Food Wars! The Fourth Plate [Season 4 Episode 1 to Episode 12]

“Food Wars! The Fourth Plate” – A Season of High Stakes and Mixed Reactions

When Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma first burst onto the scene, it was a breath of fresh air—literally. The over-the-top foodgasms, the intense culinary battles, and the lovable underdog protagonist, Souma Yukihira, made it an instant hit. But by its fourth season, The Fourth Plate, the show seemed to be walking a tightrope between maintaining its signature charm and succumbing to formulaic repetition.

Produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Yoshitomo Yonetani, The Fourth Plate aired from October to December 2019, continuing the Régiment de Cuisine arc—an eight-on-eight showdown between Central (led by the tyrannical Azami Nakiri) and the rebel forces (spearheaded by Souma and Erina). The season promised high-stakes battles, character growth, and, of course, plenty of mouth-watering dishes. But did it deliver?

The Good: Hype, Nostalgia, and Character Moments

One thing fans universally praised was the soundtrack. As one Reddit user put it, “The OST this season is so freakin’ hype! It feels like it belongs in a battle shounen!” The music amplified the tension of each duel, making even the most predictable outcomes feel thrilling.

Another highlight was the focus on side characters, particularly Isshiki Satoshi. His battle against Tsukasa Eishi, the first seat of the Elite Ten, was a standout moment. Fans loved the flashback between Isshiki and Nene Kinokuni, calling it “almost like a confession” and “a sweet, unexpected moment that gave depth to their rivalry.” The emotional weight of their past added layers to what could have been just another cooking showdown.

And then there were the foodgasms. Love them or hate them, they’re a staple of Food Wars!, and this season didn’t hold back. The introduction of new judges—Decora and Courage—brought even more exaggerated reactions, though opinions were split on whether this was a welcome addition or just excessive fanservice.

The Bad: Predictability and Pacing Woes

Not everyone was sold on The Fourth Plate. A common complaint was the pacing. As one MyAnimeList user grumbled, “This season is just so boring. Sometimes two episodes just for one damn battle to be over? This one took three.” The Régiment de Cuisine arc, while epic in scope, dragged for some viewers, especially when outcomes felt preordained.

Takumi Aldini’s loss to Rindou Kobayashi, for example, was “predictable from the start,” as one fan noted. While Rindou’s dish was undeniably impressive (and her character design as flamboyant as ever), the lack of suspense in certain matchups left some feeling underwhelmed.

The introduction of Azami as a judge also stirred controversy. Some fans appreciated the shake-up, while others felt it was a cheap way to inject drama. “Bringing in a totally partial judge and hyping up Isshiki just for him to lose? This episode was empty,” one frustrated viewer wrote.

The Ugly: Fanservice Overload?

Ah, the eternal debate: does Food Wars! rely too much on fanservice? The new judges, Decora and Courage, were polarizing. Some fans adored their over-the-top reactions and “lewd culinary critiques,” while others rolled their eyes. “The only reason they added two new female judges was so the author could draw more lingerie scenes,” one user quipped.

Even Anne, the original WGO judge, wasn’t spared from the fanservice treatment. Her transformation into “bunny Anne” had some fans laughing, others cringing. But hey, if you’re here for the foodgasms, you got them in spades.

Final Verdict: A Feast with Some Stale Ingredients

Food Wars! The Fourth Plate is a mixed bag. It delivers on hype, nostalgia, and emotional character moments, but stumbles with pacing issues and repetitive battles. The season’s strongest episodes—like Isshiki’s showdown with Tsukasa—remind us why we fell in love with the series. But the weaker moments highlight the pitfalls of stretching a single arc too thin.

As one fan perfectly summarized: “Strong start, okay mid, disastrous ending.” While The Fourth Plate isn’t the series at its peak, it’s still a fun ride—especially if you’re here for the food, the fights, and the occasional absurdity.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go rewatch Isshiki’s battle and pretend he won. (We all know he should have.)