[YOUNG SOMA] Hey, Pops! One day... I'll be a master chef and beat you!
[JOICHIRO] Really? You don't say.
Well good luck with all that.
[YOUNG SOMA] 'kay! Let's do it!
It's a food battle!
[JOICHIRO] It's been 490 battles since then, huh?
[JOICHIRO] Listen up, Soma:
Don't go losing to anyone, until you've lost to me again.
(gulp)
(attack)
[JOICHIRO] Oh, dear God. Mine is way more foul and offensive than yours, my boy!
(Opening Song)
[URARA] Megumi Tadokoro has 88 points.
That's 4th place.
She's headed to the finals!
(cheer/roar)
[URARA] In 3rd place with 90 points is Takumi Aldini.
[URARA] Ranking in at 2nd place
with 92 points is Hisako Arato.
[URARA] And in 1st place with 95 points is Alice Nakiri.
[URARA] Congratulations!
You are the chosen candidates from B Block!
[URARA] Now then, how is A Block doing?
(milling around, surprised/concerned)
[SOMA] The aroma...
It's like an explosion!
[SOMA] This... is Akira's curry!
[BOTH] Hohhhhhh!!!!!!!
(Gasp)
[SCHOOLBOY A] The aroma is coming off so strong!
[SCHOOLGIRL A] It's even reaching here in the rafters!
[AOKI] My nostrils sting so bad
it's like they're bein' stabbed with aroma knives!
[SATO] It's so pungent it's seeping into my brain!
[MINATOZAKA] Beneath the lid is a sublime curry
infused with an incredible amount
of the fish collar's umami!
[SCHOOLGIRL B] Oh wow, it smells so good!
[SCHOOLBOY B] Amazing! Man, I wanna eat that!
[JUN] Go, Akira!
(Nervous sounds, gulp)
[MINATOZAKA] I'm gonna have to dunk this naan
into the curry and gobble it up.
[MINATOZAKA] I have no words!
This is known as pie crust soup...
It follows the method of Paul Bocuse,
leading chef in French cuisine.
It's said to be inspired by the
lidded bowl of Japanese Kaiseki cuisine.
The scent of the ingredients
are concentrated when covered.
When the lid is removed...
a burst of aromatics is released into the air..
Fragrances are Akira's secret weapons.
He's used their unbridled power
to launch a direct attack on the judges!
The spices are: fennel and lemongrass...
and cinnamon too.
But there's more in there...
There's something tying them all together.
What is it? What is the source of this powerful aroma?
It's holy basil!
And he's using it while it's still fresh!
"Holy basil"?
This herb is deeply regarded as holy
in areas of Southern Asia.
If you smell it, a sensation of sweetness
will surge through your body.
In the traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurveda...
it's considered an enigmatic miracle cure
for whatever illness you may be carrying at the time.
How did he get a-hold of this?
Fresh high-quality basil is rare.
and it's hard to find here in Japan.
Yes. Those in the Shiomi Seminars
have spent the last year growing it.
Oh!!
Our cultivation method is a trade secret.
Professor Jun Shiomi,
a leading authority on spices.
Wha-wha-wha?
True enough, it has a powerful aroma
that's very... intoxicating.
But that's not all he's done.
There's something that makes you wanna eat more and more...
Is that yogurt?
You are correct, Soma.
[AKIRA] Y'see, one mistake with holy basil
and it overpowers everything else in your dish.
Yogurt can help mellow the flavor
and blend it with the rest.
What's more...
The curcumin is also good for digestion.
And it has the ability to remove toxins from the liver.
But when it's ingested with yogurt,
it has the ability to produce even greater effects
for one's overall well being.
He even considered the health benefits!
Do it, Akira! Use that big brain of yours!
To think, there's a chef in this country
who can properly use holy basil...
[NATSUME] Akira Hayama!
Won't you be mine?
You're too delicious to be true.
(react)
Just think a moment
and name your asking price.
100 million?
200?
I'll pay however much you require of- Uh?!
No thank you...
I fight for Jun Shiomi.
