This moron is an amazing guy.
Even though he’s in this state...
He just can’t seem to give up on making something delicious to save you.
You must do your best, Kanmuri...
Thank you, Azuma-kun.
I was about to give up, but thanks to you it looks like I’m stirred up once again.
But...
The flaming jam that my opponent is going to be making, jam flambe, is a first-class jam.
If I lose after having tried my very best, please forgive me.
What’s with this room? Doesn’t it kinda stink?
Note: Recall that the name of the lodge is Kusasou; when written as 臭そう it can also mean “looks like it’ll stink.”
That’s true...
It could be coming from the firewood.
There are certain varieties of trees that give off a strange smell when burnt.
I got it!
What’s with you all of a sudden?
I got it!
The best idea!
You must do your best, Kanmuri...
Thank you Azuma-kun.
This is also thanks to you.
That’s right.
There’s English bread, German bread, and French bread,
but Japan’s bread, Japan, does not exist.
In that case, there’s no choice but to create it.
This story is a serious, biographical ballad of a boy who possesses Solar Hands,
Azuma Kazuma, who will create a Japanese bread made by and for the Japanese people,
which can be presented to the world proudly.
kono koe todoke tai yo, mada chiisana uta dakedo
I want this voice to reach you, even though it’s still a tiny song.
hajimaru yokan ga suru kara
That’s because I have the feeling that something’s gonna start.
Yakitate!! Japan
Translated by: Anime-Empire
hitori de uzukumari, koe shizume nagara otoshita namida wa
As I was cowering, muffling my voice, the tears that I shed
“shinjiru koto wasurekaketeru to” to
probably helped me notice that
kidzukase tekureta no kamo shirenai
I’ve almost forgotten how to believe.
egaita mirai wo
The future that I painted (I will fulfill it)
(kanaerunda)
hareta sora miagete
Looking up to the clear skies,
mouichido hashiri dasu yo. Itsuka ano shiroi sora
I begin to run once again. Someday, I want to dye
watashi iro ni sometai na
that white sky with my colors.
dokomademo tondoyuku yo. Biidama mitai ni hikaru
I’m going to fly as far as possible, shining like a marble,
kono hane wo hirogete
unfolding these wings of mine.
The sibling showdown!!
The first-class man chosen by Dad!
The sibling showdown!!
The first-class man chosen by Dad!
Oh?
Masanobu...
Well, would you look at that. You have come to observe us?
My cute little sons are going to be in a match.
As a father, I felt that I must see it through.
Cute little sons indeed.
It’s not like you came to any of our sports meets or parent-participation sessions.
But now that it’s down to deciding who becomes your successor, you come, huh?
I’m sorry, Masanobu.
Due to my being in this fateful position,
I’ve caused you boys a lot of trouble.
If you’ve said all you wanted to,
would you please head to the audience stands and conduct yourself quietly?
Boss, is it all right like this?
Aoyagi...
Yes?
I’m still not sure about this.
Huh?
Masanobu, the Austrian court chef...
And Shigeru, a graduate of the Harvard University Food Sciences Research Institute...
Both are first-class men who have succeeded at wholesome paths.
I don’t know if it’s good to pull them forcibly into our world.
I understand how you feel, but...
unfortunately, we don’t have any talented people in our group to take over instead.
And that includes me...
Our group is said to have tens of thousands of underlings,
and in order to keep them from being turned out to the streets, a first-class man must be made boss.
A first-class man, huh?
Truth be told, Kanmuri-kun...
I don’t really care whether or not I inherit after the old man.
Because your mother gave birth to you...
my mother and I were driven out of the Hashiguchi home.
After that, all we heard of were stories of what a genius you were.
Before I knew it,
the feelings of jealousy and hatred I bore against you were growing uncontrollably.
The time for me to surpass you has finally...
Sorry to keep you waiting!
You’re late, Kanmuri.
You should come with time to spare.
I’m sorry.
But, I really needed it to win today’s match.
This apple tree log.
And it took me a while to find the perfect log, so...
I’m sorry.
Whatever.
Get ready at once.
It’s true that the sweet and sour flavor of rhubarb goes well with the sweet and sour flavor of apples.
But, that’s only when you mix in the actual fruit or the fruit juice.
What the hell do you think you’ll accomplish by bringing the damn tree along?
Very well, we will now begin the fifth match of Yakitate!! 9 here in Shinanomachi.
Begin!
Aoyagi...
Masanobu seems to be using a black, round pot.
What in the world is that?
I wouldn’t know...
I-It’s you!
Get ready to face the consequences of your earlier actions!
What idiots.
To think that you’d cast away your lives, which I once spared...
Who is that man?
That is the baker I was speaking of earlier,
working at the store where Master Shigeru is employed.
Oh?
That’s him?
L-Like that matters!
