Shokugeki no Souma: Shin no Sara

Food Wars! The Fourth Plate

Aired: 2019-10-12

Status: FINISHED

Ratings: 76/100

Genres: Comedy, Ecchi

Tags: Food, Shounen, Educational, School, Male Protagonist, Nudity, Female Protagonist, Tsundere, Time Skip

Total Episodes: 12

Duration: 24 min

Studio: J.C.STAFF

Source: MANGA

Format: TV

Season: FALL

Release Year: 2019

Season No: 1

Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani

Watch:Twitter, Official Site, Crunchyroll, Netflix, iQ, Crunchyroll, YouTube

Synopsis

The fourth season of Shokugeki no Souma. The ultimate Regimental Food War continues as the culinary rebels led by Souma and the members of Kyokusei square off against epicurean elitist Azami and the Toutsuki Ten. At stake – the future of dining across Japan. Because if the rebels fail, Azami intends to impose his own tastes and techniques on the entire restaurant industry! But the fine dining control freak has made a serious mistake in threatening the futures of Souma’s friends and family, as while the rebels may seem less experienced overall, this is ultimately a clash of skill, dedication, and, most of all, taste. That may be a recipe for disaster for the seasoned veterans! (Source: Sentai Filmworks)

Trailer

Characters

Souma Yukihira

MAIN

Erina Nakiri

MAIN

Satoshi Isshiki

SUPPORTING

Saitou Soumei

SUPPORTING

Shun Ibusaki

SUPPORTING

Momo Akanegakubo

SUPPORTING

Terunori Kuga

SUPPORTING

Ryou Kurokiba

SUPPORTING

Courage

SUPPORTING

Megumi Tadokoro

SUPPORTING

Ryouko Sakaki

SUPPORTING

Yuuki Yoshino

SUPPORTING

Decora

SUPPORTING

Jouichirou Yukihira

SUPPORTING

Zenji Marui

SUPPORTING

Histoire

SUPPORTING

Eishi Tsukasa

SUPPORTING

Nene Kinokuni

SUPPORTING

Koujirou Shinomiya

SUPPORTING

Rindou Kobayashi

SUPPORTING

Alice Nakiri

SUPPORTING

Shouji Satou

SUPPORTING

Senzaemon Nakiri

SUPPORTING

Azami Nakiri

SUPPORTING

Eizan Etsuya

SUPPORTING

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma Season 4: A Sizzling Culinary Showdown

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma Season 4, also known as Shokugeki no Soma: The Fourth Plate (Shin no Sara), is a high-stakes continuation of the beloved anime series based on the manga by Yuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki. Premiering in Japan on October 11, 2019, and running for 12 episodes until December 27, 2019, this season delivers intense culinary battles, character growth, and mouthwatering dishes that keep fans hooked. Produced by J.C. Staff, Season 4 dives deeper into the Totsuki Culinary Academy’s elite world, focusing on the Regiment de Cuisine arc, where Soma Yukihira and his allies face their toughest challenge yet.

Plot Overview

Season 4 picks up after the Central regime, led by the manipulative Azami Nakiri, takes control of Totsuki Academy, imposing strict culinary rules that stifle creativity. Soma Yukihira, Erina Nakiri, and their rebel allies challenge Central in a Regiment de Cuisine—a team-based cooking battle to overthrow Azami’s tyranny and restore Totsuki’s freedom. This arc is a culinary war, with each episode showcasing high-pressure Shokugeki (food wars) where the rebels must outcook Central’s Elite Ten to survive.

The season follows Soma and his team, including Megumi Tadokoro, Takumi Aldini, and Erina, as they face off against the new Elite Ten members loyal to Azami. Each battle tests their skills, teamwork, and ability to innovate under pressure. The stakes are sky-high: losing means expulsion from Totsuki and the end of their dreams. As the rebels climb the ranks, the season explores Erina’s complex relationship with her father, Azami, and her growth as a chef and leader.

Key Highlights

1. Epic Culinary Battles: The Regiment de Cuisine is the season’s backbone, with each episode featuring intense Shokugeki. The dishes are as creative as ever, ranging from molecular gastronomy to traditional Japanese cuisine. Animators vividly bring recipes to life, making viewers hungry for dishes like Soma’s Hainanese Chicken Rice or Erina’s Le Plat Véritable. The judges’ exaggerated reactions—complete with the series’ signature “foodgasm” moments—add humor and flair.
2. Character Development: Season 4 shines in fleshing out its cast. Soma remains the fearless underdog, but Erina steals the spotlight as she confronts her traumatic past with Azami and embraces her role as a rebel leader. Supporting characters like Megumi and Takumi also get moments to shine, proving their growth as chefs. The season balances action with emotional depth, especially in Erina’s arc, which resonates with themes of independence and self-discovery.
3. Animation and Soundtrack: J.C. Staff’s animation, while occasionally criticized for inconsistent quality compared to earlier seasons, still delivers vibrant food visuals and dynamic battle sequences. The opening theme, “Chronos” by Stereo Dive Foundation, and the ending, “Emblem” by Nano, capture the season’s intensity and emotion. The voice cast, including Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Soma) and Hisako Kanemoto (Erina), brings passion to every showdown.
4. Themes of Freedom vs. Control: At its core, Season 4 is about culinary freedom. Azami’s vision of “perfect” cuisine clashes with Soma’s belief in individuality and experimentation. This ideological battle elevates the stakes beyond cooking, making each Shokugeki a fight for Totsuki’s soul.

Reception and Critique

Season 4 received mixed but generally positive reviews. Fans praised the thrilling Regiment de Cuisine arc, which many consider a highlight of the manga, and the focus on Erina’s character. The season’s pacing, covering chapters 206–263 of the manga, keeps the momentum high, with each episode packed with tension and surprises. However, some viewers noted that the animation quality dipped at times, with less detailed food visuals compared to Seasons 1 and 2. The rushed pacing toward the finale also left a few plot points unresolved, setting the stage for Season 5.

Critics on platforms like MyAnimeList (where the season scores around 7.8/10) and Reddit highlighted the season’s ability to balance humor, drama, and cooking. Posts on X echoed this, with fans raving about iconic moments like Soma’s final dish against Elite Ten member Eishi Tsukasa. However, some expressed disappointment over the condensed adaptation, wishing for more episodes to flesh out side characters.

Impact and Legacy

Food Wars! Season 4 keeps the series’ reputation as a standout in the shonen and cooking genres. Its blend of over-the-top battles, relatable characters, and drool-worthy food continues to inspire fans to try recipes in real life (many shared on X and cooking blogs). The season sets up the final arc in Season 5 (The Fifth Plate), leaving viewers eager for the rebels’ ultimate fate.

For newcomers, Season 4 might feel overwhelming without prior context, but it rewards longtime fans with payoffs for character arcs built over three seasons. It’s a testament to the series’ ability to make cooking as thrilling as any battle anime.

Where to Watch

As of June 25, 2025, Food Wars! Season 4 is available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix (availability varies by region). English dubbed and subbed versions are accessible, catering to a global audience.

Final Verdict

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fourth Plate is a deliciously intense chapter in Soma’s journey, serving up a feast of culinary creativity and emotional stakes. Despite minor flaws in animation and pacing, its gripping battles and character growth make it a must-watch for fans. Whether you’re here for the food, the fights, or Erina’s redemption, Season 4 proves that Totsuki’s kitchen is hotter than ever.

Bon appétit!