(Sigh)
Hm? What's wrong with you, Megumi?
Seeing and tasting Akira's curry...
It kind of knocked the wind out of my sails.
[AKIRA] Curry... Oh yeah...
[MEGUMI] It's a little more than a month till the Selection.
Trying to come up with a dish that will rival one as good as Akira's
in such a short amount of time is nearly impossible!
I don't know what I'm gonna do, I'm freaking out!
At my family's restaurant,
back when I would watch my dad working up close,
I hated to admit it to myself,
but I knew there was still so much I needed to improve.
And yet, he trusted me to come up with a brand new menu item.
I was terrified.
Because I was still only in sixth grade.
I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of pressure!
Maybe...
But if all you do is worry about what you need to improve on,
you'll never get anywhere.
Like right now, you know...
I've really got nothin' to lose here,
and everything in the world to gain.
There's no way I'm givin' up my job at the shop,
or my food battles.
The only thing to do is man-up and tackle this.
Mm-hmm!
Okay then... So spices are gonna be important for this theme,
of course, but I don't think that'll be all it's about.
[MEGUMI] It's six weeks till the Fall Selection.
One hot summer, devoted entirely to curry has begun.
[ISSHIKI] HAH!
Ahh...
Hehe...
(Opening Song)
[YUKI] "Generally, about 40 varieties of spices are used in curries.
Of these, only 10 to 20 varieties are selected and then blended." Huh...
I don't think you can just mix them randomly, though,
or the individual flavors would end up cancelling each other out.
[MEGUMI] Should we use the spices whole, powdered, or raw?
I just don't know.
Plus, we have to choose a recipe AND the oil to draw out its aroma!
And do we use roasting or ripening methods?
How will the ingredients interact?
There's just too many factors to consider!
AH! EH?
Come back to us!
Megumi!
(Both chuckle)
Spice is important...
but it's not everything.
[KANICHI] Seriously, this is great!
To think, a member of Bowl-club has made it so far!
Here's hoping one bite of that meat of yours
sends you straight to the main tournament, Meat-Meat! Wooo!
It will dramatically increase our club's budget,
and we'll gain a ton of new members, too!
The future of Bowl-club is bright!
It's not going to be as easy as all that.
Huh?
This is about a lot more than just
putting out some delicious meat.
I really have to put some thought into my spice blend mixture.
I also need to make sure I choose the right kind of protein.
Meat is my thing, after all.
So I must make a curry that maximizes the deliciousness of the meat.
To think, you'd go so far for Bowl-club...
Meat-Meat!
I couldn't care less about that!
[TAKUMI] You're really not going back to Italy with me?
[ISAMI] That's right.
Mom and Dad are gonna be sad not seeing you.
As well as our regular customers who always look forward to your cooking.
I'm just putting off having to go back a little bit longer.
I wanna see if I can work out a few things on my own.
All right. Well, good luck.
Your goal should be to take me down.
M'kay. But if I win, please don't cry all over me, okay?
You're such a crybaby whenever I beat you at stuff.
(Fighting back tears)
Hey! That was back when we were still in elementary school!
Jeez! I'm leaving now!
Oh, Brother!
Do you have your passport?
Can you get on the plane by yourself?
And go to the bathroom before you take off. Do I need to hold your hand?
Leave! Me! Alone!
Have a good trip!
Hm.
[HEAD CHEF] Gimme a damn break!
I don't care if she is Head Chef Hojo's daughter,
there's no way some daddy's little girl is running this kitchen!
Once she steps foot in this place,
we'll knock her on her ass and get her outta here!
Delicious!
She's getting better.
Her cooking is far beyond a 3rd-year middle schooler!
Yeah, she might already be as good as you are, Sir.
You better watch out for her.
[MIYOKO] Head Chef...
In three years,
I will graduate from Tohtsuki
and return to lead this kitchen.
Can you keep it warm for me... "Senpai"?
One day, I'll have to enter a battlefield stacked deep with bullheaded men.
I'll earn prestige!
The sort of power that will stop them from looking down on me because of my gender.
First, I'll win the Fall Selection,
then I'll snatch the No. 1 seat on the Council!
I WILL make this happen.
No one can stop me.
Shut up! You shut up!
No, you! I hate your face! You're dumb! I hate you!