Everyone, get him!
All right!
Stop that.
Idiots.
Don’t I always tell you not to unnecessarily attack civilians?
We’re very sorry.
It appears we have caused you some trouble. Sorry about that.
Not really.
Not so much trouble that you’d need to apologize.
Is that so?
In that case, I have a favor to ask of you.
What?
You want me to explain the match to you?
That’s right.
At this rate, I am completely unable to understand how my sons’ match is proceeding.
Can I not ask this of you?
Don’t wanna.
No, huh?
Too much of a pain.
Meanie!
Manager...
Isn’t it all right?
I think that it’s wonderful that he wishes to understand his sons’ match properly.
Whatever.
Fine, I’ll explain.
Just remember this.
Even if Kanmuri is to lose this match,
if you try to force him into becoming boss of your group, you’ll have to face me.
What a man.
He’s picking a fight with me, knowing full well that I’m the head of the Hashiguchi group.
Well then.
Listen carefully.
That blackish, round pot that Tsutsumi is about to use
is probably made of volcanic rock.
Volcanic rock emits far-infrared rays.
Therefore, when used as a pot to boil jam, it is the perfect item.
He’s going to use that to make warm jam.
Warm jam?
The reason marketed jams are refrigerated
is simply because it’s convenient to preserve them that way.
Normally, jam is more delicious when warm.
Is that so?
I wouldn’t know...
That is why it’s the most basic of jam fundamentals
to come up with a good way to warm jam up.
In that case, if would be more delicious to warm jam up before spreading it on bread at home.
You’d think so, right?
Indeed.
But that’s not what happens in reality.
Wh-Why not?
Depending on whether it’s warm or cold, the strength of the same food item’s taste can change.
It’s like how cold fruit juice feels too sweet to drink when warm.
How you taste sweetness
Temperature
About body temperature
Low temperature
High temperature
Weak
Sweetness
Strong
The sweet-taste sensors of human beings sense sweetness the most
at temperatures close to body temperature.
If you warm up refrigerated jam...
Like juice, you would find that it is too sweet?
That’s right.
The world of cooking is deep indeed.
Deep, you say?!
Kawachi-san!
What about the match?
After all, Azuma-san is unable to participate this time.
Like I’ve said before, the true commander always...
Oh, it looks like Tsutsumi-san is up to something!
You’re just gonna ignore me all of a sudden?!
Well then.
I guess it’s time to finish up.
I’ll get this done in one go!
A flambe, huh?
Flambe?
It’s a technique where you splash on liquor high in alcohol content
and set fire to it to produce a strong fragrance.
Indeed, even though we’re so far away, a wonderful fragrance is wafting our way.
Very impressive, Masanobu.
You have mastered the ultimate technique that can move even complete amateurs like me.
Of course.
All right, it’s done.
Mr. Judge.
I request that you sample my item.
The alcohol is burning,
but the temperature of the actual jam should be all right for consumption.
This is very dangerous Please do not imitate it at any cost!
He put his face into the flaming pot!
What meaning is there in doing something like that?
Geez.
You call yourself the big boss of the baddies,
but it seems you can’t understand the true essence of things at all.
Wh-Wh... What?!
Listen up.
If you look at things with only your eyes, you cannot understand their true nature.
You must look at it with the mind’s eye.
Look... Look at it with my mind’s eye...
Th-This is...
I-I can see it!
The superhero of all children.
Note: Anpan, as most of you know, is sweet bean jam bread. “Anpan Man” is a cartoon for younger children where the hero, Anpan Man, has a head made of anpan. When he meets starving creatures or people, he lets them eat part of his head.
The warrior of justice made of sweet bean jam!
That’s right.
That’s the spirit.
So, who is it that makes that superhero?
The manga artist?!
You idiot!
I’m not talking about something remotely close to reality!
Look at his head!
H-Head...?
D-Don’t tell me...
The person making the superhero is...
That’s right!
The real person making him is...
Note: Jam Ojisan (ジャムおじさん) means Uncle Jam. He is Anpan Man’s father and a very kind baker. Anpan Man’s weakness is water or anything that makes his head dirty. He regains his health and strength when Uncle Jam bakes him a new head.
Uncle Jam!
K... Kuro-yan is impressive as always.
That guy’s got some guts.
Of course.
He’s a professional judge.
He would give up his life to express the deliciousness of something.
That was wonderful jam, Tsutsumi.
This is something that can be called ultimate among ultimate jams.
In addition to using volcanic rock as a pot to make warm jam...
The item you used to make the flambe is a gem amongst gems.
This is the crimson jewel, calvados.
It’s just as you say.
This is apple brandy made from the variety of apple known as “crimson jewel”
by allowing it to ferment for 10 years.
While making flambe, the most important thing to keep in mind is the fragrance.
