Yakitate!! Japan, Vol. 18

Are you ready for the Iron Chef of bread?! Manga shall not live by bread alone.

England. France. Germany. What common thread binds these three nations together? Answer: each is famous for producing unique, distinctive, delicious bread. But what about Japan, home to rice and delicacies of the sea? Is there not a doughy, gastronomic delight they can claim as their own? The answer is no...until now! Kazuma Azuma, a 16-year-old-boy blessed with otherworldly baking powers, has taken it upon himself to create Ja-pan, the national bread of the land of the rising sun!

Sibling rivalry takes over the competition kitchen as yakuza heir apparent Kanmuri clashes with his half-brother Tsutsumi in a jam-packed battle of the bakeries. The loser will inherit their father's organized crime circle--and with Azuma out sick, team Pantasia is spread thin! Later, Azuma goes up against a seaweed scion in an attempt to incorporate the briny ingredient into his bread. Despite Azuma's best efforts to make his signature Ja-pan sea(weed) worthy, it looks like Pantasia bakery may be headed for a watery grave!


About the Author
Takashi Hashiguchi was the recipient of Young Magazine Gekkan Shinjinsho (Newcomer's Award) in 1987 from Kodansha and received an honorable mention for the Tetsuya Chiba Award. He made his debut in 1988 with Combat Teacher. Hashiguchi says that for a time he tried his hand at being a comedian, but differences with his partner led him to return to manga. His major works include Street Fighter II Bakusho Yon-koma Gag Gaiden (Street Fighter II Hilarious 4-panel Gag Outside Story), Chosoku Spinner (High Speed Spinner), Windmill, Scissors, and Yakitate!! Japan. His most recent series, Saijo no Meii (The Ultimate Great Doctor) is currently serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday.