Yakitate!! Japan
焼きたて!! ジャぱんYakitate means "fresh baked", but the word "Japan" is actually a pun - pan means bread in Japanese, so Kazuma is out to make Japan, a unique Japanese bread to compete with the best bread from around the world! Azuma became obsessed with bread when he was six years old. His sister yelled that their family should start having bread for breakfast sometimes, but their grandfather refused to even consider it, as he would only eat natto, miso soup, and rice for breakfast. Kazuma agreed, saying he didn`t like bread, but his sister kidnaps him and takes him to a bread store to show him the wonders of fresh-baked bread. Not only is Kazuma converted, but the owner discovers that Kazuma has the magical "Hands of the Sun" whose warmth makes them particularly suited to making bread. The owner packs up shop and goes to Tokyo to fulfill his dream of making Japan, but Kazuma continues his bread-baking dream as well, and ends up going to Tokyo himself when he`s sixteen, to compete for a spot at the foremost bread store in Japan - Pantasia!
Reviews
schmidt.kiera - 2014-06-15 08:06:44
Cool, funny and delicious anime ever! I LOVED IT! Yakitate!! Japan has large elements of humor, surprise and sentiments of hardwork=success. This anime is a MUST WATCH and I guarantee that you would spend all your time laughing at the hilarious moments.
ethel79 - 2014-05-29 02:07:45
Breadmaking is an art in itself. It takes dedication and sheer genius to create a masterpiece. This anime, takes that dedication and genius to galactic levels.
Azuma Kazuma is young man who is pursuing his dream of introducing japanese bread to the whole wide world. His stepping stone is the japanese branch of a world famous bakery Pantasia where he applied to be a baker. It was not easy for he have to contend with many challenges to enter. But in the end he suceeded and was assigned to the little branch in a district of Tokyo. The rest is a whimsical journey full of mishaps, struggles, and lots and lots of exaggerated reactions.
Story itself is a shounen trope; guy enters a tourney, proves himself, gather friends and bitter rivals, gets stronger, rinse and repeat. But of course this an anime about BAKING GADDAM BREAD. How the hell will you make this show so as interesting as, let's say, Naruto or Bleach? Simple, BAKE POWERFUL BREAD! No kidding. The breadmaking parts here are realistic to some degree but the resulting products are truly out of this world. To make things more interesting and more shounen, Kazuma has the Solar hands, an inherited ability that enables him to knead bread dough with precision and enough warmth to keep it in optimal condition for baking. Treat it more like a superpower to say the least. His rivals also have some tricks up their sleeves to rival this power of his and this makes this simple breadmaking show into a crazy powerstruggle for supremacy. How do we know that the bread they make a amazing, just ask their taste test judges. The most particular one, Ryo Kuroyanagi, who makes the most entertaining reactions to food in any anime, ever. The taste test reactions almost makes 80% of the show's general appeal and its was always the thing to look forward to in every episode. Overall a very neat concept that will keep you hooked for every episode.
As for the characters, Kazuma is okay. He is your typical "I will not give up until I suceed!" protagonist with enough charm and stupidity to make him an interesting MC. His bestfriend Kyouske (who often change his gaddam hairstyle for every arc) who acquires the Solar gauntlet (a simplified version of the solar hands) along the way as a result of his pursuit to beat Kazuma, is a great change of pace since he is the reliable side character with enough antics up his sleeve. He is the image of pursuation in the show and he is the proof that hardwork pays off in the end, making him somewhat the most developed character in the show. Tsukino is the "supposedly" love interest of Kazuma, but that got lost in translation somewhere along the way. She is there mostly for moral support and acts as a plot device, but overall a pretty uninteresting main character. Their branch manager, Ken Matsushiro, is the MANLY MAN mentor in the group. He just oozes charisma and superiority in this show. He serves not only as mentor but a living proof that in that world they live in, breadmaking is "serious business!". Other characters like future rivals, guess judges, and the ultimate antagonist (which I wont spoil) are amazing in their own right. Let us leave it at that.
Animation is nothing really special. But when it needs to go exagerrated, it goes all out! Most of the animation practically goes to the taste test reactions. Heck there is even a reaction that turns the episode into a Lord of the Rings parody! I'm not kidding! This is truly what made the show more than its worth. Music is fine, mostly some sappy tunes to keep the mood up and some pretty formulaic shounen type music when the rival breadmaker is doing his devious works. If you would have guess it by now this is a comedy shounen, so expect lots of animated gags and parodies. If you are a fan of Gintama you are in for a treat.
Overall its an entertaining show with lots of personality and character. Who would have though an anime about breadmaking can be this good? Go watch it now and experience it for yourself!