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食戟のソーマ [Shokugeki no Sōma] #12
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Vol. 12
The Fall Classic semifinals conclude with a historic first—a three-way battle in the finals! The ingredient chosen to grace the grandest stage is an autumn staple, pike. But with such a tight time limit, what incredible dishes can finalists Soma, Hayama and Kurokiba possibly create?!
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2015
33 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Yūto Tsukuda
94 books125 followersYūto Tsukuda (附田 祐斗, Tsukuda Yūto) is a Japanese mangaka who is mostly known for his manga, Food Wars! (Shokugeki no Soma).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 18, 2023
reread in 2023: Originally I started reading this series in 2018 and read the first 12 volumes ... and despite that cliff-hanger I just ... stopped. Idk why. I have the entire series now. I have no excuse. I loved the series but I am AWFUL with series! I aim to change that though. I plan to read at least a couple volumes per month until I finish the series. As this is volume 12 I have now reread everything I originally read, caught up to where I was. If I stop again I will have to slap myself with every manga volume or something ffs lol.
Original review below
Why with the cliff-hanger! Darn it!
Original review below
Why with the cliff-hanger! Darn it!
April 19, 2022
The ingredient for this challenge caught me completely off guard and I love the fact that Soma had to go through such a strenuous trial and error method. It shows that no matter what this guy is willing to give a challenge his all. The artwork was marvelous as always and I really appreciated the plot line. Since the fall classic arc is coming to a close I'm excited to see where the story is headed next.
April 27, 2017
The autumn election is coming to a close with a 🐟 battle. Of course this ends with a cliffhanger too so we won't know who wins until the next volume. I'd be annoyed at how things get stretched out but honestly I barely notice when I'm reading. (Case in point, I actually read three whole volumes without realizing how far I got! [I usually forget stuff if I go that far without reviewing ...])
June 5, 2019
More of the same but the book smartly does a segway to add variety.
World: The art is solid Shonen fare nothing to write home about. The world building is solid this time with some time out of the competition and into the culinary and also food world which is a nice change of pace. The fish market parts were nice adding to the overall world as a whole.
Story: The story is still with the Spring Classic and it’s been going on a long long time (too long if you ask me) and with the finale and the crazy logic of what’s happening the book does segway allowing the story to be enjoyable. The focus on ingredients and not the cooking was a nice change of direction and focus that allowed this finale to stand on it’s own compared to the entire competition. The fish market sections were quite enjoyable. That’s not to say that this book is different from the rest of the series but it’s just different enough to keep you interested and it not feeling too repetitious.
Characters: Soma is the typical hero once again and does what he does, he is the archetype of this genre to a t. We get more of the other two, pirate dude and spice dude and it’s okay, it gives context, no matter how melodramatic. The usage of the cast of characters for this arc was quite good with friends and Polaris getting litte bits and pieces of development.
A solid segway that turns the same thing into something a bit different.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is solid Shonen fare nothing to write home about. The world building is solid this time with some time out of the competition and into the culinary and also food world which is a nice change of pace. The fish market parts were nice adding to the overall world as a whole.
Story: The story is still with the Spring Classic and it’s been going on a long long time (too long if you ask me) and with the finale and the crazy logic of what’s happening the book does segway allowing the story to be enjoyable. The focus on ingredients and not the cooking was a nice change of direction and focus that allowed this finale to stand on it’s own compared to the entire competition. The fish market sections were quite enjoyable. That’s not to say that this book is different from the rest of the series but it’s just different enough to keep you interested and it not feeling too repetitious.
Characters: Soma is the typical hero once again and does what he does, he is the archetype of this genre to a t. We get more of the other two, pirate dude and spice dude and it’s okay, it gives context, no matter how melodramatic. The usage of the cast of characters for this arc was quite good with friends and Polaris getting litte bits and pieces of development.
A solid segway that turns the same thing into something a bit different.
Onward to the next book!
April 7, 2022
Non vedo l'ora di scoprire chi vincerà la finale!
June 11, 2024
This battle between Soma, Kurokiba, and Hayama is so good! They are all such incredibly creative chefs! I also really enjoy how much Isshiki shows up in this book. He is still my favorite and he’s one of the few that really appreciates Soma and his style of cooking.
December 17, 2020
¿Por qué siempre se termina ena mejor parte?.
La trama se sigue desarrollando grandiosamente. Los personajes cada vez me gustan más, hay ciertos detalles que se omiten en el anime, pero que en el manga se agradecen.
La trama se sigue desarrollando grandiosamente. Los personajes cada vez me gustan más, hay ciertos detalles que se omiten en el anime, pero que en el manga se agradecen.
