Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Vol. 13

食戟のソーマ [Shokugeki no Sōma] #13

by Yūto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki (Illustrator), Yuki Morisaki (Adapter)

Three students survive the harsh trials of the preliminaries, winning their way into the finals. Which student will be the one to take home the crown as the winner of the Fall Classic?! Later, the furor of the Fall Classic has barely died down when Soma and the others are sent off to new battlefields! What is this new challenge that will test their desire to be chefs?

Genres: Manga, Food, Graphic Novels, Cooking, Young Adult, Shonen, Comics

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2015

About the author

Yūto Tsukuda (附田 祐斗, Tsukuda Yūto) is a Japanese mangaka who is mostly known for his manga, Food Wars! (Shokugeki no Soma).

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐟🍂
Autumn election is now over and we get to start a new arc!

So we're basically moving on from Iron Chef to Kitchen Nightmares, which I am totally not against. (Except for the fact that they chose something for the restaurant that Ramsay would flip out over ... a "reservations only" restaurant near a busy train entrance??? Although editing the menu is always the first thing Gordon does so good job, Arato.

Of course it has to end with a major cliffhanger, and one that I'm looking forward to reading more about.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to this point I always hated Arato and Erina. They were just stoic snobs that existed to put down Soma. At this point, the good qualities of both characters start coming out and you learn more about why they were always together. Great character development and a slightly more realistic look at the restaurant industry than what Food Wars usually provides. Definitely a keeper.

[Marcos “MSMDragon” · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that Soma doesn’t just automatically win every cooking battle he’s in. He takes his losses and learns from them, which is only making him stronger! The second half of this one is the start of the stagiaire arc so I’m excited to see how Soma does working for other chefs.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick thoughts: The close of the Fall Classic gives great insight and background on all of the participants, and comes to a satisfying conclusion. Things get even more interesting from there as the series settles down a bit to move into another phase of testing / training for the students in a more practical setting. I loved getting another couple of unexpected pairings in this one that made for a fun interlude, and the volume ends with the return of a familiar face and a bit of a cliffhanger.

[DonutKnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manga is so inspiring- I need goals like Soma 😭 But also, young Shinomiya is very cute 😍 Ooh ooh! And not to mention the Hayama-Jun ship ❤️❤️❤️

[Brandi (Brandi Janee's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cliffhanger leads to only a few chapters that contain the end of the Fall Classic. Soma was in the middle of presenting his dish to the judges. While I was expecting the results to happen I was still a little disappointed but I think it was the right route for things to go in. Everyone has learned something from the Fall Classic, especially Soma. Now that the stressful event is over there is another challenge for the first years. They are all assigned as interns in a real working environment. We get to see a little of how exactly the challenge will work follow a couple teams. The way this wrapped up I'm looking forward to see what nonsense Soma will get into in volume 14!

[নাজমুল হাসান · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked how the results of the final turned out to be. Though I was kind of expecting it from the start. Now, Souma begins his own journey of self searching. It would be really interesting to see what specialty he adopts in his cooking, since till now he was a jack of all trade. This arc seems a bit less interesting than the previous one though, hopefully things pick up quick in the next volume.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes yes yes!! This is definitely going to be so good from here on out. I enjoyed the Fall Classic story arc, but it is wonderful to see Soma enter another phase of being at the Institute. We're getting to meet old characters and see new challenges. I'm lovinggggg it! So loving it! lol

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad the multi-volume cooking competition is finally over and more interesting things can happen again. The internships at actual restaurants are a fun change of pace.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting volume. I'm glad they are all doing great!!! Can't wait for the next volume

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food Wars: Shokugeki no Sōma!, Vol. 13 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eight chapters (102–109) of the on-going manga series with two bonus stories.

Senzaemon Nakiri, Gin Dōjima, and Leonōra Nakiri select Akira Hayama dish to be the winner of the Fall Classic Finals. Despite being runners-up, Sōma Yukihira and Ryō Kurokiba hang out afterward with Akira to try to make his winning dish and learn from him.

The next assignment is called a stagiaire in which the first-year students work at different restaurants in the area doing minor chores such as waiting tables and washing dishes to prepping food, and must leave some sort of visible accomplishment at the place.

Sōma discovers that he and Hisako Arato, who still feels unworthy to be Erina Nakiri's aide, are going to be working together at a Western restaurant that gets an extremely high number of customers during certain periods. Although they get through the busy periods, they struggle to figure out how to leave a legacy there. Meanwhile, Megumi Tadokoro and Erina do their stagiaire at a French restaurant where Erina practically runs the place, Megumi worries about how she can leave her accomplishment.

After scrapping an idea to reduce the menu size, Hisako and Sōma convince the restaurant to implement a reservation-only system to best serve their customers, and with its success, they pass their stagiaire. Sōma encourages Hisako to walk alongside Erina instead of following her. Sōma's next stagiaire will be with Kojirō Shinomiya.

