In the end there was nothing Takumi could have done once becoming ensnared in Subaru’s web
Subaru is immensely more dangerous than I had initially expected, it is one thing to research a person and foresee the dish they will make based on that research but it totally another thing to predict their actions under pressure based on their individual characteristics and experiences. For Subaru to be able to entrap Takumi so completely, the ability he has in analysing a person and extrapolating defining features in them enabling him to trace their movements even before the person acts, what a dangerous ability it is which Subaru has cultivated.
It may not be the most appealing and sportsman-like ability, but it is really an intriguing one. Certainly Subaru is talented in his own right. It makes you wonder what Subaru would be capable of if he channeled his abilities through something more productive than breaking down the spirits and dreams of other chefs, but I suppose it is the very desire of wanting to break other people and torment them which drives Subaru to focus on his talents.
What an unnerving character Subaru is, but one with a dangerous ability
Despite Takumi having been following the track within the palm of Subaru’s hand, he did at least put up a serious fight against Subaru given the pressure and limitations he was under – the theme of dessert really did shackle what he was capable of doing. Props need to be given to Takumi for not just lying down and taking it or crumbling under the pressure. Regardless of his loss, he did end up creating a new seasoning – “Lemon Curd Italiano”.
I am still somewhat shocked that Subaru was able to accept that Takumi wouldn’t crumble under the pressure and instead rise-up to the challenge. I guess with the goal of winning on the line, Subaru makes sure no stone is left unturned, including the one which made him foresee Takumi utilising the Aldini olive oil to create ‘Lemon Curd’.
Well done to Takumi for surpassing his old recipe and creating a new seasoning – Lemon Curd Italiano
I am now intrigued to see what the match-ups will be for the next round, I am confident that the match-up of Souma and Subaru is going to take place, but I wonder if that match-up is going to be the climatic one of the competition, or a match-up held in the next round of the Autumn Election. The fact that I personally want to see the match-up between Souma and Akira be the climatic one of this arc has me hoping that Souma will be facing Subaru in the next round with Souma totally crushing Subaru in his 101th match. Souma has yet to beat Akira and with Akira already being comparable to Erina (she has the ‘God’s tongue’ while Akira has an inhuman sense of smell) it seems fitting that two of the Autumn Elections best chefs face off in the final.
It is going to be interesting to see how the Shokugeki match between Subaru and Souma is ignited – will Souma be the one to challenge Subaru, in order to get Takumi’s Mezzaluna back? Having Takumi owe Souma one could also end up reviving the rivalry between the two and lift Takumi’s spirits after this crushing loss. Very much looking forward to the next chapter.
12Dimension 