10 Second Anime - Shokugeki no Soma S2 - Episode 2

The next contest features Megumi vs. Ryo cooking ramen.

Episode 2 - "The Interplay of Light and Shadow"

Heh.

In the first contest making a Japanese bento, Yukihira won. Yay!

Is Grandpa Nakiri going to paint a big calligraphy for each winner?

Speaking of Nakiri, Alice took her loss pretty hard.

Ha! I like how Yukihira can still be a bastard. As he's just about to be a perfectly gracious winner, he rubbed Alice's nose in it that he was one step higher to being in the Elite 10. Having that playful dark streak fits in with his ongoing contest he has with his dad on making the most disgusting dish.

It's Megumi's turn next and she'll be facing a meaner and gruffer version of Yukihira in Ryo.

This is a good chance to see how far Megumi has progressed in her self-confidence and mental toughness. I noticed she didn't have to do her usual ritual of eating nervousness.

I think there were two reasons for why she felt tougher other than just her experiences so far over the last year. The first was getting a hint on how Ryo was going to cook his ramen soup from the noodles he chose. The second was getting a care package from home with ingredients that could make the opposite of whatever Ryo was going to make. Megumi is best when she gains strength from her family and from her new friends.

Speaking of her new friends... Megumi Daisuki! The Aldini brothers mused about Japan's mysteries. The Japanese do bring a whole new meaning to "fan" club.

We finally got the long-awaited backstory on how Alice met Ryo and how he was running a seaport diner in a harbor town. This is to contrast Megumi's harbor town experience in her family's busy inn.

As befitting Ryo's personality, his ramen broth is bold and consequently dark. Good enough to make Grandpa Nakiri strip without even striking a pose.

Megumi, on the other hand, is all lightness. She was able to match the richness of Ryo's broth by using dried foods as toppings which added greatly to the stock.

Ryo didn't think he was going to get an all-out brawl from Megumi, but he's got one. It's scallops versus lobster shells! Who's going to win?

Gah! Cliffhanger!