April 28, 2017
Thoughts:
- I've finally realized what it is about this series that keeps me coming back: the ridiculous amount of time and detail that the characters take in describing food and cooking processes. I'm not a chef in the slightest (I don't even cook at home), but I find this stuff fascinating. It's also why I enjoy cooking competition shows so much.
- I appreciated that Yukihara was a bit out of his depth. Part of the fun of this series is not just the cooking and ridiculous nudity, but also HOW characters meet/overcome challenges and opponents. No, it's not the least bit realistic, but there's something interesting about watching these people perform what is essentially culinary acrobatics.
- Cliffhangers are the death of me and I hate them.
- I've finally realized what it is about this series that keeps me coming back: the ridiculous amount of time and detail that the characters take in describing food and cooking processes. I'm not a chef in the slightest (I don't even cook at home), but I find this stuff fascinating. It's also why I enjoy cooking competition shows so much.
- I appreciated that Yukihara was a bit out of his depth. Part of the fun of this series is not just the cooking and ridiculous nudity, but also HOW characters meet/overcome challenges and opponents. No, it's not the least bit realistic, but there's something interesting about watching these people perform what is essentially culinary acrobatics.
- Cliffhangers are the death of me and I hate them.
May 27, 2016
What a cliffhanging finish with Soma san competing in a three way finals with a significant handicap. Will he succeed? This penultimate battle is excruciatingly fun.
July 24, 2020
Big cliffhanger, everything's on the line for the next volume, Who will be the winner!
August 1, 2019
Soma is my hero! He’s so determined and he uses everything that he’s learnt to help him progress forward- I feel so inspired by him!
August 22, 2019
My gosh don't make it the end for Souma!!! I knew he has something up his sleeves.
December 19, 2021
This volume picks up up right where the last one left off and I was caught up in the excitement all over again. After the contestants for the finals are announced the ingredient that will be the main focus of the dish is announced. The contestants seem confident in their abilities to work with the ingredient. Almost immediately Soma struggles, and his abilities are doubted. This left off on another cliffhanger (as Soma was presenting his dish) and I'm looking forward to seeing him prove everyone wrong once again!
September 2, 2020
Food Wars Vol. 12
For the first time ever the finale of the Fall Classic will be a three chef match. Soma, Ryo, & Hayama are the finalists. Ryo & Hayama tied in their semi-final battle. The theme is the final battle is Pike fish.
Can Soma even compete against the others when kne is the Master of Seafood & the other, Master of Spice?
For the first time ever the finale of the Fall Classic will be a three chef match. Soma, Ryo, & Hayama are the finalists. Ryo & Hayama tied in their semi-final battle. The theme is the final battle is Pike fish.
Can Soma even compete against the others when kne is the Master of Seafood & the other, Master of Spice?
June 7, 2017
Quick thoughts: All about the Fall Classic finals, with a lot of interesting preparations in the first half and a bulk of the actual competition in the second. This entire story arc has been outstanding.
May 20, 2018
Another fun continuation of the series, with an emphasis on the quality of fish.
May 11, 2023
I really liked the extra attention paid to the ingredients this book! Plus the fun twists that keep on coming.
June 22, 2025
La finale du tournoi !
February 28, 2017
This is it! The finals of the 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election will be covered in the 12th volume of Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma. We know that Soma Yukihira will be one of the contestants in the finals as he was able go beyond Subaru Mimasaka's "stalker abilities" and "perfect trace" to create a dish Subaru could not improve on. Now we find out if Akira Hayama or Ryo Kurokiba makes it in the finals too.
Because of the spoilers that would be exposed if I were to write about details of this volume, I will keep it quite simple. The 12th volume consists of the road leading up to the finals of the 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election which includes the contestants learning and practicing with the theme ingredient and the final round itself. It will be Soma Yukihira versus whoever wins the second final round.
I will say this volume does put to the front more flaws that Soma Yukihira discovers about himself which results in him trying to overcome them. This is technically a theme seen throughout the manga so far. Ergo, this volume concentrates more so on another internal struggle Soma has and, you guessed it, how he overcomes it in the finals. Just like other volumes too, this one ends in a cliffhanger as readers will have to read volume 13 to find out who wins the final round and the 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election.
Because of the spoilers that would be exposed if I were to write about details of this volume, I will keep it quite simple. The 12th volume consists of the road leading up to the finals of the 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election which includes the contestants learning and practicing with the theme ingredient and the final round itself. It will be Soma Yukihira versus whoever wins the second final round.
