#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 36

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 36
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1542-8; paperback (June 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
248pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki, a culinary researcher, also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 36 (Chapters 309 to 315; entitled “Shokugeki No Soma”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, approaches its conclusion.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma has been eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him.

Now, the two are facing off, and the judge is the impossible-to-please “Lady Mana,” who is Erina Nakiri's mysterious mother.  Like Erina, Mana suffers the “curse of the 'Divine Tongue',” and Mana has not found a dish that satisfies her in years.  As “the Book” (highest judge), Mana has demanded that Soma and Asahi prepare a dish that represents the “five grand cuisines of the world,” which are French, Chinese, Turkish, Indian, and Italian.

Asahi has shocked the audience with his dish, the “basty,” a soup covered with a lattice pie crust, and it represents the five grand cuisines.  Even Lady Mana is so impressed by what she tastes that she both experiences “the gifting” transfers it to those around her.  And what is Soma's answer to Asahi's basty?  It's fried rice?!

Can Soma win with what seems like a rather ordinary dish?  And finally, can Soma inspire the dispirited Erina to be herself again?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga spent the last 30 or so chapters racing towards the conclusion of its narrative.  At the grand cooking tournament, the Blue, readers prepared to learn the answer to the question of who is the best chef?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 36 is the final tankobon (graphic novel) volume of the series.  The English-language edition was originally published in June 2020, but I only recently had a chance to finish reading the last few volumes of the series.

What can I tell you, dear readers?  To the end, writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki maintained the series' mix of competition, camaraderie, and cooking.  As he has been doing since the beginning of the series, Yuki Morisaki, wrote home versions of shokugeki recipes, which, in this volume, was Soma's winning dish.  It is that consistency that kept Food Wars! an exciting read throughout its six-year, 315-chapter, 36-volume run.

To the end, Adrienne Beck's translation catches the sense of competition and of comedy-drama in all their varies modes.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman created a rhythm that kept this often dialogue-heavy story from overwhelming readers.  Of the foodie manga that I have read, I think Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is the one most likely to continue to capture the interest of readers in the decade of the 2020s the way it did in the decade of the 20-teens.  I think it is a must for fans of Weekly Shonen Jump series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9 out of 10

The volume includes the following bonus features:

– Afterwords written by Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki, and Yuki Morisaki

– The three-part epilogue, “Food Wars! Le Dessert,” that was originally published in Jump GIGA Summer 2019.  The three parts are entitled  “Le Presént,” “Le Passé,” and “Le Futur.”

– “Special Commemorative Illustrations on the End of 'Food Wars!'” from Eiichiro Oda of “One Piece,” Kohei Horikoshi of “My Hero Academia,” Yuki Tabata of “Black Clover,” and Tadahiro Miura of “Yuna of the Haunted Hot Springs”

– miscellaneous illustrations

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-----------------

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#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 35

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 35
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1258-8; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 35 (Chapters 300 to 308; entitled “The Divine Tongue's Despair”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, rages on.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs will clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma, eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him, heads to a certain famous old castle in a famous city where the event will be held.

Totsuki's brightest:  Soma, Megumi Tadokoro, and Takumi Aldini, as well as recent Totsuki graduate, Eishi Tsukasa, have joined the competition, but they are swiftly dispatched – except for Soma.  Now, their classmate, Erina Nakiri, who got to skip the early stages of the “Blue” because of her past achievements, is forced to face off against multiple opponents.  But who is doing the forcing?  Who is “Lady Mana,” and what does she have to do with the “curse of the 'Divine Tongue'”?

Plus, Soma finally has his rematch with Saiba!

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga races towards its conclusion.  The narrative prepares to answer the question of who is the best?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 35 is the second-to-last (or penultimate) volume of the series.  There are some surprise reveals in regard to Erina Nakiri's past, and one of them is the answer to an obvious question.  Writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki usually delve into the details of recipes, the processes of cooking, and the skills of the competing chefs.  In Vol. 35, they seem more intent on moving onto the final confrontations, so this volume lacks the full fun of the cooking battles that we have been getting since the very beginning of this series.

However, Adrienne Beck's translation catches the drama and conflict between characters in the raw and with edgy intimacy, so that takes the sting out of having only one cooking battle presented in some detail.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman expertly close in on the focus on the dialogue and the exposition that prepares for the grand finale.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS! Volume 34

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 34
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1171-0; paperback (February 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 34 (Chapters 291 to 299; entitled “Crossed Knives”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, continues.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs will clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma, eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him, heads to a certain famous old castle in a famous city where the event will be held.