(gasp)
Oh...?
Appreciate the offer, though.
Such a glorious young man!
If I didn't want him already, I want him now!
Each bite sends a bolt of umami straight to the brain!
Like laser beams of YUM-YUM!
I've never encountered something so "sharp" yet so delicious!
This dish is perfect.
It has reached the pinnacle of modern-day curry.
Um... so then, judges...
What is your final verdict? Your scores, please.
[YUUKI] You guys! [BOTH] Uhh?
So what was the final score?
(heaving for breath) We'll tell you later.
How are things here?
What about Soma?
What score did he get?!
[ISAMI] Calm down, Takumi.
Looks like he hasn't presented yet.
[TAKUMI] (growl)
[YUA] Shun Hayama's score is...
There we have it!
94 points, putting him straight into 1st place!
Way to go, Akiraaaaaaaaa!!!
[RYO] 2nd place, huh?
I think the Mistress will be upset with that.
Well, I'll just try to do better in the finals.
Ehh! Guess I'm out...
MEAT MEAT! You got totally robbed out there!
But it's okay!
Poor Ryoko...
Hey, look!
TWO judges gave him a perfect 20!
[AOKI] Akira Hayama is one fearsome dude!
[SATOSHI] A perfect 20,
which not even Alice Nakiri was able to achieve...
That was a sight to see.
Oh, uh, Isshiki!
Why are you in here?
What about B Block's judging?
(laugh) I asked the others to kindly clean up for me.
My, that was a heck of a battle over there.
Oh, my God! Unauthorized personnel aren't allowed in here.
There, there. I'm askin' you as a dorm mother.
[ERINA] That is totally irrelevant!
You came to A-Block
cause you were curious about Soma too, weren't you?
ERK! That's ridiculous!
[YUA] All right. Let's keep this competition moving.
Soma Yukihira will present next. [ERINA] Uh!
Please serve your dish.
Soma... What kind of dish did you make?
[SOMA] Here.
For you, enjoy Akira.
[AKIRA] What's with that smug face of yours?
Barely a month ago,
this guy didn't even know about karipatta, a basic spice.
So why is he now grinning after having eaten my curry?
[SOMA] (laugh) Yeah, I just thought why not, y'know?
And I went with whatever came to mind.
Wait this is...
an omelet!
[SCHOOLBOY C] Huh?
Didn't that transfer student
make that at the training camp?
[SOMA] Order up.
Another aroma bomb...
[ERINA] Uhnh!
...comin atcha!
Whoa! Inside of that omelet is risotto!
The aroma that had been sealed inside...
is exploding all over the place!
(yells, screams)
On the heels of Akira's dish...
It's another huge explosion of aroma!
[AKIRA] You came up with the same idea.
Looks to be that way, huh?
So far, at least.
It's hot, so watch yourself.
May I present...
Yukihira curry risotto rice omelet!
The risotto he's stuffed in the middle
is bright and sweetly glistening!
The filling is like a rice bowl
coated with top-quality sauce.
Incredible!
Such a full-bodied, mellow aroma!
Makes you smile without even realizing it.
My anticipation is right up there with Akira's curry.
Here we go...
(blow/inhale/blow)
[STUDENTS] (ohhs and whoaahs)
Hmmm...
(gulp)
(raging blow)
So powerful!
It's a raging blow of flavor!
Yes!
HaAhhhhhh!
He made a rich bouillon
using chicken carcass and beef tendon...
The flavor of onions and ground beef
pan-fried in butter extends to the rice itself.
The creaminess of the risotto
and the soft-cooked fried egg
form the perfect combination.
Ahhh!!!I feel like I'm about to collapse!
This sauce delivers the finishing gut punch.
It uses oyster sauce as a base,
with an accent of pure honey.
It's rich, but with a mellow acidity that comes through.
Through the sauce and the risotto,
he was able to create two layers of flavor!
Just amazing.
The impact of Akira's curry
came from its lack of pungency.
But this is like a secondary explosion of aroma!
The inner and outer smells intermingle in waves,
tantalizing the diner!
