Oishinbo - Vol. 32 Ch. 298 - Revisited: The Tofu Showdown (Part 3)

[MangaDex]

 

[Mugiwara325]

And so, the redone tofu showdown has completed.
Personally, I found this showdown rather dissatisfying. But I worry that I'm going to come off a bit ranty so I'll put my full thoughts in a spoiler, for easy skipping.

Spoiler: Full Thoughts

First off, when Yamaoka suggested this new tofu showdown, his phrasing made it seem like the showdown would focus on tofu dishes rather than tofu-making. I thought that was a valid and interesting avenue to explore, and as Kaibara displays here, it's what most people should be led to believe.
But the final showdown has both sides presenting the same dishes, so it essentially came down to the tofu-making again. Kariya must know this, he knew exactly what the final result would be and crafted an excuse for tofu to be revisited as a theme. The science was cool, sure, but there was an expectation set that could not be met.

It's such a shame too. This is the first time Kaibara has internally admitted defeat to Yamaoka (after his ascension to prophethood at least), and that would've been a big character event, if not for the weird rug-pulling. I want to see Kaibara getting cornered more often, especially by Yamaoka's hand.

The handling of this showdown was actually a sign to me, that Kariya doesn't really want to write a 'battle series'. The final outcome of each showdown is largely negligible. What's important is what lessons are taught during the showdown. We have seen bits and bites of this in previous showdowns, but it was here that it really sank its teeth into me. And indeed, future showdowns will start to lean more pretentious in what foods are presented and the messaging behind them. This is...not the most appealing change in direction, but it's also not the worst.

Oh well. Something's gonna have to be my least favorite showdown. This isn't the one, but it's pretty close.

 

[Sprocket]

1) lol nice touch with the last Gourmet Notes page

2) As an American that grew up with the Dandy, the Beano, Topper, Big, Whizzer & Chips, Wicked and who knows how many other comics, as well as gaming mags like Sega Zone & Mean Machines, I really enjoy seeing a truly British translation: I haven't seen someone call someone a 'rotter' in decades...

 

[Mugiwara325]

1) lol nice touch with the last Gourmet Notes page

2) As an American that grew up with the Dandy, the Beano, Topper, Big, Whizzer & Chips, Wicked and who knows how many other comics, as well as gaming mags like Sega Zone & Mean Machines, I really enjoy seeing a truly British translation: I haven't seen someone call someone a 'rotter' in decades...

I'm glad you're enjoying it! I honestly hadn't realized my English was that noticeably British, but I suppose it makes sense. I work in Singapore, whose corporate English borrows largely from the British. It's probably subconsciously seeping into my scripts.

 

[tamarakko]

That's a cute Kaibara drawing

 

[Babymech2]

I'm glad you're enjoying it! I honestly hadn't realized my English was that noticeably British, but I suppose it makes sense. I work in Singapore, whose corporate English borrows largely from the British. It's probably subconsciously seeping into my scripts.

It came across pretty clearly in the chapters where the Japanese cooking was described several times as 'homely'...

 

[keatsta]

Definitely an underwhelming finale to this showdown. Weird to have the plot be around characters disagreeing on what the actual goal of the showdown is, when you could just... not do that.

 

[Sprocket]

It came across pretty clearly in the chapters where the Japanese cooking was described several times as 'homely'...

That, and unless I'm remembering wrong, they've been using other regions in the UK to localize some of the many different Japanese dialects: I'm pretty sure one character was using a Welsh accent?

 

[Mugiwara325]

It came across pretty clearly in the chapters where the Japanese cooking was described several times as 'homely'...

Huh. Now that's a surprise.
Out of curiosity, how would homely food be described in America? Say for example, a ______ plate of biscuits and gravy?

 

[crescentsaber]

That's a cute Kaibara drawing

came here to say the same thing 😎

 

[friendly]

Huh. Now that's a surprise.
Out of curiosity, how would homely food be described in America? Say for example, a ______ plate of biscuits and gravy?

At least where I'm from. you'd call it 'a home cooked plate of biscuits and gravy', or alternately 'humble'. I think for the same effect, probably 'home cooked' is closer.

 

[Babymech2]

Huh. Now that's a surprise.
Out of curiosity, how would homely food be described in America? Say for example, a ______ plate of biscuits and gravy?

I'd guess it depends a little - comfort food, down home food, home cooking, traditional or simple or rustic food...