Yes, the fans know everything very well more than FujiTV management.
If some of you are interested in the fans' comments more, here I picked up remarkable comments from IC Facebook page. There are a lot of Pros and Cons. Sorry for my bad English as usual. If too bad to understand, please just ignore this post.
*Some may contain uncomfortable comment.
*Some people post many times.
*The turn of comments is different from the page.
<3/21 advance notice section (the day before the final episode)>
3/21-1: The style of original series that challenger choses an Iron Chef who he/she wants to take on was better. Also pre-notice of theme ingredients makes less fun.
3/21-2: It's a shame that the show is cancelled before the 4th Iron Chef is not shown up.
If we'll have a renewal version again, I want them to make it in different time slot on different day.
I want FujiTV to research the cause why the show is cancelled in a half year.
I want them to consider how they can get supported not only by the people in culinary field but also by the general people, and apply it to the next broadcast.
There seem to be a variety of opinions by this Facebook users but I wonder if those come across to FujTV?
3/21-3: This could be just the chapter one closure for now. They should validate what was not good.
IMHO, it is that they put too much unnecessary bit (interpretation), the quality of the tasting panels were not good, the prologue was too long, and too much cutting off the hour of cooking process by editing.
They must reconsider about the point of view of editing. And time slot! They should start again not in prime time but in late-night time.(^^)
3/21-4: Good luck to Iron Chefs and nominees!
This show is very interesting to watch and inspires me for cooking a lot. Bravooo! (^o^)/
3/21-5: Oh.., Ms. Setsuko Yuuki is coming back to the tasting panel tomorrowE thought she was good when working as a food coordinator in Ryouri no Tetsujin, butEn the 1st battle of Iron Chef Kurogi, I thought all her comments were harsh and acerb, and had a too aggressive aspect.
I'd pay attention to her evaluation comment as a judge tomorrow.
(FYI, according to fan's rumor, Setsuko Yuuki hates traditional thing and likes new thing.: Miwa)
3/21-6: Request to FujiTV for up-coming Iron Chef renewal:
Regarding with Iron Chefs appearance, three Iron Chefs should show up together in the line on the lifting and lowering device like original series.
(I don't think they need to hire mini orchestra like Kobe-san's appearance.)
It's definitely cool and showing dignity of Iron Chefs. (Even though the Iron Chef battling with the challenger is already decided in advance)
I know it's very hard because each Iron Chef is super busy, especially Iron Chef Suga is living in Paris and traveling the world constantly, but I heard the original Iron Chef took their tapes (films) three episodes per day.
So please realize this opening scene, somehow. IMO, it will let the show more exciting.
3/21-7: Oh, three Iron Chefs' appearance together sounds good!
FYI, I heard that Fukui-san said in a certain IC event before that three Iron Chefs were not always together in every episode due to their busy schedule but they took that tape sometimes only when they all came to the studio by chance and used that tape repeatedly and sometimes replaced to new one.
<3/22 the section of the day of last match>
3/22-1: It's really finishing. It's a really shame. Please release DVDs.
3/22-2: Again the non-professional person, the talents such as Ikue Sakakibara shows up in the panel.
They just say only one word, "Delicious". General people and kids can easily say "Delicious". I'm disappointed. The talents don't understand the true taste of the dishes top chefs cook. It's rude to the chefs.
Though I've been looking forward to this show, the royal box supporters are noisy and the prologue story introducing nominee is extra long.
If they go to the next stage as a special program, I want to have only the people who understand the true taste of top chef's dishes as judge panel.
They look down on audience. Hey, FujiTV, do you understand how serious this problem is?
Anyway it's a shame to quit in a half year.
3/22-3: Who is the people "nderstanding the true taste" you are talking about?
3/22-4: The talent judges underestimate the dishes and skill of top chef. It's more credible that chefs judge the chef's dishes.