Much to the chagrin of the noirs, some traditional chefs have survived the “three gates” challenges and are now in the finals.  They are Totsuki's brightest:  Soma, Megumi Tadokoro, and Takumi Aldini, as well as recent Totsuki graduate, Eishi Tsukasa.  They are joining their classmate, Erina Nakiri, who got to skip the early stages of the “Blue” because of her past achievements.

Now, these traditional young chefs must take on the “freakishly” talents noirs.  First up, Soma faces “Sarge” of the cuisiniers noir!

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations and two side-stories (“Treated Like a Child?” and “A Christmas Recipe”) and a bonus short, “Yukihara the Diligent.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga races towards its conclusion.  The narratives continues to delve into the mysteries of the “cuisiniers noir.”

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 34 is pure shokugeki shonen battle manga.  Writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki offer some of their most surreal and oddly crazy cooking battles to date.  It is hard to tell, though; this manga has always been packed with crazy cooking competition, but Vol. 34 offers a baker's twist.

Adrienne Beck's translation keeps up with the crazy, and letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman create the fonts for the unusual declarations of these unusual battles.  Dish by dish, Food Wars! continues to be both a unique and an entertaining reading experience.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS Volume 33

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 33
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0992-2; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 33 (Chapters 282 to 290; entitled “The True Value of the Noir”) opens, Soma confronts his father, Joshiro, about his connection to the mystery man known as “Asahi Saiba.”  Saiba is connected to a group of underground chefs known as the “cuisiniers noir” that have invaded Japan.  Saiba has also been masquerading as Totsuki's newest teacher, “Mr. Suzuki.”

Joshiro not only tells Soma about Saiba, but he also hands his son an invitation to the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world.  But this year, for the first time, traditional chefs will clash with “underground noir” chefs.  Soma, eager for a rematch with Asahi, heads to a certain famous old castle in a famous city.  There, he will face the first of three gates of challenge.  Meanwhile, Saiba continues to romance the young woman he kidnapped, Erina Nakiri, and tells her his origin story.

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga continues to delve into the mysteries of the “cuisiniers noir.”  As the series moves towards its conclusion, our heroes are in deeper peril.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 33 is just the antidote that we need to find out if our heroes will escape that peril.  Writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki give the “shokugeki” (cooking battles) of this new story arc unique twists at every turn.  Every dish is a challenge, and even Soma is dealt a surprise.  Vol. 33 is the best of the recent volumes, which have all been pretty darn good themselves.

Adrienne Beck's translation is the perfect plate upon which to serve readers these piping hot dishes of intrigue and gamesmanship.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman letter the utensils which the readers will use to taste this shonen battle manga plate by plate and move by move.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 32

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 32
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0947-2; paperback (October 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 32 (Chapters 272 to 281; entitled “A Subversive Visitor”) opens, the mystery of the “underground shokugeki” continues.  It is apparently connected to a group of underground chefs known as the “cuisiniers noir” that have invaded Japan.  Behind the invasion is a mystery man known as “Asahi Saiba.”

Meanwhile, Totsuki has a new teacher, Mr. Suzuki, a cheeky young chef with his sights set on Erina Nakiri.  Soma finds himself foiled by Suzuki, but he can't worry about that now.  It is time for the first semester final examinations for the second-years, and, of course, failure means expulsion from Totsuki.

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga jumps right into its next big story arc.  As usual, the fate of our heroes is on the line as the series moves towards its conclusion.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 32 finds the creative team of writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki introducing a new threat to our young heroes and heroines.  After establishing what I call the “NTO,” the new Totsuki order, the creators do not dwell on the characters' new exalted status.  They instead introduce a new adversary, one that is more than a match for the series' favorite characters.

Adrienne Beck's translation serves readers a piping hot dish of intrigue and gamesmanship.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman set the tone for a volume that offers conflicts and challenges on several fronts.  Even as it moves towards the end, Food Wars! is as tasty a read as ever.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 31

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 31
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0774-4; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 31 (Chapters 263 to 271; entitled “The New Totsuki Institute”) opens, the fifth and final bout of “the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki” has ended.  The Régiment pitted three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance won the Régiment, they would reinstate their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lost, all students connected to the Resistance would be expelled and Soma's father, Joshiro, would become a slave... of sorts.

Well, the Resistance won, and Soma and his friends are now second-year students.  The administration of Azami Nakiri, Erina's father, has ended.  Erina is the new dean of Totsuki, and Soma is the Council of Ten “First Seat.”  As the boss, Erina eventually has a mission for Soma, one that includes Council of Ten “Tenth Seat,” Megumi Tadokoro.  Erina sends the two on a “business trip” to a resort town with ties to Totsuki.  The business is the mission to discover why a traditional inn, Kazami Baths Inn & Bathhouse, suddenly closed without warning.  Even the owner can't be found.