[MEGUMI] August rolled around,
and the residents of Kyokusei
started taking trips back to their hometowns
to visit with family. And then...
You're heading back too?
Yeah!
I wanna see the Bon Festival,
plus I want to try combining some of the different spices
and ingredients from my village.
Great idea! Well, good luck.
Yeah! You, too, Soma.
It looks like you'll be the only freshman here at the dormitory for a while.
Yeah, but you won't have to worry about me getting bored around here.
See you soon.
Oh, don't forget to bring me a souvenir.
Mm-hmm!
Three more weeks till the Fall Selection.
(Sinister laugh)
Perfect...
This is the right flavor.
Now is your time. You've had it.
Uwaahhh!
Just you wait, Hisako Arato.
(Sinister laugh)
What's the matter, Hisako?
Uh, nothing.
I just felt a chill for some reason.
Oh, no! Are you okay?
Should I turn down the AC for you?
I-I'm fine! Don't worry, Miss Erina.
Is there anything I can get for you?
No, please you've already done enough by letting me use your amazing cooking area.
Tea? Would you like me to put some tea on for you?
No, um... I'm just fine...
I promise, I'm really all right.
[ALICE] Erina, I swear...
She's not competing in the Fall Selection,
so she has nothing but time on her hands!
True.
Since I've pretty much decided what I'll be making,
I've got time on my hands too.
Um, Madam?
I'd like to experiment with my curry recipe...
Oh no! your duty is to keep me entertained!
[FISHERMAN] Yo!
Is that you, Megumi?!
Hey guys! It's been a long time!
Hey, girlie, we heard you's gonna be in some big tournament
or somethin' or other!
It's like you're our shinin' ray of hope 'round here!
You mean it? Aw, c'mon, guys!
(Car honks)
Megumi!
Welcome back, sweetie!
Hey, Mom! I'm home!
Y'know, it's been a long time since you helped us out in the kitchen, hon.
I think you've gotten even better.
I still have a long way to go, Mother
I mess up all the time,
and at training camp, if Soma hadn't helped...
[MIYOKO] Oh, I see.
So in the end, you just let some man do it for you?
I thought you were someone else.
It's just like Miyoko Hojo said.
Someone's always coming to my rescue.
But at Selection, I'll need to fight on my own.
I will have to come up with something myself.
(Yawn)
Hey, Soma. Were you up all night?
Oh, hey there, Isshiki. Good morning.
Ahhh... Look at all these new dishes you've made!
Huh. This one's interesting.
Yes, it's VERY interesting! Soma!
Yeah, but I'm just gettin' started.
I've gotta... make something even-
(Snoring)
[JUN] Oh, Akira?
Were you up all night again?
Yeah, and I've almost perfected it...
The blend that will be my secret weapon.
That's no good! It's not healthy to keep pushing yourself like this, Akira.
You're one to talk.
I see you work through the night all the time, Jun.
Don't call me "Jun!" It's "Professor Shiomi" to you!
And you have a bad habit of falling asleep on the floor.
Y'know, you're pretty heavy for a little pipsqueak.
I was worried about you! I hope you lose this thing!
(Door slams)
I'm not going to lose.
Jun and I together form an unbeatable combination.
We will show them all.
[SOMA] This venue is huge!
We're really gonna cook here?
[MEGUMI] What's going on, Soma?!
Hey, Megumi!
How was your summer vacation back home?
I wanted to try and get ready in my own way, but- Ah!
Megumi, it's been a while!
You're looking well.
Hey, Soma! How ya doing?
You know... hangin' in there.
Oh, Meat-Meat!
Uh, hey. Hi.
We're in the same block, huh?
I'm glad to know we're together again.
"Together"?
You idiot! We're competing against each other!
And this time, I'm not gonna lose!
O-okay...
Hey...
It's a shame we don't get to compete
in the same group as you.
But the two of us wish you all the best
with the tournament regardless.
Come on, Ryo, say something deep.
'Sup, dude?
"'Sup" yourself.
The faint scent of spice is still lingering on your fingers.
Akira!
I take it you've been studying.
It's a good idea.
Yeah,
I wanted to feed you a curry
that's even more delicious than your own.
Hmph.
[TAKUMI] Soma!
Oh, Takumi, how you been?
Uh, I'll tell you this once again:
Your true rival is none other than-
Hm? Oh, looks like we have a new student.
