Azuma Kazuma, the boy with the Solar Hands, comes to Pantasia in Tokyo, Japan to make the #1 bread for his country, ""Japan!"" This episode tells the back-story of how and why Azuma became interested in bread and why he so badly wants to create Japan's own unique bread; a bread that could proudly be shown as ""Japanese Bread"".

Within the first few seconds of arriving at the new employee contest of Pantasia, Azuma Kazuma has already found himself losing five of ten of his precious points! Can his unique bread save him from being dismissed with the rest of those the harsh manager Kuroyanagi Ryou deems unworthy?

The final four! Azuma, Kyousuke, Tsukino, and Kai progress on to the final competition to determine who is truly worthy to work in Central Pantasia branch. Will the combined efforts of Azuma and Kyousuke be able to impress the Meister, Sadono, and the ever-shrude Kuroyanagi?

It's Azuma and Kawachi's first day of work at the Southern Tokyo Branch of Pantasia. Tsukino, their new supervisor, teaches Kazuma how to make French bread. When they hear that the manager, afro-wearing Matsushiro Ken, must sample it before it can be sold in the bakery, they seek him out at a horse race track. Instead of tasting the bread, he throws it to a horse, who will eat it or reject it. He tells the two of them to make a bread delicious enough to be eaten by a horse. When they return to the store, Tsukino tells them his story - his sister nearly died from eating bread because of an unknown allergy to dairy. He therefore aims to make a bread that anyone, even someone with allergies, can eat. Horses will eat this type of bread because although they love wheat, they hate butter and dairy products.

Azuma and Kawachi are attempting to create a bread that tastes delicious, but has no possible allergens like butter and milk, and their job is on the line. Azuma calls his sister, who suggests (and brings) the exact ingredient to help him stay at the store - goat's milk, which Azuma makes into butter. Kawachi uses oats in his bread, and the horse accepts it. However, when fed Azuma's bread, the horse strongly rejects it. Ken and Kawachi eat Azuma's bread, and find it to be delicious. As well, the goat's milk that Azuma used eliminates the main allergen in milk, making it a bread that fits the manager's request. Both Azuma and Kawachi keep their jobs.

Azuma and Kawachi are wondering why the store doesn't get more customers when the main store has lines dragging on and on. When they ask Ken, he points out that the main branch of St. Pierre, a rival bakery, is across the street. Soon, they meet the manager, a very effeminate man (it is strongly insinuated that he is gay) named Mokoyama, who is about to release St. Pierre's new line of bread. However, Ken tells Mokoyama Azuma is a much better baker, and he challenges the St. Pierre branch to a duel: Azuma's newest Japan against his new line. St. Pierre accepts, but the main Pantasia branch knows nothing about the challenge, or Azuma's new Japan, and their entire reputation is resting on their newest employee - especially since the duel will be broadcast on television.

The Bread Duel begins. Mokoyama unveils his new bread first, Kougin Pudding Amman, a pudding filled butter roll. It is made using the highest quality ingredients, and all of the judges give it a perfect score. Then, it's Azuma's turn. His bread, which is fried, seems to go over well with the judges; he took leftover bread and fried it in a special sauce to make it soft again. However, the judges note that it is made from leftovers, and that people will not want to eat it. In the nick of time, the general manager of Pantasia appears, and asks the judges to take price into consideration. Mokoyama announces that the price of his bread will be 190 yen, only slightly higher than a normal butter roll, which is a good deal because of the high quality ingredients. Then Azuma declares his price - 0 yen. This excites the crowd, and the judges give his bread a perfect score as well - it's a draw.

An invitation is sent to the two newest members of the Southern Tokyo Branch, for the annual "Newcomers Competition" - a tournament of every Pantasia newcomer. Their preliminary challenge is to make dinner bread that will last for three weeks without growing mold. Azuma automatically thinks of a previous Ja-pan, and offers to help Kawachi make it with him. However, Kawachi wants to do it on his own this time, so Tsukino suggests helping him get the legendary solar hands. Although confused as to how, Kawachi accepts the challenge. The special training is swimming - Kawachi is to swim many laps in a pool, with weights around his stomach. Kawachi goes into training, while Azuma decides to go to Izu to get an ingredient... by running. Izu is 3-5 hours away by train.

