User:Sjones23/Toriko (TV series)

Toriko is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It was broadcast on Fuji Television from April 3, 2011, to March 30, 2014 over 147 episodes. The story follows the adventures of Toriko, the titular Gourmet Hunter, as he searches around the world to create his full dinner course by acquiring rare foods and ingredients. On his adventure, Toriko is accompanied by Komatsu, the timid head chef of Hotel Gourmet who decides to improve his culinary skills.

The series' debut episode was part of a cross-over special between Toriko and One Piece. In 2011, Funimation Entertainment announced that it licensed Toriko for streaming in North America within four days after the Japanese broadcast. It premiered on Hulu and Funimation's official website on April 14. Starting with episode three on April 20, the series was rescheduled to stream within three days after the Japanese broadcast.

Development
In December 2010, it was announced that Toei Animation would be adapting Toriko into an anime television series in 2011. Toriko is directed by Akifumi Zako.

Music
The series uses twelve pieces of theme music. The opening theme, titled "Guts Guts!!", is performed by Akira Kushida. The second opening theme, used from episode 98 to episode 147, is Go Shock My Way!! performed by Akira Kushida. The first ending theme, used from episodes 1 to 22, is "Satisfaction" performed by F.T. Island. The second ending theme, used from episodes 23 to 41, is "Deli-Deli Delicious" performed by Sea A. The third ending theme, used from episodes 42 to 57, is "Sabrina" performed by Leo Ieiri. The fourth ending theme, used from episodes 58 to 68, is "Love Chase" performed by Tomohisa Yamashita. The fifth ending theme, used from episodes 69 to 82, is "Samba de Toriko!!!" performed by Hyadain. The sixth ending theme, used from episodes 83 to 97, is "Lovely Fruit" performed by Nana Mizuki. The seventh ending theme, used from episodes 98 to 111, is "Niji" performed by Jun Sky Walkers. The eighth ending theme, used from episodes 112 to 123, is "Tautology" performed by the dresscodes. The ninth ending theme, used from episodes 124 to 135, is "Believe in Yourself!" performed by Palet. The tenth ending theme, used from episodes 136 to 147, is “Mega Raba” performed by Rurika Yokoyama.

Broadcast and streaming
Toriko began broadcasting in Japan on Fuji Television on April 3, 2011. It took over Dragon Ball Kai's 9:00 am slot on Sunday in the "Dream 9" time-slot, airing before One Piece. A cross-over special between Toriko and One Piece, considered episode 1 of Toriko and episode 492 of One Piece, aired as the series' premiere, with another between the two series airing on April 10, 2012, episode 51 of Toriko and episode 542 of One Piece. A two-part hour-long crossover special between Toriko, One Piece and Dragon Ball Z, titled Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special!!, aired on Fuji TV on April 7, 2013. The parts are considered episode 590 of One Piece and episode 99 of Toriko respectively. The Toriko anime ended with episode 147 on March 30, 2014, being replaced by the return of Dragon Ball Kai.

In 2011, Funimation announced that it licensed Toriko for streaming in North America within four days after the Japanese broadcast. It premiered on Hulu and Funimation's official website on April 14. Eventually, the series was rescheduled to stream within three days after the Japanese broadcast.

Home media
The first DVD compilation was released on August 2, 2011, with individual DVDs being released monthly. Funimation began releasing the series on DVD with an English dub from January 8, 2013, which abruptly stopped on May 7, 2013, for unknown reasons. Madman Entertainment announced they licensed the anime for Australasia on February 3, 2013.

Reception
When reviewing the first two DVD sets, Santos said "Fans will know what to expect in each adventure: ravenous strongmen flexing their superpowers, ferocious foes being slaughtered by said strongmen, and a rich, imaginative world full of impossibly delicious foods. But the simplicity of Toriko is also its downfall: there are no clever twists in store, the characters don't develop at all, either personally or interpersonally, and even the most calculating villains are just mindless targets waiting to be knocked down one by one. The on-again, off-again animation also does a disservice to the bright colors and creative designs of the series."

Specific
Toriko