Mitsuru Sotsuda is a minor supporting character in the third season of the series. He is a third-year student at Totsuki Junior High and a member of the Journalism Club, which operates as the school newspaper Totsuki Sports. Sotsuda is an aspiring reporter who becomes deeply interested in Soma Yukihira's unusual career at Totsuki Academy. He admires Soma to the point of worship and frequently follows him with his reporter equipment, hoping to cover his upcoming cooking battles and other notable events. His primary motivation is to write a large, attention-grabbing article, though he worries that his status as a middle school student might limit the space he is given in the daily paper. Sotsuda's role in the story is largely that of a news bearer and a comedic presence, often appearing to inform Soma of fast-spreading rumors or shokugeki announcements. His key relationship is with Soma, whom he treats as his main subject and idol. He does not undergo significant development over the course of the series, remaining a persistent, energetic fan-reporter throughout his appearances. His notable ability lies in his journalistic persistence and his knack for tracking down information around the academy.