Yakitate Japan Ep 50

Azuma says that in order to beat Shadow, he must create something which will definitely send Pierro to Cabaret Heaven so as to meet the King. However, Azuma is concerned about getting an essential ingredient for Ja-pan No.61 and checks with Pierro if the Monaco kingdom can supply hemp. Kawachi is alarmed and reminds Azuma that hemp is an illegal item. Azuma cannot comprehend why Kawachi is making such a big fuss since hemp can also be found in a Japanese seasoning, shichimi. Kawachi finds that Suwabara and Pierro are not alarmed by Azuma's request and is mocked for having no general knowledge. Pierro explains that hemp seeds are perfectly legal and added in foodstuffs approved by the law. There is also a restaurant which specialises in cuisine with hemp seeds located in Tokyo. Pierro allows Azuma to obtain the hemp seeds and reminds the latter of his promise to send Pierro to heaven.

In the hotel room, Kawachi is telling Azuma that he has no idea about hemp seeds being used in various seasoning substances. Kuroyanagi disses Kawachi for not knowing this even though he is a baker and says that many people are mistaken about the use of hemp. Actually, hemp had been used in food for a long time but due to the incorrect use of the substance as a drug, the item is now legally controlled. Hemp seeds are rich in protein and increases the body's resistance. In addition, due to its unique flavour, the seeds will help to enhance the taste of food.

Although Kawachi and Azuma think that they can defeat Shadow with this ingredient, Kuroyanagi thinks that it's too early to say. He reveals that he found out from his friend Kidd about Shadow who used to be a famous panto-mimer. Since Kirisaki is the mastermind behind the US team, Shadow can obtain his skills through his imitating skills.

Meanwhile, Shadow collapses in exhaustion while trying to imitate Kirisaki's skills. Shadow has already copied 98% of Kirisaki's skills and thinks that it's enough. However, Kirisaki remind him that if he doesn't copy the skills completely, it will not be enough to earn him the no.1 title.

When Shadow was young, he knew that he had the talent to imitate sportsmen' poses but without the skills, he was nothing to others. As such, he searched for something to excel in and learned pantomiming through watching videos. However, he had the tendency to lose control of himself. Even though Shadow managed to join a performing troupe, he was later fired with the reason that there was no soul put into his panto-miming. It was then when he met Kirisaki who tempted him to imitate his breadmaking skills so as to be the world No.1 in the Monaco Cup.

Shadow finally decides to perservere in the copying but he does not think that it's worth spending so much effort to defeat a stupid-looking Azuma. However, Kirisaki thinks that it is better not to underestimate Azuma since he has the talent and skills which are not obvious through his appearance.

Kuroyanagi tells the guys that it is rumoured widely that Kirisaki's Go-pan can make people feel as if they can go to the end of the galaxy. Kawachi argues that Azuma can also send people to heaven but Kuroyanagi stresses that Azuma's bread can do it if the person's senses are easily stimulated. In Go-pan's case, any ordinary person can feel as if they are in the galaxy. As such, Azuma's rival for this round should be Kirisaki who is a world-class baker instead of Shadow who is just copying him.

It is the eve of the final round and Kawachi is surprised that the staff from the Southern Tokyo store are planning how to escape and borrow money in case Azuma loses. He does not understand why they are not giving any advice to Azuma but Tsukino says that Azuma is already focused on making bread good enough to send Pierro to heaven. As such, he can do without their advice which may turn out to be distracting instead.

On the day of the final, lots of people flock to Monaco and flood the streets so as to see Pierro who is the heir to the throne. As such, Pierro arranges for a helicopter to fetch the contestants and other related personnel so that they will not be late. Suddenly, Pierro reveals that Shadow has promised to send him to the galaxy to meet his late mother by using Go-pan...

Heaven vs Galaxy...Is this anime getting more exaggerated?! Well, we'll find out what is so great about Go-pan and what Azuma is up to from the upcoming episodes. Something which bothers me is that Shadow seems to be very tired when he is learning Kirisaki's skills. Does making Go-pan require lots of strength or is it health-endangering to create the bread?

I like Kidd's appearance which offers much comical relief. He pops up out of nowhere at times and when he is scolding Kuroyanagi for dropping the phone to the ground whenever he's shocked, that is simply hillarious!

I took another look at the OP again and it seems like there is a scene of Azuma sitting on the beach which resembles what is shown in the manga when the Pantasia guys return to Japan and find out that Yukino has gained control of the company. Maybe that's a sign that the anime will continue even after the Monaco Cup arc...