Anpanman

Anpanman (アンパンマン) is a Japanese children's superhero picture book series written by Takashi Yanase, running from 1973 until the author's death in 2013. The series has been adapted into an anime entitled Soreike! Anpanman (それいけ!アンパンマン, Let's Go! Anpanman), which is one of the most popular anime series among young children in Japan. The series follows the adventures of Anpanman, a superhero with an anpan (a red bean paste filled pastry) for a head, who protects the world from an evil anthropomorphic germ named Baikinman.

Anpanman
Cover of the First Book, released under the "Kinder Ohanashi Ehon Masterpiece Selection" imprint
アンパンマン
GenreComedy, superhero[1]
Manga
Written byTakashi Yanase
Published byFroebel-kan
DemographicKodomo
Original run1973 – 2013
Anime television series
Soreike! Anpanman
Directed byAkinori Nagaoka
Shunji Ōga
Produced byHinta Fyumi
Written bySakura Uzamacki
Music byHiroaki Kondo
Taku Izumi
StudioTelecom Animation Film
Original networkNippon TV
English networkPogo TV (formerly)
Original run October 3, 1988 – present
Episodes1,491 (2,860 segments)

Heavily merchandised, the Anpanman characters appear on virtually every imaginable children's product in Japan, ranging from clothes[2] and video games to toys[3] and snack foods.[4] The series spawned a short-lived spin-off show featuring one of the popular recurring characters on the show, Omusubiman. Anpanman overtook Hello Kitty as Japan's top-grossing character in 2002,[5] and has remained the country's top-grossing character as of 2018.[6][7][8] Anpanman has sold over 80 million books as of February 2019,[9] and the franchise generated ¥4.5 trillion[10] ($57 billion) in total retail sales revenue by 2013.[lower-alpha 1] Works inspired by Anpanman include the manga and anime series One-Punch Man, and the K-pop song "Anpanman" by BTS.

Production

During the Second World War, Takashi Yanase faced starvation countless times, which made him dream about eating anpan. This inspired the creation of Anpanman.

Characters

In each episode, Anpanman fights with Baikinman and saves people. He goes on daily patrols around the house of Uncle Jam. He is a symbol of justice, fighting for good every day. Anpanman has a long history, and new characters are frequently introduced, keeping the series fresh. In 2009, Anpanman was verified as a Guinness World Record Holder for the highest number of characters in an animated franchise, with a total of 1,768 characters appearing in the first 980 episodes of the TV series and the first 20 films.[1]

