included, the more their qualities are lessened!
If combined haphazardly, it becomes muddled.
The limit is approximately 20 varieties.
Fats and oils are essential for drawing out a spice's flavors...
Uh-oh. So we're getting a full-blown lecture now.
Also, the fats will taste their absolute best when they're in an emulsified state...
When she gets like this, it could be a while.
[AKIRA] I think it might be faster if you just try it for yourselves.
Have a taste.
I'll show you the true depth of spice.
[AKIRA] Here's your first dish.
It's a chicken Kolivartha curry.
It's a signature dish hailing from southern India.
It uses some of the curry leaf for fragrance.
Whoa-ho! This looks really freakin' good!
What is this?!
First, the strong scent of the curry leaf shoots through the nose,
and then right behind that comes a light, tingling heat of peppers and onions...
that spreads across the entire tongue!
[AKIRA] That intensity is the raw leaf.
The raw leaves give off 10 times more fragrance than any dry ones can.
Okay, now for the next dish.
This is a Goan Fish Curry. You can use any medium size white fish, like swordfish.
Huh? Another curry?
[AKIRA] All the other ingredients and spices are exactly the same.
But compare the two.
This dish is even more delicious?! How could it be?
Yes. For that one, I pan-fried the red pepper and coriander.
In other words, I used roasted spices.
That's enough to make that big of a difference?
That is truly incredible, Akira!
Now I totally understand. It makes perfect sense.
If your dish is supported by pan-roasted spices,
it will blend all the ingredients' flavors in perfect harmony!
And finally, there's this.
It looks like the same Kolivartha curry we ate the first time.
Yeah. But it's different though!
The aroma of the curry leaf is way more intense than it was before!
Oh... Wow...
The level of heat that spreads on the tongue is totally changed!
The level of flavor is even more pronounced than before!
Correct. And I didn't add a single ingredient more.
But instead of using a soup stock...
I just simmered it in plain water.
In water?!
It's exactly what Jun said earlier:
Spices need care. If too many varieties are mixed in...
they will lose their individual impressions.
This would be the opposite.
By deliberately removing the flavor of the stock,
it creates a curry where the spices' impact is drastically heightened.
Normally, you'd think that would certainly weaken the flavor of a dish...
But instead, there's no denying the remarkable levels of fragrance this has reached!
I've been pierced!
To think, slightly changing the way spices are used
could change a dish so dramatically!
This guy...
The whole time he was cooking...
he didn't look inside the pot even once.
The fennel has started to smell fragrant.
It will be done cooking in about five minutes.
It'll be another 40 seconds for the coconut paste. Then it blends.
[SOMA] He could tell the state of the dish just by the scent of the spices and ingredients alone!
That's impressive.
So what can I tell you?
It's in this way Jun needs my help.
Hello? Where did everyone go? I take the theories she comes up with
and refine them into actual dishes.
You see, that is the role I play here.
[MEGUMI] A theoretical scientist and a hands-on chef!
Honestly, it gave me a good chuckle when I heard the theme
of the Selection's preliminaries.
"Curry cuisine," of all things.
So you're in this year's Fall Selection, too?
I will be in A-Block with you, Soma Yukihira.
Wait. Did I tell you my name?
Oh, come on, everyone knows who you are at this academy!
Well, everyone who attended opening ceremonies, that is.
Look, your cooking is interesting.
Even with your options limited, you've come up with a way to pull through.
But still, that's not enough for you to "take the top spot" at Tohtsuki.
Well before you can taste it,
even before you can see it,
the first thing that reaches the senses...
And that which lingers when the food is chewed, and swallowed away...
Is the essence of FRAGRANCE.
It's the key to masterful cuisine.
Only one can be at the top. And that's going to be me.
Well, thank you for the lesson.
Your curry dishes were truly incredible.
I'll look forward to next time.
"Next time"?
When we're up there on that Selection stage,
I'll treat you to a curry that's even better.
AH!
Are you serious?
You think I would lose to YOUR curry?
Soma, did you learn nothing while eating what I made for you?
Course I did, and I got scared, too.
Huh?
I said "here's someone who can make something I can't even fathom."
At least, not yet.
And I admit it makes me kinda jealous.
But it really taught me a lot about curry.
See you again at the preliminaries- URGH!
I was in the middle of my lecture!
The doorknob got me in the stomach.
Ah! Please! I'm so very sorry!
Soma Yukihira...
Ugghh?
[AKIRA] Taking on curry means taking on spices
and living in a world dominated by scents and fragrances...
And my nose is something very special.
You don't stand a chance of defeating me, my friend.
(Ending Song)