Shokugeki No Soma Vol. 11-15

 

Hello everyone! Long time no see! It has been a crazy weeks lately with the holidays and in the country with the domestic terrorism happening at Capitol Hill. 

However, we are ready to get back into reading books and enjoying the journeys they offer! Starting off, we have the next 5 volumes of "Food Wars!"

If you recall where things left off (click here if you don't!), Yukihira Soma has to battle the weird giant Mimasaka, a competitor who is known for his perfect profiling of rivals. Basically, it means that Mimasaka can anticipate the most minimal detail his competitor will do. It's like he is able to get in the mind of others and know what they are thinking and doing. It's scary impressive. 

However, Soma has a few tricks of his sleeve and manages to continue into the next battle. The topic for the battle is "Pacific Saury", a very common type of fish. This is a three way battle between Soma, Hayama and Ryo. This volume is extremely important because it really captures the thought process of Soma and puts him in a place where he has never been before. He is seriously behind in terms of identifying the best fish in the market and that puts him in a serious disadvantage. He is forced to rely on his friends' techniques in order to improve the umami of this fish. And then he has to rely on trial and error to determine the best option. 

The next volume is all about the match itself and its ending. I'm not going to spoil it though. Let's just say it was excellent, full of surprises and it is hilarious. After the elections, Soma has a new challenge coming: the Stagiaire. This is basically Hell's Kitchen. Each student goes to a restaurant chosen randomly and proves to Totsuki that they are worth keeping by doing a good job. However, the tasks, effort and work is ridiculous and only the best survive it. 

The final part of the Stagiaire is concluded in Volume #14 where Soma heads to Shinomoto's French restaurant. If you recall, Shinomoto is this chef who is super strict and wanted to fail Megumi during hell week at the camp. However, this proves to be an excellent lesson for Soma and his abilities are truly challenged. I still do not know how he did not give up after so much work, he barely slept!

Then, we have the introduction to the Elite Ten. In this arc, the Moon festival is announced and students set up booths (mini restaurants) in different areas of Totsuki where people buy their meals. The Moon festival is the introduction of Soma into the battle for an Elite Ten seat. He wants to battle a specific someone but in order to do that he has to make revenue otherwise he is expelled!

Also, pork black pepper buns. 

I give these volumes a combined score of: