Shokugeki no Soma – 02
Current religion: food
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Now is the exciting time when we transition from brief, first impressions into forming more concrete opinions on the currently airing shows. Episode 1 is a good test for dropping the shows you know you’ll hate, but it generally takes more time to really suss things out. So now that we’re biting into the meat of things with Shokugeki no Soma, it should be getting clear whether this is your jam or not. |
Sometimes, the first episode is just a set-up or a flashback and everything becomes wildly different by the second week. Sometimes the animation budget takes a noticeable nosedive or it suddenly becomes a high school anime (Owari no Seraph, for now). Shokugeki no Soma is not one of these shows. It’s very clear that there is a set formula and it’s going to stick to it closely. If you have everyone’s attention drooling over food and hot girls, there’s really no need to try and change that up or throw any curveballs. So if you don’t like the skeevy nature of Shokugeki no Soma so far, I can guarantee you’re not going to want to stick around. It makes things easy for those of you still testing the waters here.
The strength of this combination really shines because just making slight tweaks on what happened in episode 1 still created a vastly different experience for me this week. We all knew Erina was going to go ga-ga over his rice creation – there was no doubt that would happen. But I was at the edge of my seat shouting at Erina/the TV to put the goddamned food in her mouth. There’s an excellent amount of attention being paid towards creating tension. Erina eats slowly and thoughtfully, taking the smallest of bites of everything. Her explicit descriptions of the food making you wish she would eat faster so you could live vicariously through her. It’s a little sad, but also impressive that the food appears so good that I’m trying to enjoy it through some tsundere Gordon Ramsey genderbend cartoon character. I even felt bad that she left so much of it behind after and that the old dude had to eat it cold. Now that’s some powerful real-world transfer effects in action.
Erina is showing her dere side rather early
The whole package just works so well. You’ve got delicious food and you’ve got beautiful women. The orgasmic tasting reactions are still hilariously campy, with an ample dose of creepiness. Good creepy, though. The Soma angels tickling Erina relentlessly while she writhed around in a white sheet was definitely an..interesting..bit of imagery. Erina has the best metaphors, and I look forward to the God Tongue tasting more food and imagining all sorts of crazy scenarios.
I’m sure Erina and Soma will cross paths again, as it’s really clear he’ll end up getting into this elite school. It’s cringeworthy how elitist these rich kids are, looking down on Soma just because his family owns a diner. Erina doesn’t even want to try Soma’s dish because it’s basically peasant food in her eyes. It’s ironic because one of the hot trends in the culinary world right now is making comfort food into high class food. We’re in an era where Michelin-starred restaurants will serve you mac n cheese…but with fresh lobster and black truffles delicately shaved on top. It’s all about taking homey foods that people are used to and pimping them up or deconstructing them to the point where they become gourmet delights. Maybe this school isn’t up on that trend, but it’s definitely a movement that’s happening in North America. A real cook should never look down on dishes just because they’re cheap or widely consumed. Even instant ramen can bring joy to someone! …as long as they don’t have high blood pressure.
No rice, no life
Soma’s skill is undeniable – his only obstacle are the bourgeoisie. Gotta fight back against the 1%! This angle works well because if Soma were perfect at everything without any challenges, life would be boring. It’s good that he has to continue being untouchable just to breach the rampant biases of his other classmates and some of the teachers. Just one step away from complete perfection and he’ll be chastised harder than anyone else, simply because of his pedigree. Soma isn’t smug…he’s confident. If I could make a bowl of rice so good it could make someone come, I’d be confident too.
As promised in a recent cooking post where skylion and I tackled some cuisine from Koufuku Graffiti, I plan on trying to recreate as many of Soma’s tantalizing dishes as possible. Anyone else up to the challenge? I doubt I’m the only one who could put egg and congealed chicken stock on rice. If any of you try cooking stuff, you better tell me about it and send my pictures so I can drool onto on keyboard! For now, you can see my cooking updates on Twitter if you want (@Overcooled) but do expect a cooking post in the future from me and whoever else on the Metanorn team joins me. I already made the “Gotcha” pork roast and man it was good. You can’t go wrong with bacon.
He’s just after some juicy meat!
About Overcooled
A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 140 comments
I’m calling BS!! I made that rice and eggs and NO ONE’S clothes blew off!!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…you have far to go…
POWUH: iLurker with 7 comments
That’s because you’re not a Jump protagonist. Us mundanes must live vicariously through them and hope that silly foodgasms aren’t all this anime has to offer.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 140 comments
NOOOO!!! All my Friendship, Effort, and Victory where for nothing!!??!!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Try again…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
In other words, all we can do is watch the demi-gods from the sidelines and marvel at their wonders.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You’ve got to ask what quality ingredients were used and who brought them up. 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Bobob, your friends just have a terrible palate and you need to DESTROY THEM
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I really like Erina. She’s a bit one-note right now, but there is some promise. Plus, I’m looking forward to how much ass her Grampa can kick. I wonder if his food punches you and you’d be happy for it?
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I like her too. She has a cute side beyond her elitist tongue. Looking forward to seeing her develop as the show goes on.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I await for Saber to appear and munch off Shirou!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
If food is a religion, then we have endless believers. If Erina is the “God Tongue”, then Souma is the God Tongue Killer. It was easy to figure why she turned Souma down. Acknowledging him would mean a severe blow to an ego she’s built up for years. Don’t be too proud, child. That’s why you were almost groveling.
At least no one will be on Food Network’s “Chopped”. They absolutely destroy their aspiring chefs.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Sometimes pride really does get in the way…
I wonder if Soma will end up in a Chopped scenario where he’s given 4-5 random ingredients and asked to somehow make it delicious
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…he has experience with what tastes mazui, so that should be a “in his backyard” experience..
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
True that.
“your ingredients are peanut butter and squid”
“uh oh”
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Who in their right mind comes up with that? That’s like combining chocolate and chicken together.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’ve read recipes for braised chicken with a cocoa/spicy sauce…Mexican style chocolate is usually coarser in grind, and combined with other ingredients that blend in spicy with sweet. Actually the same style might even be used in Cincinnati style chili…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Titanium chef.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I thought the term was “Iron Chef”. 😉
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It isn’t such a thing but a front. A means to an end for another and completely purpose. If you want proof, wait until the next episode or if you’re in a hurry for clarification, read the third chapter of the manga.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
And as things progress, you begin seeing another side of Guren. I can tell you it doesn’t get pretty.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
That’s why I said “for now” because I know it’ll change.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
How many chapters have you read already? Out of curiosity.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
Erina is someone i really find it funny to see, though her dog back there(the other girl) is cute, a little annoying though…I want to eat the transforming furikake( or whatever)
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
The dog is just a bonus that comes with the package.
I want to eat it too…
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 261 comments
Hmmm…Those people from this show is gonna eat their hears out…
………
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POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Ryou vs Soma…FIGHT!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
*Loser declared after fight* FINISH *insert HIM/HER*!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Spammy’s at it again.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I just remembered a delicious meal-gao.
Take one pure maiden.
Marinate liberally in honey.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Ah!! Way too kinky!! But I respect that imagination.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Delicious meal-gao~~
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Producer Recreates Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma Recipes