Heroes
Anpan
Anpanman (アンパンマン, Anpanman)
Voiced by: Keiko Toda
The main character of the anime, whose head is a bun made by Uncle Jam. His name comes from his being a man whose head is made of bread (Japanese: pan) that is filled with red bean paste (Japanese: anko) called an anpan. When translated into English, Anpanman means "Bean Bun Man." He doesn't need to eat or drink to sustain himself and has never been seen eating, as it is believed the bean jam in his head allows him to sustain himself in this manner. His weaknesses are water and anything else that makes his head dirty. In order to prevent his head from getting wet when underwater or wet weather, he wears a bubble-like helmet to protect it. He regains his health and strength when Uncle Jam bakes him a new head and replaces the old head. Anpanman's damaged head, with his eyes turning into X's, flies off his shoulders once a new baked head replaces it. Anpanman was born when a shooting star landed in Uncle Jam's oven while he was baking an anpan. Anpanman has two special attacks; An-punch and An-kick (with stronger variations of both). When Anpanman comes across a starving creature or person, he lets them eat a part of his head. This can also make him weaker and causes him to replace his head to regain his strength. He also has super hearing, which allows him to respond to anyone who calls his name out in distress, anywhere in the world.
Uncle Jam (ジャムおじさん, Jamu Ojisan)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Masuoka (1988-2019), Kōichi Yamadera (2019–present)
The creator of Anpanman and a very kind baker. He is a skilled cook with knowledge of nearly everything in the world.
Batako-san (バタコさん, Batako-san)
Voiced by: Rei Sakuma
Assistant to Uncle Jam. She is dedicated and hard working, but prone to forgetting things. Her name literally translates to, "Butter Girl." She makes and mends the capes of Anpanman and the other heroes appears in the story.
Cheese (チーズ, Chīzu)
Voiced by: Kōichi Yamadera
A dog that lives in Uncle Jam's bakery. In the manga, he became Anpanman's loyal friend after he saved his life. In the anime, a young Anpanman finds Cheese starving during his very first patrol, and gives a part of his head to eat. Cheese tends to be an effective sidekick when he's around.
Currypanman (カレーパンマン, Karēpanman)
Voiced by: Michiyo Yanagisawa
Another of Anpanman's friends. His head is made from currypan, a pastry filled with red-hot curry. He is quick-tempered and hot-headed on the surface, but gives way to a kind and sentimental interior. Tends to be the strongman of the trio. Wields the Curry-punch and Curry-kick, which are similar to the fighting techniques of Anpanman's other sidekicks. However, he can also use the hot curry concealed in his head as a weapon, using it to burn villains. He first appeared in episode 2b.
Shokupanman (しょくぱんまん, Shokupanman)
Voiced by: Sumi Shimamoto
A friend of Anpanman. His head is made from sliced white bread (Japanese: shoku pan). He is handsome and level-headed and kind, but narcissistic. Tends to be the thinker of the trio. His job when not helping Anpanman is serving lunch to the schoolchildren. Dokin-chan has a crush on him. Wields the Shoku-punch and Shoku-kick, which are similar to Anpanman's fighting techniques. He also has a multi-functional delivery van known as the Shokupanman-go with many implements to help avoid trouble. He first appeared in episode 3b.
Melonpanna (メロンパンナ, Meronpan'na)
Voiced by: Mika Kanai
Anpanman's friend. Her head is made from melon bread. She is extremely softhearted, being caring and sensitive, and is sometimes clever. When she's in trouble, she usually needs Anpanman or somebody else to save her, or if there is no one available, she calls out for her sister, Rollpanna. Sometimes she likes hanging out with Cheese. Her special attack, the Melo-Melo Punch, makes bad guys woozy with affection or awakens others from deep sleep. She first appeared in episode 200.
Rollpanna (ロールパンナ, Rōrupan'na)
Voiced by: Miina Tominaga
Melonpanna's older sister who has two hearts: A red one of goodness, and thanks to Baikinman, a blue one of evil. The sight of Anpanman can trigger her evil heart while the sight of Melonpanna can trigger her good one. She started out in the series as a loner at Baikinman's beck and call, but she broke from his power and wanders the world doing good deeds, but stays away from others for fear of what she would do if her black heart is triggered. Her nickname is "The tragic heroine". Uses a gymnastics ribbon as her main weapon. She can use it to wrap up her enemies or cause tornadoes. She first appeared in episode 300.
Creampanda (クリームパンダ, Kurīmupanda)
Voiced by: Miki Nagasawa
The youngest of Anpanman's friends and the foster brother of Melonpanna and Rollpanna. He is 6 years old. His head is made from a cream bun and his eyes look like those of a panda's. Despite his immaturity and relative weakness as compared to Anpanman and his hero friends, he is courageous, protective of his friends, and has a "never give up" attitude. He has an immature character causes him to sometimes get into petty squabbles and competitions of one-upsmanship with the other younger characters on the show. Because his head resembles a hand, he has a special headbutt attack called the "Guu-Choki-Punch" (Guu-Choki-Pa means Rock, Scissors, Paper in Japanese). Relatively powerful when it connects, it fails to connect more often than not. He first appeared in episode 469.

Villains
Baikinman (ばいきんまん, Baikinman)
Voiced by: Ryūsei Nakao
The villain from the "Germ Planet" and is the leader of the Viruses. His Japanese name means "Bacteria Man". His ambition is to destroy Anpanman and spread bacteria all over the latter's world, yet he is perfectly content to play tricks, steal, and bully those weaker than him. He and Anpanman were born at the same time, making them physical representations of moral dualism. He has a weakness to soap, which shrinks him to the size of a fly. He constructs machines and thinks of intricate plans to counteract Anpanman's strength. His two famous phrases are his battle-cry, "Ha-hi-hu-he-ho!" (based on the h-row of Japanese kana); and "Bye-baikiiin!", which he utters out whenever he's sent flying by Anpanman or another character. In the English TMS Entertainment website, he was called Bacteriaman.
Moldyrunrun (かびるんるん, Kabirunrun)
Baikinman's henchmen. They have the ability to rot Anpanman's head with mildew/mold (Japanese: kabi). They first appeared in episode 2a.
Dokin-chan (ドキンちゃん)
Voiced by: Hiromi Tsuru (1988-2017), Rei Sakuma (2017 Christmas Special), Miina Tominaga (2018–present)[11]
Baikinman's female partner in crime. She is selfish, demanding, childish, and greedy, but sometimes shows kindness, as demonstrated by her crush on Shokupanman. Her Japanese name is a combination of "Doki", the Japanese onomatopoeia for a quickly beating heart, "baikin" (meaning "germ", also the case for Baikinman), and the diminutive/affectionate suffix "-chan". She first appeared in episode 13a. In the English TMS Entertainment website, she was called Spark.
Horrorman (ホラーマン, Horāman)
Voiced by: Kaneta Kimotsuki (1991–2016), Kazuki Yao (2017–present)
A skeleton who often works with Baikinman and Dokin-chan. Although he seems scary on the outside, he is very weak and often falls to pieces, and can magically put the pieces back. He is neither a hero nor a villain. His special attack is the Bone Boomerang, where he takes off one of his bones and throws it. He is also in love with Dokin-chan and often stalks her. He first appeared in Fly! Fly! Chibigon.