This tankōbon is written by Yūto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki. It finally concludes the Fall Classic Tournament, which last much longer than I would have wanted – it was first mentioned in the fifth tankōbon. The next arc seems rather interesting in which the first year students have to become stagiaire and work in a restaurant and to leave a legacy after their time there. It is an interesting arc as it is different to see the students of Tōtsuki Saryo Culinary Institute having some work experience.

All in all, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Sōma, Vol. 13 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A change of pace and a change of focus makes this an interesting arc.

World: Art is solid. The world building is God, new little pieces from their internship with some depth to the characters.

Story: A nice change of pace for the finale of the Spring Classic. The end was really telegraphed but the end with the three handing out is pretty cool. The internship is good cause it's about God but not cooking so the book feels fresh. The team ups are also great with Arato and Soma and Megumi and Nakiri, good chemistry and dynamic.

Characters: The team ups were done really well cause they compliment and play off each other really well. The dialog is snappy and the growth is earned.

A good little arc that changes things up.

Onward to the next book!

[C.M. Chafin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get through this one, so I almost did four stars. I realized it wasn’t fair though because the reason I paused was you receive the winner halfway through. The next challenge was still a lot of fun!

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less actual cooking and food in this one, but I enjoyed the administrative side of restaurants, and the inspiration and growth of the characters.

[Mendousse · Rating 3 out of 5]

La proclamation du vainqueur et la suite des aventures...

[Marker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este volumen termina con la "stagiere", bueno la primera parte, el desenlace de estás evaluación lo veremos en .siguiente volumen.

[Matan Michaeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume focuses on two events: Fall Classic Final and Stagiaire.

>Fall Classic Final
--Soma's dish proves he may overcome some certain disadvantages with his creativity. However, is it enough to beat both Kurokiba and Hayama. The judges are looking for a "specialty," a dish that brings the chef's face to the eater. Hayama is the one that brings all of his experiences to this one dish.

--The transition between these two arcs is a very nice moment in the series. The three finalists are at Shiomi Seminar reflecting on the final, and tasting the dishes trying to gather as much information as possible.

>Stagiaire
The Stagiaire challenge is an "internship" at a restaurant where students need to make a "visible accomplishment" to pass. We see two sets of Stagiaire challenges: Yukihira and Arato, and Nakiri and Tadokoro.
--Soma and Arato are placed to western cuisine Mitamura. It is a restaurant having trouble serving all the customers between transits. The challenge mainly focuses on Arato's recovery from her failure at the Fall Classic. She fails on the first day due to her lack of experience in real situations, but that is not her specialty (haha there it is again). Arato's strength is in administrative work. She implements infrastructure to help with an reservation-only system.

--Nakiri and Tadokoro are placed in the french restaurant Excellent; it is going to receive its first star. Nakiri immediately makes an impact on the restaurant, but this leaves very little opportunity for Tadokoro. She notices differences in amount of sauce on the dirty plates while she cleans them. She suggests the customers have the choice on the amount of sauce.

[Alpha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election ends and we head into the Stagaire in the 13th volume of Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma. After four to five volumes, a winner in the first major competition for the first years will be decided.

I personally loved that the finale for the Election had a bit of a twist. In the last volume, we learned that both Akiri Hayama and Ryo Kurabasa tied in their semifinals round. Ergo, it would be a triple threat match in the finals. Once again, Soma Yukihira was able to surpass his limit, learn from his flaws, and keep up with the competition in which the main ingredient was a certain fish I cannot recall at the moment. However, we truly find out if he wins or not as he has two opponents to overtake.

After the Election, we lead up to the Stagiare which is another major event for First Years. In it, the students are assigned to various food businesses for a week. Some are in restaurants, some are in food packaging plants, some are in other various companies or corporations as long as they center on food. They have to make a visible impact at said locations.

What I like about this challenge is that the students are now outside of Totsuki Culinary Academy or outside of the Academy in general. The last time that happened was the Kanaage Wars back in Soma Yukihira's hometown. Also, students are often paired so there is the possibility of new relationships forming. I personally love who Megumi Tadakori is paired with. Overall, a good volume worth reading. Also, the Stagaire does come off as a "break" from the intensity of the 43rd Annual Totsuki Autumn Election so it was highly welcomed for me.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fall Classic ends. And a new arc in the story takes place. Those in the top for the Classic are sent to actual restaurants to assist and leave their mark (so to speak). It is a new perspective of a challenge and an interesting one. Plus we get a bit more insight into the other characters. I have mised thoughts on this new arc but overall less thrilled than the last one. Yet the opportunity for characater growth is huge. So time will tell. And I wasn't given any new tempting dishes to try!!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, the end of the Fall Classic, after only like five volumes! All in all though, I found the contest pretty satisfying, and the Stagiaire Challenge is pretty fun so far. But I'm giving this volume five stars just for Ryo Nakama's bonus chapter--IT TOTALLY MADE ME CRY (because it was so hilarious)!!! Seriously, I cried like I cried through Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.

