Bambino!

• Ja Kanji — バンビ～ノ! • Ja Romaji — Banbiino! • Genre — Cooking

• Type — manga • Author — Tetsuji Sekiya • Publisher — Shogakukan • Magazine — Big Comic Spirits • First — December 6, 2004 • Last — December 17, 2012 • Volumes — 28

• Title — Series titles • Content — # Bambino! (2004–2009, 15 volumes) • Bambino! Secondo (2009–2012, 13 volumes)

• Type — drama • Director — * Masatoshi Kato • Ken Murase • Chizu Asai • Writer — Yoshikazu Okada • Music — Yugo Kanno • Network — Nippon TV • First — April 18, 2007 • Last — June 27, 2007 • Episodes — 11

• Portal — yes Bambino! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tetsuji Sekiya. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Spirits from December 2004 to February 2009, with its chapters collected in 15 tankōbon volumes. A second manga series, titled Bambino! Secondo, was serialized in the same magazine from April 2009 to December 2012, with its chapters collected in 13 volumes. An 11-episode television drama adaptation was broadcast on Nippon TV from April to June 2007. In 2008, Bambino! received the 53rd Shogakukan Manga Award for the general category.

Shogo Ban is a university student from Fukuoka Prefecture with a passion for Italian cuisine. While working part-time at Trattoria San Marzano, a local Italian restaurant, he earns his chef's license. During a university break, the restaurant's owner, Susumu Endo, arranges for Ban to work temporarily at Trattoria Bacchanale, a renowned Italian establishment in Tokyo's Roppongi district. Inspired by the fast-paced environment of Bacchanale, Ban decides to pursue a culinary career in Tokyo and takes a leave of absence from university. This decision strains his relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Eri Takahashi, who remains in Fukuoka, leading to their separation. Initially hired at Bacchanale, Ban is assigned to front-of-house service rather than kitchen work, despite his objections. Over time, he recognizes the value of customer service experience, evolving from frequent conflicts with patrons to becoming a requested waiter. After excelling in an autumn menu competition, Ban finally transitions to the kitchen but is placed under Toshio Oda, the temperamental pastry chef. Despite clashes with Oda, Ban hones his skills, eventually winning a dessert contest. Following further mentorship—and rivalry—with senior chef Nozomi Katori, he is appointed pasta chief at Trattoria Regale, Bacchanale's upcoming second location. Before his transfer, Ban completes a two-month training stint in New York, including an unconventional cooking competition against the mafia. Returning with newfound confidence, he prepares for the grand opening of Trattoria Regale.

Written and illustrated by Tetsuji Sekiya, Bambino! was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits from December 13, 2004, to February 23, 2009. Shogakukan collected its chapters in 15 tankōbon volumes, released from March 30, 2005, to April 30, 2009. A direct sequel, Bambino! Secondo, was serialized in the same magazine from April 6, 2009, to December 17, 2012. Shogakukan collected its chapters in 13 tankōbon volumes, released from August 28, 2009, to January 30, 2013.

An eleven-episode television drama adaptation, starring Jun Matsumoto as Shogo Ban, was broadcast on Nippon TV from April 18 to June 27, 2007. The opening song is "We Can Make It!" by Arashi.

The music of the drama series was composed by Yugo Kanno. A soundtrack CD was released by VAP on May 20, 2007.