Yakitate Japan 09
Animation went to the crappers but it could not ruin Kyousuke Kawachi’s “power up” episode.
Tsukino spill the beans to Kawachi on how she’s training him to have Solar Gauntlets and per the norm with Kawachi, he’s not really gun-ho about it. Tsukino puts some pressure on him to continue the training and whether Kawachi likes it or not eventually gives in.
Azuma never makes it to Izu but thanks to the sushi owner whose shop he crashes out, Azuma finds the ingredients he needs for Japan #32. And as usual, Azuma’s bread wows the crew as they find out the secret ingredient is really nothing more than wasabi. Kawachi, unfortunately, doesn’t take Azuma’s bread as an good thing as it makes him realize just how far off he is from making it to the main Pantasia and Newcomers’ Battle. The good old manager brings some sense into Kawachi by pouring sake/alcohol over his head to “cool him off” while saying how much an coward he is. Kawachi runs off as an cry baby while Tsukino is rather put off on how the manager handle it. The manager’s reply? Sometimes being cold is a good thing for an man. Good stuff.
Anyway, Azuma follows after Kawachi to try to cheer him up eventually leading Kawachi to realize the manager was giving him an hint on how to make the entry bread for the Newcomers’ battle. ALOCHOL! Kawachi rushes back to the store to make his Osaka-pan #1 while surprising the rest of the crew.
The bread is an success (mad funny scene with the mushroom-head guy) and Kawachi gives his formal thanks to the manager, even though the manager doesn’t out and out say he was helping Kawachi.
Pretty good episode like I said in the beginning as it was fun learning more about bread and seeing Kawachi “power up.” Props to some good comedic scenes like O-baka man, egg whites on Tsukino, and the swimming trainer. If only the animation was normal, instead of the crap it was, would have made Yakitate Japan episode nine a little more enjoyable to watch. Oh well, let’s hope the animation goes back to normal next episode as the beginnings of the Newcomers’ Battle inches closer and closer.