Anime NYC 2019: ‘Food Wars!’ Screening packs house

Food Wars! fans at Anime NYC 2019 lined up three hours early for Crunchyroll’s Screening of Episodes 6 and 1 of ‘The Fourth Plate’ last Saturday, November 16.

Anime NYC attendees were already lining up as early as 6 p.m. for an advertised 9  p.m. screening of Food Wars! ‘The Fourth Plate’ Episodes 6 and 7 (ended up being 1). Crunchyroll handed out a poster of Nakiri cousins Erina and Alice to tide fans over. The crowd appeared quite delighted with the poster’s ‘fan service’ as a thank you for their patience and support.

Food Wars! The Fourth Plate Poster given before Screening at Anime NYC 2019 on Saturday, November 16, 2019

Some fans played back earlier episodes on their phones in anticipation of the Screening. Others discussed the series itself, happy to be among their own, as doors to the screening finally swung open.

At first, a representative for Crunchyroll announced that due to licensing issues over Episode 7 still officially airing next week… They’d show Episodes 1 and 2 instead of 6 and 7. This prompted some disappointed fans to walk out of the full house, despite having waited for hours. They were instantly replaced within seconds! As hungry fans who didn’t make the original cut into the screening, were let in to take their place. 

Crunchyroll then decided to play Episode 6 after all! Much to the surprise of Food Wars! fans who’d stayed regardless of the Episode # playing. As one attendee commented, “It was all a test to separate the nonbelievers!” Truly in Sōma Yukihira fashion.

Food Wars! Screening (Episode 1 of ‘The Fourth Plate’) by Crunchyroll at Anime NYC 2019 on Saturday, November 16, 2019 – Photo Credit: Nir Regev

The lights flicked back on after Episode 6 and the Crunchyroll representative made a statement that they still can’t show Episode 7 unfortunately. So that would be it, unless fans wanted to see the first episode of The Fourth Plate. Food Wars! fans cheered that option on, and so Episode 1 was shown. If it wasn’t for time constraints of Javits Center closing… Attendees would have happily stayed for Episode 2 as well. No doubt the truly hardcore, passionate audience just desired to enjoy an evening of Food Wars! with fellow fans. Whether it was an episode they’d seen before or not.

Food Wars! The Fourth Plate Crunchyroll Screening – Fans watch at Anime NYC 2019 on Saturday, November 16, 2019 – Photo Credit: Nir Regev

The show’s popularity in the Western market, which has seen an additional boost in the states recently by airing on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block, is clearly as fervent as ever. It’s growing by the day, and at this rate, it won’t be long before Food Wars! possibly fills up the Hulu Theater at MSG next Comic Con for the Dub edition. 

Catch the latest Food Wars! subbed episodes over at Crunchyroll as they premiere in Japan.