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!

Azuma and his long-time bread battle partner Kawachi must compete with one another in order to obtain a magical grain called "Dharma." Though he's played the fool all along, Kawachi picks up a handy skill that just might give his creation the edge over his old friend's dutiful dough. Later, the team's former rival Kirisaki cooks up a plan to control the world through his sinfully delicious bread. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as Azuma works tirelessly to perfect the recipe for his ultimate--and potentially universe-saving--Ja-pan!