Media

Picture books

The Anpanman picture book series debuted in October 1973.[12] Froebel-kan has published over 150 picture books under different series labels consisting of a varying amount of picture books. Takashi Yanase wrote and illustrated the picture books until 2013, following his retirement from his career and eventual death.

Manga

Takashi Yanase created three different manga series based on the character.

  • January, 1975 – May, 1976: Nekketsu Märchen Kaiketsu Anpanman (熱血メルヘン 怪傑アンパンマン)
    • Serialized in Sanrio's monthly poetry magazine Shi to Märchen (詩とメルヘン) for which Yanase was the editor-in-chief. Unlike all other iterations, this one is aimed at adults. The entire series is included in the box-set Yanase Takashi Taizen (やなせたかし大全), published in 2013 by Froebel-kan.
  • September, 1976 – July, 1982: Anpanman (あんぱんまん / アンパンマン)
    • Serialized in Sanrio's monthly youth magazine Gekkan Ichigoehon (月刊いちごえほん). The series changed its title spelling from hiragana to katakana in January 1981 and ended when the magazine folded in July, 1982. It remained commercially unavailable until 2016, when it was collected in its entirety into the volume Dare mo shiranai Anpanman (だれも知らないアンパンマン) by Fukkatsu Dotcom.
  • January 1, 1990 – May 29, 1994: Tobe! Anpanman (とべ!アンパンマン)
    • A full color comic strip serialized in the Sunday edition of Yomiuri Shinbun. In 1991 Froebel-kan published a selection of strips into three bilingual volumes, marketing them as English learning tools for children age 3+.[13] Unlike traditional tankoubon, these volumes are presented in a vertical "Garfield Format". The rest of the series run is currently commercially unavailable.

Anime

The first anime adaptation of Anpanman, consisting of a single episode, aired during Spring Break Children's Hiroba - Picture Book on NHK General TV on March 13, 1979. Like the early picture books, Anpanman's name in the title was written in hiragana (あんぱんまん) instead of katakana. The anime was narrated by Meiko Nakamura. Although the character designs were closer to the picture books released under the Kinder Picture Books label, the story and the world view were almost the same as the second anime adaptation.

The second anime adaptation of Anpanman, entitled Soreike! Anpanman, is produced by TMS Entertainment. Over 1300 episodes have aired on NTV since October 3, 1988. On April 2020, it was reported the voice recordings have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] On May 2020, it was announced that the 31st Anpanman film Eiga Soreike! Anpanman Fuwafuwa Fuwari to Kumo no Kuni (Soreike! Anpanman the Movie: Fluffy Fuwari and the Cloud Country) has been delayed due to COVID-19. The film was slated to be released on June 26, 2020.[15] On June 2020, it was announced that the film will be delayed to 2021. As of June 22, 2020, TMS Entertainment will dub Six Anpanman Movies in English and Spanish exclusively for Tubi.[16]

Full length movies

There are currently a total of 30 full-length films based on the Soreike! Anpanman anime series. The films are also produced by TMS Entertainment and have been released in Japanese theaters every year since 1989. Since at least 1995, the films have been released concurrently with storybook versions written and illustrated by Takashi Yanase himself. Each movie has the same general plot - A person (usually a princess) comes from a foreign land. Baikinman unlocks some dark secret and controls a weapon or monster able to polymorph people. And with the help of the aforementioned person, Anpanman defeats the said weapon or monster. Sometimes the person dies, but is brought back to life by a tearful song from the characters.