That is why I judged that the calvados, with its mellow fragrance, is most suitable for it.
A superb choice.
I, Kuroyanagi, am impressed.
How’s that, Kanmuri-kun?
I’ve used various traditional techniques to their full extent...
to create the ultimate jam that surpasses all others.
You no longer have any hope of winning.
So many different strategies...
I guess we can be certain that Masanobu has won.
This is why amateurs are troublesome.
Kanmuri is so amazing that no one would believe he’s your son.
He won’t be put down with just this.
Then, you say that he has a secret plan that will help him surpass that wonderful jam?
Of course.
That’s what the apple tree log is for.
You mean that?
But even then, isn’t that just a piece of wood?
What in the world is he going to use it for?
I just...
don’t know.
You don’t know?
But aren’t you Shigeru’s friend?
Well, I think so, but...
Then, why don’t you know...?
Hey, what are you trying to say?
That just because you’re friends with all your underlings here, you know all their secrets?
Don’t pay him any attention.
He’s just that kind of person.
Yup.
Wh-What’s that...?
C-Could it be a fire?!
Boss!
Hurry up and put out the fire!
We must save Shigeru!
Yes sir!
Don’t butt in!
You plan on destroying a high-level match like this?
Wh-What do you mean?
Even I only figured it out just now...
What Kanmuri’s true intent is.
Shigeru’s true intent?
That is one of the techniques used for smoking.
Note: Onkun (温燻), or “hot smoking,” is carried out at temperatures of 30-80°C. Cold smoking is carried out at 15-30°C.
A technique called hot smoking.
In other words, he’s using the apple tree wood to smoke the jam.
S-Smoking?
Is that why there is so much smoke?
Look at the monitor.
He’s burning the apple tree wood inside the drum canister to smoke the jam.
B-But...
Would jam taste good upon being smoked?
You’d be able to warm it up, but wouldn’t a strange smell stick to it...?
Don’t be stupid.
Take in the fragrance of this smoke properly.
The fragrance of the smoke...?
This sweet fragrance is that of apples...?
The chips used for smoking come from cherry trees, the Japanese bead tree, chestnut trees, etc.
When you want to smoke items like jam that need to be sweet,
apple trees are known to be the best.
Masanobu’s flambe...
And Shigeru’s smoked jam...
The world of cooking is fearsome.
What a wonderful world.
Looks like you’ve gone and done it, Kanmuri-kun.
To think that you could use apple tree wood like this...
But...
My jam flambe was ultimate among ultimate jams.
No matter what strategy you use, it is impossible for it to lose to other jams.
I’ve heard that the judge is a former Pantasia member, but...
Looking at his skill earlier,
I know that he is a first-class person who will not bring personal feelings into the match.
I’m sure that he will announce my victory.
All right.
It looks good.
Looks like it’s done.
Yeah.
It’s done.
Kuroyanagi-senp... I mean Mr. Judge...
No matter what the item may be,
a faintly astringent taste is left in it upon being smoked, but...
I’ve heard that doesn’t happen when you use apple tree wood.
Looks like I must steel myself for this.
All right then.
Look!
There’s no reaction!
After having tasted my jam, it’s obvious that any other jam would fail in comparison!
No, that’s not it!
He’s entered a trance!
I must assume that he’s preparing for some reaction!
What is it?
What in the world is he looking for?
Oh no!
S-Stop that!
Tsu-Tsutsumi-san!
What’s with him?
Looks like he tried to interfere with Kuro-yan’s reaction when it looked like he’d lose.
Like hell that’d work.
L-Like hell I did.
Someone stop that judge!
Masanobu!
We’re in the middle of the judging of Shigeru’s jam here.
You cannot possibly interfere with the judging process.
No! It’s just as he says!
We must stop Kuroyanagi!
Wh-What’s with you, Manager?
Don’t you get it yet?
At this rate, Kuro-yan’s gonna enter that drum canister and smoke himself!
What was that?!
If he were to enter that, it wouldn’t end at just Uncle Jam.
Stop him!
Yes sir!
Don’t get in my... way!
He’s really strong despite his slender body.
His passion toward his reactions are higher than a mountain and deeper than the seas.
He can’t be stopped that easily!
Isn’t there a way to stop him?
There’s just one way.
What’s that?
Tsukino.
Become a fortuneteller.
Huh?
Become a fortuneteller and tell Kuroyanagi’s fortune.
Manager!
What you’re saying makes no sense!
Understood.
It made sense?
Wh-What do you plan on doing?
Tsukino! Attack!
Roger!
I will read your fortune.
Fortune?!
He changed directions!
Just watch.
Now!
What does this mean?
Why did he change directions?
It is a compensatory reaction.
Compensatory reaction?
When the first action you wanted to perform cannot occur,
in order to comfort yourself, you pick something else that you like to do.
