I thought about saving this news until I had at least one of these episodes ready for upload, but I’m too excited to wait. In my mailbox this morning were five episodes of Iron Chef that I have never seen. They are all from the pre-FN days when Iron Chef was airing in a few select local markets across the US. These episodes were often in Japanese with English subtitles.
A while ago, an Iron Chef collector contacted me about some episodes from the local days. These episodes are very hard to find now. While the contributor wishes to remain anonymous, they have agreed to share some of their episodes with us. I have changed the episode numbers for these five to blue, showing that they will be available in the near future. (Look mid-late 1996 to find these five.) I will do my best to get at least one episode uploaded for this weekend. The contributor does visit this site, so I would encourage everyone to comment with a huge thank you.
If you have episodes on tape or DVD that you want to share, there is an address listed on the “Support Us” tab where you can send them.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I’ve only been able to watch one of these battles so far (I’m still at work), but I can honestly say that you guys are going to love seeing these. It’s the way I wish Food Network had done things. (Original language with subtitles.)
I’m going to start preparing an episode for posting as soon as I get home. I can’t wait to share it.
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I watch Iron Chef Japan religiously every night and sometimes during the day … Thanks to all who contribute ! … I also watch Iron Chef but i think that the overall talent — excluding Marimoto — is not as great or seasoned as the original Iron Chefs …
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 am
[...] Iron Chef, we will soon be adding episodes that go back to the origins of Iron Chef in the US. Iron Chef Collection Blog Archive ICC Exclusives – New Episode Acquisitions I have gotten 5 episodes of Iron Chef from the pre-Food Network days. None of these episodes were [...]
October 4th, 2009 at 1:54 am
To whomever contributed to the site with the rare IC eps, Thank you so much!
October 17th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I can’t thank everyone involved in acquiring these episodes enough! You are all heaven sent
If only I knew enough people in Japan who was info this show as much as myself, I would contribute myself. Thank you again! :
November 18th, 2009 at 1:32 am
I know it’s a little late, but thank you very much to the anonymous contributor. Your contributions are very much loved and appreciated!