Anpanman

On our third visit to Japan, we finally caught an episode of Anpanman. This is just weird. But Andrew loves the character, and had great fun watching the show (in Japanese, of course). Check out the character listing below. Just plain weird. And kinda creepy. But has quite a following in Japan. *shrug* go figure.

From Wikipedia...

Anpanman, written by Takashi Yanase, a Japanese writer of children's stories, is one of the most popular Anime in Japan. It is produced by Nippon Television Network Corporation. The television series “Soreike! Anpanman” (それいけ！アンパンマン) has been on the air in Japan since 1988.

The "Anpanman Train", Matsuyama, April 2002

Anpanman Inflatable Toy

Some of the main characters in Anpanman are:

• Anpanman: The hero of the story, whose head is a bun made by Jam Ojisan. His name comes from the fact that he is a man with a head made of bread (Japanese: pan, a loanword from the Portuguese word meaning "bread") that is filled with bean jam (Japanese: an) called an anpan. His weakness is water or anything that makes his head dirty. He regains his health and strength when Jam Ojisan bakes him a new head and is placed on his shoulders. Anpanman's damaged head, with Xs in his eyes, flies off his shoulders once a new baked head lands. He was created when a shooting star landed in Jam Ojisan's oven while he was baking. He has two special attacks called: An-punch and An-kick. When Anpanman comes across a starving creature or person, he lets the unfortunate creature or person eat part of his head.
• Jam Ojisan: The father of Anpanman, and a very kind baker. His name means "Uncle Jam".
• Batakosan: Assistant to Jam Ojisan, a careless woman. She also makes and mends the capes Anpanman and the other heroes use to fly with. Her name means "Butter Girl"
• Baikinman: The villain in the story, he is the leader of the Viruses. He and Anpanman were born at the same time and are polar opposites of good and evil. His name means "Germ man".
• Dokinchan: Baikinman's female partner in crime. She is selfish, childish, and greedy, but sometimes shows kindness. Has a crush on Shokupanman. Her name is a combination of the noise of a quickly beating heart (Dokin) and the diminutive/affectionate suffix -chan
• Kabirunrun : These are Baikinman's little henchmen. Their main purpose is to rot Anpanman's head with mildew/mold (Japanese: kabi).
• Cheese: Jam Ojisan's dog. He became a loyal friend after Anpanman saved his life.
• Shokupanman: A friend of Anpanman. His head is made from sliced white bread (Japanese: shoku pan). He is sober, earnest, and narcissistic. His job when not helping Anpanman is serving lunch to the schoolchildren.
• Currypanman: Another of Anpanman's friends. His head is made from curry filled bread. He is quick tempered, hot headed, and sentimental. He can use the hot curry concealed in his head as a weapon.
• Melonpanna: Anpanman's friend. Her head is made from melon bread. Her special attack, the Melo-Melo Punch, makes bad guys woozy with affection.
• Rollpanna: Melonpanna's sister who has two hearts: A red one of goodness, and thanks to Baikinman, a black one of evil. The sight of Anpanman can trigger her evil heart while the sight of Melonpanna can trigger her good one. Her nickname is "The tragic heroine".

In each episode Anpanman fights with Baikinman and helps the people of the town. He always goes on patrol in the area around the house of Jam Ojisan. He is a symbol of justice, fighting for the cause of justice every day. Anpanman has a long history and new characters are frequently introduced, keeping the series fresh.