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 years. Each episode lasts approximately 24 minutes divided into two parts.
He has been broadcasting since 1988 until today. The figure of Anpanman is widely used commercially, especially in children's products. From clothing, toys, video games, and even in food. Until 2006, the Anpanman books alone had sold over 50 million copies in Japan.
In August 2009, the program reached 1000 episodes. This hero highlights many values of Japanese culture, especially collective work. Anpanman not only saves people but also teaches lessons about solidarity and friendship. Many even say that Anpanman is a beautiful representation of the willingness of the Japanese 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, which is a bun with sweet bean paste inside. In the manga, Anpanman was created by a very skilled anpan baker named Jan Ojisam. He created a bread world, 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 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.
Like every hero has their villain, Anpanman is no different. Coming from the Germ Planet, Baikinman 's goal is to destroy Anpanman and his friends. His aim 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 shape and characteristics of food. For example, one of them is Currypanman, the name of the famous dish karê.
Another is the Melopanna, shaped like a melopan (Sweet bread shaped like a Japanese melon). Its main power is to paralyze enemies with affection. We also have Shokupanman, which is a sliced bread.
The creator Takashi Yanase was influenced by the period he lived in 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 people in need of food.
Many are the works that narrate and show the difficulties of the Japanese in the war periods. In the stories of Anpanman, we mainly see the problems related to the lack of water and food. The heroes of this story do not accept seeing anyone going through any need.
Facts about the Anpanman
- The Korean band BTS made a song using the pun hero Anpanman, they even performed wearing outfits characteristic of the characters;
- Takashi Yanase, the creator of the story, served as a soldier in World War II. Many times he went hungry and wished to eat an Anpan, hence the hero's name;
- Anpanman entered the Guinness World Record as the animation franchise with the largest number of characters: 1768;
- TakashiYanase, 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 Ampanman? What do you think of the character?
