List of Iron Chef (2012 series) episodes

This is the list of episodes for the 2012 revival of Japanese cooking television series Iron Chef, produced by Fuji Television.

On October 26, 2012, Fuji TV revived the original Iron Chef franchise, this time simply using the English name Iron Chef (アイアンシェフ). Actor Hiroshi Tamaki assumed the role as the new Chairman in this revival. For the line-up of Iron Chefs, Yuji Wakiya, a former challenger in the original series, became the official Iron Chef Chinese after initially being named as a successor Iron Chef in the original series' Millennium Cup, while Yōsuke Suga was selected as the new Iron Chef French instead of Seigo Mitani, the supposed successor Iron Chef French also introduced in the Millennium Cup; Jun Kurogi was chosen as the new Iron Chef Japanese. Yukio Hattori would reprise his role as commentator, guided by a set of culinary experts.

Unlike the previous series, the 2012 revival has challengers nominated by prominent personalities, such as past Iron Chefs. Through public vote, challengers who won battles would have a chance to officially become future Iron Chefs.^[1]

For consistency, all Japanese names are in Western order, macroned with Hepburn romanization. All other Asian names, on the other hand, are in Eastern order. Also, for each of the non-Japanese Asian challengers, as much as possible, the romanization used for the Chinese names are derived from the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation and Pinyin romanization of the name.

All Asian challengers, except those with Wikipedia articles, will have their names in kanji in parentheses upon first mention in the list. For the non-Japanese Asian challengers, the Japanese pronunciation of the name as used in the show is also included.

In the case of Asians with mixed Chinese-Japanese heritage, such as Chen Kenichi, they follow the same criteria as the Chinese names (i.e. Eastern order and Japanese pronunciation guide beside kanji).

2012

The last episode of 2012 is the New Year's Eve episode as the Mr. Iron Chef competition. It was broadcast live for six hours and there were seven judges for each battle. It was broadcast as alternative programming to NHK's hugely popular Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Overall Episode #	Original airdate	Resident Iron Chef	Guest Iron Chef	Speciality	Theme Ingredient	Winner	Final Score
Omisoka Special (7)	December 31, 2012	Yōsuke Suga	Ian Chalermkittichai	French (Iron Chef Thailand's Iron Chef Western)	Spiny lobster	Yōsuke Suga	128 - 114
		Jun Kurogi	Rokusaburo Michiba	Japanese (Honorary Iron Chef Japanese)	Japanese amberjack	Rokusaburo Michiba	122 - 125
		Yuji Wakiya	Masaharu Morimoto	Japanese (Honorary Iron Chef Japanese / Currently of Iron Chef America)	Apple	Yuji Wakiya	132 - 125

2013

Overall Episode #	Original airdate	Japan	USA	Speciality	Theme Ingredient	Winner	Final Score
World Cup Special (14)	July 4, 2013	Yōsuke Suga	Tony Maws	Iron Chef	Beef	Tony Maws	1 point
		Jun Kurogi	Frank A. Ruta			Jun Kurogi	1 point
		Yuji Wakiya	Eric Ziebold			Eric Ziebold	1 point
		Team Japan	Team USA			Team Japan	2 point

Other references