"Sazae-san"Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Expo Special Broadcast

To commemorate the 55th anniversary of the broadcast of the popular anime "Sazae-san" (Fuji TV), a special episode titled "Celebrating the Expo! Special" will air on August 24th from 6:30 PM. The Sazae family visited the Osaka Expo held 55 years ago in 1970, and the first episode of the special will be a re-broadcast of "Sazae Goes to the Expo," which aired 55 years ago on June 14th, 1970. The second episode, "Sazae Goes to the Expo Again," will feature the Sazae family visiting the currently ongoing Expo 2025(Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan), marking the Sazae family's first "Osaka Expo episode" in 55 years. It has also been announced that actress Norika Fujiwara and her husband, kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke, will appear as themselves in "Sazae Goes to the Expo Again."

In "Sazae Goes to the Expo Again," Sazae and her friends meet Fujiwara-san, honorary director of the Japan Pavilion, at the Expo site by chance. Ainosuke also appears and engages in a hilarious exchange with the family. The episode features many of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan's famous sites, including pavilions from around the world, the Flying Car Station, the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, and the signature pavilions "The Future of Life" and "Earth at Night."

After finishing the recording, Ainosuke commented, "I couldn't be more grateful to be able to play myself in the nationally loved anime 'Sazae-san,' and to be able to appear as myself as a couple. It's a memory that I will cherish forever. My wife was in the stage version of 'Sazae-san,' so I went to see it many times. The Sazae-san family was recreated exactly as they were, and I thought it was fun no matter how many times I watched it, so I'm happy that we were able to appear in the anime, which also portrayed the real side of us as a couple, and that it will be broadcast on 'Sazae-san.'"

Fujiwara said, "It was a dream come true to be able to appear as myself in 'Sazae-san.' I had a lot of fun during the dubbing, and the recording progressed with laughter. I was also playing the role of Sazae on stage until just recently, so I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be involved in even a small way in such a nationally beloved anime."

Ainosuke said, "I was really happy to be able to talk to Sazae-san. Not only that, but I also got to drink and laugh with the Sazae-san family, and the moment that screen came on, I was really excited." Fujiwara also recalled, "My husband and I also had a scene where we made jokes with Namihei and Masao, and it was the ultimate joy!"

Regarding the collaboration with the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Fujiwara commented, "It was an honor for me to appear as the Honorary Director of the Japan Pavilion in this powerful collaboration between the nationally beloved anime 'Sazae-san' and the nationally celebrated event, the Expo. I think 'Sazae-san' is a work watched by people of all ages, from adults to children, and the Expo is also a place where wisdom and inspiration can be shared with a wide range of people on a global scale. I am very happy that we were able to introduce this place through animation, and as the director, I am also pleased that people who have never been to the Expo will be able to feel its appeal." Ainosuke praised the film, saying, "We have been to the Expo many times, but the level of reproduction of the Expo was so high that it made us think, 'Wow! That brings me back to memories!'"

Fujiwara said of the show's appeal, "As I said to the audience in my final comments for the stage production of 'Sazae-san,' 'Sazae-san' really cherishes each and every one of Japan's seasons and events, such as the flowers blooming in the gardens and festivals. They also went to the Osaka Expo 55 years ago, appeared in the opening footage for Expo 2005 Aichi, and are visiting again this time. In this way, they cherish Japan's irreplaceable seasons, festivals, tourist attractions, and even Expos, and I think the anime also conveys Japanese culture to children. I was really happy to have the opportunity to appear in such a production."

Ainosuke said, "The world today has become so convenient that conversations between parents and children, especially between grandparents, are disappearing and there is no time for family time together. In times like these, I think 'Sazae-san' is a truly meaningful program. I would like everyone to watch it, especially in a world where things that were once commonplace are becoming less common." Fujiwara continued, "We watch 'Sazae-san' both in real time and on recorded versions. Sometimes the family love moves us to tears. It was a real honor to be involved in such a wonderful anime. It's a must-have edition!", promoting the Osaka Expo episode.

"Sazae-san" is based on a manga by Machiko Hasegawa. The TV anime began airing on October 5, 1969. In 2013, it was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the "longest-running TV anime program," and in 2019, it broke its own record by five years. In 2024, it was recognized by the Guinness World Records for another five years. Voice actress Midori Kato, who has played Fuguta Sazae since the first broadcast, has also been recognized by the Guinness World Records for "the longest time a voice actress (female) has played the same character in a TV anime program." It airs every Sunday at 6:30 pm on Fuji TV.