Anpanman


Anpanman 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, 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 for a head, who protects the world from an evil anthropomorphic germ named Baikinman.
Heavily merchandised, the Anpanman characters appear on virtually every imaginable children's product in Japan, ranging from clothes and video games to toys and snack foods. 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, and has remained the country's top-grossing character as of 2019. Anpanman has sold over 80million books as of February 2019, and the franchise generated in total retail sales revenue by 2013. Works inspired by Anpanman include the manga and anime series One-Punch Man.
WWW Official Site

Development

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

Characters

In each episode, Anpanman fights with Baikinman and saves the day. 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.

Heroes//Nekogi

; Anpanman
; Uncle Jam
; Batako-san
; Cheese
; Currypanman
; Shokupanman
; Melonpanna
; Rollpanna
; Creampanda

Villains//Bacarros

; Baikinman
; Moldyrunrun
; Dokin-chan
; Horrorman
; Kokin-chan

Media

Picture books

The Anpanman picture book series debuted in October 1973. 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
  • * Serialized in Sanrio's monthly poetry magazine Shi to Märchen 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, published in 2013 by Froebel-kan.
  • September 1976 – July 1982: Anpanman
  • * Serialized in Sanrio's monthly youth magazine Gekkan Ichigoehon. 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 by Fukkatsu Dotcom.
  • January 1, 1990 – May 29, 1994: Tobe! Anpanman
  • * 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+. 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 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 worldview 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. In April 2020, it was reported the voice recordings have had been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 2, 2020, it was announced that the voice actors will now be recording lines in separate booths in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19. They will also be taking shifts.
An English dub, produced for Turner International aired on Pogo in India alongside a Hindi dub.

Full-length movies

There are currently a total of 36 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, except in 2020, due to the pandemic. Since at least 1993, 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 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.
In May 2020, it was announced that production on the thirty-first Anpanman film Soreike! Anpanman: Fuwafuwa Fuwari to Kumo no Kuni had also been delayed due to the pandemic. The film was slated to be released on June 26, 2020. In June 2020, the film was delayed to 2021.
In 2020, Tubi announced plans to exclusively stream select Anpanman films in English and Spanish through a deal with TMS Entertainment. Initially confirmed to be 6 films, the catalogue was later expanded to 10 with the first, Apple Boy and Everyone's Hope, added to the streaming platform on April 15, 2021. Purun, The Soap Bubble followed in July 2021. 7 more films were added in September 2021, and Twinkle! Princess Vanilla of Ice Cream Land was added later that year. Dororin & the Transformation Carnival and Fluffy Flurry & the Land of the Clouds were initially slated for February 2024, but later added on May 10.
Ten select films have been added to Netflix on September 19, 2025 with a new English dub.
  • March 11, 1989: Go! Anpanman: The Shining Star's Tear
  • July 14, 1990: Go! Anpanman: Baikinman's Counterattack
  • July 20, 1991: Go! Anpanman: Fly! Fly! Chibigon
  • March 14, 1992: Go! Anpanman: The Secret of Building Block Castle
  • July 17, 1993: Go! Anpanman: Nosshi the Dinosaur's Big Adventure
  • July 16, 1994: Go! Anpanman: The Lyrical Magical Witch's School
  • July 29, 1995: Go! Anpanman: Let's Defeat the Haunted Ship!!
  • July 13, 1996: Go! Anpanman: The Flying Picture Book and the Glass Shoes
  • July 28, 1997: Go! Anpanman: The Pyramid of the Rainbow
  • July 25, 1998: Go! Anpanman: The Palm of the Hand to the Sun
  • July 24, 1999: Go! Anpanman: When the Flower of Courage Opens
  • July 29, 2000: Go! Anpanman: The Tears of the Mermaid Princess
  • July 14, 2001: Go! Anpanman: Gomira's Star
  • July 13, 2002: Go! Anpanman: The Secret of Roll and Laura's Floating Castle
  • July 12, 2003: Go! Anpanman: Ruby's Wish
  • July 17, 2004: Go! Anpanman: Nyanii of the Country of Dream Cats
  • July 16, 2005: Go! Anpanman: Happy's Big Adventure
  • July 15, 2006: Go! Anpanman: Dolly of the Star of Life
  • July 14, 2007: Go! Anpanman: Purun of the Bubble Ball
  • July 12, 2008: Go! Anpanman: Rinrin the Fairy's Secret
  • July 4, 2009: Go! Anpanman: Dadandan and the Twin Stars
  • July 10, 2010: Go! Anpanman: Blacknose and the Magical Song
  • July 2, 2011: Go! Anpanman: Rescue! Kokorin and the Star of Miracles
  • July 7, 2012: Go! Anpanman: Revive Banana Island
  • July 6, 2013: Go! Anpanman: Fly! The Handkerchief of Hope
  • July 5, 2014: Anpanman: Apple Boy and Everyone's Hope
  • July 4, 2015: Go! Anpanman: Mija and the Magic Lamp
  • July 2, 2016: Go! Anpanman: Nanda and Runda of the Toy Star
  • July 1, 2017: Go! Anpanman: Bulbul's Big Treasure Hunt Adventure
  • June 30, 2018: Go! Anpanman: Shine! Kurun and the Star of Life
  • June 28, 2019: Go! Anpanman: Sparkle! Princess Vanilla of the Land of Ice Cream
  • June 25, 2021: Go! Anpanman: Fluffy Fuwari and the Cloud Country
  • June 24, 2022: Go! Anpanman: Dororin and the Transformation Carnival
  • June 30, 2023: Go! Anpanman: Roborii and the Warming Present
  • June 28, 2024: Anpanman: Baikinman and Lulun in the Picture Book
  • June 27, 2025: Anpanman: Chapon's Hero!
  • June 26, 2026: Go! Anpanman: Pantan and the Star of Promises''

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, July 14, 1990Go! Anpanman: Dokin-chan's Doki-Doki Calendar, July 20, 1991Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and His Pleasant Friends, March 14, 1992Go! Anpanman: Everyone Get Together! Anpanman World, July 16, 1994Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Your Happy Birthday, July 29, 1995Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and the 3-"Bai" Punch, July 13, 1996Go! Anpanman: We're Heroes, July 28, 1997Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and His Strange Friend, July 25, 1998Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Their Funny Friends, July 24, 1999Go! Anpanman: Yakisobapanman and Blacksabodenman, July 29, 2000Go! Anpanman: The Amazing Naganegiman and Yakisobapanman, July 14, 2001Go! Anpanman: Tuna Maki-chan and Gold Kamameshidon, July 13, 2002Go! Anpanman: The Amazing Naganegiman and Princess Doremi, July 12, 2003Go! Anpanman: Tsukiko and Shiratama ~Heart-racing Dancing~, July 17, 2004Go! Anpanman: Princess Snow-black and Popular Baikinman, July 16, 2005Go! Anpanman: Kokin-chan and the Blue Tears, July 15, 2006Go! Anpanman: Horrorman and Hora-horako, July 14, 2007Go! Anpanman: Hiyahiyahiyarico and Babu-Babu-Baikinman, July 12, 2008Go! Anpanman: Baikinman VS Baikinman!?, July 4, 2009Go! Anpanman: Run! The Exciting Anpanman Grand Prix, July 10, 2010Go! Anpanman: Sing and Play! Anpanman and the Treasure in the Forest, July 2, 2011Go! Anpanman: Rhythm and Play! Anpanman and the Strange Parasol, July 7, 2012Go! Anpanman: Fun for Everyone! Anpanman and the Mischievous Ghosts , July 6, 2013Go! Anpanman: Playtime for Everyone! Kokin-Chan has become mum!?, July 5, 2014Sing and Rhythm! Anpanman Summer Festival, 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: Let's Go! Anpanman: Santa Claus Disappears
  • December 25, 1989: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the Christmas Valley
  • December 24, 1990: Let's Go! Anpanman: Shine! Our Christmas Tree
  • December 23, 1991: Let's Go! Anpanman: The Mysterious Jingle Bells
  • December 21, 1992: Let's Go! Anpanman: Delivered! Our Christmas Cake
  • December 20, 1993: Let's Go! Anpanman: The South Island's White Christmas
  • December 19, 1994: Let's Go! Anpanman: The 2 Panna's Christmas
  • December 25, 1995: Let's Go! Anpanman: White Keito's Christmas
  • December 13, 1996: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the Black Christmas
  • December 25, 1997: Let's Go! Anpanman: The Meringue Sisters' Christmas
  • December 24, 1998: Let's Go! Anpanman: Our Christmas Concert
  • December 23, 1999: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Your Merry Christmas
  • December 21, 2000: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman's Christmas Show
  • December 20, 2001: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Small Santa's Christmas
  • December 19, 2002: Let's Go! Anpanman: The Flame of Courage and Christmas
  • December 25, 2003: Let's Go! Anpanman: Black Santa and the Nice Present
  • December 24, 2004: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the Star of Christmas
  • December 23, 2005: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman's Jin-Jin-Jingle Bells
  • December 22, 2006: Let's Go! Anpanman: Sing! Dance! Everybody's Christmas
  • December 21, 2007: Let's Go! Anpanman: Kokin-chan and the Christmas of Tears
  • December 19, 2008: Let's Go! Anpanman: Franken-Robo-kun's Surprised Christmas
  • December 25, 2009: Let's Go! Anpanman: Do your Best Creampanda! The Christmas Adventure
  • December 24, 2010: Let's Go! Anpanman: Red-Nosed Chappy - The Christmas of Courage
  • December 23, 2011: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and Gomira's Christmas Castle
  • December 21, 2012: Let's Go! Anpanman: Doremifa Island's Christmas
  • December 20, 2013: Let's Go! Anpanman: Shine! Tin Kid's Christmas Tree
  • December 19, 2014: Let's Go! Anpanman: Anpanman and the letter to Santa
  • December 18, 2015: Let's Go! Anpanman: Baikinman and the Lovely Christmas Present
  • December 23, 2016: ''Let's Go! Anpanman: Poppo's Christmas Twinkle''