Um, the end.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was more enjoyable than Food Wars has been for a while now, I think the Fall Classic storyline was really dragging and I'm glad to move on to something new. Ryo Nakama's guest take on Food Wars included as a bonus was one of the funniest things I've read in a while.

[Cristhian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gran final al evento de Otoño.

[Rolando Marono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tras recuperarme de la evidente molestia que me ocasionó que guardaran la revelación de quién ganó las elecciones de Otoño por un volumen más.
Este volumen funciona como una introducción para lo siguiente en la saga. La historia no avanza mucho pero nos muestra momentos interesantes de algunos personajes no sólo principales. Me gustó mucho que en este volumen pudimos ver a Soma con otros ojos. El crecimiento del protagonista ha sido el mejor logrado en la serie.
También podemos ver momentos graciosos y valiosos entre Soma y Hisako y entre Erina y Megumi. La siguiente fase de la serie, las prácticas profesionales, se ven interesante como un reto nuevo para los personajes, pero espero que no dure más que un par de volúmenes. La serie se llama Shogukeki por los duelos entre los distintos personajes de la academia, pero hasta este volumen, sólo hemos visto dos shokugekis. Sigo esperando más duelos o ver más estudiantes de los 10 primeros de Totsuki.
El resultado de las elecciones de Otoño se me hizo sorpresivo y coherente. Creo que al final cualquiera de los tres podría ganar y ganó la opción más interesante. Además, esa técnica narrativa en donde los autores nos muestran flashbacks del ganador justo antes de que lo declaren ganador se me hizo emotivo y una buena técnica.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next stage of the school's trial by fire is one that made sense, based on what a chef friend once told me. In this one, students are sent out to work as interns in restaurants, and graded on what they can do in that environment, not just as cooks, but as sources of ideas to improve the restaurant. Think of young Gordon Ramseys in training, but with less profanity...
In this case I was fascinated by the idea that a restaurant may need to figure out how to make a major change, based on changes in its perceived demographics. For instance, a quality sit-down restaurant has become inundated with what amount to really rushed walk-in customers. How should they respond? Also, if your menu is so complicated that the food can't be prepared quickly, what do you do about it? The choices here are not what Gordon might have suggested, but come from the heart of the chef-owner, and might succeed.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the Fall Classic winner announced, the characters move on to their next challenge: an internship-type experience with restaurants ranging from elite to nearly fast food.

I've enjoyed the Fall Classic cooking battles, but that story had spun on too long. It's a breath of fresh air to see Soma and friends switch to 'real life' cooking. This storyline broke my dry spell of three stars and has returned this to four. The only down side: there was not a single cheesy food porn line in the entire volume!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume features the results of the Fall Classic, as well as background about Akira.

The students start their stagiaire requirements -- four weeks working at four different restaurants, with the requirement of making a meaningful contribution at each. Soma works at a western-style restaurant alongside Hisako for a week.

This volume felt less interesting in that Soma spent less time with the usual cast of characters we've come to know and love. Although it was great to see more of Hisako, we don't get much more insight into her background or character.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the Fall Classic competition draws to a close, with a satisfying conclusion. Souma learned a valuable lesson here from the results, and his rivals become friends to hang out with. This volume is well-deserved breather from the intense competitive nature of the last few volumes, as things are slowly set up for the next story arc, which is the Stagiaire - students are placed as "interns" at real restaurants. At the first site, Souma gets paired up with Arata Hisako, Nakiri Erina's aide, and they both learn more about each other.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment ties up the Fall Classic finals and sets Soma on his next adventure - completing a staghaire at Mitamura's Western Cuisine!

Full of lighthearted humor (Megumi's reaction to being paired with Erina is priceless!), this one doesn't disappoint. It has fun real world restaurant problem solving, pesky totsuki academy spies, and opens up Soma's next big character arc - finding his own speciality.

Plus there is some hilariously self aware bonus content at the end that you don't want to miss out on!

[Yukimaru Hatake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desde el volumen 1 hasta el volumen 30, este manga es increíble. No puedo creer la velocidad a la que lo devoré, definitivamente fue un gusto enorme encontrarme con esta historia.

Todos los volúmenes tienen un inicio y un final que te deja con muchas ganas de seguir leyendo y sobre todo, la comida, la historia, los diálogos, todo tiene un sentido y espero que todas esos platillos sean posibles en la vida real.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was upset he lost at first but if he won everything it wouldn't be very entertaining. Plus, he learned from his loss, combining that with the real world experience, he got in the next challenge, and he realized he was going about everything wrong. While he knew what he wanted, he was following his dad instead of trying to be his own person, and I'm excited to see how he will become his own person. Good real, side stories were not bad in this volume as well. It was a healthy balance.