The newcomer duet is still working on their bread for the competition. Kawachi is in intense training to increase his muscle mass and obtain Solar Gauntlets. Azuma, understandably, faints on his way to Izu, but finds what he needs at a sushi restaurant he collapses near - wasabi. Meanwhile, Kawachi is trying to find his ingredients, so he can fulfill his deceased father's dream of working at the main branch of Pantasia, but feels sorry for himself. Ken Matsushiro tells him to stop being such a baby by dumping his liquor on him. Ken actually intended to give Kawachi the idea of using alcohol in his drink, and Kawachi gets the idea, making his Osaka-pan.

Kazuma and Kyousuke had made it past the preliminary rounds. Kazuma had finished creating his "secret weapon" with the help of Grandpa Umasaburou and baked his ultimate Japan #44 to thank him. The day of Pantasia Newcomers Battle has finally arrive, but Kazuma overslept. He barely made it and Kuroyanagi scolded him by shouting "You're late!! That's 5 points off!!".

Kazuma chose the worst possible butter and baked a dinner roll which was thought by Kuroyanagi to taste the worst but it seems that Azuma has just pulled of a miracle.

Kazuma was initially disqualified along with other 13 people who chose the same butter as him (i.e.: butter C, revealed to be margarine) by Kuroyanagi, however Kazuma was re-admitted into the Newcomers' battle after Kuroyanagi tasted his butter rolls. This episode also introduces Mizuno Azusagawa, Tsukino's younger and bratty sister, along with the animosity between the two sisters. Near the end, after Kazuma and Kyosuke learned about the issue between the Azusagawa sisters from their manager, they decided to give their best to win the Newcomers' battle to support Tsukino. Mizuno also sets up a gamble in which if Kazuma loses to her, he will have to transfer to Mizuno's new Tokyo Pantasia branch, however should Kazuma wins, Mizuno has to begin respecting Tsukino as her older sister.

Kazuma had made a bet with Mizuno, Tsukino's sister but he's totally clueless on baking melon buns. Sushi shop owner whom Kazuma met when he was fainted arrived at the main branch to treat them some sushi. While observing him, Kazuma got an idea on how to create Japan#58, Melon Sushi Bun and asked Tsukino out. Tsukino thought they were out on a date but Kazuma had just forgotten his money and needed her to come along to buy some ingredients. Kazuma's Japan#58 Melon Sushi Bun enabled him to defeat Mizuno and advance to the next round.

Kawachi's match between him and Motohashi. Kawachi wins, but only after trying his best after receiving a huge scare from Matsushiro. Shachihoko, Azuma's next opponent is introduced, as well as the next theme for the next round, which is yakisoba bread. The object is to make the yakisoba not the bread. Azuma who has only ever made bread is a terrible cook, Matsushiro calls an old ramen chef friend of his to teach Azuma and Kawachi the way of yakisoba.

In a hopeless situation, Azuma becomes depressed. Meanwhile Kawachi goes on to win his match, and gives Azuma an idea. The day of the match between Azuma and Shachihoko has arrived. Azuma ends up winning by making an okonomiyaki-style sandwich on pannini bread.

The match between Azuma and Koala begins, the object is to create an animal bread that is attractive to both woman and young children. Matsushiro explains that Koala (who was earlier revealed to be Mokoyama, in disguise) will beat Azuma, with his dragon bread. Near the end of the episode, Koala presents a dragon shaped bread to Kuroyanagi and Azuma presents a green turtle shaped bread.

The episode carries on from episode 16, and ends with Azuma's win. After Koala's loss, Mizuno fires Koala, but later re-hires him after realizing how much she loved him.

