Anpan:[Character introduction] Asada Hatako, the homely and charming heroine's mother, is played by Eguchi Noriko in Asadora since "Massan."

" Anpan " is the NHK Asadora drama series starring Mio Imada , which will begin airing on March 31st in the first half of the 2025 fiscal year. It is a story of love and courage based on the married couple Takashi Yanase Takashi (1919-2013) and Nobu Komatsu(1918-1993), the manga artist and picture book writer who created "Anpanman." There are seven days left until the series begins airing. Here, we will introduce Asada Hatako, played by Eguchi Noriko.

◇Is this the character Batako from "Anpanman"?

Hatako Asada is the mother of the heroine, Nobu Asada(played by Imada). She is a homely and charming mother who continues to support the Asada family. She respects her husband and treats her children equally. This is Eguchi's first appearance in a Asadora since "Massan" in the second half of 2014.

When her appearance was announced in June last year, Eguchi commented, "Hatako, the mother of the heroine Nobu, is a bright and strong woman. She moves around energetically every day, joyed by the smiles of her family. As her name suggests, she is like Batako from the Anpanman series. I will be working hard on filming, taking joy in the smiles of my wonderful co-stars and their families."

◇What about the drama's script, narration, music, and theme song?

The drama depicts how two nobodys, Nobu Asada and Takashi Yanai(Takumi Kitamura), overcome all sorts of obstacles to become "Anpanman," the embodiment of "irreversible justice."

The script is written by Miho Nakazono, known for the TV Asahi series "Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon." The narrator is NHK announcer Risa Hayashida Risa, and the music is by composer and musician Izutsu Akio. The theme song is a new song by rock band RADWIMPS called "Tamamono."

It will be broadcast on NHK General TV from March 31st, Monday to Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and other channels.