On January 27th, it was revealed that NHK announcer Risa Hayashida will be narrating the NHK Asadora drama "Anpan ," starring actress Mio Imada , in the first half of 2025. Hayashida commented, "I never even dreamed that the day would come when I would be the narrator for a Asadora, so I was surprised."
Born in Nagasaki and raised in Kanagawa, Hayashida joined NHK in 2014. After working at the Nagasaki and Fukuoka broadcasting stations, she is currently based in the Tokyo announcers' office. She has previously hosted shows such as "Bura Tamori," "NHK News 7," and "News Watch 9," as well as "Hoshino Gen's Music Hall," "Minna no Uta 60 Special," and other music shows, including classical music. She currently serves as the anchor for the Saturday 9pm news program "Saturday Watch 9."
Hayashida recalled, "I have loved Anpanman since I was a child, and in my middle and high school days I was in the choir club and was exposed to Takashi Yanase's poems, which encouraged me by his kindness." She commented, "I cried many times when I read the script this time. Nobu and Takashi survived turbulent times and were tossed about, but never lost their dreams. I believe Yanase's message about "what is justice" could only have been born from these two, and I am sure it has something to teach us who live in the present era. I will be delivering the story with all my heart for the next six months, with the feeling that I am watching over them quietly together with our viewers."
"Anpan" is written by Miho Nakazono, who is known for the "Doctor X: Surgeon Daimon Michiko" (TV Asahi) series, and tells the story of love and courage that will make you feel the joy of living as Yanase Takashi, who was still a nobody, and his wife Nobu Komatsu overcome all sorts of rough seas to reach Anpanman. Imada will play Asada Nobu, who is based on Nobu, and Takumi Kitamura Takashi Yanai will play Yanai Takashi, who is based on Yanase. The series will start on March 31st and will run for 26 weeks (130 episodes).
