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Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!


Summary:

quote:

Yukihira Souma's dream is to become a full-time chef in his father's restaurant and surpass his father's culinary skill. But just as Yukihira graduates from middle schools his father, Yukihira Jouichirou, closes down the restaurant to cook in Europe. Although downtrodden, Souma's fighting spirit is rekindled by a challenge from Jouichirou which is to survive in an elite culinary school where only 10% of the students graduate. Can Souma survive?

Shokugeki no Soma is a fairly recent addition to Weekly Shonen Jump with only 22 chapters out at the moment. It's a comedy/cooking/battle manga. The battles, called Shokugeki, are cooking battles similar to that of an Iron Chef contest. They take place between students to gain rank in the school and to settle disputes. It has similarities with Yakitate! Japan in that the reactions to the food are way over the top but instead of reacting with puns they react to the deliciousness of the food.

A reaction to the food.

"Mito Ikumi's Sensibility shines the most when she's touching meat .... A Meat Sonata"

One thing that may not be for everyone is the reactions tend to be full of fan-service. While this is the one thing that I feel is bad about the manga the rest is great. The art is beautiful, the story is good, the characters are lively, and if you are a food nerd like me the dishes are cool and interesting.

Characters:

Yukihira Souma: The Main Man


Tadokoro Megumi: The Side Kick


Erina Nakiri: The Rival


Useful Links:
Scans:
Batoto
Manga Traders
Manga Here

Wiki:
http://shokugekinosoma.wikia.com/wiki/Shokugeki_no_SOMA_Wiki

Mountain Lightning fucked around with this message at 07:02 on May 15, 2013

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Pyronic
Oct 1, 2008

ROYAL RAINWHARRGARBL
I wish someone would shout SHOKUGEKI! whenever I cook.

pezzie
Apr 11, 2003

everytime someone says a seasonal anime is GOAT

Just watch the best anime ever
I read this a few weeks ago. It doesn't make me laugh like Yakitate did :(

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

arisu posted:

I read this a few weeks ago. It doesn't make me laugh like Yakitate did :(

Yeah the comedy aspect of Yakitate! was the puns and the reactions based on those. This is more of a battle manga with some comedy bits thrown in and crazy food orgasms.

InShaneee
Aug 11, 2006

Cleanse them. Cleanse the world of their ignorance and sin. Bathe them in the crimson of ... am I on speakerphone?
Fun Shoe
I've liked what I've read so far, but they're going to have to do something to keep the tension up as the series progresses. Almost all of Souma's battles so far have been won effortlessly and by a huge landslide; they're going to have to build up some legitimate threats to him at some point.

KittyEmpress
Dec 30, 2012

Jam Buddies

Mountain Lightning posted:

crazy food orgasms.

At first I was turned off by the fanservice, but then I got a few chapters in and I can't complain about it anymore - it makes no attempt to not be equal opportunity fanservice. Which actually makes me laugh instead of groan like most fanservice does.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

InShaneee posted:

I've liked what I've read so far, but they're going to have to do something to keep the tension up as the series progresses. Almost all of Souma's battles so far have been won effortlessly and by a huge landslide; they're going to have to build up some legitimate threats to him at some point.

I think this next battle coming up is going to provide some good tension. They have already set some pretty insane goals for Souma to start to overcome (the Elite Ten for example). The manga is still young and hopefully we'll start to see Souma struggling a bit.

JosephWongKS
Apr 4, 2009

by Nyc_Tattoo
I think you are jinxing this series by comparing it to Yakitate! Japan, which became increasingly terrible as it went on and kept digging down after it hit the ground. That said, I've always liked a good cooking series and will be checking it out for myself.

Orange DeviI
Nov 9, 2011

by Hand Knit

JosephWongKS posted:

I think you are jinxing this series by comparing it to Yakitate! Japan, which became increasingly terrible as it went on and kept digging down after it hit the ground. That said, I've always liked a good cooking series and will be checking it out for myself.