I will say this volume does put to the front more flaws that Soma Yukihira discovers about himself which results in him trying to overcome them. This is technically a theme seen throughout the manga so far. Ergo, this volume concentrates more so on another internal struggle Soma has and, you guessed it, how he overcomes it in the finals. Just like other volumes too, this one ends in a cliffhanger as readers will have to read volume 13 to find out who wins the final round and the 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election.
August 12, 2016
The Fall classic final has begun with Ryo Kurokiba, Akira Hayama, and Soma Yukihira fighting for the top spot. The theme for the final is pike, and it must be fresh, in-season pike. Soma must find a way to get the best pike without knowing how to pick the freshest pike to compete against Ryo and Akira.
Will his method and dish beat Ryo's instincts and Akira's divine nose?
*I really like the cartoon expressions Shun Saeki draws for the characters!
Will his method and dish beat Ryo's instincts and Akira's divine nose?
*I really like the cartoon expressions Shun Saeki draws for the characters!
June 5, 2016
Damn that incredibly teasing climax!! Now I have no choice but to read the next volume immediately!! And it looks like there are some scheming going underneath all this competition. Souma's knack for inventing new methods of cooking and infinite amount of ideas keep me intrigued all the way. By far this was the best volume out of all the volumes I have read so far.
June 16, 2016
4 1/2 stars
December 27, 2016
Like the flashback stuff, and YAY for the fall classic being over! And that Soma's not always the greatest greatest....
October 18, 2021
Combined review for volumes 10-12 can be found here.
February 15, 2018
I suppose it was only fitting, now that the Autumn Classic finalists are all male, to begin throwing in a lot of metaphors comparing their swords and their swordsmanship. XD Nothing to do with food, of course... Nevertheless, the metaphors were beautifully conveyed and quite apt.
In the final challenge, Soma faces off against two formidable challengers, Akira and Ryo, who each have their superhuman strengths. The challenge is any dish featuring pike, a fish that comes into season in autumn -- it also happens to be an ingredient that has ties (tangential though they may be) to each of the contestants.
The formula is similar to all the other challenges: the theme/challenge is set, Soma spends days researching and making practice dishes, and then the competition actually happens, with each challenger presenting a surprising and delicious dish that the judges rate, while Soma's friends (and rivals) worry whether he'll pull through this time. This seems like it would be dull and formulaic after so many volumes, but it works -- think of all the many competition-based TV shows and films. People love to see the raw material transform into a spectacular final product, evaluate it for themselves, and also see how the experts rate it. Olympics, makeovers, show dogs...?
By switching up the competitors, raising the stakes, and introducing different judges, the challenges stay interesting and fresh. Soma, despite having the obvious chops to be in these competitions, is shown time and time again to be an underdog. In the case of this volume, he doesn't know enough about choosing quality pike -- at least not enough to surpass Ryo's and Akira's abilities. Therefore, Soma must work hard to learn as much as he can and still pull off a competitive dish. (A psychologist might say something about growth mindset here -- how working hard means more than a fixed ability or talent and can still lead to success.)
I did love how Soma is resourceful in learning about his friends' special talents -- fermentation, smoking, and aging -- to try manipulating his fish.
I rated this volume 3 stars because there's very little B plot (er...no B plot at all?) to add additional interest to the story. This volume is straightforward challenge prep and challenge/judging -- but ends in a cliffhanger. We stick with characters who've already been introduced, and there are no major surprises or setbacks for Soma -- he just needs to overcome his handicap.
In the final challenge, Soma faces off against two formidable challengers, Akira and Ryo, who each have their superhuman strengths. The challenge is any dish featuring pike, a fish that comes into season in autumn -- it also happens to be an ingredient that has ties (tangential though they may be) to each of the contestants.
The formula is similar to all the other challenges: the theme/challenge is set, Soma spends days researching and making practice dishes, and then the competition actually happens, with each challenger presenting a surprising and delicious dish that the judges rate, while Soma's friends (and rivals) worry whether he'll pull through this time. This seems like it would be dull and formulaic after so many volumes, but it works -- think of all the many competition-based TV shows and films. People love to see the raw material transform into a spectacular final product, evaluate it for themselves, and also see how the experts rate it. Olympics, makeovers, show dogs...?
By switching up the competitors, raising the stakes, and introducing different judges, the challenges stay interesting and fresh. Soma, despite having the obvious chops to be in these competitions, is shown time and time again to be an underdog. In the case of this volume, he doesn't know enough about choosing quality pike -- at least not enough to surpass Ryo's and Akira's abilities. Therefore, Soma must work hard to learn as much as he can and still pull off a competitive dish. (A psychologist might say something about growth mindset here -- how working hard means more than a fixed ability or talent and can still lead to success.)
