Ep 35. E 35

SPOILER ALERT: This description contains spoilers for previous episodes.

In Yakitate!! Japan season 1 episode 35, titled E 35, team Japan continues to compete in the Monaco Cup against the best bakers from around the world. The episode picks up where the previous one left off, with team Japan facing off against the French team. The challenge is croissants - a classic French pastry that requires skill, precision, and a lot of patience.

First up for team Japan is Kanmuri, who has been tasked with making the dough. He works meticulously, careful not to overwork the dough and ruin its flakiness. His attention to detail pays off, and the judges are impressed with his perfectly layered croissants. However, the French team's croissants are also top-notch, and the judges declare the round a tie.

Next up is Suwabara, who must make the filling for the croissants. He decides to use a Japanese twist, incorporating matcha (green tea powder) and red bean paste into the filling. His creation is bold and flavorful, but the judges are unsure if it will pair well with the buttery croissants. On the other hand, the French team sticks to a classic almond filling, which is a safe bet but lacks creativity. The judges ultimately favor the French team's filling, giving them the slight edge in the round.

Finally, it's time for Azuma to shine. As the team's ace, he has been given the crucial task of shaping and baking the croissants. Azuma's unique approach involves using a bread starter that he has been cultivating for years, which he believes will give his croissants a special flavor and texture. His shaping technique is also unconventional, using a rolling pin instead of the traditional palm method. The judges are skeptical at first, but when they taste Azuma's croissants, they are blown away. The buttery layers melt in their mouths, and the bread starter adds an extra depth of flavor that sets Azuma's croissants apart from the rest. The French team's croissants, while still delicious, pale in comparison.

With Azuma's triumph in the final round, team Japan manages to secure their spot in the semifinals. They celebrate their victory by going out for sushi, but their joy is short-lived when they run into the Chinese team. The Chinese team's leader, also named Azuma, challenges the Japanese team to a friendly competition, and the stakes are high. The winner will be able to choose the loser's next challenge in the Monaco Cup. The episode ends with both teams gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and intense match.