Shokugeki no Souma: San no Sara

Food Wars! The Third Plate

Aired: 2017-10-04

Status: FINISHED

Ratings: 78/100

Genres: Comedy, Ecchi

Tags: Food, Shounen, School, Primarily Teen Cast, Male Protagonist, Educational, Nudity, Tsundere, Tanned Skin, CGI

Total Episodes: 12

Duration: 24 min

Studio: J.C.STAFF

Source: MANGA

Format: TV

Season: FALL

Release Year: 2017

Season No: 1

Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani

Watch:Official Site, Twitter, Crunchyroll, Netflix, Adult Swim, YouTube

Synopsis

The third season of Shokugeki no Souma. At the Moon Festival, Totsuki Academy’s annual gourmet jubilee, students wage fierce culinary war as they try to out-earn their peers by selling the most of their chosen cuisine. Souma Yukihira, however, has his sights set on a grander prize: challenging the Elite Ten, who rule over the academy with iron fists. But Souma might have to put his grand ambitions on hold for the time being, because an insidious scheme to upset the balance of Totsuki Academy has begun to emerge from the shadows… (Source: Sentai Filmworks)

Trailer

Characters

Souma Yukihira

MAIN

Erina Nakiri

MAIN

Megumi Tadokoro

MAIN

Subaru Mimasaka

SUPPORTING

Hisako Arato

SUPPORTING

Isami Aldini

SUPPORTING

Shouji Satou

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Tetsuji Kabutoyama

SUPPORTING

Jun Shiomi

SUPPORTING

Eishi Tsukasa

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Akira Hayama

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Ikumi Mito

SUPPORTING

Terunori Kuga

SUPPORTING

Daigo Aoki

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Lucie Hugo

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Mayumi Kurase

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Rindou Kobayashi

SUPPORTING

Nene Kinokuni

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Shun Ibusaki

SUPPORTING

Miyoko Houjou

SUPPORTING

Fumio Daimidou

SUPPORTING

Aki Koganei

SUPPORTING

Yuuya Tomita

SUPPORTING

Yuuki Yoshino

SUPPORTING

Satoshi Isshiki

SUPPORTING

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate – A Sizzling Continuation of Culinary Chaos

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate (also known as Shokugeki no Soma: San no Sara), the third season of the beloved anime based on the manga by Yūto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki, delivers an electrifying blend of culinary creativity, high-stakes drama, and the signature over-the-top flair that has made the series a standout in the anime world. Produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Yoshitomo Yonetani, this season, which aired from October 4, 2017, to June 25, 2018, spans 24 episodes split into two parts and takes the culinary battles at Tōtsuki Culinary Academy to new heights. With a darker narrative tone, intense cooking showdowns, and deeper character development, Season 3 solidifies Food Wars! as a unique fusion of shonen action and gastronomic artistry.

A Recipe for Revolution: The Plot

The Third Plate picks up where Season 2 left off, following Soma Yukihira, a brash and talented young chef determined to surpass his father’s culinary legacy. Enrolled at Tōtsuki, an elite culinary academy with a brutal 10% graduation rate, Soma faces relentless challenges in the form of “Shokugeki” – high-stakes cooking battles that determine a student’s fate. Season 3 shifts gears, introducing a more complex and politically charged storyline centered around a power struggle within the academy.

The season kicks off with the Moon Festival arc, Tōtsuki’s annual gourmet gala where students compete to earn the most profit through their food stalls. Soma, ever the underdog, seizes the opportunity to challenge Terunori Kuga, the 8th seat of the Elite Ten, the academy’s supreme student council. Soma’s bold move to take on Kuga’s Chinese Cuisine Research Society with his own stall, serving black pepper buns and later Sorta Danzi Noodles, showcases his ingenuity and resilience. However, the arc also highlights the harsh realities of competition, as Soma struggles to match Kuga’s dominance despite his creative dishes. This arc sets the stage for Soma’s growth, emphasizing his ability to learn from setbacks and adapt under pressure.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the introduction of Azami Nakiri, Erina’s authoritarian father, who stages a coup to become Tōtsuki’s new director. Azami’s vision is to reshape the culinary world through the Central Gourmet Institute, a rigid system that prioritizes his definition of “perfect” cuisine and seeks to eliminate independent groups like the Polaris Dormitory. His reforms spark a rebellion among Soma and his allies, who fight to preserve Tōtsuki’s spirit of creativity and individuality. The second half, Tōtsuki Train Arc (Tōtsuki Ressha-hen), dives into the Promotion Exams, where students face off against Elite Ten members in grueling Shokugeki battles, with expulsion on the line for those who fail.

Key moments include Soma’s intense showdown with Akira Hayama, a new Elite Ten member, over bear meat—a challenging ingredient that tests Soma’s resourcefulness. The season also explores Erina’s emotional journey as she confronts her father’s oppressive influence, finding refuge in the Polaris Dormitory with the help of Alice and Hisako. The stakes escalate in the Regimental Shokugeki, a team-based cooking war where the rebels, including Soma, Megumi, and Takumi, face Central’s elite to restore the academy’s freedom.

Ingredients of Success: What Makes Season 3 Stand Out

1. Darker Tone and High Stakes
Unlike the lighter, more playful tone of the first two seasons, The Third Plate introduces a more serious narrative with Azami’s takeover. His authoritarian regime and manipulative control over Erina add a layer of emotional depth, making the culinary battles feel like a fight for survival and freedom. The threat of expulsion and the dissolution of student organizations raise the stakes, transforming Tōtsuki into a battleground where culinary skill is a weapon against oppression.

2. Character Development
Season 3 delves deeper into its characters, particularly Erina Nakiri, whose backstory reveals the trauma inflicted by her father’s harsh training. Her gradual rebellion against Azami, supported by Soma and the Polaris Dorm residents, marks a pivotal arc in her growth from an aloof prodigy to a more empathetic figure. Soma, while still his confident self, learns humility and teamwork, especially during the Regimental Shokugeki. Supporting characters like Megumi Tadokoro and Takumi Aldini also shine, showcasing their growth as chefs and their loyalty to their friends.

3. Culinary Creativity
The series continues to dazzle with its inventive dishes, brought to life through vibrant animation and detailed culinary explanations. From Soma’s bear meat dish to Nene Kinokuni’s soba showdown, the recipes—consulted by chef Yuki Morisaki—are both realistic and inspiring. The show’s signature “foodgasm” reactions, while still present, are balanced with technical insights into cooking techniques, such as the nuances of “ma” and “la” in Chinese cuisine or low-temperature cooking methods.

4. Animation and Soundtrack
J.C.Staff’s animation remains a feast for the eyes, with colorful depictions of dishes and dynamic Shokugeki sequences. The opening themes, “Braver” by Zaq and “Symbol” by Luck Life, capture the season’s intensity, while the ending themes, “Kyokyo Jitsujitsu” by Nano Ripe and “Atria” by Fo’xTails, add emotional resonance. The voice acting, featuring talents like Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Soma) and Risa Taneda (Erina), enhances the emotional and comedic moments.

A Pinch of Critique: What Doesn’t Quite Work

While The Third Plate is widely praised, it’s not without flaws. Some fans have noted that the integration of OVA flashbacks into the season can feel disjointed, leaving viewers who skipped the OVAs confused about certain Elite Ten interactions. Additionally, the pacing in the Moon Festival arc can feel slow at times, with Soma’s struggle against Kuga drawn out over several episodes. The introduction of Azami as a villain, while compelling, occasionally veers into caricature, with his over-the-top schemes bordering on unrealistic for a culinary school setting. Finally, the season’s reliance on familiar shonen tropes—like the underdog hero facing insurmountable odds—may feel repetitive to some viewers.

Cultural Impact and Reception

The Third Plate was a hit among fans and critics, with its blend of culinary artistry and dramatic storytelling resonating widely. Crunchyroll simulcast the series with English subtitles across multiple regions, and Sentai Filmworks released the English dub in 2020, which aired on Adult Swim’s Toonami block starting February 27, 2021. Fans on platforms like Reddit praised the season for its dubbed version, noting its accessibility on Crunchyroll and its emotional impact. The season’s focus on real-world cooking techniques inspired many viewers to try their hand at recipes, while its exploration of themes like individuality versus conformity struck a chord.

Where to Watch

As of 2025, Food Wars! The Third Plate is available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, with options to purchase episodes on Apple TV. For viewers outside regions like Japan or South Korea, a VPN like NordVPN can unlock access on Netflix, where all five seasons are available in select countries. Note that free streaming options are limited, and viewers should be cautious of the show’s ecchi elements, which include suggestive imagery that may not suit all audiences.

The Verdict: A Must-Watch for Foodies and Anime Fans

Food Wars! The Third Plate is a delectable continuation of Soma’s journey, blending heart-pounding Shokugeki battles with a deeper exploration of Tōtsuki’s world. Its darker tone, compelling character arcs, and mouthwatering dishes make it a standout season, despite minor pacing and narrative quirks. For fans of the series, it’s a satisfying third course that sets the table for the climactic battles of Seasons 4 and 5. Whether you’re a foodie inspired by the recipes or an anime fan craving high-stakes drama, The Third Plate serves up a feast worth savoring.

Where to Dig In: Stream on Crunchyroll, purchase on Apple TV, or use a VPN for Netflix access in select regions. Check out the series and let Soma’s culinary rebellion fire up your appetite