Interview with the Director of Production of "Anpan" Discusses the Importance of Hiroshi's Death | MANTANWEB(まんたんウェブ)

Interview with the Director of Production of "Anpan" Discusses the Importance of Hiroshi's Death

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連続テレビ小説「あんぱん」で柳井寛を演じる竹野内豊さん(C)NHK
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連続テレビ小説「あんぱん」で柳井寛を演じる竹野内豊さん(C)NHK

In the 41st episode (broadcast on May 26th) of the NHK Asadora drama "Anpan " (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 am and others), starring Mio Imada , a shocking development was depicted in which Takashi Yanai(Takumi Kitamura)'s uncle Hiroshi (Yutaka Takenouchi) suddenly passed away. Hiroshi, who was beloved by viewers, was "departed" at this timing, and we spoke to production manager Kurasaki Ken about the intention behind this.

In episode 41, Hiroshi suddenly collapses on his way home from a house call and falls into a critical condition. Upon hearing the news, Takashi completes his graduation project, which will be his greatest work, and hurries off to Kochi, but Hiroshi has already passed away...

Hiroshi is a local doctor who serves as the director of Yanai Clinic. He is the adoptive father of Takashi and Chihiro (played by Motoki Nakazawa), and he always encouraged them and showed them the way to live. He was a character who gained popularity among viewers by repeatedly uttering memorable lines in the drama.

As his departure is so sudden, it is expected that viewers will feel a sense of loss for Kan, but Kurazaki explained, "The uncle of Takashi Yanase, who was the model for Kan, also passed away at the same time, so that part is portrayed as historical fact. He was in the middle of his graduation project when he received the telegram saying 'Come back soon,' so he stayed up all night making a poster and hurried off to Kochi, but by the time he arrived at his uncle's house his uncle had already passed away, which is also historical fact."

"Losing both his biological father and his adoptive father was a huge loss for both Takashi and Chihiro, and I think it was an event that would have an impact on what Takashi would create in the rest of his life. His uncle didn't force him to take over the clinic, but instead encouraged him to pursue a career in design. That's why I wanted to portray this part of the story as it actually happened. We on the staff feel very lonely and sad, but I think Hiroshi's words will remain in everyone's hearts forever."

Hiroshi often uttered lines quoted from Yanase's works, but the line that appeared in episode 41, "If you try and fight me half-heartedly, I'll punch you," was apparently an original line written by Miho Nakazono, who wrote the script.

"In his books, Yanase has said that he regretted not having boarded the train earlier. No matter how much we wish for it, that time will never come back. But Nakazono wrote this story imagining how Hiroshi must have felt. Hiroshi was a big presence for Takashi, and I believe Takashi was also a big presence for Hiroshi."

Although Hiroshi has left the story, his heartwarming quotes will remain in the hearts of viewers. What kind of life will Takashi, who lost his adoptive father, lead from now on? What will happen to his relationship with Nobu (Imada)? I want to watch until the end.

This site uses machine translation. Please note that it may not always be accurate and may differ from the original Japanese text.

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