I did love how Soma is resourceful in learning about his friends' special talents -- fermentation, smoking, and aging -- to try manipulating his fish.
I rated this volume 3 stars because there's very little B plot (er...no B plot at all?) to add additional interest to the story. This volume is straightforward challenge prep and challenge/judging -- but ends in a cliffhanger. We stick with characters who've already been introduced, and there are no major surprises or setbacks for Soma -- he just needs to overcome his handicap.
April 17, 2020
Food Wars: Shokugeki no Sōma!, Vol. 12 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (93–101) of the on-going manga series.
The theme for the Fall Classic Finals is announced: mackerel pike. Sōma Yukihira and Megumi Tadokoro visit a fish market and bump into Alice Nakiri and Ryō Kurokiba. They have a brief contest over who can pick the better fresh fish, which Ryō wins. Sōma ponders different aging strategies that could work to make up his comparative lack of experience in picking the fish using the methods from his Polaris Dorm roommates.
The evening of the contest, the judges are announced to be Senzaemon Nakiri, Gin Dōjima, and Alice's mother Leonōra Nakiri. Ryō presents a pike cartoccio, a seafood pike dish wrapped in film which is comparable to acqua pazza; Akira Hayama presents a pike carpaccio, a dish that would normally serve as an appetizer, and Sōma presents a takikomi rice dish.
This tankōbon is written by Yūto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki. It takes a slight brake between rounds of the Fall Classics Tournament to have a short transitional story about Sōma Yukihira and Megumi Tadokoro determining the best way to buy fish. The final round of the Fall Classics is surprisingly quick and finished with its presentation of the dishes that the three chiefs has made, but the tankōbon closes before the evaluation could take place.
All in all, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Sōma, Vol. 12 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.
The theme for the Fall Classic Finals is announced: mackerel pike. Sōma Yukihira and Megumi Tadokoro visit a fish market and bump into Alice Nakiri and Ryō Kurokiba. They have a brief contest over who can pick the better fresh fish, which Ryō wins. Sōma ponders different aging strategies that could work to make up his comparative lack of experience in picking the fish using the methods from his Polaris Dorm roommates.
The evening of the contest, the judges are announced to be Senzaemon Nakiri, Gin Dōjima, and Alice's mother Leonōra Nakiri. Ryō presents a pike cartoccio, a seafood pike dish wrapped in film which is comparable to acqua pazza; Akira Hayama presents a pike carpaccio, a dish that would normally serve as an appetizer, and Sōma presents a takikomi rice dish.
This tankōbon is written by Yūto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki. It takes a slight brake between rounds of the Fall Classics Tournament to have a short transitional story about Sōma Yukihira and Megumi Tadokoro determining the best way to buy fish. The final round of the Fall Classics is surprisingly quick and finished with its presentation of the dishes that the three chiefs has made, but the tankōbon closes before the evaluation could take place.
All in all, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Sōma, Vol. 12 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.
October 6, 2018
Todo iba excelente en este volumen, exceptuando que no dicen quién ganó las elecciones de otoño.
Para algunos podría no ser gran cosa, pero para mí es bastante frustrante y más que no es la primera vez que sucede.
En este volumen podemos ver la ideación y preparación de los platillos. Me gustó mucho la construcción de personajes porque podemos ver más a fondo las habilidades y talentos de los 3 participantes. Podemos ver también como tanto Hayama como Kurokiba, evolucionan sus técnicas y profundizan en sus habilidades.
También vemos a Soma batallar contra si mismo. Es la primera vez que aunque Soma está confiado, como siempre, vemos sus debilidades. Hasta este volumen nos habían mostrado a un Soma muy habilidoso que con su creatividad era capaz de vencer a prácticamente cualquiera. Por eso me gustó mucho, y hasta sentí feo, que en comparación contra estos titanes, lo hicieran menos. Tanto Kurokiba como Hayama no lo consideraban un rival porque carecía de las habilidades natas y muy poderosas de ambos. Ver su evolución en este volumen y sus ideas fue muy bueno porque cuando presenta su platillo final entiendes todo lo que tuvo que pasar para lograrlo y cómo se arriesgó mucho con la elección de su platillo.
El volumen había sido un ejemplo de buena narración y trama de esta serie. Lamentablemente el final queda muy abrupto. Entiendo que esto lo hacen para asegurar ventas para los siguientes volúmenes pero creo que con esta serie no era necesario hacer eso.