Huh? What do you mean?
That's my brother.
[SOMA] Huh?
You kidding me?!
Oh, take it easy.
[TAKUMI] It's just the summer heat.
It always makes Isami slim down a little.
THIS is 'cause of the summer heat?!
Dude, I'm felling strong as an ox; there's nothing to worry about.
Once fall and winter roll around,
I'll go back to my big, beautiful, normal size.
[MEGUMI] Really? This happens every year?
[SOMA] That can't be healthy.
Anyway, you understand, right?
That is my brother!
Now as I was saying earlier, Soma... AH!
[URARA] Attention all attendees, we apologize for the wait.
Please direct your attention to the stage in front of you.
Huh? What's going on?
Oh, sorry, can we talk later?
Huh? Uh... hey!
The competition will kick off
with a few words from our principal...
Senzaemon Nakiri!
I can't believe he's really here.
That old guy from the opening ceremony...
AH! (Coughing)
[URARA] Um, Sir?
There's no need to worry.
A little something in my throat.
Breathing in the air in this auditorium,
one can sense, both in body and spirit, the drive in this building.
Even though it just made him cough.
Shh!
This venue is also known as
the Celestial Room.
Originally, this room was only allowed to be used
for the epic Food Wars between the members of the Ten.
It has become tradition that, to honor their outstanding achievements,
we hang portraits of those who have earned the No. 1 seat.
Woah, he's right.
There's Chef Dojima...
And Chef Kojiro Shinomiya!
He was the No. 1 seat, too?
Many battles were fought and won in here,
and many specialties were born and nurtured in this place.
Even now, they linger like grains of sand.
They bring back the memories of an unbroken chain of battles.
As was said...
The final battle for the Fall Selection
will be held in this auditorium.
In other words, those who make it through prelims come back.
Yeah. There's going to be some vicious cooking ahead.
This is your moment to shine! The place where you will carve out your part in history!
And so we meet here once again...
eager participants of Tohtsuki Academy's 92nd Selection!
(Wild cheers)
So, Takumi, what was it you wanted to tell me earlier?
Just forget it.
Moving on,
I would like to go over the preliminaries' rules.
Like it said in your letters, the theme will be curry cuisine!
The time limit is three hours.
Out of the 60 people chosen for the preliminaries,
a total of eight will move on to the final round.
Leaving the rest behind...
while only allowing the best four students
from each block to proceed.
That's all that's moving forward?!
They're gonna get rid of that many all at once?
(Shocked murmurs)
[URARA] A- and B-block contestants,
please head to your respective venues at this time.
The preliminaries will begin in about one hour!
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Let's go!
[SCHOOLBOY 2] I've totally got this!
Aargh! I'm so nervous, I can't stand it!
Uh-huh. Yeah!
Soma!
I'll see you here again, at the final tournament!
Yeah!
Time to begin the cooking!
Glad you could make it.
I believe I told you that the cooking will begin
at 11 am on the dot.
Really? You say that knowing how difficult it is
for us to find just one minute of free time.
Are you just oblivious to fame?
So, what do you have to say?
That's Natsume Sendawara!
She's known as the "Queen of Curry," around Japan.
She rules the curry trade here.
Eizan managed to coax me here as a judge today,
but I doubt mere students will be able to provide
any entertainment to my satisfaction.
Ugh. You could've just contributed some money.
Did you say something?
Yes. Won't you please enjoy the Fall Selection
to your heart's content, Madame Natsume.
I can't believe he was able to bring out such a major player...
[SCHOOLBOY 1] That guy is a stud!
[SCHOOLBOY 2] Yeah, and if we've got Natsume Sendawara, Venue B must have...
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Bet you're right! Her twin sister, Orie Sendawara!
Hey, Isshiki, my beautiful boy.
When will you finally leave this place and join our company?
I want you to hurry up and be my little play toy.
Hahaha! I'm still just a young student, Madame.
Oh, that's all right!
You could drop out of school now
and I'd make sure to look after you forever!
[ORIE] Think about it, Isshiki.
Think of all the scrumptious things we could do together.
Well, for today, I hope you can enjoy the cooking from our brightest new freshman students.
Awww... So be it.
[ORIE] Takumi Aldini... Is he Italian?
It seems he's using a stock of beef shank and chicken bones.
