" 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 Chiyoko Yanai, played by Naho Toda.
◇ To be the "foster mother" of Takashi Yanai and Chihiro
Chiyoko Yanai is the aunt of Takashi Yanai(Takumi Kitamura). She is a woman who is both strict and kind. Together with her husband Hiroshi (Yutaka Takenouchi), she takes care of her nephews Taka and Chihiro (Motoki Nakazawa). This is Toda's first appearance in a Asadora in six years, since "Natsuzora" in the first half of 2019.
When her appearance was announced in August last year, Toda commented, "I was very, very happy when I was chosen to appear! When I was 18 years old, I played the heroine in the TV drama series "Eenyobo." I dreamed of one day returning as a mother. My character is a foster mother, but she is also the woman who nurtured the folds of Takashi Yanase's heart. I will keep this in mind and feel determined to play a woman with rich sensitivity. I will do my best to work with the reliable director, wonderful co-stars and staff to make this a production that is full of heartwarming kindness."
◇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.
