Original Air Date: May 1st, 2015
After Isshiki reveals himself as the Seventh Seat of the Elite Ten, Soma responds to his challenge with a dish of his own and a challenge for his Seat, which is quickly dismissed, as the others explain to Soma what is needed for an official Cooking Duel, or Shokugeki.
Meanwhile, Erina defeats Kiyoshi Godabayashi, the president of the Chan RS, gaining the rights to demolish their club area.
This episode provides examples of:
- Adaptation Expansion:
- Here, Shun is also given a portion and it clearly shows that he liked it. In the manga, only Ryoko, Yuuki and Isshiki taste Soma’s dish. Shun's reaction or even having a plate was never stated.
- Takes of everyone waking up at the dorms are shown: Yuuki having all her animals waking her up, Megumi greeting her family from the distance, Ryoko's fanservice shot and Marui realizing that the others yet again left his room without cleaning up after themselves.
- Erina's Imagine Spot when tasting Godabayashi's dish is her finishing scuba diving at a beautiful beach only to be interrupted by passing hippopotamus. In the manga, she only tasted it and proceeded to list all the mistakes made in the dish.
- After Erina's Shokugeki, Ikumi waits for her in a hallway and requests Erina to take care of the next club's Shokugeki. In the manga, Ikumi is introduced for the first time when Soma and Megumi also meet the remaining Donburi RS member.
- Butt-Monkey: Right after finding out that the guys trashed his room again, Marui slips with a bottle.
- Cooking Duel: The Shokugeki between Erina and Godabayashi, and the informal cook-off between Isshiki and Souma.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Ikumi makes her fist appearance with dialogue with Erina in this episode. She debuted in the manga when Soma and Megumi are visiting the Don RS.
- Evolving Credits: The rotating dish in the opening changed. For the ending "Spice", the foodgasm reaction is from Isshiki.
- Female Gaze: All the moments provided by Isshiki. First we have his foodgasm scene, where he is also stripped naked from his apron. Then, there's the other scene where he is tearfully shaking hands with Soma after their duel while still on his Naked Apron. The first thing Megumi sees when she wakes up is a full view of his naked butt, before realizing the bizarre scene.
- Glory Days: Just like Yuuki told Soma, Fumio started talking about the old times when most of the residents at the Dorms were members of the Elite Ten.
- I Am Not Left-Handed: Shun confronts Isshiki the next morning, accusing him of holding back against Soma, since he didn't even use his specialty. Isshiki promptly denies this.
- Insistent Terminology: What sets a Shokugeki apart from any cooking challenge are three requirements: Approval from the school staff, an odd number of judges and agreement between the two parties on the conditions of the duel.
- Impossibly Delicious Food:
- Yuuki, Ryoko and Isshiki's reactions to Soma's dish is like blossoming along with the Spring.
- When Godabayashi tasted Erina's entry, he could feel how every bite was like a knock out for him during a sumo wrestling match.
- Male Gaze:
- Ryoko and Yuuki having their respective foodgasms while eating Soma's Onigiri Chazuke, as both are stripped naked while blossoming along with the plants.
- Ryoko still sleeping in a nightgown and stretching a leg.
- Erina's reaction to Godabayashi's dish had her scubadiving at a sunny beach, as she removed her jacket.
- Mood Whiplash: Twice:
- After their spontaneous duel, Soma suddenly asks Isshiki what he needed to do in order to take away an Elite Ten seat. While Isshiki at first gave him a very dark smile, he suddenly flipped the mood started to tearfully say how glad he is for having him as part of the dormitory before postponing the answer.
- The next morning, everyone found Soma sitting in the middle of the dinning hall, waiting for Isshiki to duel him for his Elite Ten Seat... Only for everyone to completely ignore him and proceed to have breakfast.
- Naked People Are Funny: The only thing Megumi sees when she wakes up is Soma shaking hands with a tearful Isshiki, who is naked and his apron so low to his crotch area.
- Red Shirt: The Chanko Nabe Research Society club serves as an example of how Shokugekis work and how much influence Erina has to shut down any club she wants.