Para algunos podría no ser gran cosa, pero para mí es bastante frustrante y más que no es la primera vez que sucede.
En este volumen podemos ver la ideación y preparación de los platillos. Me gustó mucho la construcción de personajes porque podemos ver más a fondo las habilidades y talentos de los 3 participantes. Podemos ver también como tanto Hayama como Kurokiba, evolucionan sus técnicas y profundizan en sus habilidades.
También vemos a Soma batallar contra si mismo. Es la primera vez que aunque Soma está confiado, como siempre, vemos sus debilidades. Hasta este volumen nos habían mostrado a un Soma muy habilidoso que con su creatividad era capaz de vencer a prácticamente cualquiera. Por eso me gustó mucho, y hasta sentí feo, que en comparación contra estos titanes, lo hicieran menos. Tanto Kurokiba como Hayama no lo consideraban un rival porque carecía de las habilidades natas y muy poderosas de ambos. Ver su evolución en este volumen y sus ideas fue muy bueno porque cuando presenta su platillo final entiendes todo lo que tuvo que pasar para lograrlo y cómo se arriesgó mucho con la elección de su platillo.
El volumen había sido un ejemplo de buena narración y trama de esta serie. Lamentablemente el final queda muy abrupto. Entiendo que esto lo hacen para asegurar ventas para los siguientes volúmenes pero creo que con esta serie no era necesario hacer eso.
February 5, 2022
This series can be so delightfully extra at times and this volume is no exception. Cooking under the light of a full moon, Ryo, Akira, and Soma battle it out during the Fall Classic finals over in season Pike fish!
Highlights include flashbacks into Alice and Ryo's adorable childhood, Lenora Nakiri's hilarious version of the "disrobing" and Erina's and Alice's informational commentary about the tantalizing food! The volume covers Soma's realization that he's way behind in the fish selection game, some fun experimentation into aging food, and builds upon the explosive rivalry between Ryo and Akira.
It leaves off right when Soma is about to reveal the true form of his final dish, and definitely leaves you dying to find out what happens next!
Highlights include flashbacks into Alice and Ryo's adorable childhood, Lenora Nakiri's hilarious version of the "disrobing" and Erina's and Alice's informational commentary about the tantalizing food! The volume covers Soma's realization that he's way behind in the fish selection game, some fun experimentation into aging food, and builds upon the explosive rivalry between Ryo and Akira.
It leaves off right when Soma is about to reveal the true form of his final dish, and definitely leaves you dying to find out what happens next!
February 26, 2024
This is my final volume in this series (the series is currently at 36 volumes in English), so I'll list some pluses and minuses:
Pluses
The series encourages a strong work ethic. It also encourages teamwork to achieve desired goals. I suspect a budding chef could learn some valuable lessons about cooking from these pages(I expect the cooking information should be accurate; I'm not a chef).
Minuses
The series overemphasizes competition. The food wars are usually repetitive and take away much of the reading pleasure from the series. We learn more about the food than about the people.
Volume 12 was more of the same. As expected, the reader will learn the outcome of the latest competition in Volume 13.
Pluses
The series encourages a strong work ethic. It also encourages teamwork to achieve desired goals. I suspect a budding chef could learn some valuable lessons about cooking from these pages(I expect the cooking information should be accurate; I'm not a chef).
Minuses
The series overemphasizes competition. The food wars are usually repetitive and take away much of the reading pleasure from the series. We learn more about the food than about the people.
Volume 12 was more of the same. As expected, the reader will learn the outcome of the latest competition in Volume 13.
October 11, 2017
The three finalists, including our hero Soma, compete to win the Fall Classic competition.
I really enjoy these little volumes - they're basically food porn. Loving descriptions of food preparation, delivery, and taste/smell/texture descriptions are delivered with lively and fun characters. The story does drag out a bit - the Fall Classic competition has been going on for several volumes now. Volume 13 is supposedly the end result of the cliffhanger from this volume and I look forward to seeing what new storyline begins.
Cheesiest 'food porn' line of this volume: "I feel like I'm drowning in a tidal wave of flavor and fragrance!"
I really enjoy these little volumes - they're basically food porn. Loving descriptions of food preparation, delivery, and taste/smell/texture descriptions are delivered with lively and fun characters. The story does drag out a bit - the Fall Classic competition has been going on for several volumes now. Volume 13 is supposedly the end result of the cliffhanger from this volume and I look forward to seeing what new storyline begins.
Cheesiest 'food porn' line of this volume: "I feel like I'm drowning in a tidal wave of flavor and fragrance!"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews