" 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(1919-2013), the manga artist and picture book writer who created "Anpanman," and Nobu Komatsu(1918-1993). There are only three days left until the series begins airing. Here, we will introduce Chihiro Yanai, played by Motoki Nakazawa.
◇ I was weak in my childhood...
Chihiro Yanai is the younger brother of Takashi Yanai(Takumi Kitamura). As a child, he was physically weak and lived in the shadow of his older brother, but as he grew up, he became a kind, family-oriented, and academically and athletic young man. Nakazawa, who plays Chihiro, is a promising young actor who gained attention in the 2023 TBS Sunday Theater "Gekokujo Baseball Players," and this is his first appearance in a Asadora.
When his appearance was announced in August last year, Nakazawa commented, "For me, appearing in a Asadora was one of my major goals as an actor, so I was really happy when the role was decided. Chihiro is a strong, tough, and kind-hearted young man who is also considerate of small details. I will give my all to the role, cherishing the feelings that arise as I spend time with everyone, and I hope to grow along with Chihiro! I can't wait to meet you all!"
◇What about the drama's script, narration, music, and theme song?
The drama depicts how Nobu Asada(Imada) and Takashi Yanai, "two nobodys," overcome all sorts of rough seas and arrive at "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.
