Food Wars: The Many Mysteries of Jichir Saiba

Highlights

Sōma and Jōichirō Yukihira share a deep love for food and each other, showcased through their competitive culinary challenges at their family diner.
Jōichirō’s mysterious past at the prestigious Tōtsuki Academy as a prodigy chef sheds light on his laid-back demeanor and impressive culinary skills.
Jōichirō’s mentorship extends to a second apprentice, Asahi Saiba, whose jealousy and ambition set the stage for a culinary showdown at Tōtsuki Academy.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary journey of Joichiro Yukihira, a man whose raw talent and determination transformed him into a world-renowned chef. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of finding one’s true calling.

In episode one of “Food Wars!”, I was thrilled to see the heartwarming dynamics of the Yukihira family. As a fan, I felt like I was right there with Sōma as he went head-to-head in a cook-off with his beloved father Jōichirō at their cozy diner. Their bond was evident; they shared an unmatched passion for food and each other, constantly experimenting with new dishes in the kitchen. But then, suddenly, Jōichirō vanished without a trace and left Sōma with a shocking revelation: he had enrolled his son at Tōtsuki Academy, an esteemed culinary school that grooms future chefs, entrepreneurs, and business-owners. While we followed Sōma’s struggle to adapt to this rigorous new world far removed from the unstructured cooking style of their diner, I couldn’t help but remember that it was his father who had instilled in him those exceptional skills.

Who is Jōichirō Saiba?

Food Wars: The Many Mysteries of Jichir Saiba

Sōma has a deeply bonded and dynamic relationship with his father, Jōichirō, which revolves around their shared passion for food. They operate “Restaurant Yukihira” as a team and have cultivated a warm and welcoming ambiance there. Their ongoing cooking contests are a cherished custom at the diner, reflecting the intensity of their connection. Jōichirō is an engaging and dedicated mentor to Sōma, and his enthusiasm for culinary arts is clearly inherited by his son.

Unfortunately, when Sōma was twelve, his mother passed away due to an illness, leaving Jōichirō a widower. To help lift his father’s spirits during this sorrowful period, young Sōma turned to something that brought joy to all three of them: engaging in fierce food battles. Sōma initiated these competitions and, through their shared passion for food, they found solace and strength to carry on. Even now, food continues to be the bond that unites them.

I’ve always wondered what Jōichirō went through before I came into the picture. With a heart full of apprehension, I understood his decision to keep his past hidden from me. He had embarked on numerous adventures and faced challenging life choices long before my birth.

Cooking School Dropout

It’s unexpected that Jōichirō, who once studied at Tōtsuki Academy known for its refined culinary arts, now manages a casual diner like “Restaurant Yukihira”. This comes as a surprise even to Sōma, considering the prestigious background of the academy.

I was astonished by Jōichirō’s cooking skills; he effortlessly aced almost every task and test. His exceptional talent granted him a place in the renowned Polar Star dormitory, home to the school’s most accomplished chefs. Unbeknownst to me, my idolized Jōichirō was once among this esteemed group – including my very own father before him.

He earned a formidable reputation as a skilled and intense chef, winning an impressive 84% of the food battles alongside his longtime friend and rival, Gin Dōjima. Now holding the position of Head Chef at Tōtsuki Resort and a member of its Board of Directors, Gin was once a fierce competitor in their mutual quest for culinary excellence. Their friendly yet competitive dynamic saw them both advancing to the final round of the Autumn Selection competition. This camaraderie granted them esteemed seats on the Tōtsuki Council of Ten, with Gin securing the sixth position and Jōichirō the seventh.

From a young age, Jōichirō took things easy and didn’t put much effort into school or his role on the Council. He effortlessly defeated numerous opponents in food battles. However, as the BLUE competition approached, Jōichiró started to exhibit signs of weariness. The stress of excelling at school and the expectation to perform well in BLUE were too much for him, leading him to miss out on the competition. Principal Senzaemon Nakiri recognized Jōichirō’s predicament and suggested that he leave Tōtsuki Academy and explore the world beyond Japan. Taking the principal’s advice, Jōichirō departed from the prestigious Tōtsuki Academy.

Jōichirō finds his passion

According to Senzaemon’s recommendation, Jōichirō departed from Japan in pursuit of his dreams. He journeyed extensively across the world, absorbing knowledge about local ingredients and culinary methods by working in numerous kitchens. At Tōtsuki, it was clear that Jōichiró had a remarkable gift for cooking. Consequently, his chef skills gained international recognition. However, despite his renowned reputation and experience, Jōichirō remained uncertain if he had truly discovered his dream yet.

In due course, he journeyed back to Japan and serendipitously discovered a quaint eatery named “Yukihira Restaurant.” Repulsed by the Chef’s Special he ordered there, he later found out that the chef, none other than Tamako Yukihira, was the owner’s daughter and eventually became his wife. Offered a position at this establishment, he and Tamako bonded over her heartfelt dedication to delighting customers with her culinary creations. It turned out that Jōichirō had been searching the world for this very passion. Unbeknownst to him, it had been under his roof all along. They tied the knot when he was 23 years old. Adopting her surname, they welcomed a son named Sōma shortly thereafter.

Jōichirō enhanced the diner’s menu by fusing his global knowledge and culinary skills. Despite his ongoing travels for work and dealings with numerous international clients, he remained dedicated to returning home to his loved ones.

Asahi – Jōichirō’s second apprentice

Without Sōma’s knowledge, he wasn’t the only apprentice his father, Jōichirō, was mentoring. At a charity function in the U.S., Jōichirō showed off his culinary skills at an orphanage. There, he encountered a remarkable seven-year-old boy named Asahi, who displayed a natural talent for cooking. Touched by this, Jōichirō decided to instruct him further in the art of cooking. During each trip to America, he made it a point to visit Asahi and continue his education. Eventually, they adopted the same last name, Saiba, as Jōichirō regarded the boy as his own child-like protégé.

I was deeply saddened when Tamako passed away and Jōichirō decided to stop traveling to devote his time to raising Sōma and dealing with his grief. This situation left fifteen-year-old Asahi feeling envious as he longed to be in Jōichirō’s place as his son. With the kitchen knife that Jōichirō had left him, Asahi rose up as a hidden culinary talent, armed with Jōichirō’s precious teachings. Determined to make my mark, I set out for Tōtsuki Academy to confront Erina Nakiri and claim the leadership of the esteemed institution.

Erina Nakiri’s secret motivation

Jōichiriro is known for making lasting impacts; be it among his schoolmates or renowned figures in the global culinary world. Surprisingly, this was also true for Erina Nakiri during her formative years.

When I was just a little girl, Senzaemon and Jōichirō held a meeting at the Nakiri residence. They asked me to go up to my room while they discussed important matters. However, my tummy rumbled with hunger. Seeing this, the kind-hearted Jōichirō prepared a dish for me on the spot. From the very first bite, I was captivated by his cooking abilities and demeanor. Given that I possess the God Tongue, I knew exactly what an exceptional dish should taste like. This encounter ignited my passion to cook, and I asked Jōichirō if he would one day try a dish I prepared myself. He wisely advised me to first hone my skills into becoming a great chef beforehand.

Erina was firmly resolved to reach this milestone in her culinary career, as it would serve as a significant accomplishment for her personally as a chef. She left an empty table at her restaurant each day during the Moon Banquet Festival, just in case he might visit. A cherished photograph of them together as children was kept nearby, serving as a constant inspiration and reminder of her culinary hero. It’s ironic that Jōichirō is Erina’s idol as a chef, considering that up until now, his son Sōma had been her primary competition at school.

2024-07-18 03:34