Yakitate Japan Ep 53

The Monaco Cup competition ends with Azuma helping the Japan team to clinch the title. They gather for a dinner to celebrate the victory but Suwabara looks quite upset which leads Tsukino to ask what happened. Kawachi reveals that Suwabara must be feeling sad about having to part with Monica but the latter tries to deny it. Just then, Monica runs into the restaurant and hugs Suwabara while saying that she wants to join the party. Even though Azuma says that it's OK, Kawachi is against the idea since Monica is from the rival team. However, Monica drops a bombshell by saying that they are no longer rivals since Kirisaki has bought over Pantasia which is now under the control of St. Pierre. This shocks everyone who has never expected such an outcome...

Azuma, Kanmuri and Kawachi are moping at the beach where Kanmuri comments that he never expected Kirisaki to take over Pantasia before they could do anything. It is almost without doubt that Yukino will be taking over the reins of Pantasia. However, Kanmuri reminds them that they have 12 billion yen and would be able to set up a new bakery. Kawachi is pessimistic about the possibility as to whether this will work out.

Just then, Azuma goes to Tsukino and tells her to cheer up. He says that everyone will become moody if she looks sad but Tsukino still feels sorry for her grandfather who had gone through a lot to set up Pantasia. Azuma then gives Tsukino the ring that he got from the Monaco queen and puts it on her left hand as a gift. She is embarrassed by this gesture since Azuma put it on the wedding ring finger but decides to accept it at the encouragement of Kanmuri and Kawachi.

Over in Japan, Yukino is furious to know that she won't be the CEO of Pantasia and demands that Kirisaki give her an explanation. Kirisaki explains that he intends to get Yukino to manage St.Pierre while he will get Tsukino to manage Pantasia as he wants to do something else.

Meanwhile, Tsukino reveals the offer to her friends who are surprised by Kirisaki's actions. Kanmuri feels that Kirisaki is trying to minimise the danger they will pose to him by getting them to work for Pantasia which he owns. As such, Kawachi tells Tsukino that she should not accept the offer.

Just then, Kirisaki appears and explains that this is not a trap. In fact, he wants to challenge them to a competition where he will give them the Pantasia shares worth 120 billion yen for free if they win. However, the condition is that they will have to bear the costs of the production of the TV programme which will be shown on TV Big Tokyo with the 12 billion yen they possess. As such, if they lose, they will not be able to make a comeback since their funds will be exhausted. Matsushiro states that they will not agree to this match unless Kirisaki provides them with more information.

Kirisaki explains that the new programme will be named Yakitate 9 where there are no restrictions on the number of members and their ages. However, Azuma will have to take part in every match during the period of the competition under the request of the TV station. There will be a total of 9 matches held at cities famous for their local produce. Since Azuma wants to create his own Ja-pan one day, he should take on this challenge of using each place's local produce to create bread tailored for that region so as to boost the popularity of bread in Japan. Although Azuma feels like accepting the match, he is concerned over Tsukino's view.

Kirisaki then gives them Gopan 104 which he just made which makes them see a story about an American boy who wants to make rice for his countrymen. The scenario is the same as Azuma's background which makes them realise that Kirisaki is in a class above them. As such, Tsukino agrees to the competition as she doesn't want Pantasia to fall into the hands of Kirisaki but her friends must also agree to this since the money belongs to them too. Thus, the group decides to take up the challenge despite the odds of losing everything they have.

On the flight back to Japan, Kuroyanagi and Matsushiro get into an argument again which makes Azuma and gang wonder why they are on such bad terms. Just then, the stewardess asks Kuroyanagi to meet someone in the first class cabin.

Kuroyanagi is surprised to know that Kirisaki wants him to be the judge of Yakitate 9 as the latter thinks highly of his sense of taste and ability to detect various ingredients. Kuroyanagi brings up the possibility of him favouring the Pantasia team but Kirisaki thinks that Kuroyanagi will not take sides. However, Kuroyanagi has no plans to give up his career as a baker but Kirisaki reminds him not to be greedy and should concentrate on being a professional judge. This gets Kuroyanagi to start thinking over this suggestion.

Azuma asks Matsushiro why he is always bickering with Kuroyanagi. Matsushiro reveals that he tried to bully Kuroyanagi in the past right from the day the latter became his disciple. This was because Matsushiro knew that Kuroyanagi had the talent of identifying ingredients and baking methods instantly so he wanted him to quit being a baker and concentrate on developing his strengths. However, Kuroyanagi refused to give up which made Matsushiro continue to make trouble for him. Unknown to them, Kuroyanagi has overheard this conversation. Everyone tries to get Matsushiro to tell Kuroyanagi the truth but he refuses to do so. However, this becomes the turning point for Kuroyanagi to know what he should do...

The programme, Yakitake 9 finally begins with Kuroyanagi as the judge and host. Azuma, Kanmuri and Kawachi are taking part in the first round against Tsubozuka Takumi, a chef cum idol from the group CMAP...

I wonder if they had too much time and funds on hand thus resulting in a parody of Yakitate Japan by doing Takitate Go-han. And that part wasn't short so it is obviously a filler episode before they move on to the next arc of Yakitate 9. Although it was funny to watch, I really think it's quite a waste of time to do such things. I would have preferred to see them exploring more on Suwabara and Monica's relationship since they are such a cute couple.

And to make things worse, Suwabara doesn't seem to be appearing at all in the next arc since Kanmuri had been MIA for sometime so it's time for them to switch places. OK, I like both Suwabara and Kanmuri and would love to see both of them but I guess sometimes, there is no such thing as a win-win situation.

There seems to be another parody here...CMAP? Isn't it obvious that they are referring to SMAP? And that member is named Tsubozuka Takumi? Reference to Kimura Takuya?!

Actually, the Yakitate 9 contest is probably going to end up with an Azuma-win again but I'm staying on for more episodes despite the predictable outcome. I've followed this anime for more than 1 year so it's unlikely I will drop this until it ends its run.