I'm eating shut up. :fsn:

Lily Catts
Oct 17, 2012

Show me the way to you
(Heavy Metal)
Finally, a Shounen Jump manga I can read!

Soma reminds me of 80s shounen leads who are already freakishly strong at the start of the story, removing the need for bullshit training arcs.

SpazmasterX
Jul 13, 2006

Wrong about everything XIV related
~fartz~

JosephWongKS posted:

I think you are jinxing this series by comparing it to Yakitate! Japan, which became increasingly terrible as it went on and kept digging down after it hit the ground. That said, I've always liked a good cooking series and will be checking it out for myself.

Plus it doesn't have some silly gimmick like SOLAR HANDS :japan:, just a kid who did nothing but grow up constantly training with his father (who may or may not be one of the greatest chefs in the world).

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

Schneider Heim posted:

Finally, a Shounen Jump manga I can read!

Soma reminds me of 80s shounen leads who are already freakishly strong at the start of the story, removing the need for bullshit training arcs.

SpazmasterX posted:

Plus it doesn't have some silly gimmick like SOLAR HANDS :japan:, just a kid who did nothing but grow up constantly training with his father (who may or may not be one of the greatest chefs in the world).

I love the fact that Souma pretty much knows he is a badass and isn't afraid to throw down. I can't wait for him to get super serious and have a legit battle with someone. I am also interested in seeing how Tadokoro handles herself in a Shokugeki next chapter.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!
New chapter is out!

http://www.batoto.net/read/_/171105/shokugeki-no-soma_ch23_by_casanova

Damegane
May 7, 2013
Saeki Shun, the artist, used to (and maybe still does?) do eromanga under the name Tosh. The guy had a meteoric rise to fame over the past few years, released a couple of books with most of his professional work compiled, disappeared for a while, then Shokugeki no Soma pops up.

This guy can really draw. The cover art for volume 1 has this really juicy-looking chunk of meat there that never fails to make me drool. :haw:

Ethiser
Dec 31, 2011

This has become one of my favorite mangas to read every week. I can not get enough of stories that take something grounded in the real world like cooking and make it hot blooded.

I like how this current story arc is finally letting us see more of why Megumi deserves to be at a top class chef school.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

Ethiser posted:

This has become one of my favorite mangas to read every week. I can not get enough of stories that take something grounded in the real world like cooking and make it hot blooded.

I like how this current story arc is finally letting us see more of why Megumi deserves to be at a top class chef school.

Same. A buddy introduced me to the manga and I have loved every chapter.

It was great to see Souma do his best to calm Tadokoro down. The hand slaps, the talking her down, and explaining to her to make a dish that suits her. While I was really hoping for Souma to beat him, I cannot wait to see the look on Kojiro's face when he gets his rear end handed to him. It'll be even sweeter now and it's good we are seeing the growth of the other characters instead of just Souma walking through fools.

Sonata Mused
Feb 19, 2013

I'll show you... a nightmare...
I think the biggest problem with the series so far is that you get expelled if you lose a Shokugeki. Unless some kind of dues ex machina comes into play for Soma, he can't ever lose one.

Damegane
May 7, 2013
Chapter 24 is out.

http://www.batoto.net/read/_/173475/shokugeki-no-soma_ch24_by_casanova

EDIT: That Jojo-style pose :mmmhmm:

Damegane fucked around with this message at 17:24 on May 28, 2013

Coca Koala
Nov 28, 2005

ongoing nowhere
College Slice

Sonata Mused posted:

I think the biggest problem with the series so far is that you get expelled if you lose a Shokugeki. Unless some kind of dues ex machina comes into play for Soma, he can't ever lose one.

It's not that he can't lose one; he just can't lose one where the stakes are expulsion. If he gets into a shokugeki with somebody who doesn't want him out of the school, then it's more up in the air.

Sonata Mused
Feb 19, 2013

I'll show you... a nightmare...
I thought all the Shokugeki were based around being expelled?

Been awhile since I read the beginning chapters, so I might be misremembering.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

Sonata Mused posted:

I thought all the Shokugeki were based around being expelled?