  • March 11, 1989: Go! Anpanman: The Shining Star's Tear (それいけ! アンパンマン キラキラ星の涙, Soreike! Anpanman Kirakira Boshi no Namida)
  • July 14, 1990: Go! Anpanman: Baikinman's Counterattack (それいけ! アンパンマン ばいきんまんの逆襲, Soreike! Anpanman Baikinman no Gyakushū)
  • July 20, 1991: Go! Anpanman: Fly! Fly! Chibigon (それいけ! アンパンマン とべ!とべ!ちびごん, Soreike! Anpanman Tobe! Tobe! Chibigon)
  • March 14, 1992: Go! Anpanman: The Secret of Building Block Castle (それいけ! アンパンマン つみき城のひみつ, Soreike! Anpanman Tsumiki-jō no Himitsu)
  • July 17, 1993: Go! Anpanman: Nosshi the Dinosaur's Big Adventure (それいけ! アンパンマン 恐竜ノッシーの大冒険, Soreike! Anpanman Kyōryū Nosshī no Daibōken)
  • July 16, 1994: Go! Anpanman: The Lyrical Magical Witch's School (それいけ! アンパンマン リリカル☆マジカルまほうの学校, Soreike! Anpanman Ririkaru Majikaru Mahō no Gakkō)
  • July 29, 1995: Go! Anpanman: Let's Defeat the Haunted Ship!! (それいけ! アンパンマン ゆうれい船をやっつけろ!!, Soreike! Anpanman Yūreisen o Yattsukero!!)
  • July 13, 1996: Go! Anpanman: The Flying Picture Book and the Glass Shoes (それいけ! アンパンマン 空とぶ絵本とガラスの靴, Soreike! Anpanman Soratobu Ehon to Garasu no Kutsu)
  • July 28, 1997: Go! Anpanman: The Pyramid of the Rainbow (それいけ! アンパンマン 虹のピラミッド, Soreike! Anpanman Niji no Piramiddo)
  • July 25, 1998: Go! Anpanman: The Palm of the Hand to the Sun (それいけ! アンパンマン てのひらを太陽に, Soreike! Anpanman Tenohira o Taiyō ni)
  • July 24, 1999: Go! Anpanman: When the Flower of Courage Opens (それいけ! アンパンマン 勇気の花がひらくとき, Soreike! Anpanman Yūki no Hana ga Hiraku Toki)
  • March 20, 2000: Go! Anpanman: Song and dance fun (それいけ! アンパンマン おうたとてあそび たのしいね, Soreike! Anpanman Outa to teasobi tanoshi 2)[17]
  • July 29, 2000: Go! Anpanman: The Tears of the Mermaid Princess (それいけ! アンパンマン 人魚姫のなみだ, Soreike! Anpanman Ningyohime no Namida)
  • July 14, 2001: Go! Anpanman: Gomira's Star (それいけ! アンパンマン ゴミラの星, Soreike! Anpanman Gomira no Hoshi)
  • July 13, 2002: Go! Anpanman: The Secret of Roll and Roura's Floating Castle (それいけ!アンパンマン ロールとローラうきぐも城のひみつ, Soreike! Anpanman Rōru to Rōra Ukigumo-jō no Himitsu)
  • July 12, 2003: Go! Anpanman: Ruby's Wish (それいけ! アンパンマン ルビーの願い, Soreike! Anpanman Rubī no Negai)
  • July 17, 2004: Go! Anpanman: Nyanii of the Country of Dream Cats (それいけ!アンパンマン 夢猫の国のニャニイ, Soreike! Anpanman Yume Neko no Kuni no Nyanii)
  • July 16, 2005: Go! Anpanman: Happy's Big Adventure (それいけ! アンパンマン ハピーの大冒険, Soreike! Anpanman Hapī no Daibōken)
  • July 15, 2006: Go! Anpanman: Dolly of the Star of Life (それいけ! アンパンマン いのちの星のドーリィ, Soreike! Anpanman Inochi no Hoshi no Dōri)
  • July 14, 2007: Go! Anpanman: Purun of the Bubble Ball (それいけ! アンパンマン シャボン玉のプルン, Soreike! Anpanman Shabondama no Purun)
  • July 12, 2008: Go! Anpanman: Rinrin the Fairy's Secret (それいけ! アンパンマン 妖精リンリンのひみつ, Soreike! Anpanman Yōsei Rinrin no Himitsu)
  • July 4, 2009: Go! Anpanman: Dadandan and the Twin Stars (それいけ! アンパンマン だだんだんとふたごの星, Soreike! Anpanman Dadandan to Futago no Hoshi)
  • July 10, 2010: Go! Anpanman: Blacknose and the Magical Song (それいけ! アンパンマン ブラックノーズと魔法の歌, Soreike! Anpanman Burakku Nōzu to Mahō no Uta)
  • July 2, 2011: Go! Anpanman: Rescue! Kokorin and the Star of Miracles (それいけ! アンパンマン すくえ!ココリンと奇跡の星, Soreike! Anpanman Sukue! Kokorin to Kiseki no Hoshi)
  • July 7, 2012: Go! Anpanman: Revive Banana Island (それいけ! アンパンマン よみがえれバナナ島, Soreike! Anpanman: Yomigaere Banana Shima)
  • July 6, 2013: Go! Anpanman: Fly! The Handkerchief of Hope (それいけ! アンパンマン とばせ!希望のハンカチ, Soreike! Anpanman: Tobase! Kibō no Handkerchief)[18]
  • July 5, 2014: Go! Anpanman: Apple Boy and the Wishes For Everyone (それいけ！アンパンマン　りんごぼうやとみんなの願い, Soreike! Anpanman: Ringo Bōya to Minna no Negai)
  • July 4, 2015: Go! Anpanman: Mija and the Magic Lamp (それいけ! アンパンマン ミージャと魔法のランプ, Soreike! Anpanman: Mija to Mahō no Ranpu)
  • July 2, 2016 Go! Anpanman: Nanda and Runda of the Toy Star (それいけ! アンパンマン おもちゃの星のナンダとルンダ, Soreike! Anpanman: Omocha no Hoshi no Nanda to Runda)[19]
  • July 1, 2017 Go! Anpanman: Bulbul's Big Treasure Hunt Adventure (それいけ！アンパンマン ブルブルの宝探し大冒険, Soreike! Anpanman: buruburu no takarasagashi dai bōken!)
  • June 30, 2018 Go! Anpanman: Shine! Kurun and the Star of Life (それいけ！アンパンマン　かがやけ！クルンといのちの星, Soreike! Anpanman: Kagayake! Kurun to inochi no Hoshi)

Animated shorts

In 1990, Tokyo Movie Shinsha started producing short subject Anpanman movies. These are around 24 minutes that were shown in conjunction with the full-length movies seen above. The shorts made in 1989 and 1993 are not included as they do not involve the world of Anpanman.

  • Go! Anpanman: Omusubiman (それいけ!アンパンマン おむすびまん), July 14, 1990
  • Go! Anpanman: Dokin-chan's Doki-Doki Calendar (それいけ!アンパンマン ドキンちゃんのドキドキカレンダー), July 20, 1991
  • Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and His Pleasant Friends (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとゆかいな仲間たち), March 14, 1992
  • Go! Anpanman: Everyone Get Together! Anpanman World (それいけ!アンパンマン みんな集まれ!アンパンマンワールド), July 16, 1994
  • Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Your Happy Birthday (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとハッピーおたんじょう日), July 29, 1995
  • Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and the 3-"Bai" Punch (それいけ!アンパンマン ばいきんまんと3ばいパンチ), July 13, 1996
  • Go! Anpanman: We're Heroes (それいけ!アンパンマン ぼくらはヒーロー), July 28, 1997
  • Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and His Strange Friend (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとおかしな仲間), July 25, 1998
  • Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Their Fun Friends (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとたのしい仲間たち), July 24, 1999
  • Go! Anpanman: Yakisobapanman and Blacksabodenman (それいけ!アンパンマン やきそばパンマンとブラックサボテンマン), July 29, 2000
  • Go! Anpanman: The Amazing Naganegiman and Yakisobapanman (それいけ!アンパンマン 怪傑ナガネギマンとやきそばパンマン), July 14, 2001
  • Go! Anpanman: Tuna Maki-chan and Gold Kamameshidon (それいけ!アンパンマン 鉄火のマキちゃんと金のかまめしどん), July 13, 2002
  • Go! Anpanman: The Amazing Nagenegiman and Princess Doremi (それいけ!アンパンマン 怪傑ナガネギマンとドレミ姫), July 12, 2003
  • Go! Anpanman: Tsukiko and Shiratama ~Heart-racing Dancing~ (それいけ!アンパンマン つきことしらたま〜ときめきダンシング〜), July 17, 2004
  • Go! Anpanman: Princess Snow-black and Popular Baikinman (それいけ!アンパンマン くろゆき姫とモテモテばいきんまん), July 16, 2005
  • Go! Anpanman: Kokin-chan and the Blue Tears (それいけ!アンパンマン コキンちゃんとあおいなみだ), July 15, 2006
  • Go! Anpanman: Horrorman and Hora-horako (それいけ!アンパンマン ホラーマンとホラ・ホラコ), July 14, 2007
  • Go! Anpanman: Hiyahiyahiyarico and Babu-Babu-Baikinman (それいけ!アンパンマン ヒヤヒヤヒヤリコとばぶ・ばぶばいきんまん), July 12, 2008
  • Go! Anpanman: Baikinman VS Baikinman!? (それいけ!アンパンマン ばいきんまんVSバイキンマン!?), July 4, 2009
  • Go! Anpanman: Run! The Exciting Anpanman Grand Prix (それいけ!アンパンマン はしれ!わくわくアンパンマングランプリ), July 10, 2010
  • Go! Anpanman: Sing and Play! Anpanman and Mori's Treasure (それいけ!アンパンマン うたっててあそび!アンパンマンともりのたから), July 2, 2011
  • Go! Anpanman: Rhythm and Play - Anpanman and the Strange Parasol (それいけ!アンパンマン リズムでてあそびアンパンマンとふしぎなパラソル), July 7, 2012
  • Go! Anpanman: Mischievous Ghost and Cuddling Together (みんなで　てあそび　アンパンマンといたずらオバケ), July 6, 2013
  • Go! Anpanman: Kokin-Chan Became a Mom and Play with Fun (たのしくてあそび　ママになったコキンちゃん), July 5, 2014
  • I Will Sing in the Rhythm! Anpanman Summer Festival (リズムでうたおう！アンパンマン夏まつり), July 4, 2015

Christmas specials

In December 1988 Tokyo Movie Shinsha started making Anpanman Christmas specials. A total of 32 Christmas Specials have been made.

