Joichiro Yukihira

This page contains spoilers for the Food Wars! anime series.

Season 1 – The First Plate

Episode 1: The Vast Wasteland

Joichiro Yukihira (Jōichirō) is Soma Yukihira’s (Sōma) father, the plucky, valiant hero of the Food Wars! series.

Joichiro Yukihira in Food Wars! The First Plate - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

He is first introduced as the owner of Yukihira Japanese Eatery (Restaurant Yukihira), age 38, right at the cusp of an unofficial Food War with Soma. Located over at Sumire Town’s ‘Sumiredori Shopping District’ (Sumiredōri) in Japan, the duel attracts a large crowd to the Eatery.

Joichiro Yukihira competes against son Soma in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

The premiere instantly throws you into the father/son showdown from the opening bell, utilizing two patrons to informally bring viewers up to speed. The two young locals ponder if Soma will finally be able to defeat his father.

Joichiro Yukihira and Soma's competing fried rice dishes in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Both Joichiro & Soma prepare exquisite, mouthwatering savory fried rice dishes. Their judge?

Mayumi Kurase thrilled to try competing fried rice dishes in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Mayumi Kurase, Soma’s classmate and close friend. Who couldn’t be more thrilled for the honor.

Mayumi Kurase excited to judge unofficial Food War in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

For Mayumi, the taste test makes her feel like the true winner of the competition no matter who’s victorious.

Joichiro Yukihira competes against son Soma, await Mayumi's decision in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Soma grins confidently, believing this will finally be the time his dish manages to defeat his father’s work. In Soma’s world, it’s become the ‘climbing Mount Everest’ of the kitchen. Meanwhile, Mayumi is deep in thought on which fried rice dish should come out on top.

Mayumi Kurase chooses Joichiro Yukihira's fried rice dish as winner in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Mayumi chooses Joichiro’s fried rice dish without much hesitation. However, Mayumi appears guilty about the decision, feeling she hurt Soma. Soon afterwards, Mayumi attempts to comfort him, telling Soma his dish was great too. You can tell Mayumi’s compliment comes from a genuine place and not feel-good platitudes.

Joichiro Yukihira takes the win against son Soma in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Joichiro raises his arm in victory, eyes closed nonchalantly, like a boxer emerging the winner with a TKO in the first round. Soma tries to play down the loss, telling his father he won this time.

Joichiro Yukihira brags about defeating Soma almost 500 times in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Neither shy or overly humble, Joichiro takes great pleasure in bragging that he now has 500 wins against him. Just to throw some salt in for the laughs.

Soma Yukihira tells father Joichiro he's 'only' lost 489 times against him in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Soma responds that it’s just “489 losses!” Doing essentially nothing to hurt the credibility of father Joichiro’s brag.

Soma Yukihira introduction post-Food War loss with father Joichiro in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Soma sits post-loss temporarily deflated, as an introduction graphic is shown to viewers. He’s still but a third-year student in middle school at age 15 going up against a potential master-cook.

Joichiro Yukihira talks to Soma in Food Wars! The First Plate - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Though Joichiro obviously enjoys the humor & bragging rights of the situation, you can tell he is simultaneously an encouraging father to Soma. Rather, then letting his son just have a win, Joichiro wants Soma to continue working hard and reach his maximum potential as a chef… With a friendly reminder to Soma that he’s still never beating him in the kitchen!

Joichiro Yukihira looks proudly at son Soma taking care of Restaurant Yukihira, side view in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Joichiro arrives at Yukihira Japanese Eatery (Restaurant Yukihira) to find Soma cleaning some corporate-based vandalism off the Eatery’s logo.

Joichiro Yukihira looks proudly at son Soma cleaning vandalism at Restaurant Yukihira in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

You can tell Joichiro is swelling up with pride in his eyes, watching his son take 110% care of his establishment in his absence. Maintaining the Yukihira name and business on his own without any pushing or prodding from his father to do so.