Been awhile since I read the beginning chapters, so I might be misremembering.

To challenge someone you have to wager something of equal stakes. It was mentioned that challenging for the 7th Seat of the Elite Ten to drop out of school wouldn't even be enough.

RULES OF A SHOKUGEKI:



Mountain Lightning fucked around with this message at 17:42 on May 28, 2013

Sonata Mused
Feb 19, 2013

I'll show you... a nightmare...
Ah, okay. That makes more sense. Otherwise Soma would never, ever be allowed to lose one.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!
Regarding the new chapter.

I can't wait to see what Kitchen Tadokoro has in store for Kojiro and the rest of the judges. I hate the cliffhanger ending but this chapter really showed off what I love about this manga. The descriptions of the meals and the way they used the ingredients together was awesome. The combination of Souma and Tadokoro working together was really cool to see and it was cool to see the Alumni give Souma his props for his skills.

Also CABBAGE MAGICIAN~~~!

chami
Mar 28, 2011

Keep it classy, boys~
Fun Shoe
Let's face it, this is why we keep reading this series. It is glorious!

Lily Catts
Oct 17, 2012

Show me the way to you
(Heavy Metal)
Man the depiction of food is so good it looks so lewd.

Now I am hungry for cabbage.

Angry Grimace
Jul 29, 2010

ACTUALLY IT IS VERY GOOD THAT THE SHOW IS BAD AND ANYONE WHO DOESN'T REALIZE WHY THAT'S GOOD IS AN IDIOT. JUST ENJOY THE BAD SHOW INSTEAD OF THINKING.

Schneider Heim posted:

Man the depiction of food is so good it looks so lewd.

Now I am hungry for cabbage.

Actually, they've turned down a lot of the actual lewdness since the first few chapters. Probably because the series is selling reasonably well.

Feoffic
Feb 13, 2012

New chapter

Time to see just how sturdy that MC plot armor is.

Mo_Steel
Mar 7, 2008

Let's Clock Into The Sunset Together

Fun Shoe
It's been a while since I was caught so off guard in the span of a single chapter before. :golfclap:

I totally expected her to squeeze by somehow; hopefully this development doesn't get thrown out by some handwaving about it not being a true Shokugeki or something.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

Mo_Steel posted:

It's been a while since I was caught so off guard in the span of a single chapter before. :golfclap:

I totally expected her to squeeze by somehow; hopefully this development doesn't get thrown out by some handwaving about it not being a true Shokugeki or something.


gently caress! I did not see that coming at all. Tadokoro tried so hard...

Sonata Mused
Feb 19, 2013

I'll show you... a nightmare...
Welp, pack it in everybody, that's a wrap.

Seriously, though, how can you not go with Tadakoro? She's so cute

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

Sonata Mused posted:

Welp, pack it in everybody, that's a wrap.

Seriously, though, how can you not go with Tadakoro? She's so cute

The page with her and Souma smiling was so great and then they had to stomp on our hearts.

Feoffic
Feb 13, 2012

Sonata Mused posted:

Welp, pack it in everybody, that's a wrap.

Seriously, though, how can you not go with Tadakoro? She's so cute

Cause she's hella meek and boring? I much prefer Nikumi or Erina, at least they have some personality.

I'd probably add the other two Polar Star Dorm girls, but I don't think we even know their names yet...

Sonata Mused
Feb 19, 2013

I'll show you... a nightmare...
Honestly, I think I like Hinako the best though. She is ridiculous.

Begemot
Oct 14, 2012

The One True Oden

Oh hey, there's a thread for this.

It really seems to be finding it's feet lately, with the over-the-top reactions that aren't just literal food-orgasms. I'm excited to see where it goes. Hopefully Tadakoro doesn't really get the boot :ohdear: Although I suppose it would be pretty amazing if this did actually stick. It would really raise the stakes.