Looks like pretty standard fare so far.
That's his brother right next to him...
Isami Aldini.
Hmm. Looks like he's filled his pot with tomatoes.
Tomatoes are an essential part of all Italian cuisine.
I'm guessing he's going to use his background...
It only makes sense.
MMMmmm!
This aroma is enveloping my entire body!
He's cooking the spices in duck fat!
[AOKI and SATO] Woohoo!
Go, Yuki!
Aha! Yeah!
Well? Just what does she intend to make?
It's standard practice to roast spices in oil,
but she's decided to suddenly add water to the mixture.
Very interesting.
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Check her out!
[SCHOOLBOY 2] Alice Nakiri is a completely different cook
from the others.
[SCHOOLBOY 3] What's all that huge equipment?
[SCHOOLBOY 4] A blast chiller? And a centrifuge?
I can't even imagine what she plans on making with those crazy gadgets!
[SCHOOLBOY 5] Speaking of, I don't really get what Nao Sadatsuka's making, either.
(Sinister laugh) [SCHOOLBOY 4] What's in there? I can't see it.
[SCHOOLBOY 2] Her roux! It's all black!
[SCHOOLBOY 3] It looks more like witchcraft than cooking!
Hah!
(Wild cheers)
Yeah, dude! Punish me!
Ugh! Seems like someone's trying to grab all the attention
from all the stupid boys!
So that's the successor to Hojo-Ro,
the famous restaurant in Yokohama's Chinatown?
Y'know, several of the spices used in Chinese cooking overlap with those used in curry.
I look forward to seeing how she'll utilize them.
I agree that these youngsters are rather intriguing...
I've made my choice.
I'll take all of them, one for each mood.
Um, what did you say?
You sound rather calm for such a bold statement!
Oh, I guess that I could do without that pig-tailed girl there.
She's unrefined and clumsy.
I don't think she stands much of a chance.
Well, I wouldn't be so sure.
Hm?
[CHAPELLE] She's using hua-jiao
as an ingredient in her recipe.
It's a spice zat will draw out ze meat's natural aroma.
On top of that,
she's ground it coarse to retain its rich aroma.
Excellently done!
[KANICHI] Oh, man. You're so damn good!
WOOOO, Meat-Meat!
He's like an obnoxious parent cheering on his kid at a ball game!
Just ignore him.
I wonder how the others doing. Uh!
There's Alice Nakiris little helper.
I'm just about done prepping everything.
Very well...
Hehh!
RAAAGHH!
Uh! He's completely different than he was before!
(Wicked laugh)
Such refined knife work being displayed.
Yes, indeed. But compared to him, that other fellow seems rather subdued...
[MINATOZAKA] Is he making udon noodles, perhaps?
That girl always tends to use rice malt in her dishes.
She's Ryoko, right?
[IKUMI] It's black?! And what is that sticky stuff?
[RYOKO] Hmph... I can do this,
even if he is favored to win the preliminaries.
[CHAPELLE] Fish head curry, eh?
It uses ze entire head of a white fish,
giving ze dish a tremendous amount of flavor.
It's a style of curry that originated in Singapore.
[TEACHER 1] Rather than rice, it's accompanied by naan.
These dishes seem kind of routine.
Hmm?
That naan, could it be...
Shh...
That's right, Jun.
My dish is just getting started!
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Oh god. That smell!
Ooh! It's like a pinch of heavenly freshness
added to the richness of coconut milk, makin' a dreamy blend.
[SCHOOLBOY 2] It makes me wanna start stuffing my face!
[MINATOZAKA] Mmm. For that scent to suddenly fill this venue...
It's easy to tell the aroma stewing within his pot.
I'd say he's utilized an excellent spice blend to its fullest potential, hasn't he?
Hmm. Well this one has quite a different aroma altogether...
Roasted spices?!
I get. He's taken the approach of using smoked spices
to bolster the aroma of his dish.
The atmosphere in this building has taken another turn!
Well... This could prove to be somewhat interesting.
So? Who is your favorite little freshman, Eizan?
Well, you know, uh...
It's hard to really narrow it down, but...
there's only one cook out there whose true skill I wish to see.
(Ending Song)
Huh?
Huh?!
Ahh! Eh?!
[IKUMI] Soma?!
Don't tell me...
He's sleeping!
(Light snoring)