This mystery will turn weird and dark as Soma and Megumi discover an “underground” connection.  And Soma will be shocked to find a connection to himself!

[The volume includes bonus manga, “Special Short: An Elegant Evening Banquet,” and also recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga finally reached the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that decides many fates of many students.  While the winner was declared in Vol. 30, there is some moping up to do.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 31 finds the creative team of writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki establishing what I call the “NTO,” the new Totsuki order.  They don't dwell on that, however, as they jump right into the next great story arc.  Considering that Vol. 31 is the first of the series' final six volumes, they waste no time delivering one of those ultimate shockers.  Adrienne Beck's translation is right there with us to deliver this volume's reveals and surprises with sparkling dialogue.  It is enough to make me race to the next volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A+
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS: Shokugeki no Soma Volume 30

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 30
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0638-9; paperback (June 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira, so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 30 (Chapters 254 to 262; entitled “The Way They Do Things”) opens, the fifth and final bout of “the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki” begins.  There were three cards in the previous four bouts of the Régiment, pitting three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance wins the Régiment, they save their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lose, all students connected to the Resistance are expelled and Soma's father, Joshiro, becomes a slave... of sorts.

In the final bout there are only two cards, but each side's two competitors must work together, one producing a dish that is an appetizer and the other a dish that is the main course.  Representing Council of Ten are the Council's top two chairs, Eishi Tsukasa (Chair #1) and Rindo Kobayahsi (#2).  Representing the Resistance are Erina Nakiri and Soma, and Erina's father, Azami Nakiri, is the lead judge.  And he wants his daughter to lose!

While Tsukasa and Kobayashi work together, Erina and Soma argue over which of them will create the main course, because both consider creating the appetizer an admission that he or she is the lesser chef of the two.  After Tsukasa and Kobayashi finish their dishes first and blow the judges and the audience away with the appetizer and main course, can Erina and Soma finish bickering long enough to do the impossible... and cause an episode of “the Gifting” that is beyond anyone's experience?

[The volume includes a recipes, miscellaneous illustrations, and bonus comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga finally reaches the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that will decide the fates of many students.  And the dishes produced during this great competition made me want to eat each page of this epic story.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 30 is a pivotal volume in the series.  Not only does it end “the Régiment de Cuisine,” but it makes us wait for the aftermath.  The entire focus of Vol. 30 is about the actual kitchen battle, with some of the story devoted to why the major players think the way they do about cooking.

Adrienne Beck's translation captures the character nuances, but also gives the competition depth and weight.  This story arc isn't just another fight; it shapes the direction of this narrative's final quarter.  So it is a must-read for fans of the series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump Advanced” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS! Shokugeki no Soma: Volume 29

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 29
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0510-8; paperback (April 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  The manga was serialized in Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” and “Shonen Jump” imprints.

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira, so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 29 (Chapters 245 to 253; entitled “Final Battle”) opens, the “fourth bout” of the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki begins.  There are three cards in each bout of the Régiment, pitting three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance wins the Régiment, they save their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lose, all students connected to the Resistance are expelled and Soma's father becomes a slave... of sorts.

First, the Council's Momo Akanegakubo battles the Resistance's Erina Nakiri with “brown sugar” as the ingredient.  Then, Satoshi Isshiki takes on the Council's Eishi Tsukasa and the ingredient is “rabbit meat.”  In the final card of the fourth bout, the Council's Rindo Kobayashi meets Takumi Aldini in a battle of “spear squid.”  All is going well until someone powerful decides to crash the judges table!

[The volume includes a recipes, illustrations, and a bonus story, "Our Golden Days On Moon's Shadow."]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga is moving towards the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that will decide the fates of many students.  That's just fine because this manga is usually at its best during the cooking battles.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 29 is rolling along as it has been the past several volumes of this battle between the resisting students and the school's ruling council.  Then, writer Yuto Tsukada and artist Shun Saeki throw the readers for a loop with a suite of surprises in the last three chapters of this volume.

These surprises are the kinds of delights that hit shonen battle manga offer as tidbits and treats to keep readers coming back for more.  In Food Wars!, there is always another delicious dish.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump Advanced” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



-----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!: Shokugeki no Soma Volume 28

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 28
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0254-1; paperback (February 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a Japanese shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2014, first, under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint and then, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira, so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 28 (Chapters 236 to 244; entitled “First-Year Kid”) opens, the “third bout” of the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki continues.  There are three cards in each bout of the Régiment, pitting three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance wins the Régiment, they save their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lose, all students connected to the Resistance are expelled and Soma's father becomes a slave... of sorts.

