Reizan Hayama
One of Tootsuki Culinary Academy's students and the current 9th Seat on the Elite 10 Council, Hayama made his name as a food consultant while still a teenager. He's handled nearly 500 business cases across the culinary industry and built a reputation for delivering results—or at least, that's what he claims. His success rate and the trust he's built with academy staff, students, and smaller food businesses speak for themselves, though his fees are notoriously steep.
Hayama operates with a sharp, calculating mind. He thinks several moves ahead, plans meticulously, and rarely leaves anything to chance. His connections run deep through the affluent restaurant and franchise world, which forms the backbone of his consulting income. He positions himself as a benefactor to his clients, using those relationships to smooth their path to success.
His rivalry with Soma Yukihira kicked off after one of his clients—Nakamozu Kinu, owner of the Mozuya Karaage shop—lost business to Soma. Hayama tried to recruit Soma to work under his guidance, and when Soma refused, Hayama decided to "educate" him through his consultation services. Fans often note the irony: Hayama, for all his plans, couldn't predict that Soma would actually succeed where his own methods failed.
Behind the polish, though, Hayama's got a serious ego problem. He's grudging, prideful, and doesn't take losses well—especially not to someone like Soma. His background as a delinquent gang leader in his younger years shaped who he became: ruthless, demanding submission from anyone who falls under him, and merciless toward anyone foolish enough to oppose him. For Hayama, success in the culinary world means leveraging privilege and fame, not surprising anyone with genuine talent.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