Tsukino goes to her mother's grave as it is her mother's anniversary while Kawachi is versing Katsuo "Pig-boy" Umino in the Pantasia main branch. Kawachi is surprised to see Tsukino not coming to his match and wins. Tsukino buys flowers and brings bread to her mother's funeral while Kyousuke, Kazuma and Ken Matsushiro go to her mother's grave to pray with her.

The semi-finals match, Kanmuri vs. Kawachi. Kawachi is confident in his battle between Kanmuri and him after obtaining a special yeast from Matsushiro. During the competition Kawachi suddenly has difficulty kneading his dough, and despite his efforts the dough refuses to ferment.

Just before the competition, Yukino placed endo-proteases into Kawachi's flour, causing Kawachi to lose to Kanmuri by foul play.

After Kawachi's dreadful defeat at the hands of Kanmuri, Azuma decided to take revenge for Kawachi. During Azuma's match with Suwabara, Azuma baked Japan #44, a bread that allows you to go heaven. The judges, Kuroyanagi and Dave go to heaven after eating Azuma's bread. When Kuroyanagi comes back to life after the effects of the bread have worn off, he declares Azuma the winner.

The episode begins with a short over-view of the past few episodes. Kawachi is also suggested by Matsushiro to go train at a church during the finals, before facing Suwabara. After talking to Kanmuri in the kitchen, Yukino finds the petalite stone and then breaks it in sand pouring it into a sandbox.

It's the finals of the Pantasia Newcomers Battle! Can Azuma truly win without his petolite board? He seems to have a unique plan in mind, but with this unique plan for Japan #60. Additionally, what happens to Kyousuke after he finds the St. Andrew's Church mentioned in the last episode? Find out in this episode!

It's the judging of the finals!! Azuma's sticky, extensible bread vs Kanmuri's equially extensible bread! With Meister Kirisaki judging, it's all the more inconclusive as to who will win this battle of the mochi mochi breads!

With the final match done and over with, now's the time to celebrate! Saturday Night Fever, baby!! . . .or is it? There's still the matter of the Third-Place Match! What's more, Kawachi explains what he'd been doing for the past week. Just what is the mystery of St. Andrew's Church?

What was that?! Early into his match with Suwabara Kai, Kawachi finds that Suwabara's French Bread is one, huge roll! Not only that, but what he's been freaking out, Suwabara has already begun baking his French Bread! What can Kawachi possibly do to compete?! Why. . .put the finishing touches on his ""Singing Bread,"" of course! Can he possibly win against the iron will and violent, fiery soul of Suwabara Kai?

After the awards ceremony for the contest, the South Tokyo crew return to their store, and Kazuma teaches a kid the joy of cooking bread. Follow along and learn how to make your very own Ja-pan in this episode! Source: crunchyroll

Though Kawachi has departed for the main store, life has returned to normal for the South Tokyo branch. Or has it? The villainous Yukino is still plotting to take down the South Tokyo store, so Kanmuri proposes a risky plan to save the bakery! Source: crunchyroll

Yukino hires three specialists from the St. Pierre branch in Kyushu who are able to copy any kind of bread. Can Kazuma’s Black Ja-pan counter their threat and expose Yukino for the villain she is? Source: crunchyroll

Kazuma, Kawachi, and Suwabara depart for France to train under Meister Kirisaki’s younger sister, Sophie. But when they learn that her bakery is being threatened, they decide to help her fight! Source: crunchyroll

For the Monaco Cup qualifying match, Kawachi proposes that they make a bread modeled after Rodin’s famous sculpture, “The Thinker.” The catch? He has to stay inside the bread sculpture during the competition! Can he possibly make it? Source: crunchyroll

The Monaco Cup has officially begun, and Team Japan’s fate rests on their luck with the roulette. Will they get the ingredients they need? Can they possibly make a bread just with eggs? Source: crunchyroll

Things don’t look good for Team Japan. France is a tough contender, and the judge is more interested in explaining his origins than judging the bread! Can Kazuma’s Ja-pan #21 pull through? Source: crunchyroll