3/22-5: I'm watching now but the prologue introduction of nominee is extra long as usual. They should begin the battle quickly.
I don't like a talent judge, Ikue Sakakibara just nodding her head as if she understands everything.
3/22-6: Finally today came. (crying)
Why couldn’t they simply move the time slot to appropriate time zone to get more rating?
BTW, I think it's quite OK that everyone has a variety of opinions, but, ummm, strange. Our favorite Ryouri no Tetsujin, too, had talents, athletes, sports casters and Sumou wrestlers as judges and also each detail of judging point was not all clear, and also, the tasting panel sometimes had a princess actress saying "Oh I don't like that ingredient" just during the cooking. Nevertheless, why are there many comments, "I hate the new show has talents judge, Ryouri no Tetsujin was not like that." when they watch the new Iron Chef???
It's a "variety TV show". Sorry it's my opinion, but, because I'm not a professional chef, if the judge panel was all professional people, it may be tough for me to watch 1 hour.
Also If it's all by professional people, the chef who lost would get extremely damaged for his/her work and you can't even make it joke. I think it's been a very fine remedy and keeping the position as an entertainment show by mixing the non-professional people in the panel.
However, It's a shame that I heard the rumor that some chefs who lost in the original series ended up having to quit their job positionE really thought "What!?"
Oh, however, I think too that the introduction part is a bit too long.
This show needs up- tempo rhythm like the original series.
And also, maybe male staff's barnyard loud laughing voice seems on purpose (by design) and looks like it's instructed by director's sign, and sometimes not very comfortable. Michiba-san seemed uncomfortable with it, too, on his New Year's Eve battle.
3/22-7: Ikue Sakakibara is noisy.
3/22-8: You are noisy! Well.., please continue the show somehow, please.
3/22-9: I'm watching now too. I shouted "Wow!" when I saw the old challenger, a foreigner chef, who nominee Kinoshita was an assistant to. I heard he died. RIP...
3/22-10: Wow, I just missed the old challenger's face. Foreigner? Died? It must be Rory Kennedy from Rules in London! His Gibier battle with Sakai-san is a legend, isn't it? Thanks for noticing it!
Ah...yes.., he died by an accident. RIP...
3/22-11: Yes, thanks for following.
3/22-12: Good job, two chefs! You two showed "cooking to show us cooking"!
Good nominee. I understand why his recipe books are very popular. His cooking theory is easily understood for us, non-professional people.
3/22-13: The tasting panel can say only a word "Delicious"!? I think then Ikue Sakakibara should battle with Iron Chef.
Setsuko Yuuki is acrimonious as usual. I think she can work only for the job as a kitchen coordinator. (like she used to in Ryouri no Tetsujin)
3/22-14:(this comment was clicked "Like" by many fans including an old challenger Kimio Nonaga who won Chen in 2002 Japan Cup.)
I think the Kurogi-san's last comment that he is scared of Yuuki-san is his true feelings.
3/22-15: Yuuki-san, please don't show up as a judge any more.
You are commenting just something different from others. If you comment only by judging how was that for yourself, we really don't need you.
3/22-16: Stop bashing away about Ikue-san!
3/22-17: I don't think it's bashing. I think the chefs are working hard and cooking seriously with all their skills. So I think they must want to be judged by the people who understand the true taste of their dishes. I graduated from a cooking school and used to work for a French restaurant.
Personally I want Joel Robuchon to show up in the battle.
3/22-18: I think that almost of audience don't require only the great noble comments.
Many people will get interest in the dished when they saw the taster's surprising reaction or expression of the face and voices.
I think Ikue-san's reaction is very honest and good because the other tasters were following and supporting her reactions.
3/22-19: I think so. Personally I think the mixing of culinary professional people and non-professional people is good as the judging panel.
I like the comments by Nagano-san from V6 (popular J-POP group). His comments are not only "Delicious", not only difficult professional terms but contain a variety of expressions of the taste of the dishes so that non-professional people can easily imagine how it was. (^ ^)
3/22-20: Right. Who are the people understanding the true taste?
Of course the chefs must be professional people but I wonder the tasters, too, must be a professional...!?
3/22-21: That's right. However, I can't agree on that they choose the picky eaters as their judges such as Mr. Kenjo or Ms. Shinohara on New Year's Eve special.
I think this is their future assignment (homework) toward to their next expansion.
3/22-22: Each of Kurogi-san's course has a story! I could imagine his soup tastes very nice.
Also his setout of the dishes is always beautiful.
3/22-23: I feel like this episode was a halfway ending as the last match. I've got indigestion.
3/22-24: It may be an infelicitous word, butE think Yuuki-san was the "Kimon (demon gate)" for Kurogi-san.
3/22-25: Yuuki-san was actually harsh to the last of the last.
But I think her comment that the meat is not necessary for the Japanese "Wan" soup was precise. Oh well, anyway it was almost too easy ending, wasn't it?
I don't hope replacing to special but hope coming back as a regular program in late night time hopefully from the summer...
3/22-26: It was very good that Kurogi could win in the last match. It was a very good battle. I'll miss the show...(T-T)
Looking forward to the next stage. But honestly, I want to watch it every week again.
3/22-27: I found fantastic dishes today too. I’ve been watching the show not paying attention to Win or Lose but watching the cooking as a chef.
So it has been inspiring me every time. I wanted to watch more... Oh well, I feel I should try my best as a cook more and more!
3/22-28: Yuuki shouldn't be on TV any more. I feel uncomfortable with her. What does she think she is?
And why was Ikue on the panel? She is noisy.
The show has been recently getting interesting since Feb. but this episode, it's back to be boring. Is this really a finale?
3/22-29: The theme ingredient is so unfair. Iron Chef's dishes are very ordinary.
Foolish judges cannot understand it. I think the food coordinator is good. She did vote for Kinoshita who handled the unfair ingredient skillfully. I thought that Kinoshita would win at the point of his "idea".
3/22-30: a message to the kitchen coordinator who never be positive, never say a constructive comment, basically is negative and hates Kurogi-san:
I think you should close your comment with improvement or positive opinion. That will make your impression much better. If your present trend would continue, you would be merely a negative aunt and it would make us uncomfortable and feel like a shame.
When we meet you next time in the show, we would be happy if you would show us a good gap that you would be a more positive, bright, merry aunt and show us like "Kurogi Love!"
3/22-31: I understand that comparing with the old series Ryouri no Tetsujin makes non-sense these days.
However, even if I forget it, I think it was not very good. Especially I feel the comments from a part of judges denote no respect to the chefs and food.
Anyway thank you Iron Chefs, every nominee, for your good jobs.
3/22-32: It's OK that everyone has a variety of different opinions. No one is correct or wrong.
But I just noticed an interesting phenomenon. Positive people's opinion has humility and negative people's one has... a bit different.
3/22-33: I think so too. Maybe comparing to Ryouri no Tetsujin is no meaning in this age.
But I want to say, 50 or 100 years later, the old Ryouri no Tetsujin and the new Iron Chef would have a possibility to be evaluated so high in the history of TV shows in the world. I believe so.
I know you have a lot of critical opinions. I think we, of course, have a sense of nostalgia about the legendary Ryouri no Tetsujin. As someone said before, if we had an internet message board or Facebook in those days, when Tetsujins lost consecutively or challenger's dishes were low quality, those battles must have gotten a huge number of criticisms. Yes, that legendary Ryouri no Tetsujin had drawbacks as well, I think.
In order to have the Iron Chef continued, I think it is extremely important that we need to keep supporting and getting our eyes on it in the future.
3/22-34: The tasting panels say only a few comments about the dishes. It's because the chairman never be there due to the new format.
