Post by Sanji Himura on Oct 26, 2012 7:16:27 GMT -5
This morning, or rather evening in Japan, history has been made with the return of Iron Chef to Japanese TV. Sure, there hasn't been an episode aired since 2002, but true fans know that it shouldn't let it discourage you from enjoying Iron Chef in your respective countries.
How much has the formula changed from the old series? Rather than use a paint by numbers system, let me address it by way of a Plus Minus system.
+ All graphics are updated. That should have been a no brainier, but the Japan cup didn't update at all.
+ Dishes were introduced and served to the panel one at a time.
- The Chairman isn't tasting the dishes.
+ Ties are eliminated by way of a five person panel. Now granted, we have only seen two battles, but it appears that you have to win over the majority of the panel, not score the most points.
+ Dr. Yukio Hattori RETURNS! Nuff Said.
+ There is a nomination phase. However, unlike earlier episodes of ICJ, this one involves no battles before you battle an Iron Chef. All it is that someone else introduces today's challenger instead of the chairman.
- Yurika Mita was completely useless. All she really did was interview the challenger at certain points before and after the battle.
+ Like ICA, having the majority of the panel interact during commentary is a big boost to the entertainment factor.
+ The dais really does hold four Iron Chefs, however...
- They recycle the plot that the Italian chef is banished for poor behavior. Or rather, he is made available upon request, which sounds more likely.
+ Daisuke Miyagawa and Mizuki Sano really did a fantastic job at being Ota and Fukui's replacements respectively.
+ There were three former Iron Chefs involved in the pilot, Chen Kenichi(who was actually in the stadium), Michiba-sensei(who apparently is dying from a head illness), and Ishinabe-san who was in the royal box of the new Iron Chef Chinese.
Overall, if you like ICJ, then you will love this series.
How much has the formula changed from the old series? Rather than use a paint by numbers system, let me address it by way of a Plus Minus system.
+ All graphics are updated. That should have been a no brainier, but the Japan cup didn't update at all.
+ Dishes were introduced and served to the panel one at a time.
- The Chairman isn't tasting the dishes.
+ Ties are eliminated by way of a five person panel. Now granted, we have only seen two battles, but it appears that you have to win over the majority of the panel, not score the most points.
+ Dr. Yukio Hattori RETURNS! Nuff Said.
+ There is a nomination phase. However, unlike earlier episodes of ICJ, this one involves no battles before you battle an Iron Chef. All it is that someone else introduces today's challenger instead of the chairman.
- Yurika Mita was completely useless. All she really did was interview the challenger at certain points before and after the battle.
+ Like ICA, having the majority of the panel interact during commentary is a big boost to the entertainment factor.
+ The dais really does hold four Iron Chefs, however...
- They recycle the plot that the Italian chef is banished for poor behavior. Or rather, he is made available upon request, which sounds more likely.
+ Daisuke Miyagawa and Mizuki Sano really did a fantastic job at being Ota and Fukui's replacements respectively.
+ There were three former Iron Chefs involved in the pilot, Chen Kenichi(who was actually in the stadium), Michiba-sensei(who apparently is dying from a head illness), and Ishinabe-san who was in the royal box of the new Iron Chef Chinese.
Overall, if you like ICJ, then you will love this series.