  • December 19, 1988: Go! Anpanman: Santa Claus Disappears (それいけ!アンパンマン 消えたサンタクロース)
  • December 25, 1989: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the Christmas Valley (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとクリスマスの谷)
  • December 24, 1990: Go! Anpanman: Shine! Our Christmas Tree (それいけ!アンパンマン 光れ!ぼくらのクリスマスツリー)
  • December 23, 1991: Go! Anpanman: The Mysterious Jingle Bells (それいけ!アンパンマン ふしぎなふしぎなジングルベル)
  • December 21, 1992: Go! Anpanman: Delivered! Our Christmas Cake (それいけ!アンパンマン とどけ!みんなのクリスマスケーキ)
  • December 20, 1993: Go! Anpanman: The South Island's White Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン 南の島のホワイトクリスマス)
  • December 19, 1994: Go! Anpanman: The 2 Panna's Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン ふたりのパンナのクリスマス)
  • December 25, 1995: Go! Anpanman: White Keito's Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン けいとのしろのクリスマス)
  • December 13, 1996: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the Black Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとブラッククリスマス)
  • December 25, 1997: Go! Anpanman: The Meringue Sisters' Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン メレンゲシスターズのクリスマス)
  • December 24, 1998: Go! Anpanman: Our Christmas Concert (それいけ!アンパンマン ぼくらのクリスマスコンサート)
  • December 23, 1999: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Your Merry Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとメリークリスマス)
  • December 21, 2000: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman's Christmas Show (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンのクリスマスショー)
  • December 20, 2001: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Small Santa's Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとちいさなサンタのクリスマス)
  • December 19, 2002: Go! Anpanman: The Flame of Courage and Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン 勇気のほのおとクリスマス)
  • December 25, 2003: Go! Anpanman: Black Santa and the Nice Present (それいけ!アンパンマン ブラックサンタとすてきなプレゼント)
  • December 24, 2004: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the Star of Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとクリスマスの星)
  • December 23, 2005: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman's Jin-Jin-Jingle Bells (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンのジンジンジングルベル)
  • December 22, 2006: Go! Anpanman: Sing! Dance! Everybody's Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン うたおう!おどろう!みんなのクリスマス)
  • December 21, 2007: Go! Anpanman: Kokin-chan and the Christmas of Tears (それいけ!アンパンマン コキンちゃんとなみだのクリスマス)
  • December 19, 2008: Go! Anpanman: Franken-Robo-kun's Surprised Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン フランケンロボくんのビックリクリスマス)
  • December 25, 2009: Go! Anpanman: Do your Best Creampanda! The Christmas Adventure (それいけ!アンパンマン がんばれクリームパンダ!クリスマスの冒険)
  • December 24, 2010: Go! Anpanman: Red-Nosed Chappy - The Christmas of Courage (それいけ!アンパンマン 赤鼻チャッピー勇気のクリスマス)
  • December 23, 2011: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Gomira's Christmas Castle (それいけ!アンパンマン アンパンマンとゴミラの城のクリスマス)
  • December 21, 2012: Go! Anpanman: Doremifa Island's Christmas (それいけ!アンパンマン ドレミファ島のクリスマス)
  • December 20, 2013: Go! Anpanman: Shine! Tin Kid's Christmas Tree (かがやけ！ ブリキッドのクリスマスツリー)
  • December 19, 2014: Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the letter to Santa (それいけ！アンパンマン アンパンマンとサンタさんへの手紙)
  • December 18, 2015: Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and the Lovely Christmas Present (それいけ！アンパンマン: ばいきんまんとすてきなクリスマスプレゼント)
  • December 23, 2016: Go! Anpanman: Poppo's Christmas Twinkle (それいけ！アンパンマン:ポッポちゃんのきらきらクリスマス)

Video games
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

There are currently a total of 42 video games on this list based on the Soreike! Anpanman anime series, ranging from adventure games to educational games. With the exception of Soreike! Anpanman Eigo to Nakayoshi 2 Tanoshii Carnival, the video games were released only in Japan.

Famicom
  • Oeka Kids: Anpanman to Oekaki Shiyou!!
  • Oeka Kids: Anpanman no Hiragana Daisuki
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Minna de Hiking Game!
PlayStation
  • Kids Station: Soreike! Anpanman
  • Kids Station: Soreike! Anpanman 2: Anpanman to Daibouken
  • Kids Station: Soreike! Anpanman 3
  • Kids Station: Oshaberi Oekaki Soreike! Anpanman
Nintendo DS
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Baikinman no Daisakusen
  • Anpanpan to Asobo: Aiueo Kyoushitsu
  • Anpanman to Asobo: ABC Kyoushitsu
  • Anpanman to Touch de Waku Waku Training
  • Anpanman to Asobu: Aiueo Kyoushitsu DX
Nintendo 3DS
  • Anpanman to Asobo: New Aiueo Kyoushitsu
Game Boy Color
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Fushigi na Nikoniko Album
  • Soreike! Anpanman: 5tsu no Tou no Ousama
Wii
  • Anpanman Niko Niko Party
Sega Pico
  • Soreike! Anpanman Eigo to Nakayoshi Youchiende ABC
  • Soreike! Anpanman no Game de Asobou Anpanman
  • Soreike! Anpanman no o-Hanashi Daisuki Anpanman
  • Soreike! Anpanman Eigo to Nakayoshi 2 Tanoshii Carnival
  • Soreike! Anpanman no Medalympic World
  • Soreike! Anpanman no Minna de Kyousou Anpanman!
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman to Denwa de Asobou!
  • Soreike! Anpanman Anpanman to Tanoshii Drive!
  • Soreike! Anpanman Anpanman to Kotoba Asobi
  • Soreike! Anpanman no Medalympic World 2
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman to Suuji Asobi
  • Anpanman Pico Waku Waku Pan Koujou
  • Anpanman to PC Renshuu!
  • Gakken Anpanman to Chinou Up!
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman no Chie no World
  • Soreike! Anpanman Hajimete Asobu Pico Soft: Anpanman no Iro-Kazu-Katachi Nurie mo Dekichau zo!
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman no Hitori de Dekichatta!
Advanced Pico Beena
  • Soreike! Anpanman Hajimete Kaketa yo! Oboeta yo! Hiragana Katakana ~Gojūon Board Kinō-tsuki~
  • Shoku Iku Series 1 Soreike! Anpanman: Sukikirainai Ko Genki na Ko!
  • Anpanman no Waku Waku Game Oekaki
  • Anpanman o Sagase!
  • Soreike! Anpanman Card de Tanoshiku ♪ ABC
  • Soreike! Anpanman Doki Doki! Rescue Drive ~Car Navi-tsuki~
  • Soreike! Anpanman o Mise ga Ippai! TV de o-Ryōri Tsukutchao
  • Soreike! Anpanman Waku Waku Eigo Game!
Arcade
  • Let's Go! Anpanman: Popcorn Factory
Playdia
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Picnic de Obenkyō

