This volume is impossible to talk about. I mean I could, but it would be spoiled for you from the get go as it concludes the battle between Soma and Subaru that technically began in volume 10. How could I possibly ruin the experience of a Shokugeki in which Soma’s blade and livelihood as a chef is on the line? I can’t. I won’t. It’s spectacular. You’ll never be able to figure out what Soma’s up to in order to beat the perfect tracer and that’s why it’s so damn good. The second battle of the book is between Ryo and Akira and it’s okay. Frankly I don’t personally care about either character. I don’t enjoy the series when it’s shifts it’s focus on to the other characters too much, not unless they’re Soma’s current opponent. Their battle is important to the overall story which is why I liked it because it sets the stage for the final showdown of the spring final. Again, I don’t want to ruin anything because even the outcome of this battle would potentially ruin the outcome of Soma’s battle.

It kind of blows my mind that people like the other characters of this manga. In thinking about, I guess it’s a bit like liking Vegeta on DBZ. Even though that didn’t happen until after Goku had beaten him, but whatever. I’m just a huge fan of Soma and his supporting cast.

The writing is as strong as ever in this volume. I mean that battle is amazing and nothing like anything else the series has done up until this point making you wonder just how the hell they can top it going forward. Really how the hell are the creators going to continue topping themselves over and over and over? This series continues to be everything a shonen should be, but without being generic. I know it’s not the only food manga, but it is the only one to bring me into the world so inclusively and be immersive in a way that I can’t even thumb through the book without being sucked in again. True story, I got side tracked re-reading this volume while looking for details for this review. Read the entire thing for a second time.

I think the reason so many readers like myself enjoy manga is because the art is fantastic. I wish that every American comic I picked up had amazing art, but there’s so much bad art out there. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy different styles to art which is where the American market greatly differs, but if I pick up one of the big three’s books I should see impressive art each time and that’s not a guarantee. When I pick up a manga, even if I don’t like the story the art is usually impressive. When you pick up a great manga like Food Wars, the art is flawless. I have no criticism for the art on Food Wars, just that I wish there was more and love the visual gags that this volume has.

I know that this is a short review for a book that’s almost two hundred pages, but it’s one of those volumes that shouldn’t be spoiled. It’s fantastic in its storytelling, its creativeness and how it maintains its character evolution from beginning to end; but most importantly every bit deserving of your time.

[button btn_url="" btn_color="primary" btn_size="large" btn_style="default" btn_outlined="no" link_target="blank" link_rel="" icon_left="" icon_right=""]Score: 5/5[/button]

Food Wars! Vol. 11 Original Creator: Yuto Tsukuda Artist: Shun Saeki Contributor: Yuki Morisaki Publisher: Viz/Shonen Jump Manga Price: $9.99 Release Date: 4/5/16 Format: TPB; Print/Digital