anime episode summaries

At Full Power! Burn Chouji!

Shikamaru’s team escapes the big guy’s barrier jutsu and they find him all alone. The rest of the enemy have gone ahead. They try attacking the big guy but they just ended up getting pounded instead. After the big guy insults them, calling them stupid subordinates following a stupid leader (Shikamaru), Chouji decides that he will deal with the big guy personally. He tells the others to go ahead and catch Sasuke before the enemy reaches the border. Chouji brings out 3 colored pills from his pocket and swallows the green one. The first pill gives him incredible strength and he engages the big guy. As the four leave in pursuit of Sasuke, Shikamaru promises that they will come back for Chouji. Chouji and the big guy do sumo wrestling and Chouji is able to throw his opponent.

Bring it on!While running, Shikamaru explains how the 3 pills (green, yellow, and red) are secret medicines from the Akimichi clan. But although these pills increase one’s strength, they have side effects (Chouji starts feeling sharp pain in his body). As the potency of the pills increases, so does the side effects. Shikamaru wants Chouji to stop with the green pill. Apparently, the red one is the most dangerous of the three.

Chouji attacks the big guy with his spiky meatballs technique. His opponent uses an earth wall technique. Chouji breaks through. The opponent activates his cursed seal and is able to throw Chouji. The big guy tells Chouji that Chouji’s useless that’s why his team left him. Chouji recalls how the others always made fun of him. Elsewhere, Shikamaru contemplates how strong Chouji really is, but lacks self-confidence. As the enemy beats him up, Chouj remembers how Shikamaru has always stood by his side, believing in him. Chouji swallows the yellow pill. Chakra starts emanating from his body. Shikamaru believes that people are underestimating Chouji. Chouji supersizes and prepares to attack once more.

It’s the Main Store!! Dancing Meister!

Mokoyama preparing for the match.Kawachi wonders why the Southern Branch isn’t as popular as the Main Branch. Matsushiro, the manager, shows them St. Pierre’s (Pantasia’s rival) Main Store just across the street. They meet Mokoyama, St. Pierre’s Manager, and as Mokoyama insults them, Matsushiro rebuts that Azuma is better than Mokoyama. Mokoyama challenges Azuma to a televised bread competition. Matsushiro accepts the match but back at the store, he tells them that Mokoyama is a highly skilled artisan specializing in sweet bread and that they might lose. Matsushiro tells Tsukino to keep everything a secret from the Main Branch. The next day, the street is filled with banners and streamers announcing the competition (St. Pierre’s doing). A convoy of black cars from Pantasia’s Main Branch arrives. First, Kuroyan (in a suit!) steps out and argues with the Manager but Matsushiro ignores him and Meister Kirisawa climbs out of the car, accompanied by a flock of birds. Meister is the Main Branch’s manager and Tsukino says that although he rarely makes public appearances, he has more power than her grandfather. Meister wants to meet Azuma and goes inside the store. He sees him cooking something (Azuma is making sauce for his Japan #57) and spots a bunch of hardened, leftover bread at the table. Meister asks Azuma how much his bread is. Meister then leaves but before that, he tells Matsushiro that he thinks Azuma is interesting. The day of competition arrives. As Mokoyama and Azuma are introduced, Matsushiro whispers to Kawachi and Tsukino that Azuma’s Japan #57 has a fatal flaw.