It’s time for another batch of original Ryouri no Tetsujin episodes. Tonight’s post includes the final three episodes of season 1 and the first episode of what I call season 2. (Why not 8-10? Well, I imagine most of you have already seen the Food Network version of episode 10, and I wanted to give everyone three “new” episodes to watch as I have done with the other original episodes.)
Ryouri no Tetsujin 108 – The challenger’s brother was defeated by Michiba less than one month earlier. Now, Shu Tomitoku comes to challenge the Iron Chef. (I think he says he wants to have a very entertaining battle.) The Chairman says, “Your younger brother lost to Michiba. And now, who do you want to fight?” With his younger brother Shu Tomiteru urging him on, Shu Tomitoku chooses Rokusaburo Michiba. (Keep an eye out for a very young looking Shinichiro Ohta interviewing the younger brother.)
Ryouri no Tetsujin 109 – Chairman Kaga knows that Christmas is coming soon and he is looking forward to many special treats. He is excited to have the first dessert battle in Kitchen Stadium. It’s a very entertaining battle with creative desserts from both chefs.
Ryouri no Tetsujin 110 – For many years, this was the only first season episode most Iron Chef fans outside of Japan had ever seen. (And it was the only one most of us expected ever to see.) It is another Christmas battle featuring Ishinabe. This time, he takes on French MOF winner Jacques Borie in a chicken battle. Since Food Network had to stretch this original 30-minute episode into one hour, we see more of the tasting and comments in the dubbed version than we do in this original. (The cooking portions almost lined up shot for shot.)
Ryouri no Tetsujin 201 – The first episode of the second season of Ryouri no Tetsujin. It’s the first battle of the new year. (The Japanese text at the beginning is the date: January 9, 1994.) Shu Tomitoku is back to take on Michiba once again in the first rematch battle in Kitchen Stadium. The challenger tells Chairman Kaga he doesn’t need to see all three Iron Chefs. Michiba alone is enough.