But there's more to this depth of flavor...
It's savory with a hint of bitterness.
Cumin and cardamom...
And clove to stimulate the tongue...
I can make out bits and pieces of it,
but those are only the surface flavors.
What is this richness that has bound with the spices?
I've got it!
Mango!
Mango chutney!
Mango chutney, you say?!
That's enough to create such levels of alluring flavor?
[ISAMI] Mango Chutney, is that paste-like stuff. Am I right?
[TAKUMI] Yeah. You grind up and simmer spices and other fruits and vegetables.
Then you turn it into a condiment.
Different parts of Asia, have created combinations,
in a wide variety of styles,
using either sweet or spicy, or adding in herbs like mint.
This mango chutney is my homemade blend.
All I did was add this to the rice and let it simmer.
I used mango as the focal point,
to bind the flavors of the other spices
and give the dish much more depth.
Put simply, "applied spice techniques."
In India, which is its country of origin...
Chutney is simply a garnish.
It's also considered medicinal in some parts.
This is the Japanese method.
I had no idea.
This is a most unusual
cooking method for its place of origin.
But having said that...
This dish would be difficult
to add any more fats or animal products to it...
It's added a dramatic dimension of flavor!
Soma Yukihira...
His prior use of eggs was a disaster.
At the training camp,
his omelets almost caused him to flunk out.
Then, his risotto battle against his father was a failure.
He brought in the combined techniques of those two experiences.
His father?
Through all his failures...
zero against 490 wins...
he hasn't let a single lesson go by the wayside.
Come to think of it, he's a good listener.
That could be taken as hard persistence.
If he loses, he's not willing to let that be.
That darn Soma... He puts on a cool face,
but he hates losing more than anything.
[SOMA] But hey,
I gained the kind of experience that comes from messing up.
You're simply making excuses for yourself!
For a chef, failure is unacceptable!
It's delicious through and through, the result of some hard work.
What's more, the aftertaste is so crisp and clean!
That must be thanks to the chutney.
Still, Akira's pie dish had a more luxurious aroma.
Yes, however...
When the sauce and the rice come together
the resulting depth is profound!
Akira's curry revolved around holy basil,
likening it to a spear piercing through your very soul.
This curry attacks in waves...
In successive assaults on your taste-buds!
They both have their own scented weapons,
different styles they are using in all-out warfare!
(grrrr)
(snarl)
Ahhhhh!!!
[CHAPELLE] This is a fight between two warriors
aiming for the top spot at Tohtsuki!
Whoa, look at that.
They're givin' him great reviews!
[SCHOOLBOY E] Don't tell me that transfer student's gonna beat Akira Hayama!
[YUA] Well then, judges...if you're ready...
please mark your final scores
[YUA] 18!
19!
18!
19!
For a total of...
93 points!
Soma ties for second place!
And that is your final tally!
What?! Come on!
One point off?
He got 93 points!
Oh, my God.
2nd place?
[RYO] We're tied...
It's you and me... Soma.
(giggle)
Good, that transfer student
wasn't able to take the top spot.
Akira's like the essence of curry.
Wait! Take a look at those scores!
Out of the five judges...
three of them preferred Soma's dish to Akira's.
And that means...
If they were to fight under Food War regulations...
What is wrong with you?!
How can you not understand
the remarkable work of art that curry was?
He had the skills to put holy basil in a dish!
Nonsense. If you recall, the theme is curry cuisine.
We are not here to judge simply on their choice of spices.
It's important to feel satisfied by a single plate.
Unless you are dead, Akira won on that point as well!
But it was Young Soma's dish
that made me want to eat it over and over again.
Oh shut up, you minor character!
Don't let your emotions cloud your opinion!
Anyone who lacks a diverse frame of reference
has no business talking about fine dining!
You have no business being a judge!
Oh, shut your fat mustache!
Stop it please!
Everyone just needs to settle down and relax!
[KODA] Why don't you go back to your computer where you belong!?
[MINATOZAKA] What was that? You go to hell!
Why are they still arguing?
