"Anpan" Episode 109: Viewers in an uproar as veteran actor makes his first appearance

The 109th episode of the NHK Asadora drama "Anpan " (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM and others), starring Mio Imada , was broadcast on August 28th, and viewers' attention was drawn to the veteran actor who played the role of the Sandman, the grandfather of Nakazato Yoshiho ( Takumi Kitamura Yuzuna Nagase), a sharp-tongued girl who sent a fan letter to Takashi (Kitamura Takumi).

In episode 109, Kaho, a fourth-grader who sent Takashi a fan letter, comes to the Yanai household with her grandfather, Sunao (played by Kazuyuki Asano). Nobu (played by Imada) and Takashi welcome her with smiles, but Kaho makes a series of sarcastic remarks, such as "your house is in ruins," leaving the two embarrassed.

When Nobu offers Anpan, she refuses, saying, "I don't want one." When the Sunao asks, "Why? You like Anpan, don't you?", Kaho replies, "But... you have guests over, and you're giving them Anpan instead of cakes or something? I'm sure you're struggling with money." The Sunao laughs and says, "You're such a kind girl, Kaho. I'll pass too," and Nobu and Taka give a wry smile.

When Kaho shows interest in the illustration of "a fat man handing out Anpan," Taka reveals, "That didn't sell either. It was criticized harshly." The Sandman then mutters, "Yeah, I guess so," leaving Taka speechless.

When Kaho was taken to the bathroom by Nobu, Sunao apologized to Taka, saying, "I'm sorry. My grandson is too honest. I wonder who he takes after." Taka replied, "I guess he takes after his grandfather," to which Sunao laughed, "I see. It's me. Hahaha!"

The Sandman was played by actor Kazuyuki Asano. He joined Hideki Noda's theater company Yume no Yuminsha in 1987, and after the company disbanded in 1992, he appeared in numerous TV dramas as a supporting actor. He is also known as a regular actor in Koki Mitani's productions, and in the 2022 taiga drama "The 13 Lords of the Shogun," he played the role of Ito Sukechika, the grandfather of Hojo Yoshitoki (played by Shun Oguri).

Comments on social media included, "Is he really leaving now?", "What luxurious casting," "Such a great actor in a small role," "Ibushi Gin has great presence," "He puts in a great performance..." and "I was surprised to see Asano Kazuyuki in it. He's such a great actor, it's a shame he only appears for a short time."