10 Second Anime - Shokugeki no Soma S3 - Episode 19

Souma's father challenges Azami to a special shokugeki with a prize he can't refuse.

Episode 19 - "Declaration of War"

Hmm.

Now that we have Jouichirou joining the rebels, we're finally getting some hints at why he closed down the diner and enrolled Souma at Toutsuki. Also, way back when Jouichirou visited Souma and revealed he was a student at the Polar Star Dormitory, he talked with Senzaemon about Azami's movements through Asia. So, the good guys were already preparing for some kind of attack against Toutsuki's leadership, but I guess it was a surprise that he went through the Elite Council to do so. Having all those traditionalists and specialists at the top made them ripe for Azami's philosophy.

At least three of them didn't agree to the takeover, but it's puzzling to see Rindou go along with Central's plan when we also see her not failing Takumi and Megumi like the other council members did with their targets. We're still waiting to see what her motivation is in all this, although she's already given some rote answer about how food tasting the same and the best all the time sounds like a good idea. Her actions and attitude shows a buried reluctance on her part in putting down the rebels.

The last thing I want to note is that Jouichirou knows Azami is obsessed with him. We got a hint at Azami's motivation to "rescue" chefs from "wandering." Jouichirou's back story will be important to explain that, I'm sure. I'm also sure that Azami will have gotten Jouichirou's reasons and motivations back then entirely wrong. But that's a revelation for much later in the story.

Heh.

So, all the scenes from last week's epilogue just got replayed here. The only bit of drama was whether Rindou defeated Takumi and Megumi as well.

Oh, the anticipation! Are they okay? Rindou seems totally nonchalant.

Ahahaha! She just wanted to say "yummy!" Both pass! I don't think Azami is going to like this.

Rindou isn't acting like a loyal member of Central here.

Souma has a plan! Take over the Elite Council with a majority and rescind the expulsions.

Oh. Too bad he has nothing to wager in his negotiations. Erina begging isn't going to be enough.

Jouichirou! Hmm, this reveal would have been a better cliffhanger for the last episode. Ah well. The scrolling picture drama of the third season continues to demonstrate mediocrity and laziness.

Oho. Calm down fujoshi. Jouichirou offers himself as a servant to Azami for the proposed Shokugeki. Better yet, Jouichirou proposes a Team Shokugeki. He's got a plan.

Ah, so these teams can also do prep work for the each other, even though each individual is competing against the other team's individual opponent. It seems like restaurant kitchen experience would be the advantage here, and the rebels have all of this.

It seems that Senzaemon was already anticipating hard times for Erina if Azami came back to Toutsuki. He and Jouichirou figured that her making friends would be the only way to defend against the harsh conditioning she received from her father.

Har. Doujima and Saiba (Jouichirou took his wife's family name of Yukihira, like Azami Nakamura became Azami Nakiri), are falling back into their bickering dynamic. Saiba should have been the first seat of the Elite Council back then, but Doujima's temperament was way better suited for administration. We see that today in how they're both employed.

Senzaemon is canny. His rules for the mock Team Battle include no talking. This is similar to one of Souma's stagiare assignments.

Ha! You would have thought Souma and his dad would be perfect for this kind of test, but you'd be wrong. Their years of cooking together meant a lot of shouting at each other.

Takumi and Megumi are figuring things out, though.

Oh, Doujima and Saiba are not as childish as their actions seem. They're both making gourmet versions of the assigned dish, and the kids have to figure out how they're making it, with no speaking. This is a real test by real gourmet chefs!

Next time, we'll just have to see. No epilogue this time. I see Momo crying. Always a good sign for a funny scene.