Soma Yukihira cleans Restaurant Yukihira when father Joichiro arrives in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Joichiro interrupts his young cub for an important 1-on-1 meeting about the restaurant’s future, catching Soma completely off-guard.

Joichiro Yukihira tells son Soma that he's leaving for a while in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

In a shocking moment for Soma, Joichiro tells his son Yukihira Japanese Eatery (Restaurant Yukihira) is closing its doors for the time being… And that he’ll be taking an extended leave of absence. Soma had just placed all his efforts to protect the restaurant from the corporate vulture, business interests of one Yaeko Minegasaki.

Joichiro Yukihira tells son Soma that Restaurant Yukihira is temporarily closing in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Joichiro would then drop the biggest bombshell of the day on Soma, not only would he be leaving… But Soma would be as well. Feeling it’s time for Soma to spread his wings and master the craft outside the restaurant.

Joichiro & Soma Yukihira in Food Wars! The First Plate - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Soma was beside himself, trying to contemplate a daily life without the restaurant at center focus. Joichiro would get serious, telling young Soma about Totsuki Culinary Academy (Tōtsuki), where the world’s best would guide him. How Soma’s future lies beyond these walls, and his hometown.

Joichiro Yukihira gives son Soma a packet for Totsuki Culinary Academy in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Joichiro handed Soma a Totsuki Culinary Academy packet, giving him a glimpse of the pages that will define the next years of his life. A landmark moment.

Soma reflects about not truly knowing his father Joichiro Yukihira in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

As Soma headed towards Totsuki, he would reflect on never really getting to know his father Joichiro’s outside of the kitchen.

Soma reflects about his father Joichiro Yukihira's unknown past in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Soma lamented never learning about his father’s past at this major life turning point. He never heard much about what his father did prior to the restaurant, what kind of life he led. Now, Joichiro would be walking away from it all, everything put on hold. Yukihira Japanese Eatery (Restaurant Yukihira) caught in a snow globe stasis, self-evicted.

Joichiro Yukihira calls son Soma to wish him luck at Totsuki Culinary Academy in Food Wars! 'The First Plate' English Dub - Season 1 Episode 1 - "The Vast Wasteland" - Screenshot Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV Premium's HIDIVE Channel

Photo Credit: Sentai Filmworks via VRV & HIDIVE

Joichiro would check-in with Soma, giving him a call during Soma’s trek down memory lane. He wished Soma the best in Japan’s world renowned, greatest culinary school. Where the elite advance and those that falter against their peers are sent home, expelled. Survival of the fittest in the halls of Totsuki Culinary Academy.

 

Joichiro Yukihira Debut Time: 00:41

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Joichiro Yukihira Episode List

wdt_ID Episode # Episode Title Season Dub Air Date Appears
1 Food-Wars-Season-1-Episode-1-The-First-Plate-Opening-Icon-1.jpg The Vast Wasteland The First Plate (#1) July 6, 2019 Yes

* Episode list is in-progress, Joichiro Yukihira appears in all five seasons of Food Wars!

Joichiro Yukihira Photo Stills

Food Wars! English Dub Database: Characters

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Be sure to read:

Food Wars! Season 3 Episode 7 Dub Review: Central vs State Allegory
Food Wars! The Third Plate – English Dub Episode 7: Watch online stream
Anime NYC 2019: ‘Food Wars!’ Screening packs house
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma Episode 5 preview – The Ice Queen and the Spring Storm

 

Regarding Food Wars! Art / Show Screenshots: The Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma Anime was originally made by J.C.Staff and licensed by Sentai Filmworks in the U.S. The Food Wars! The Anime is based on the words illustrated in the manga by Shun Saeki and written by Yūto Tsukuda. Published by Shueisha in Japan and VIZ Media stateside.

 

Check out The Natural Aristocrat’s entire Food Wars! English Dub Database (in-progress) and Food Wars! articles category section!