"Anpan" Episode 103: Hatako brings back a familiar face that gets viewers excited

The 103rd episode of the NHK Asadora drama series "Anpan " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), starring Mio Imada , was broadcast on August 20th, and Hatako ( Noriko Eguchi) visited the Yanai family home with a familiar face from Kochi, which became a hot topic among viewers.

In episode 103, Hatako comes to Tokyo for the first time in a long time. When she visits the Yanai family, she brings along Kota (Takumi Kitamura), also known as "Konta," a childhood friend of Nobu (Imada) and Taka (Kitamura Takumi), who also served on the battlefield with Taka. When Kota greets them, saying, "It's been a long time," Nobu and Taka's eyes widen at the unexpected reunion.

Kota gives Nobu and Taka a radio that Chihiro (Motoki Nakazawa), who was killed in the war, won as a prize in a bread-eating contest and gave to the Asada family. When Hatako says, "I think it would be better to leave this here," Nobu and Taka thank her.

Hatako began by saying, "I came here to talk to you two about something," and revealed, "Konta said he wanted to open a restaurant in Uchinku's store." Kota explained, "Both Asada Stonemasonry and Asada Bread have taken down their signs, but I thought it would be great if we could rent that space and open a restaurant."

When Nobu and Taka agreed, Kota bowed and said, "Well, then, I'll give it a go. Thank you," and said that he had already decided on the name of the restaurant. The name Kota had in mind was "Tamago Shokudo." Kota said, "I'll never forget the taste of those boiled eggs," and Taka nodded in agreement.

When Hatako asked, "What about those boiled eggs?", Taka replied, "When we ran out of food on the battlefield, we survived by eating things like dandelion roots. We were hungry every day." Kota revealed, "I broke into people's houses to steal food," and recalled how on the battlefield he pointed a gun at an old woman and greedily devoured the boiled eggs she gave him, shell and all.

When Hatako said, "I hope that when I'm on the battlefield, where my life is at stake, they will share their eggs with enemy soldiers," Kota confessed, "If I open a restaurant, I'll feed anyone who is hungry and in need, even if I don't have money. No matter what, I want to repay someone for the kindness they showed me back then. We live in a peaceful world, but with each passing day, that feeling grows stronger."

After hearing Kota's thoughts, Hatako said enthusiastically, "Well, I guess there's no other way. All right. I'll help out at Tamago Shokudo, even if it's not my greatest help." Kota expressed his gratitude, saying, "Really? Thank you."

Comments on social media included, "Konta suddenly appeared! I'm glad he's doing well!", "I was so excited to see Konta make his reappearance that I'm crying," "When I was a child, the kid who would eat Takashi's lunch and say 'It's delicious!' is now going to fill the stomachs of hungry kids, and it makes me want to cry," "I vividly remember the scene where Konta devours the egg. You never forget what you eat when you're pushed to your limits," "Konta became Anpanman first..." and "Is this Tamago Shokudo? Who would have thought this would be a foreshadowing?"