This is a compensatory reaction.
Note: Unsei (運勢) means “fortune.” Kunsei (燻製) means “smoking.” So, instead of doing a kunsei, he went to have his unsei told.
In other words, by asking the girl to tell a fortune,
you prevented him from smoking himself?
That’s right.
But, right now he’s not heading to the fortunetelling girl, but to the..
Monkey bars?!
Don’t tell me...
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Smoking
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Kunsei
Unsei
Untei
Monkey bars! Is that so?!
Is that it?!
What a man.
In addition to his valor and complete lack of fear of me, the boss of the Hashiguchi group...
there’s his ability to assess situations that helps resolve crises like these in no time.
If you don’t call this man first class, you cannot call anyone first class.
What’s with him?!
Wait just a moment.
What happened to the all-important win or loss?
Very impressive Kanmuri.
You preserved the flavor of the rhubarb 100% by using the freeze-concentration technique.
In addition, your strategy of smoking it using apple tree wood.
This also enters the class of ultimate among ultimate jams.
Therefore this match is...
Devoid of winners.
A... A draw?!
Yep, at times when I cannot discriminate, the match is declared a draw.
N-No way...
Then the problem of the successor...
What are you going to do about it?
I’ll do it.
Ma-Masanobu...
Tsutsumi-san!
No matter how you looked at it,
I, being the Austrian court chef, was at an advantage when it came to making jam.
While the result may have been a draw...
I have no choice but to admit my defeat.
No, please wait Tsutsumi-san!
In that case, it is just too...
It’s all right.
I’ve come to terms with everything, having fought you with everything I had.
Tsutsumi-san.
And I’ve given up as a cook.
Don’t lie!
Your feelings of loving to cook are the real thing.
Anyone who saw how you desperately tried to stop Kuroyanagi’s reaction would know that immediately.
It’s because you didn’t want someone who understood the taste of true culinary masterpieces to die...
that you did it.
Right?
Hey Manager...
Just when it looked like we could push off the problem of the successor onto him...
Just shut up!
No, but I...
It’s all right now.
Masanobu...
And Shigeru.
Dad...
You no longer have to worry about who will succeed.
I was wrong.
The world of cooking has immeasurable depths...
I can’t make people like you, who can have a high-level match like this in this world,
succeed someone like me.
B-Boss!
In that case who’ll take care of our group?
Don’t worry.
I found us the perfect successor.
That is... this man!
We can have no complaints about this man’s appearance or personality.
He is very skilled, too.
In addition, he has a great ability to assess situations and is very knowledgeable.
He won’t allow our underlings to be thrown out onto the streets.
I see.
Don’t be saying what you please!
We’d all consent to someone as strong as you becoming our boss.
I’d follow you all my life, Bro!
Don’t come near me!
Hey Kawachi, say something will you?!
Hmmm?
Kawachi!
Hey, didn’t you tell me to shut up earlier?
Tsukino!
Kanmuri!
The court chef, huh?
Awesome!
Then, how about we go sample some of my food?
Oh, I’m envious!
I’d like to come too!
Please do.
G-Guys!
Please, Bro!
Well then, Bro, good to meet you.
Let’s all get along, shall we?
A happy ending, huh?
No it’s not!
onna ji kao wo kurikaeshi te, sekai wa kyou mo mawarundarou
The world will probably go on today, with a repetition of the same faces,
demo wa sureteita koto hitotsu
but there was one thing that I’d forgotten.
ookiku iki wo suikondara, mawari ni michita ai no katachi
If I’m to take a deep breath,
then the shape of the love that permeates my surroundings
mabushii kurai ni kirakira to
will shine so much that it’s blinding.
tooku de dareka ga yondeiru
Someone is calling me from far away...
sono koe taezu kono mune ni hibiku
And that voice constantly echoes in my heart.
chiisana yorokobi wo nosete mawari dasu merry-go-round
So, riding on my small pleasures, the merry-go-round begins to turn...
yoake no konai hi demo kokoro ni akari tomo sou
And even on days when the morning doesn’t come, it shines a light in my heart.
Next Episode
Finally, he’s gonna come, you know...
It’s amazing, you know...
And it’s not a commercial, you know...
Guys, you need to shut up, you know...
Next time, on Yakitate!! Japan,
Seaweed bread showdown!!
A really famous person is gonna appear, you know!
Seaweed bread showdown!!
A really famous person is gonna appear, you know!
Be sure to watch, okay?
Yakitate!! Seed of knowledge.
The history of jam dates way back to the days of the Stone Age, more than 10,000 years ago.
Jam
10,000 years ago, Stone Age
Originated when harvested fruit was
boiled down with honey
It originated when harvested fruits were boiled down with honey.
It is the oldest known way to preserve foodstuff
It is the oldest known way of preserving foodstuff.
Oh?