10 Things You Didn't Know About Yakitate!! Japan (2024)

Yakitate!! Japan began as a manga series in 2001 written and illustrated by Takashi Hashiguchi. It was adapted into an anime series that first aired in 2004. The story follows Kazuma Azuma, a young baker aspiring to create Japan’s very own signature bread – “Ja-pan” – to join the ranks of English bread, German bread, French bread, and so on.

RELATED: 10 Shonen Anime Every Newcomer Should Watch

Yakitate!! Japan focuses on various baking competitions stylized as tournament arcs, holding to its shonen classification. The motivations of each baker are different— yet one thing is always the same: to elicit a “reaction” from the judges or whoever eats the bread. A “reaction” is a fantastical and often pun-based event that occurs when eating something so utterly delicious that mere words cannot express adequate approval of the dish.

10 Azuma Kazuma Is A Loveable Protagonist

Azuma is a protagonist that audiences feel proud to root for. He is endearingly kind, fiercely ambitious, and confident without reaching the point of arrogance. He is supportive of his coworkers and always eager to learn more about baking from the esteemed bakers he comes across during Yakitate!! Japan. His background is humble; Azuma does not have nearly as much formal training as his rivals do. This allows Azuma to be more creative and win more baking battles. He is not held to traditional standards because he is unaware of them.

9 Shonen-Style Baking Battles Make The Anime Interesting

In true shonen fashion, the bakers of Yakitate!! Japan showcase their skillsduring intense bake-offs. The series follows multiple baking tournament arcs where bakers from all sorts of backgrounds come together with one goal: to win. The first arc takes place at Pantasia, a large bakery chain headquartered in Tokyo. Azuma hopes to secure a job at the bakery in order to learn more about baking bread. He must battle other hopefuls in order to gain employment. Later, Pantasia's franchise is at stake as Azuma and his coworkers head to Monaco to participate in an international breadmaking competition. Finally, the groupcompetes on a game show to determine who is truly the bestbaker.

8 There Is A Great Rivalry Between The Azusagawa Sisters

InYakitate!! Japan,viewers are first introduced to TsukinoAzusagawaduring the Pantasia Entrance Examination Arc. She poses as a candidate, but she is actually the illegitimate daughter of Pantasia's owner. She operates Pantasia's Southern Tokyo Branch and is at the entrance examinationto scout out the bakers.

RELATED: 10 Anime Characters Who Took Over Their Family's Business

MizunoAzusagawa is Tsukino's younger half-sister and works for Pantasia's New Tokyo Branch. YukinoAzusagawa is the eldest sister and aims to take over Pantasia. Tsukino's illegitimacy puts a strain on their sisterly relationship, but their inherent competitiveness regarding the future of Pantasia is what truly fuels their rivalry.

7 Azuma Might Actually Have Supernatural Powers

It’s common knowledge among Azuma’s cohort that one reason he is such a superb baker is because of his “Hands of the Sun,” or “Solar Hands.” His hands are naturally very warm — warmer than most people’s hands— and this is seen as a great asset when it comes to baking bread. This is because the warmth from his hands helps the dough to ferment faster. This is important because, when competing against other bakers, having more time available allows for more time for innovation, heightening the odds of impressing the judges.

6 Audiences Learn To Make Bread While WatchingYakitate!! Japan

The characters of Yakitate!! Japan will sometimes break the fourth wall and teach the viewers a recipe. For fans, it’s no secret that food in anime always looks more delicious than real-life food, but Yakitate!! Japan will sometimes show a live-action demonstration of a breadmaking session alongside Azuma making the same thing. The way they do it makes baking bread seem more accessible. Even though the bakers on Yakitate!! Japan are extremely skilled, they also believe that any average person could learn the basics of what they're doing and make delicious bread anytime they want it.

5 Yakitate!! Japan Is Utterly Hilarious

More than anything, Yakitate!! Japan is a comedy anime. Antics between the characters keeps fans on their toes. From the silly and drawn-out "reactions" to the banter between the characters, there is always something happening on the screen that is full of hilarity. Yakitate!! Japan's vibrant characters have an electric chemistry that contributes greatly to viewers' enjoyment of the anime. Yakitate!! Japan'sabsurdism is part of what makes it such a compelling comedy anime.

4 It's Full Of Heartwarming Moments

While still being a comedy anime and still having shonen-style battles, Yakitate!! Japanis still quite heartwarming. The bonds that form between the employees of Pantasia's Southern Tokyo Branch are strong. Amidst all the competitive baking and corporate scheming, it's a breath of fresh air for viewers to be able to root for good-natured and honorable characters. Each character might have demons from their pasts, but their commitment to teamwork and unrelenting positivity is what keeps Yakitate!! Japan going.

3 "The Kid" Is A Hilarious Recurring Gag

"The Kid" is a joke character that shows up at various times throughout Yakitate!! Japan. Even comedy anime need a comedic relief character. Many of the main and side characters of Yakitate!! Japan can be considered comic relief characters, but it's Brad Kid who brings the most comedy into the anime. He is first introduced during one of Ryou Kuroyanagi's "reactions" that turned into a flashback.

RELATED: 10 Anime Where Food Is A Love Language

Kid continues to make appearances throughout Yakitate!! Japan by fulfilling cameo roles. His name is a reference to actor Brad Pitt and his character design also reflects this. Kid stands out from other character designs in Yakitate!! Japan because his drawing style is a nod to late '80s American cartoons.

2 The Yakitate!! Game Show Arc Saw The Protagonists Traveling Japan To Bake Bread Using Region-Specific Ingredients

A highlight of the final story arc of Yakitate!! Japanis that it is agame show arc, known as Yakitate!! 25 in the manga and Yakitate!! 9 in the anime. The winner of this baking tournament will decide the fate of Pantasia. Each round of this competition takes place in a different region of Japan, typically regions that already have foods or ingredients they are famous for. The contestants must use the region-specific ingredient in their bake. The Yakitate!! 9 arc gives fans some insight into popular foods in different Japanese locales.

1 Many Different Kinds Of Breads Are Featured Throughout The Series

While it's true that throughout Yakitate!! Japan, Azuma's main goal is to create Japan's signature bread, the anime is chock-full of professional bakers. This means thatbreads from all over the world are featured as the series progresses. Yakitate!! Japan's many tournament arcs are the perfect way to highlight different kinds of breads. The tournaments give extremely talented bakers the space to show off their skills at baking traditional breads while also pouring their own creativity into their bakes.

NEXT: