Anpan:[Character introduction] Kentaro Karashima, a classmate of Takashi Yanai who becomes a "true friend" Fumiya Takahashi makes his first appearance in a Asadora

" 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 only two days left until the series starts airing. Here, we will introduce Kentaro Karashima, played by Fumiya Takahashi.

◇Get involved with members of the Asada family

Kentaro Karashima is a classmate of Takashi Yanai(Takumi Kitamura). He is originally from Fukuoka. He becomes a true friend to Takumi, who had no friends when he was young. He also becomes involved with Nobu (Imada) and the Asada family. This is Takahashi's first appearance in a Asadora as Kentaro.

When his casting was announced in November last year, Takahashi commented, "The role of Karashima Kentaro is truly lovable and clumsy. Even when reading the script, there are times when I think he is adorable, but there are also times when he makes comments that make you startle. I feel that these are the words and actions of an honest and straightforward boy. Also, as Kentaro is from Fukuoka, I am excited to be able to act in the Hakata dialect for the first time! Kentaro is the best friend of Takashi Yanai , played by Takumi Kitamura , so I would like to convey the Taku that only Kentaro can bring out in this work, while cherishing the relationship and atmosphere between the two of them. I am proud to be able to play this role on the set of this production, ' Anpan', and I will do my best to approach it."

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

The drama depicts how Nobu Asada 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.