Kaga used to be a nice host in the tasting time and pull out many historical comments from each judge by asking "What was good? What was bad? What is missing in the dish?"
Tamaki did his best but just the format was bad.
<3/24 the section of picture of dishes of the last match>
3/24-1: I love Takenoko! I rather like a simple dish. SoEell, I wanted to see the battle between iron chefs!
3/24-2: I apologize that I have written complaining about the latest dessert battle.
I really have been enjoying and excited with the show this half year as well as I had been watching the original series.
I hope the specials are coming and also coming back again as a regular program. Best wishes for all the chefs and all the staffs.
3/24-3: I was surprised at the number of the dishes (6) of the nominee. I saw a nice performance. The rebroadcasts of Ryouri no Tetsujin from CS channel is finishing too... It's sad.
3/24-4: OMG..., I have forgotten recording the last match to the video! (T T) It would be nice if we would have rebroadcasts of the show... AND please come back ASAP! (^^)/
3/24-5: I would like to ask you, FujiTV, to reconsider coming back airing at the time slot of 22:00pm.
3/24-6: I used to love to watch Ryouri no Tetsujin just before going to bed... Please come back, Iron Chef, in changed time slot!
3/24-7: The picture of the latest dishes! Looks very delicious. I want to eat them! But looks expensive...(^ ^
3/24-8: It is very hard to accept the reality the regular broadcasts are finished... but there is no way for now. (T T)
However, I would think, if they have the special in every season (summer, fall, winter, spring) the busy Iron Chefs and other chefs, candidates for nominees, can concentrate their main business and it could be nice!! (^o^)b
Anyway thank you and good job!!
<3/26 the section after the last match>
3/26-1: Wasn't the explanation about the reason for cancellation enough!?
3/26-2: The rating was bad? It's because the show was in the prime time on Friday! And that sarcastic female judge! I quite don't understand her.
She must have a lot of knowledge but I'm sure that she really hates Kurogi. I don't have good impression with her... BUT! I think the show was so interesting!
<4/2 Fuji's notice about close of the official Facebook page>
4/2-1: (this comment got 82 clicks "Like", the most number in the page)
The format changes everytime. No character of the chairman. They haven't decided how they would view the world in this new show.
The script writer of the former series, Mr. Kundou Koyama did a great job. Even if they couldn't get him for this new series, they should have gotten an appropriate writer. In the cabbage battle, we heard they announce "15 minutes left" just after the battle began. I had no words.
The royal box was ribald. The staffs let out a strange noise by instruction from AD. It was Ribald. I liked the atmosphere of the former series.
The cooking scene and the dishes were really nice, that let me feel more shame about this result of cancellation.
Overall it was too casual. They didn't understand the good point of the former show: the mixed essence of "playful touch" "too overly exaggeration touch like cartoon" "heavy touch". I wanted them to take over the view of the former show's world more or less.
If we'll have the part III, they should delegate it to professional production company and need appropriate script writer. I hope the current staffs won't work for this show anymore.
4/2-2: I agree. But I think the chairman was nice. He was the best at his last announcement role of "the moment of the truth". Please don't change the Iron Chefs and Chairman in the special.
4/2-3: What they will do about the 4th Iron Chef?
4/2-4: I agree with everyone. It' really a shame. Crude supporters in royal box. Useless Judges. Bad format... Please absolutely improve them and come back! The latest cuisine looks nice just only by appearance and seems kind of shallow.
And anyway I think that the best time slot for this show is 23:00.
4/2-5: They did drag Iron Chef's name through the mud by their selves. Really sad. I'm sorry for the three Iron Chefs. They were asked, "Please, please!" and now "That's OK now, thanks, bye."
4/2-6: I'm sure they now learned everything from us, fans. Please come back. We are waiting for the show again. Thank you anyway for this half year.
4/2-7: Let's have rehabilitation in some specials. After that, please promise coming back as a regular program again. I'm looking forward to that day.