In this crucial “third bout,” Soma will take on the Council's Somei Saito in a battle with butter as the theme ingredient.  In a duel of the sweets, Megumi Tadokoro takes on the Council's cutie-pie, Momo Akanegakubo, in a contest of apple-themed dishes.

Now, it is Takumi Aldini vs. the Council's Etsuya Eizan in a beef battle.  So how will Takumi beat Eizan, after the latter designed his artichoke and beef dish so that it will neutralize the flavors of the former's dish?  Well, Takumi answers with a half-beef and half-cheese pizza!  Say what?!

[The volume includes a recipes and illustrated character profiles and character poll results.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga continues the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that will decide the fates of many students.  This manga is almost always at its best when the kitchen is the battleground and cooking is the weapon.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 28 offers a new delight – the ingredient as a blade in a battle of samurai warriors.  Writer Yuto Tsukada and artist Shun Saeki continue to blend character histories and personalities with almost supernatural cooking techniques and inventive chefs.  In Vol. 28, the blade metaphor resonated with me; it is something that sticks out in this volume and makes it memorable.

I am a fan of all three theme ingredients in the third bout:  butter, beef, and apples.  One of the many things that Tsukada and Saeki do so well is make readers believe they can smell the scent of cooking wafting from the pages of a Food War! graphic novel.  Oh, lawd!  The smell of butter melting in a hot skillet is divine.  I love sinking my teeth into a crunchy, crispy apple, and I certainly enjoy apple-based desserts.  And beef, literally and metaphorically... can be so satisfying.  Vol. 27 was a volume to savor, but as the third bout theme ingredients carried over, I found Vol. 28 to be the most savory.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump Advanced” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



-----------------------------

Food Wars: Diamond Generation

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 9: Shokugeki no Soma

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Food Wars: Put Your Heart Into It

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 8: Shokugeki no Soma

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Food Wars: Wolf Pack

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 7

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Food Wars: Memories of Battle

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 6

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.  Support my work at Patreon.

Food Wars: The Dancing Chef

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 5

I posted a review at ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Patreon or Twitter or at Grumble.

Food Wars: Resemblances

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 4: Shokugeki no Soma

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

Food Wars: The Perfect Recette

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 3: Shokugeki no Soma

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

Food Wars: The Ice Queen and the Spring Storm

I read Food Wars!, Vol. 2: Shokugeki no Soma

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter.

Review: FOOD WARS!, Shokugeki no Soma Volume 1

FOOD WARS!, Shokugeki no Soma VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: NRP Studios
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7254-3; paperback (March 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is a shonen culinary arts manga from writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki.  The series focuses on Soma Yukihira, a 15-year-old boy forced to attend an elite culinary arts school.

Soma’s father, Joshiro Yukihira, runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town.  Soma aims to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, so the teen hones his skills day in and day out.  However, one day, his father suddenly decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school.  Soma does not believe he needs to go to culinary school, so can he really succeed in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 1 (Endless Wilderness; Chapters 1 to 5) opens with Soma trying out some horrifying recipes on the customers at Yukihira Family Restaurant.  Soma’ father, Joshiro, challenges his talented son to a cooking duel, which he wins.  The son still has a lot to learn, but Soma believes that he is ready to take over the family business.

Before he leaves the country, however, Joshiro registers Soma at Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, the premiere culinary school in Japan.  First, Soma has to win his admission.  Standing in his way is Erina Nakiri, the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school, of which her grandfather, Senzaemon Nakiri, is the dean.  She immediately scares away all of the new student seeking entrance into the school… except Soma.  Can he convince her that he belongs there at all?!

[This story contains two bonus stories, the “special short,” Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma” and a side story, “Kurase’s Diary.”]

VIZ Media sent me a copy of the Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 1 for review.  The publisher first released Vol. 1 for its digital manga app (March 2014).  The print release is due this month (August 2014).

I didn’t think much Food Wars! after giving it a cursory glance, although I am a fan of “foodie manga” like Yakitate!! Japan and Oishinbo (as well as Toriko, which focuses on imaginary food stuffs and ingredients).  After reading Food Wars! Vol. 1, I love it!  I have another item for my full-course manga menu.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma mixes elements of samurai fiction, the culinary arts, and high school shonen comedy, and it certainly is funny.  In Soma, the series has a brash, but likeable young male lead.  His adversaries are culinary, cooking, and foodie snobs like Erina Nakiri and his fellow Totsuki Saryo students.  I don’t want to spoil much more, but Soma’s cooking talents do something both outrageous and funny to people who doubt him and then, taste his cooking.  Soma also has a mad scientist like tendency that gives the series another layer of humor.

The first volume of Food Wars! is a fantastic start to this series.  I hope the second volume proves that this start is not a fluke.  Fans of foodie manga and of shonen comedies aimed at older male teens will like Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.