Created in 1973 by Takashi Yanase, Anpanman is one of the most beloved and famous characters in Japan. According to research conducted by Bandai, he has been the most popular character for 10 consecutive years among the audience aged 0 to 12. Each episode lasts approximately 24 minutes divided into two parts.
It has been airing since 1988 to this day. The figure of Anpanman is widely used commercially, especially in children’s products. From clothing, toys, video games, and even food. By 2006, Anpanman books had already sold more than 50 million copies in Japan.
In August 2009, the show reached 1000 episodes. This hero highlights many values of Japanese culture, especially collective work. Anpanman not only saves people but teaches lessons about solidarity and friendship. Many even say that Anpanman is a beautiful representation of the Japanese willingness to help in the face of adversity.
A little about Anpanman’s history
The name of our hero comes from anpan, which is a bun filled with sweet bean paste. In the manga, Anpanman was created by a very skilled anpan baker named Jan Ojisam. He created a world of bread, where all the beings there had powers to protect and help people.
Anpanman does not need to eat, as his head is already made of sweet bean bun. His “kryptonite” is water or anything that makes his head dirty. But when that happens, the baker remakes Anpanman’s head and even adds powers and improvements.
Like every hero has his villain, Anpanman is no different. Coming from the Germ Planet, Baikinman aims to destroy Anpanman and his friends. His goal is to spread germs and bacteria in the world.
But to combat the atrocities of this villain, Anpanman counts on the help of some friends. All of them also have the form and characteristics of food. For example, one of them is Currypanman, named after the famous dish karê.
Another is Melopanna, shaped like melopan (Sweet bread shaped like a Japanese melon). Her main power is to paralyze enemies with affection. We also have Shokupanman, who is a loaf of bread.
The creator Takashi Yanase was influenced by the period he lived through during the Second World War. Where many times both he and others went hungry. So much so that Anpanman and his friends take pieces from their own heads to feed those in need.
Many works recount and show the difficulties faced by the Japanese during war periods. In Anpanman’s stories, we mainly see problems related to the lack of water and food. The heroes of this story do not accept seeing anyone in need.
Curiosities about Anpanman
- The Korean band BTS made a song using the hero Anpanman as a pun, even performing while wearing costumes of the characters;
- Takashi Yanase, the creator of the story served as a soldier in the Second World War. Many times he went hungry and wished to eat an Anpan, hence the name of the hero;
- Anpanman entered the Guinness World Record as the animation franchise with the largest number of characters: 1768;
- Takashi Yanase, the creator of the character, died on October 13, 2013, from heart failure;
- The creator of the manga One Punch Man was greatly inspired by this work to create his main character Saitama;
I hope you enjoyed this short article talking a little about one of the most popular characters among children in Japan. Did you know about Anpanman? What do you think of the character?
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