I mean isn't Akira still in 1st place? [RYOKO] I think so.
Well, at least he made it this far.
I look forward to the finals...
Soma Yukihira.
Oh, Akira! You were amazing out there! You're incredible!
There are but two outcomes at the finals:
win or lose.
If those two are to be
pitted against one another...
Which one of them will end up coming out on top?
(chuckle)
And so the 92nd era...
The Golden Age, eh?
(big evil laugh)
[YUUKI] Gather 'round folks...
To the Fall Selection's theatrics!
To its crazy conclusion!
We celebrate the results AND all our hard work.
Let's partay!
[ALL] Cheers!
[FISHERMEN] ME-GU-MI!
ME-GU-MI! ME-GU-MI!
ME-GU-MI!
That was some mighty fine cooking, Megumi!
At this rate, you might win the whole dang food championship!
[MEGUMI] Huhh?! Wait, just calm down you guys! [ALL] (big laughs)
[MIYOKO] Megumi Tadokoro...
Huh? Hey, Miyoko.
It kinda looks like...
I misunderstood the talent you have.
Impressive. I'll be rooting for you.
If you run into any more trouble,
you just let me know.
Thank you very much, Miyoko!
I toldja! I knew how truly awesome you were this whole time, Megumi.
Come on, Yuuki!
Don't worry my talented friend.
I'm gonna have a whole squad
ready to cheer you on at the finals!
That would be great!
Come over here, Megumi!
Let's get a picture with the guys, okay?!
They're calling for you. Get over there girl.
Yuuki...
Ms. Fumio you're just the greatest!
Thank you for all your support today!
Things are going to get really busy 'round here.
I've gotta make a banner for Megumi that screams awesomeness!
Ms. Fumio will you help me put together-
[FUMIO] Tonight I'm treating my sweet girl
to her favorite dish.
That was some good cooking.
You did all right out there.
(sobs, crying)
(sniffles)
[IKUMI] That's some super high-quality duck you got there!
You can tell just by looking at it?
That's a pretty neat trick.
[TAKUMI] Ah!
I didn't realize Koji can work like that too?
I had no idea you could do that.
Yeah well, you just gotta know when to use it.
Still, I never thought Zenji
would have his own cheering section!
[SATO] Yeah. That gives him a whole new level of cool...
And yet, once again the party is being held in MY freakin' bedroom.
You two, please make sure that you eat your fill.
Uh, okay. We're very grateful for the invitation, Isshiki.
We've got a guy waggling around in nothing but an apron.
Why isn't anyone talking about this?
Say, where is Shun hiding away tonight?
I bet he's holed up in his room feeling sorry for himself.
He may not let it show, but I think he was pretty upset.
Jeez, I swear.
Maybe I should go drag him out here.
It's two weeks until the final tournament is upon us.
This will be a battle between
the students currently considered to be
the fiercest of Tohtsuki's 1st-years!
Now listen to me, Soma!
If you go losing before you face ME, you're gonna pay!
Yeah yeah... that's fine by me.
[SOME ]Bring it on! [TAKUMI] Oh, I'm bringin' it.
(drunken laughter... barely conscious moans)
[AKIRA] Hey, Jun.
Getting drunk by yourself
and passing out is even more sad than usual.
I guess it is what it is.
[JUN] You know what Akira...?
You might just change the culinary world forever. (snoozies)
(Hmm)
Jun, I am going to win the finals.
You found a place for me...
I'm winning this for you...
What the heck? What's your deal, Erina?
Come on, gimme a break! Come out with me tonight!
Your cousin just got through the preliminaries
with the top score out of everyone from both of the blocks!
You have a DUTY to celebrate.
You think so too, don't you, Ryo?
I'm fine with whatever she decides.
Whuuuaaghhh!!! Dangit, Ryo!
What's wrong with you! You're supposed to be on my side!
Okay, really sorry about that.
I'm afraid I have some paperwork to take care of tonight.
I'll have to celebrate with you another time.
If you say so.
I'll let you off the hook for tonight.
I'll be back tomorrow.