After using a roulette table to determine ingredients, what could possibly come next? How about a slot machine? Suwabara steps up and wins a lot of coins at the slots, but things sound too good to be true… and what’s this about Lu-pan? Source: crunchyroll

Spencer Henry Hoko, from the Newcomer Contest, is back and has joined Team America! But why is he working for St. Pierre? Back at the South Tokyo branch, Kanmuri and the others desperately try to keep the store afloat with a demonstration sale! Source: crunchyroll

For the quarterfinals, contestants have to make a bread in less than 60 minutes. Can it be done? Kazuma has the idea to use a microwave, but when Pierrot reveals he absolutely hates them, things don’t look good for Team Japan! Source: crunchyroll

The contestants are brought to a tropical paradise and have to make a sweet bread with ingredients found on the island. Things take a turn for the worse though when Kazuma gets caught in a whirlpool! Forget about winning… can they survive? Source: crunchyroll

Team France does the unthinkable and sets fire to the island in the hopes of stripping away Team Japan’s chances of winning. Yuichiki Kirisaki and Chairman Lemay aren’t just out to beat Team Japan… they want them dead! Source: crunchyroll

After surviving the incident on the island, Team Japan lives to fight another day. Because the last round’s results were annulled, a rematch will be held in Mexico. But something seems off about those professional skydivers hired for the match… Source: crunchyroll

After rescuing Kazuma and the others, Pierrot leads everyone to an underground lake. He promises everyone that he’ll swim outside and find help, but there’s one problem... he can’t swim! Can Pierrot get out of it, or did he bite off more than he could chew? Source: crunchyroll

After being rescued from the cave, Kazuma and the others meet the King of Monaco, who apologizes for all of the threats they’ve faced and offers them any ingredient they wish. In exchange though, they must answer his question! Source: crunchyroll

It’s time for Team Japan to face against Team France—Kayser! The Kayser brothers reveal their true form, and Gran Kayser has more special abilities than anyone could have imagined! And what’s worse, Kazuma might be disqualified for being late! Source: crunchyroll

Kazuma arrives in the nick of time and faces off against Gran Kayser. Suwabara’s red bread couldn’t beat Kayser’s blue bread. Will Kazuma’s black bread tip the scales? Source: crunchyroll

After conquering Team France, Team Japan is feeling confident, but another threat looms overhead: Team America. They’ve faced Spencer Henry Hoko before, but just who are Shadow and Monica? Source: crunchyroll

Suwabara faces off against Monica Adenauer of Team America, who is revealed to be a world-champion patissier! Can he possibly beat her in making an artistic bread? Source: crunchyroll

It’s time for the judging! It’s Suwabara’s golden P’ain D’or against Monico’s beautiful five-layered flower bread. Before giving the results though, Pierrot turns himself into the police! Source: crunchyroll

It’s time for Kawachi to face off against Spencer Henry Hoko! After learning more about how hard his father worked, Kawachi is more determined than ever to obtain victory! Can he achieve his father’s dreams? Source: crunchyroll

Pierrot’s been stabbed! And Detective Conan showed up? What’s going on here? Has Kawachi been accused of murder? Source: crunchyroll

Pierrot is at death’s door and everyone is scrambling to save him! However, he has a rare blood type and no one knows any donors… but what’s this? The King has the same blood type? Source: crunchyroll

After tragically losing his father, Pierrot still carries on with the contest. But Shadow from Team America promises to reunite Pierrot with his mother with his Go-pan! Can Go-Pan send Pierrot to the Milky Way to meet his mother who died and became a star? Source: crunchyroll

It’s time for the final match. Kazuma of Team Japan vs. Shadow of Team America. Ja-pan vs. Go-pan. Who will win? And just how does Kazuma plan to reunite Pierrot with his parents with his bread? Source: crunchyroll

Kazuma’s Ja-pan #61 has sent Pierrot back 23 years in time! Can Pierrot save his parents and alter the course of history? Or will he be doomed to a tragic life? Source: crunchyroll