Theme music

Openings
  1. "Anpanman's March" (アンパンマンのマーチ, Anpanman no Māchi)

Endings
  1. "Courage Rin-Rin" (勇気りんりん, Yūki Rinrin)
  2. "Christmas Valley" (クリスマスの谷, Kurisumasu Tani)
  3. "Anpanman Gymnastics" (アンパンマンたいそう, Anpanman Taisō)
  4. "Anpanman Gymnastics: Dreaming Version" (アンパンマンたいそう ドリーミングバージョン, Anpanman Taisō Dorīmingu Bājon)
  5. "Sun-Sun Gymnastics" (サンサンたいそう, Sansan Taisō)
  6. "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Anpanman" (ドレミファアンパンマン)

Reception

In 2011, research by Bandai found Anpanman to be the most popular fictional character among people ages 0 to 12 in Japan in 10 consecutive years.[20]

By 2006, the Anpanman books had sold over 50 million copies in Japan.[21] By the time Takashi Yanase passed away in 2013, the Anpanman picture books had sold 68 million copies.[22] As of February 2019, Anpanman has sold more than 80 million books.[9]

Retail sales of Anpanman related products grossed an annual revenue of at least ¥150 billion consecutively for 30 years,[10] generating ¥4.5 trillion[10] ($57 billion) up until 2013.[lower-alpha 1] Anpanman overtook Hello Kitty as Japan's top-grossing character in 2002,[5] and remained Japan's top-grossing character as of 2018.[6][7][8] Anpanman licensed merchandise in Japan later sold ¥107.822 billion ($1.02 billion) in 2014,[23] and ¥217.862 billion ($2,003 million) during 2015–2016.[24][25] From April 2017 to December 2019, the toy licensee Bandai Namco Holdings received a net income of ¥38.9 billion ($352 million) from Anpanman merchandise sales.[26][27] This adds up to ¥4.865 trllion ($60.375 billion) in total retail sales revenue as of 2019.

Controversy

Episode 3 of Mr. Osomatsu featured regular series character Dekapan as "Dekapan-Man", a parody of Anpanman. However, the parody was considered "disrespectful" and shortly removed from the episode and all releases of it due to Japan's lack of parody exception in its copyright law that makes parodies of copyrighted works illegal. TV Tokyo head Yūichi Takahashi apologized for the episode and explained that "Anpanman [was] an important anime for children. This was disrespectful to it."[28][29]

Legacy
Anpanman characters on a JR Shikoku 2000 train.
The façade of Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall

There are 5 museums across Japan that are dedicated to Anpanman, such as the Yokohama Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall. There is also the Yanase Takashi Memorial Hall, a museum dedicated to Takashi Yanase himself.

The Anpanman Official Shop Taipei, the first overseas Anpanman shop specializing in products related to the series, opened at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall in Taipei on September 10, 2015.[30]

Anpanman inspired the manga and anime series One-Punch Man (ワンパンマン, Wanpanman).[31] It is a webcomic/manga series created by One, with the title a play on the titular character.