Video games

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.
; FamicomOeka Kids: Anpanman to Oekaki Shiyou!!Oeka Kids: Anpanman no Hiragana DaisukiSoreike! Anpanman: Minna de Hiking Game!
; PlayStationKids Station: Soreike! AnpanmanKids Station: Soreike! Anpanman 2: Anpanman to DaiboukenKids Station: Soreike! Anpanman 3Kids Station: Oshaberi Oekaki Soreike! Anpanman
; Nintendo DSSoreike! Anpanman: Baikinman no DaisakusenAnpanman to Asobo: Aiueo KyoushitsuAnpanman to Asobo: ABC KyoushitsuAnpanman to Touch de Waku Waku TrainingAnpanman to Asobu: Aiueo Kyoushitsu DX
; Nintendo 3DSAnpanman to Asobo: New Aiueo KyoushitsuAnpanman to Touch de Waku Waku Training
; Nintendo SwitchAnpanman Touch de Enjoy!: Aiueo Kyoushitsu for Nintendo Switch
; Game Boy ColorSoreike! Anpanman: Fushigi na Nikoniko AlbumSoreike! Anpanman: 5tsu no Tou no Ousama
; WiiAnpanman Niko Niko Party
; Sega PicoSoreike! Anpanman Eigo to Nakayoshi Youchiende ABCSoreike! Anpanman no Game de Asobou AnpanmanSoreike! Anpanman no o-Hanashi Daisuki AnpanmanSoreike! Anpanman Eigo to Nakayoshi 2 Tanoshii CarnivalSoreike! Anpanman no Medalympic WorldSoreike! Anpanman no Minna de Kyousou Anpanman!Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman to Denwa de Asobou!Soreike! Anpanman Anpanman to Tanoshii Drive!Soreike! Anpanman Anpanman to Kotoba AsobiSoreike! Anpanman no Medalympic World 2Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman to Suuji Asobi Anpanman Pico Waku Waku Pan KoujouAnpanman to PC Renshuu!Gakken Anpanman to Chinou Up!Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman no Chie no WorldSoreike! Anpanman Hajimete Asobu Pico Soft: Anpanman no Iro-Kazu-Katachi Nurie mo Dekichau zo!Soreike! Anpanman: Anpanman no Hitori de Dekichatta!
; Advanced Pico BeenaSoreike! 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 OekakiAnpanman o Sagase!Soreike! Anpanman Card de Tanoshiku ♪ ABCSoreike! Anpanman Doki Doki! Rescue Drive ~Car Navi-tsuki~Soreike! Anpanman o Mise ga Ippai! TV de o-Ryōri TsukutchaoSoreike! Anpanman Waku Waku Eigo Game!
; ArcadeLet's Go! Anpanman: Popcorn Factory
; Playdia
  • ''Soreike! Anpanman: Picnic de Obenkyō''

Theme music

Openings

  1. "Anpanman's March"

Endings

  1. "Courage Rin-Rin"
  2. "Christmas Valley"
  3. "Anpanman Gymnastics"
  4. "Anpanman Gymnastics: Dreaming Version"
  5. "Sun-Sun Gymnastics"
  6. "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Anpanman"

Reception

In 2011, research by Bandai found Anpanman to be the most popular fictional character among people aged 0 to 12 in Japan for 10 consecutive years. Anpanman overtook Hello Kitty as Japan's top-grossing character in 2002, and was Japan's top-grossing character as of 2019.

Retail sales

By 2006, the Anpanman books had sold over 50million copies in Japan. By the time Takashi Yanase died in 2013, the Anpanman picture books had sold 68million copies. As of February 2019, Anpanman has sold more than 80million books., Bandai Namco has sold Anpanman PC units since 1999, including tablet computers.
Retail sales of Anpanman related products grossed an annual revenue of at least consecutively for nearly 30 years.

Legacy

There are five 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.
Anpanman train livery is featured on some of JR Shikoku trains, such as the JR Shikoku 2000 series DMU and the JR Shikoku 8000 series EMU.
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.
Anpanman inspired the manga and anime series One-Punch Man. It is a webcomic/manga series created by One, with the title a play on the titular character.
In the manga My Hero Academia, the superhero character All Might is shown to have read Anpanman as a child.
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.