Created in 1973 by Takashi Yanase, Anpanman is one of the most beloved and famous characters in Japan. According to research done by Bandai, he is the most popular character for 10 years in a row among the 0-12 year old audience. Each episode lasts approximately 24 minutes divided into two parts.
It has been on broadcast from 1988 until today. the figure of Anpanman It is widely used commercially, mainly in children's products. From clothes, toys, video games and even food. Until 2006 the Anpanman books together have sold more than 50 million copies in Japan.
In August 2009, the program reached 1000 episodes. This hero highlights many values of Japanese culture, especially the collective work. Anpanman not only saves people, but teaches lessons about solidarity and friendship. Many even say that the Anpanman is a beautiful representation of the Japanese willingness to help in the face of adversity.
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A little bit of Anpanman's history
The name of our hero comes from anpan, that is, a dumpling with sweet beans inside. In the manga, Anpanman was created by a very skilled anpan baker named Jan Ojisam. He created a world of bread, in which all beings there had powers to protect and help people.
Anpanman does not need to eat, as his head is already made of a sweet bean cake. His “kryptonite” is water or anything that gets his head dirty. But when that happens the baker remakes the Anpanman's head and even adds powers and upgrades.
As every hero has his villain, Anpanman is no different. Coming from Planet Germ, Baikinman aims to destroy Anpanman and his friends. Your goal is to spread germs and bacteria in the world.
But to combat the atrocities of this villain, Anpanman has the help of some friends. All of these also have the shape and characteristics of food. For example, one of them is the Currypanman, name of famous dish curry.
another is the Melopanna, shaped like melopan (Japanese melon-shaped sweet bread). Its main power is to paralyze enemies with affection. We also have the Shokupanman, being a loaf of bread.
Creator Takashi Yanase was influenced by the period he lived in Second World War. Where many times both he and other people went hungry. So much so that the Anpanman and his friends take pieces of their own head to feed people in need of food.
There are many works that report and show the difficulties of the Japanese in war periodsIn the stories of Anpanman, we mainly see problems related to lack of water and food. The heroes in this story do not accept seeing anyone in need.
Facts about the Anpanman
- the korean band BTS made a song using how pun the hero Anpanman, even performed wearing the characters' signature clothing;
- Takashi Yanase, the creator of the story, served as a soldier in the Second World War. Many times he went hungry and craved an Anpan, hence the hero's name;
- Anpanman joined the Guinness World Record as the animated franchise with the most characters: 1768;
- TakashiYanase, creator of the character, died on October 13, 2013 of heart failure;
- The manga creator One Punch Man he was very 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 Ampanman? What do you think of the character?
