A drama adaptation of a popular comic written by Sekiya Tetsuji. After a year of working at a neighborhood Italian restaurant, Ban Shogo (Matsumoto Jun), an enthusiastic, cocky young college student from Fukuoka, comes to Tokyo to perfect his cooking skills as a chef in Italian cuisine. He discovers he has much to learn and has to continually prove himself to the very competitive, quick and efficient staff at the upscale Italian restaurant.

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  Matsumoto Jun (Ban Shogo)

  Main Role

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  . Karina (Hibino Asuka)

  Main Role

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  Sasaki Kuranosuke (Kuwabara Atsushi)

  Supporting Role

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  Komatsu Ayaka (Minakawa Kozue)

  Supporting Role

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  Fukiishi Kazue (Takahashi Eri)

  Supporting Role

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  Sato Ryuta (Katori Nozomi)

  Supporting Role

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  A Tentative Survey of Drama Heroes

  shaz22 breaks-down the heroes of dramaland.

  • May 17, 2013
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  A Stalker's Guide to Matsumoto Jun

  A Stalker's Guide to Matsumoto Jun by one of the biggest MatsuJun fangirls on MDL (according to herself lol).

  • Dec 22, 2012

• Jun 12, 2011 11 of 11 episodes seen

  baka_usagi
  12 of 13 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  10
  • Story  10
  • Acting/Cast  10
  • Music  9
  • Rewatch Value  10

  I have watched it a year ago and I must say that at first I don't know if I should watch this because I am not really into cooking-themed shows. The only motivation I have to start watching is Jun Matsumoto who is the protagonist in the story. All my doubts about this show fades away as soon as I've watched the episode 1.
  
  
  
  There are many great dramas out there but this is excellent and stands out from the rest--even though it's not the usual romance drama we usually watch.
  
  
  
  As soon as you start to watch it, I'm sure you will ask for more and you will tell yourself that having only 11 episodes is not long enough to satisfy you in seeing more about Ban's enthusiasm and spirit in achieving his dream.
  
  
  
  The theme song is sung by the popular group Arashi (in which Jun Matsumoto is a part of) so expect it to be addictive.
  
  
  
  The character's personalities are really good.You will easily distinguish whose who in the series. Even the supporting characters are likable. I think their personalities are one of the most notable thing about this series not to mention how creative and thrilling the plot is.
  
  
  
  Even if you don't like cooking or more interested in romance-themed shows, I can assure you that you would love this series so much. Promise!!:D read more

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• Oct 1, 2012 11 of 11 episodes seen

  Turquoisesparkle
  5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  7
  • Story  7
  • Acting/Cast  9
  • Music  7
  • Rewatch Value  7

  There is no doubt that if you want to know about Italian cooking, working as a chef or are just obsessed about food, you might find 'Bambino!' one of the best cookery dramas. If you are looking for a story with a huge depth, twists and magical happenings, you'd best look for something else. 'Bambino!' is a gritty story with no sugar, just salt! After watching Matsumoto Jun in the likes of 'Hana Yori Dango' and 'Kimi Wa Petto' I thought I had watched the limits of the variety of this kid's one eyebrow lifting talent. Watching Matsumoto in 'Bambino!' was like how a kid feels when they discover a new thing their old toy can do! I must admit the main themes of the drama I personally found uninteresting but I found myself drawn in at some point to Shogo's character and developed a need for him to achieve his goals. It's this element that makes it a successful drama but if the subject is not something that interests you, it might be a hard time to ride out to see the outcome of the story. Take my advice and watch the first episode, if you find yourself bored, don't watch it any further, one look at those frustrated eyes and you'll have to watch it to the end, unless you're inhuman! read more

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  Pasta

  Both are dramas that handles food theme. Both has funny situations in Italian restaurant.

  reportRecommended by HAVA-RAVA
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  Bartender

  Both closely follow men (Both from Johnny's Arashi)as they try to become the best in their field.

  reportRecommended by Kawaikochan