Ryou Kurokiba, fifth seat of Tōtsuki Culinary Academy’s Elite Ten Council, exhibits a dual personality oscillating between a lethargic, disheveled exterior and an aggressive, razor-focused alter ego triggered by his crimson bandana—a state dubbed “Berserk Mode” by Alice Nakiri, his childhood rival and steadfast companion. This metamorphosis embodies his conviction that kitchens demand battlefield ferocity, where culinary supremacy determines survival. Raised in a Danish port town, he honed his skills as a pub chef from youth, enduring a cutthroat environment where underperforming cooks were swiftly discarded. His relentless talent secured him head chef status despite his age, catching the Nakiri family’s eye. After repeated defeats against Alice in their culinary duels, a hard-won victory forged his loyalty, compelling him to address her as “Milady” and follow her to Tōtsuki. Their rivalry persisted through adolescence, driving mutual refinement of their craft. A seafood virtuoso, Kurokiba discerns ingredient freshness through instinctive touch and observation. Early creations like French Curry Lobster Rice with Cognac and Soupe De Poisson Ramen fused French techniques with brutal umami intensity. A pivotal Autumn Elections defeat spurred evolution, blending calculated finesse with his fiery base—exemplified by dishes such as Autumn Pacific Saury Cartoccio, harmonizing with Alice’s molecular gastronomy. His allegiance to Alice mirrors a guard dog’s vigilance, shadowing her through Tōtsuki’s trials, including the Training Camp and Moon Banquet Festival. During Azami Nakiri’s regime upheaval, he allied with rebels opposing Central, defeating Kusunoki in a Shokugeki that merged aggression with surgical precision. Kurokiba’s imposing stature features unkempt brown-black hair, crimson eyes, and a sleeveless Chinese-style uniform. His bandana, tied to his wrist in calmer moments, anchors his culinary identity. Post-Stagiaire, trimmed bangs subtly tempered his feral aura. Though intimidating, he acknowledges tenacious rivals like Megumi Tadokoro with grudging respect. Shaped by survivalist roots, he views camaraderie among chefs as a liability, prizing dominance through skill—a philosophy complicated by his symbiotic rivalry with Alice. His trajectory balances primal instinct and tactical innovation, securing his legacy within Tōtsuki’s merciless hierarchy.