StoryDisclaimer: This series is completely ridiculous, utterly
ludicrous, and deliciously absurd. If you are a serious baker, patissier or
have simply undergone a sense-of-humour bypass, then it’s probably best that
you turn back now. If not, then leave your hat, coat and common sense at the
door and prepare for some freshly baked fun!
Yakitate!! Japan follows young baking genius, Kazuma
Azuma, on his quest to create the ideal ‘Ja-pan’ – a pun-a-licious bread that
perfectly sums up the Japanese nation – in the same way that the French have
the baguette and the Italians have the ciabatta. In order to further his
mission, the dim-witted Kazuma begins working at the most revered chain bakery
in Tokyo: Pantasia. The series’ sixty-nine (yes, sixty-nine) episodes
consist of Kazuma and his new colleagues participating in one increasingly
unbelievable tournament after another. Sounds pretty crappy right? Well, it is.
Luckily though, the whole show is one massive parody, and Yakitate!! Japan’s
inherently stupid nature becomes its greatest asset.
So much of Yakitate!! Japan‘s humour comes from how
seriously the characters take each tournament, as if it were a serious battle
to the death – and with katana-wielding samurai, Kai, getting riled up over his
croissants, it occasionally seems like a bloodbath could follow. Fortunately,
the series knows how completely rubbish its premise is and plays on it to great
effect, most noticeably in the various characters’ reactions to the latest delicious
loaf, which are, without a doubt, the series’ highlight. From a bizarre
loquat-based parody of Lord of the Rings, bulldozers smashing holes in
kitchen walls and a crazy clown that has mastered the multi-clone technique, to
bread that makes judges strip down to their underwear, turns back time and
literally sends you to heaven, Yakitate!! Japan defies expectations and
pushes the boundaries of believability with each passing episode.
Like all longer series, Yakitate!! Japan has its
flaws. Many plot elements are predictable, especially as Kazuma always seems to have the perfect bread for each occasion. Though part of its charm,
the whole series seems like Pokemon with bread and I half expect Kazuma
to whip out a small dough ball at any moment and yell: Ja-pan number 53, I
choose YOU! Also, while it remains humorous throughout, the novelty does
inevitably dissipate. Though the Monaco Cup arc revitalises the plot by
continually going one step beyond with its lunacy, the following ‘Yakitate 9’
arc drags somewhat and despite managing to raise a smile, the jokes wear a bit
thin. Also, the final episode is exceedingly rushed given its content,
particularly when preceding this was an entire twenty-four minutes documenting
a single bread reaction.AnimationThe bright and more simplistic visuals remain
consistent throughout the show. Utilising standard anime trademarks to
reiterate a character’s state of mind, such as dark wavy lines signalling
depression, Yakitate Japan’s animation encapsulates its comedic tone.
However, the anime’s most impressive imagery is the bread itself. Each unique
creation, from Kazuma’s vibrant green turtle bread, to Kai’s ultimate 648 layer
super vapour action croissant (don’t ask), looks wholly delicious and invokes a
constant craving for a nice fresh loaf – just as well it wasn’t in
smell-o-vision!SoundYakitate!! Japan’s score encompasses all that the anime
attempts to do. Suitably cheesy and dramatic music accompanies the series’ more
‘tense’ moments, while lighter and equally corny tracks enhance the
light-hearted nature of the show. On a purely personal note, I love the second
ending theme, 'To all tha dreamers' by SOUL'd OUT, if only for the disco
dancing manager that accompanies it.
The anime’s seiyuu perform well and easily covey the
nature of each character. Kazuma’s vocals are sufficiently naïve; Kawachi’s
Kansai dialect works ideally with his rough-around-the-edges nature; and
Kuroyanagi’s strong and confident inflections not only perfectly fit his
serious side, but also provide extra humour when he descends into ‘reaction
mode’.CharactersAs its weakest aspect, Yakitate Japan’s cast remains
mostly undeveloped throughout. Kazuma is as dense and naïve at the series’
conclusion as at the beginning, Kawachi, despite many attempts otherwise, only
provides comedy by being the show’s ‘whipping boy’, Tsukino is about as
interesting as a block of yeast, and the biggest mystery of all: who the hell
is Kid, and how many jobs does this guy have?! This lack of exploration of its
characters is partly to blame for Yakitate!! Japan’s humour becoming a
little stale after a while, and instead of developing with the cast, the jokes
sit like day-old bread.
On the plus side, each character actively contributes
to the series’ comedy. Kai and Kawachi’s mutual hatred makes their heated
exchanges and jibes about hair loss highly amusing to watch, while Kuroyanagi’s
short temper and his demure façade, which crumbles further with each extreme
reaction, provides endless amusement. Throw into the mix a deranged Pierrot,
feather-adorned Meister Kirisaki and the afro-sporting manager and it’s
possible to forgive some of the protagonist’s deficiencies. Whether it’s their
personality quirks or various interactions, Yakitate!! Japan wouldn’t
work half as well as it does without its wacky cast.OverallI cannot stress enough how important it is to
NOT TAKE THIS SHOW TOO SERIOUSLY; instead think of it as a harmless bit of fun.
It’s the sort of silly comedy series that will make you giggle, but would have
you peeing your pants with laughter if watched when drunk – or stoned. Sure it
has its faults but, if you let it, Yakitate!! Japan will provide hours
of easy-going entertainment.