I am absolutely loving this series!

First off, if you haven’t yet, please check out the opening and closing theme of Antique Bakery. They’re both gorgeous songs.

So what has happened?  Well, for one, Antique Bakery is now open.

We meet a new character to finish off the foursome. Chikage, Tachibana’s childhood friend who’s set on watching over him. He looks kinda scary at first, but we find out he’s a gentle clumsy giant. I really like him a lot. 

Ono almostly instantly falls for him, and the relationship between them is sparked by a dancing in the rain session. Things seemed to be moving fast, but drama occured, and Ono realized it was better for himself not to push himself onto Chikage to satisfy his own needs. The play, tension, and emotion is beautiful, and they way I summerized it does not do it justice.

Otherwise, we meet the dectective who worked on Tachibana’s kidnapping case, and pushes to find out why Tachibana really opened a bakery shop. I guess the hot chicks reason wasn’t good enough. Tachibana says that’s all he remembers about his kidnapper.

That’s pretty much the gist of it. And I’m an enjoying this so much. Tachibana shows himself to a capable leader in thie fourth episode, and some of the character growth is stunning. The relationship between Chikage and Ono really touches me. Which is weird, because I’m usually not into that stuff, especially between gay men. But this is kinda universal stuff they’re dealing them, and it’s pretty realistic. More mature then I’m use to.

 Which leads to, is this a shonen-ai anime then? To be honest, my answer is no. It includes gay men and their relationship, the shonen-ai is part of it. But to say it’s just that isn’t doing it justice. It’s just…deeper. And only half of the main characters are gay. It’s a slice of life story about these men trying to work out their life through the bakery. Sometimes it’s sad, and sometimes, it’s very entertaining.

And no men have kissed yet.

Episode 5 will be soon.

-Janette E