Intimidation (威嚇, Ikaku), also known as Battle Mode (臨戦態勢 Rinsen Taisei), is a technique in which powerful individuals or beasts instill fear into their opponents by either performing a physically imposing feat (such as displaying their strength or making frightening features), creating realistic frightening illusions via the Ultimate Routine or the most powerful form of intimidation (which can only be used by advanced Gourmet Cell users) to release their Appetite Devil, a semi-physical manifestation of their strength and cells which can instill fear into any weaker being.
Intimidation is often used as a means to try to scare the opponent, which can cause them to run away or literally get frozen in place by fear (the latter being called "Intimidation Knocking"). In this way, intimidation can be used to end a confrontation or situation non-violently. Using intimidation to scare an opponent will only work if the opponent is significantly weaker than the user but it can also be used to startle many powerful fighters. Intimidation is less effective on those who have the "resolve" to put their lives on the line such as when Starjun used it against Komatsu. Though it could be argued that this was partly contributed to Starjun using a GT Robot at the time which would likely lessen the impact as later, when Toriko and Komatsu meet Starjun in person, both of them were shown to be unnerved around him even when he hadn't used his intimidation. Intimidation may not work with just a visual display as it may require scent as well with some beasts, such as the Troll Kongs who will not be intimidated by feats of strength and power alone simply if their opponent smells like a weakling, but if they sense their true scent and power they'll realize when to surrender. The technique known as Food Pressure is a special art where one intimidates beasts or ingredients in order to make them easier to catch or bring out their flavor; because of this it is considered the polar opposite of Food Honor.
Gallery[]
Toriko's killer intent sensed by Komatsu in the form of a dinosaur
Toriko using Intimidation with his natural scent and Appetite Devil
Terry Cloth intimidating with frightening features
The Four Heavenly Kings using their Appetite Devils for Intimidation
Jiro's Intimidation Knocking
Komatsu using the Derous essence of his knife to intimidate
Trivia[]
The fact of a non-human creature appearing behind the character performing the Intimidation is similar to the Stand ability in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure manga and anime. However, the mechanics of both techniques are somehow different until now (but the Intimidation, and the Appetite Devils themselves, are still to be seen fully displaying their potential).
