Toriko(Verse)

## Introduction

Toriko(トリコ) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro. It follows the adventures of Toriko, a Gourmet Hunter, as he searches for rare, diverse foods to complete a full-course meal. On his journey, he is accompanied by a timid chef who wants to improve his skills.

**Synopsis:**The planet of *Toriko* is separated into two parts; the Human World (人間界, *Ningen-kai*) and the Gourmet World (グルメ界, *Gurume-kai*). The Human World is where modern civilization exists and occupies just 30% of the planet, the rest is the Gourmet World, which is inhospitable to most humans due to the strength of the wildlife and extreme climate changes. In the Gourmet Age (グルメ時代, *Gurume Jidai*), which began five centuries ago at the end of the hundred-year war, the taste and texture of food is extremely important. The International Gourmet Organization (国際グルメ機構, *Kokusai Gurume Kikō*) (IGO), maintains order and defends civilians from dangerous animals and gourmet criminals. Originally set-up by the United Nations, the IGO is now independent from them and holds more influence as it is composed of 360 nations. They apply a numerical rating from 1 to 100, referred to as Capture Levels (捕獲レベル, *Hokaku Reberu*), to most ingredients based on the difficulty of acquiring it. The IGO has a group of seven individuals with highly sensitive taste, called the Gourmet 7 (グルメセブン, *Gurume Sebun*) or G7, that are in charge of assigning the star ranking of restaurants and the ranking of chefs

## Terminology

**Gourmet Hunters:**(美食屋 *Bishoku-ya*, literally meaning "*Gourmet Food Providers)*" are specialized in the acquisition of High-Level Ingredients.

Due to the difficulties inherent in securing certain ingredients, many have trained their abilities to superhuman levels, some of them even possessing Gourmet Cells to do so. Be it unusual displays of strength, phenomenal speed, or unrivaled endurance, these hunters are known for their capacity to surpass any normal, armed human being. While brute force may be the status quo, there are some known for using Knocking and other peaceful methods of collecting their quarry. Many gourmet hunters have artificial immunities to poisons by injecting themselves with a solution made from poisonous plants and animal venom over a period of time: this creates various antibodies

**Appetite Energy**, or more correctly **Gourmet Energy** is a fundamental energy of the universe, embodying good taste, desire for food, and even life force. The energy is as old as the universe, it cannot be destroyed, and it is the source and origin of Gourmet Cells, their power and everything that came from them. By focusing its overwhelming hunger and desire to devour prey, a predator can emit this energy outside of its body and shape it for various purposes. Ichiryu has stated that only the strongest predators at the top of the food chain are capable of doing this, and that when used offensively the resultant energy can effortessly mow down all manner of ingredients. Beasts that use this energy typically emit it from their mouths as destructive beams or bolts to kill their prey.

Appetite Energy is highly versatile, having offensive, defensive, and useful supplementary applications. It can be emitted directly from the body to manifest semi-solid weapons and instruments (as in the case of Toriko's **Fork** and **Knife** and their derivatives, Chinchin's **Spoon,** or Ichiryu's **Chopsticks**). These manifestations possess, for the duration of their existence, properties comparable to the substances they emulate. When taking the form of **Fork** or **Knife**, for instance, Toriko's Appetite Energy can actually be 'melted' by temperatures which exceed the melting point of the iron cutlery being emulated. The energy can even manifest with the forms and behaviours of living creatures, as in Jiro's **Rising Wolf Guinness Punch** technique. In the anime, Appetite Energy resembles light-like energy of varying colors, the most common being yellow.

**Appetite Demons:** (食欲の悪魔 *Shokuyoku no Akuma*), also known as **Gourmet Cell Demons** or **Appetite Monsters**, are a unique type of Monster Troll spirits who are born out of the Gourmet Cells' appetite, and chose a living host with Gourmet Cells to inhabit.

When Gourmet Cells have matured to a certain point, Appetite Demons can be projected by their hosts in the form of grotesque monsters as a form of Intimidation. However, the more the cells grow and develop, the stronger these manifestations become, to the point where they can end up gaining a will of their own, becoming beings that can exist as separate sentient entities within their hosts and even outside of them for a certain amount of time. Not much is known about the extent of their powers, but it has been implied that they play a major role in mastering the use of Gourmet Cells. According to Coco, they use Appetite Energy to manifest a body for themselves. In some chosen individuals, there exists more than one type of Appetite Demons, like Toriko who has a Red Demon, Blue Demon, and White Demon.

## Power of the Verse

* Attack Potency
* Speed
* Location and Distances