Let's go, Ryo. [RYO] Sure.
Congrats on getting through the prelims, Alice.
You too, Ryo.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, Miss Erina.
I know you said you were very busy tonight, but I tried.
It couldn't be helped. It's Alice, after all.
Congratulations to you, too, Hisako.
I thought it only fitting that you would make it through,
but just the same, it still makes me very proud.
[HISAKO] Okay! I'll work to get even better,
and I WILL win! Don't you worry!
HeeHeeHeeHee!
That's my "Big Sis" Miss Hisako!
Heeheeheehee!
ACK!
(sigh)
The aroma that came from that dish... (Ending Song starts)
That amazing... aroma!
(Fragrant moans)
How ya like me now? How ya like me now?
[ERINA] Get away from me! [SOMA] You wanna take a bite!
You know you wanna try it! You know you wanna try it!
It's disgusting!
Uhhnn!!!
ARRGGGHHH!
Soma Yukihira...
[MEGUMI] Hey, Soma!
Oh, uh, hey there, Megumi. What's goin' on?
[MEGUMI] Um...
I thought you seemed a little down.
You want to talk about it?
I'm doing fine. More importantly Megumi,
they say you used ingredients from your hometown to make a curry!
It's not a big deal.
That's totally amazing!
You know, it still doesn't feel quite real to me...
Six months ago, they were gonna kick me out.
[SOMA] Oh, yeah.
Man, that first lesson seems so long ago.
That was the first time you and I worked together, huh?
Everything... I've done is thanks to you.
It's because of you I've been able to come this far.
You're a good friend.
Nah, you've always had what it took right from the start, Megumi.
Your cooking really is top notch.
It's like, it really warms you up inside...
Kinda like love.
(inhale, tittering)
Ah!
EhHeeHee! Thank you very much Soma.
That makes me really happy.
What are those two talking about all alone out there?
And why am I creeping around in the shadows watching them?
Well, well, isn't this an interesting development we have?
It certainly is.
[MEGUMI] You really did great, Soma.
To be able to go toe-to-toe with Akira...
I mean, he's the curry specialist...
He still managed to get a one-point lead on me though.
I really went in there expecting to win this thing.
Honestly, I wanted to get a perfect score
from all five of the judges.
You were aiming high, weren't you?
[SOMA] Akira used spices I'd never even heard of
to make an unreal dish.
How is that even possible?
There's so much more I wanna learn about cooking.
About different ingredients, different methods...
I want to learn from people who already know how.
Then, put all that into my next dish.
I want... need to get stronger!
Come on! It's time for round two you guys!
I'm not done, not yet.
This night is just getting started!
(scream!)
It's boomerang time!
[AOKI] Yeah! All right!
Isshiki's Third Form front and center!
That is one tiny little speedo!
My God...
(hums the closing theme)
Come on, Shun! Get on that bottle like you mean it!
You love rice juice!
You're freaking me out, Zenji.
Okay, Soma! Just you wait!
I will utterly annihilate you at the final competition.
I think this guy might have some problems.
I usually just leave him alone
whenever he gets all worked up in a tizzy like this.
You're his brother, you should take care of him!
[SATO] This meat is some top quality stuff, bro!
Eat up!
Don't mind if I do!
[IKUMI] Oh, hell no!
If you dunk that delicious meat in that nasty sauce,
you will massacre its delicate natural flavors!
You're spittin' directly in that poor meat's face!
I-I'm sorry, Miss Meat Meat! Have mercy!
Don't call me "Meat Meat," you piece of crap!
There is only one person on this Earth
who is allowed to say Meat Meat to me.
Oh, my god, now you've got me saying it, too!
Whaaaauuughhhhh!!!!
(back breaking)
All right now, we need something to liven things up around here.
I think he's going make something gross again!
No, please don't do this to us, Soma!
No, Soma! You don't have to make anything, it's okay!
[SOMA] Too late. It's already made.
Time to eat up!
Ummph!
Octopus tentacles in yogurt sauce.
NOOOOO! It's horrible!!!!
[ALL] Thanks for the food!