Anpan: An Interview with Nanoka Hara, the Nanoka Hara for Meiko (1)

Nanoka Hara plays Karashima Meiko, the third daughter of the heroine's family (the Asada family) in the NHK Asadora drama series "Anpan " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and others). Regarding Meiko, who has realised her first love, married Kentaro ( Fumiya Takahashi), and become a mother, Hara laughs and says, "I was surprised at how quickly things have progressed!" We spoke to her about her thoughts as she plays Meiko.

"Anpan" is based on the married couple Takashi Yanase(1919-2013) and Nobu (1918-1993). It tells the story of how the two met, overcame all sorts of obstacles, and arrived at "Anpanman," the embodiment of "unreversible justice." It is a "story of love and courage" that will fill you with the joy of living.

Before the war, Meiko fell in love with Kentaro, who came to visit her in Gomenyocho, Kochi. Week 19 marked a major turning point for Meiko, who had been devoted to Kentaro for a long time. In episode 92 (broadcast on August 5th), Meiko travels to Tokyo with Ranko (Yuumi Kawai) and reunites with Kentaro at the cafe where she works. In episode 93 (broadcast on August 6th), she finally confesses her feelings to Kentaro, and the two get married six months later. Five years later, in episode 94 (broadcast on August 7th), Meiko becomes pregnant with her second child and gives birth... and the story unfolds at a rapid pace.

Looking back on when she read the script for the 19th week, Hara laughed and said, "I was surprised, it was so fast!"

"Before I received the script, I was told, 'Meiko gets married and has two children.' And all in one week? What happened with just this one script? I was amazed at how quickly the story progressed."

The story was decided as it progressed, so Hara himself often found out about the plot for the first time when he read the script.

"There were all sorts of theories, like maybe she'd make her debut as a singer in Tokyo. It hadn't even been decided whether she would end up marrying Kentaro, and various things were decided along the way, so even I didn't know much about it."

Hara said that the scene where Meiko confesses her feelings to Kentaro was a particularly memorable one for her, saying, "It really took a long time for them to be together. I had felt that way for such a long time, so I was glad that she was able to tell him."

"I think it's a scene that will make your heart flutter with pure and innocent love, and will bring warm tears to your eyes. Also, the faces of Ranko-neechan, Nobu-neechan (Imada), and Taka-san (Takumi Kitamura) who are watching Meiko's confession really look like parents (laughs). That scene wasn't just about Meiko and Kentaro, but the expressions of the three watching from below were also a highlight. Even on set, it was a scene that was talked about as being very parental and interesting."

The story unfolds at a fast pace, from reunion to marriage and childbirth, so she said that she tried to act in a way that "fills in the gaps that are not depicted in the play."

"Meiko's character and tone of voice change completely before and after her marriage, so I was worried that the audience might find this change sudden. Meiko, who was the 'bottom of the family,' grows as an independent woman. I acted hoping to be able to play a role that would properly fill in the gaps that weren't depicted during that period."

Meiko and Kentaro have finally become a married couple. Hara commented, "I think Meiko and Kentaro have a very similar aura," and added, "They're a similar couple, both fluffy and bright, and I hope we can create a warm atmosphere between the two of them. Please look forward to more."