" 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 six days left until the series begins airing. Here, we will introduce Asada Meiko, played by Nanoka Hara.
◇ "The beloved character" who makes everyone feel happy!
Asada Meiko is the younger sister (third daughter) of the heroine Nobu Asada(Imada). She is a cheerful young lady who loves to sing. She makes everyone in the Asada family happy. This is Hara's first appearance in a Asadora as Meiko.
When her appearance was announced in February last year, Hara commented, "When I was a child, I loved Anpanman so much that all my toys, tableware, shoes and pajamas were Anpanman! So when I found out that my first appearance in a Asadora drama would be in ' Anpan', I was so happy I could jump for joy. The character I will be playing is Meiko, a cute woman with a gentle personality and lots of charm, who has the vibe of a youngest child. There is some pressure to play the most lovable character, but I hope to be bright, cheerful and enjoy filming. I can't wait to work with such a wonderful staff and cast! I'll do my best! Thank you very much!"
◇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.