Mr. Kirisaki has bought out Pantasia and merged it with St. Pierre! He then throws down to the gauntlet to Kazuma and the others by issuing them this challenge: If they want to save Pantasia, they must compete in his Yakitate 9 contest! Source: crunchyroll

The first opponent that Kazuma and the others face is the enigmatic Takumi Tsubozuka, a member of CMAP, a team of celebrity chefs. Can Kazuma, Kawachi, and Kanmuri come up with a bread that will defeat Tsubozuka and make use of Oma’s local ingredients? Source: crunchyroll

The bake-off has begun! Will Tsubozuka win with his charred tuna, or will Kazuma come from behind with his chawanmushi bread made with sea urchin? Source: crunchyroll

After an accident, Kuroyanagi lost all sense of taste. Will he have to retire from being a judge forever? Meanwhile, Kazuma has to think of a way to defeat his old friend, Liu, in a match to make Chinese-style steamed buns! Source: crunchyroll

Tsubozuka has become a friend of Kazuma and the others. But the other members of CMAP aren’t so forgiving. Now they’re dueling against Kazuma in Saito. How in the world can Kazuma beat three excellent bakers, and use a little clay haniwa statute to do it? Source: crunchyroll

CMAP not only has incredible knowledge and unbeatable talent, but one of their members even has the Arms of Flame, which burn even hotter than Kazuma’s Hands of the Sun! Will Kazuma’s love of good food and good friends be enough? Source: crunchyroll

A familiar pair returns, but something is different about them! Kazuma, Kawachi, and Kanmuri must do battle with a duo of ninjas using the local specialty of Omagari. Can Kazuma win even though both he and his opponent are using the same ingredients? Source: crunchyroll

The ninjas are revealed to be Kai and Monica, and Kai makes a shocking declaration. If he can’t defeat Kazuma, he’ll commit suicide! Will his determination let him finally beat Kazuma? And will he really go through with it if he loses? Source: crunchyroll

Kanmuri’s past is brought to light and he may have to retire from his life as a baker! Will he be forced to leave his friends at Pantasia and become… a gangster!? And what’s worse, after getting sick, Kazuma has to sit this match out! Source: crunchyroll

It’s a showdown between estranged brothers. Neither wants to succeed, because both love cooking. Will their thoughts reach their father? Source: crunchyroll

Kazuma is up against his most powerful foe yet, the famous TV celebrity and comedian Norihei Miki! Can Kazuma possibly compete against such a legend, especially when the theme involves using seaweed, Norihei’s specialty? Source: crunchyroll

It’s time for Kuroyanagi to decide who will win the sixth round: Kazuma or Norihei. Kuroyanagi delivers his most expressive reactions yet in a battle that leaves Kazuma and the others stunned! Source: crunchyroll

Mokoyama has returned a changed man. Though he doesn’t wish to assist Yukino or Mr. Kirisaki in any way, he desperately wants to prove his worth by displaying his new form, Panda Man, and his new weapon, Super Baking Powder! Source: crunchyroll

The hot springs battle is boiling over and things start getting really bombastic when Panda’s bread explodes… three times! How can this possibly be? Has Mokoyama made the bread he’s always dreamed of making? Source: crunchyroll

Tsukino’s sister steps in to challenge Kazuma and the others in the semi-finals, in a match she is well-suited for: making tarts. After insulting a local fruit vendor, Kazuma decides to fight against her using the vendor’s specialty, preserved loquats! Source: crunchyroll

Kazuma has been thrust into a fantasy world, and most take the “loquat” to the fires of a volcano and destroy it before the evil Snowza can use it to take over the world! This sounds an awful lot like a certain story about a ring… Source: crunchyroll

The final showdown. Kazuma faces off against Yuichi Kirisaki’s son in a legendary battle in Kazuma’s own hometown. However, Kazuma won’t just have to win over Kuroyanagi - Yuichi Kirisaki and Pierrot also step up to the plate as judges! Source: crunchyroll