On December 26, 2024, Nippon Television aired the live finale of its popular culinary game show, "Gochi 25." Viewers tuned in to witness the nail-biting results as the contestants faced the possibility of elimination based on their performance throughout the season.
The episode opened with competitors Koshiba Fuka (currently ranked 4th), Yasuko (5th), and Moriyama Shintaro (6th) as they donned sashes indicating their status as "candidates for elimination." Tensions ran high as the show’s host, Ryuichi Okamura, expressed his gratitude to Fuka, who playfully recoiled from his praise, saying, "Stop it!" Meanwhile, Moriyama, sitting at the bottom, declared, "It’s disappointing. I have no choice but to rank first now," showcasing the pressure the contestants faced.
A standout moment during the show came when Yasuko, reflecting on the psychological toll of being on the chopping block, revealed, "I started acting strangely after I became a candidate for elimination, and now I keep cats, tropical fish, goldfish, and loaches." Such admissions only intensified the stakes of the competition.
Adding to the drama, the show introduced innovative rules during the battles. The competition took place at the acclaimed French restaurant, "Sonbruyue," with participants vying for the grand prize and facing penalties as severe as 320,000 yen ($2,900) for the individual who guessed the meal price most inaccurately.
During intense gameplay, Yasuko acknowledged her fate, exclaiming, "It’s over..." when she saw her rank drop. This emotional response underscored the high stakes and fierce rivalries within the game. Conversely, Okamura, fighting to avoid elimination himself, maintained his optimism, stating, "I don’t think I’ll get eliminated." His confidence mirrored the unpredictability of the game's outcomes.
With the competition's format, contestants who performed poorly faced self-financing for their meal costs, leading to tension about their standings throughout the season. "I was told repeatedly by the staff not to finish last or first," said Yoshino Kimura, reflecting on the immense pressure contestants endured.
The episode also involved heartfelt support from former contestants and celebrities sending encouragement. Actor Ryo Katchi, expressing gratitude to Fuka, stated, "Thank you as always," as he provided support from the audience. Yet, the messages were not all lighthearted, as Tsubasa Kurofune supported Masuda but noted, "The motivation for delivering encouragement messages has waned," drawing laughter from viewers.
Despite the pressure, high-stakes decisions, and emotional turmoil of the finale, the playful interactions and comical commentary kept audiences on the edge of their seats. An unexpected surprise guest — Kocchi no Kento, renowned for his dance moves — added extra excitement, prompting Okamura to quip, "Could this be the next candidate for the new member?"
By the end of the broadcast, the results revealed Masuda as the top contestant without any financial penalties, earning him exemption from payments, followed closely by Takahashi, who at least secured his position, managing to avoid elimination.
Examining their standings: Masuda secured 1st place, maintaining zero expenses, followed by Takahashi with debts amounting to 184,528 yen. Okamura, sitting at 3rd with 400,328 yen, faced potential elimination alongside Fuka, who owed 519,757 yen. Yasuko and Moriyama's burdens were even heavier, with Yasuko at 675,723 yen and Moriyama at 615,203 yen.
The gripping finale demonstrated not just culinary skills but the intense psychological weight of competition, culminating in heartfelt moments of camaraderie and competition among contestants.
Next, the show will return on New Year’s Eve with the specially themed episode, featuring the theme "32 members x extreme high-stakes self-financing!!" promising viewers even more excitement and drama.