It's almost getting to the point that you'd never guess the artist used to do porn :v:

Angry Grimace
Jul 29, 2010

ACTUALLY IT IS VERY GOOD THAT THE SHOW IS BAD AND ANYONE WHO DOESN'T REALIZE WHY THAT'S GOOD IS AN IDIOT. JUST ENJOY THE BAD SHOW INSTEAD OF THINKING.

jrdbnta posted:

Cause she's hella meek and boring? I much prefer Nikumi or Erina, at least they have some personality.

I'd probably add the other two Polar Star Dorm girls, but I don't think we even know their names yet...

The blonde girl is Yoshino, but I don't recall the other girl's name or if it was ever given. Erina is a pretty straight tsundere character though.

Mountain Lightning
Aug 8, 2008

Romance Dawn For
The New World!

Angry Grimace posted:

The blonde girl is Yoshino, but I don't recall the other girl's name or if it was ever given. Erina is a pretty straight tsundere character though.

Purple/Lavender hair girl is named Sakaki Ryouko.

SatansBestBuddy
Sep 26, 2010

by FactsAreUseless
Only just noticed this thread.

This last chapter really shows that Tosh and Yuuto make for an actually competent writing team. They have an impeccable sense of pacing, so the tension is always rising, falling, then rising even higher. Just try reading through this chapter alone to see what I mean. Or this giant block of spoilers as I dissect this chapter like a frog during high school science.

First page, it starts cold, raises the tension by noting the pause, second page, we see Megumi is nervous but only needs a gentle push forward to get over it, lowering the tension a little, third page she's presenting her dish, back to raising the tension, fourth page it's revealed what it actually is, a quick jab from the rival keeps the tension rising, page five we can almost count the seconds the judges take to cut and eat the food, during which on the sixth page, Megumi is flashing back to a previous exam, where she failed to make tea to the standards of the examiner and you can hear all the whispers of the faceless crowd from back then tormenting her now, so by the seventh page we're basically holding our breath to see what the judges decide. That means it's not till the eighth page that the tension breaks and we feel a sense of relief that turns to excitement as we try to follow along with the judges food chat, which is, by magic I can't articulate, exhilarating and exciting to read, the passion and metaphors combining together to spur their imaginations. Pages 14 and 15 is Megumi and Souma expressing their relief and satisfaction, first with words, then with a smile.

The really great part in all of this is the art. You almost don't need the writing at all to understand exactly what's going on at any given moment, because the characters expressions and the panel layout and the mood and everything is conveyed almost effortlessly through the art. Go back and really look at the faces, every emotion is as clear as if it was subtitled. Note that there's basically no pointless panels. That step forward needed both the raised foot and the actual step to show how difficult it was to make that single step. That panel with the brave face is beside the panel with her standing before the judges, small and alone, to show just how hard it actually is to stand where she's standing. Every panel on page seven is set to the ticking of the clock, building anticipation with every second. And again, page 15 is just the both of them smiling at each other, and it says everything without saying a drat thing, which is something I wish a lot more manga would do a lot more often. And that's not even touching on the last four pages, which bring back the tension softly, we've already seen Megumi win this battle of self-confidence on page 15, that was her first big step forward for her character arc, all she needs to do is win the cooking contest and celebrate a hard won battle with herself.

And she doesn't.


And that's why you're gonna read next week's chapter.

Because this is some seriously good manga Tosh and Yuuto are cooking up here, made with the kind of care and attention to detail that requires somebody who's not rambling aimlessly at four in the loving morning god I need to go to bed.

SatansBestBuddy fucked around with this message at 12:04 on Jun 1, 2013

sunburnedcrow
Dec 17, 2012
Edit: Guess I am just slow. :v:

sunburnedcrow fucked around with this message at 13:56 on Jun 4, 2013

Death Bot
Mar 4, 2007

Binary killing machines, turning 1 into 0 since 0011000100111001 0011011100110110

sunburnedcrow posted:

New chapter

Time for some deus ex machina, I guess

That's definitely last week's chapter

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Feoffic
Feb 13, 2012

Update.

There's the LSD head-trip I was waiting for.

And it looks like things might not be as grim as they appeared. Not sure how I feel about that.

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