The K-pop group BTS released a song in their hit album Love Yourself: Tear under the name "Anpanman" with many references to the series.[32]

International versions

The Anpanman anime series has aired under the following names in other countries:

  • In the Arab world, it is known as ar-ragheef al'ajeeb (الرغيف العجيب, Wonder Loaf)
  • In Southeast Asia, it has been dubbed into English and many other languages, it is known as Anpanman Breadman in English and airs on Cartoon Network.
  • In India, it aired on Pogo in 2009, under the name Anpanman Breadman in all languages, dubbed into Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu.[33] The series was eventually dropped.
  • In South Korea, the series has been airing under the name Nalara! Hoppangman (hangul: 날아라! 호빵맨, "Let's Go! Anpanman") on MBC, Spacetoon and Animax.
  • In China and Taiwan, it is known as "面包超人" (pinyin: Miànbāochāorén) in Mandarin, dubbed into Mandarin and many regional languages. In Taiwan the series airs on Momo in Mandarin and formerly in English, it also aired on Cartoon Network in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English.
  • In Pakistan, the series has aired on Cartoon Network
  • In Spain, the series debuted in the 90s and dubbed into Spanish and Catalan under title "Pan Pan" and "L'home de pà" have aired on Antenna 3 and TV3.
  • In Sri Lanka, the series dubbed in Sinhala as "Gnanakatha Malli" has aired on Rupavahini.[34]
  • In North America, the series currently airs in its original Japanese version on TV Japan.[35]
gollark: Forever iff Oracle doesn't implode.
gollark: It's fine\* though; soon, *soon*, onstat will be cloud.
gollark: Nim bootstrapping continues to use 100% of the 1/4 of a CPU this instance gets.
gollark: Maybe I should have used one of the ARM instances.
gollark: It has MUCH economy somehow also.

See also

Notes
  1. Anpanman retail sales up until 2013 – ¥4,500 billion[10] ($57 billion)
    • Up until 2012 – ¥4,350 billion[10] ($55 billion)
    • 2013 – ¥150 billion[10] ($1.54 billion)

References
  1. Loo, Egan (July 15, 2009). "Anpanman Gets Guinness World Record for Most Characters (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  2. "アンパンマンキッズコレクション" (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  3. "アンパンマン　知育玩具" (in Japanese). Toys R Us. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  4. "フジパン アンパンマンシリーズ" (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  5. Tabuchi, Hiroko (14 May 2010). "In Search of Adorable, as Hello Kitty Gets Closer to Goodbye". NYTimes.com.
  6. CharaBiz DATA 2014(13) (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2014.
  7. "5月末発刊！『CharaBiz DATA 2018(17)』". CharaBiz. 2018-05-10. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  8. "CharaBiz DATA 2019(18)". CharaBiz. May 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. "生誕１００年 やなせさんの「正義」". Tokyo Newspaper (in Japanese). February 8, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  10. "横浜に新しいアンパンマン恒久施設を建設へ 過去最大規模に（THE PAGE）". Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). 2014-08-07.
  11. "ドキンちゃん後任は"ロールパンナ"冨永みーな Xマス特番のみ"バタコさん"佐久間レイ" (in Japanese). Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  12. "あんぱんまんとアンパンマン" (in Japanese). Frobel-kan. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  13. "英語対訳つき とべ！アンパンマン１【絵本】". フレーベル館オンラインショップ つばめのおうち. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  14. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-04-06/anpanman-anime-voice-recording-on-hold-indefinitely/.158332
  15. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-05-12/2020-anpanman-film-opening-delayed-indefinitely-due-to-covid-19/.159491
  16. https://deadline.com/2020/06/tubi-unveils-new-library-content-including-lego-masters-garfield-anpanman-movies-more-at-virtual-newfront-1202966284/
  17. https://moviefit.me/pt/titles/96489-go-anpanman-song-and-dance-fun
  18. "25th Anpanman Film to Open on July 6". Anime News Network. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  19. "2016 Soreike! Anpanman Film's Title, July 2 Premiere Unveiled". Anime News Network. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  20. "Bandai Kodomo Enquête Report Vol.190" (PDF) (in Japanese). June 2011. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. "新文化 - 出版業界紙 - 過去のニュースフラッシュ". Shinbunka.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  22. "Obituary: Takashi Yanase". The Independent. October 7, 2013.
  23. CharaBiz DATA 2015⑭ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2015.
  24. CharaBiz DATA 2016⑮ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2016.
  25. CharaBiz DATA 2017(16) (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2017.
  26. "Financial Highlights for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2018". Bandai Namco Holdings. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  27. "Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2020". Bandai Namco Holdings. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  28. "TV Tokyo Censors Recent Mr. Osomatsu Episode". Anime News Network. October 29, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  29. "Mr. Osomatsu's Anime's 3 Episode to be Partially Altered for Home Video, Streaming". Anime News Network. November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  30. "First overseas Anpanman shop to open in Taiwan in September". The Japan Times. July 30, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  31. Brown, Urian (September 9, 2015). "One-Punch Man Vols. 1–2". Weekly Shone Jump. Viz Media. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  32. "A Closer Look Into The Inspiring Message Behind BTS's "Anpanman"". Soompi. June 2, 2018.
  33. "Anpanman Breadman POGO.tv Shows". Pogo. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  34. "Rupavahini: Gnanakatha Malli: Animation series for children". Peo TV. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  35. "TV JAPAN: 24/7 Japanese Broadcasting Channel: Anime". TV Japan. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
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