"Anpan" Special Edition Episode 1: Ranko plays a big role behind the scenes of Ken-chan's proposal!

The first special episode of the NHK Asadora drama series "Anpan, " starring Mio Imada , entitled "Ken-chan's Proposal," aired on September 29th, depicting the behind-the-scenes events of the day Kentaro ( Fumiya Takahashi), also known as "Ken-chan," proposed to Meiko (Nanoka Hara). Viewers were captivated by Kentaro's struggles and the efforts of Ranko (Yuumi Kawai), who gave him advice.

Kentaro and the cafe manager (Nishimura Takemasa) rush to prepare to propose to Meiko before her birthday party. The birthday party was scheduled to start at 5pm, but he told Meiko to start at 4pm, so he could propose to her. However, Ranko arrives earlier than planned and sees through his plan, asking, "Are you going to propose to your sister?"

Hearing Kentaro's plan, Ranko becomes anxious and says, "I have the impression that Kentaro is the type of person who will do unnecessary things and fail..." Ranko reads the proposal words that Kentaro had thought up for this day and reacts to the word "absolutely" that was written in it. Ranko remembers the words of her fiancé Go (Kanata Hosoda), who was killed in the war, "I'm coming, absolutely," and mutters, "I can't accept it. The word "absolutely"...is something that shouldn't be used."

Furthermore, Nobu (Imada) and Takashi (Takumi Kitamura), who had finished their business early, also arrived before Meiko, leaving Kentaro flustered by this unexpected turn of events. As the plan falls apart, with the store manager mistakenly carrying the cake and nearly breaking the paper lantern, Ranko encourages Kentaro, who is cornered, saying, "It's okay to be clumsy. Express your feelings in your own words." and "You're a man, aren't you? Just express your feelings honestly and that's all there is to it."

Kentaro shared his feelings, saying, "Since I started dating Meiko, the time we've spent together has been the happiest, and it feels like flowers have bloomed in the scenery that I'm used to seeing all the time. I enjoy any path I walk with Meiko. I really like you, Meiko... Will we continue to walk together forever?"

Meiko smiled and said, "Thank you very much," and Kentaro placed the ring on her left ring finger. When they broke the paper lantern, a banner read, "Kentaro, the happiest man in Japan." Kentaro said, "I wanted to express my joy at being able to marry Meiko," and Meiko smiled and said, "When I'm with you, Kentaro, I'm always smiling." Kentaro and Meiko sang a memorable song, "Coconut," and Ranko, seeing them, murmured, "Congratulations."

Comments on social media included, "A proposal that was so typical of Take-chan," "It was great. This is the kind of drama I wanted to see!", "Just when I was letting my guard down because it was a special episode, Go-chan suddenly appeared (tears)," "I cried when Go-chan showed up in the flashback," "Ran-chan's follow-up was great," "I never thought I'd get to hear 'Coconut' again...!!" and "Ran-chan's congratulations brought tears to my eyes."