It was announced on December 15th that the spin-off audio drama "Saigo no Uta" of the NHK Asadora drama "Anpan " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM), starring actress Mio Imada , which aired its final episode in September, will be broadcast on NHK-FM from 10:00 PM on January 3rd, 2026. The lead role will be played by Motoki Omori of the popular rock band Mrs. Green Apple, who played the composer Ise Takuya Ise in " Anpan ."
The story begins in 1987, when Takuya Ise, a composer and theater troupe leader, is practicing diligently to realize his long-held dream of "making a Japanese musical a success in America." After overcoming conflicts with his colleagues, the curtain finally rises on the performance to thunderous applause. However, behind this success, Takuya's body is quietly being eaten away by illness.
In 1992, Takuya suddenly collapses while composing an Anpanman musical with Takashi (Takumi Kitamura). He is told he can no longer work, and falls into despair as he sleeps in his hospital room. One day, his wife Kaoru, who is caring for him, hands him a letter addressed to Takashi. Inside is a new set of lyrics for the musical. With a promise to Takashi in mind, Takuya musters his last bit of strength and weaves a melody...and so the story unfolds.
In addition to Omori, the cast will also include Kubo Shiori as Shiratori Tamae, a teacher at an orphanage who was once a popular singer, Toko Miura as Takuya's wife Kashihara Kaoru, and Kobayashi Toranosuke as Hachijo Daikichi, Takuya's disciple and theater company staff member.
◇Comment from Motoki Omori
After I finished playing Taku-chan, I felt really lonely and was "Anpan less" myself. That's why I'm happy to be able to play him again like this. I was also very happy that Taku-chan's love life and detailed feelings, which couldn't be fully depicted in the main story, were properly portrayed.
His unique facial expressions and pauses symbolize the character of Taku-chan, so I was a bit hesitant to express them using just my voice, but the recording was done in an atmosphere similar to my usual activities, allowing me to perform in a relaxed manner. This work is full of highlights, with a variety of exchanges, Kubo and Miura's singing voices, and a deep portrayal of the connections Taku-chan holds dear. This is a work that all "Anpan" fans should definitely listen to.
◇Comment from Kubo Shiori
I was really happy to be able to play the memorable role of Shiratori Tamae again, and to have the opportunity to co-star with Motoki Omori, with whom I didn't have a chance to work in the main series. I'm also pleased that the relationship between these two people, who have run through the same era together, has been portrayed this time. This is my first time acting in a drama with Omori, and he pulled me along with his professional attitude. It's thanks to Omori that the relationship between our two characters was so naturally completed. In fact, there is a scene in this production where we sing together. I was nervous from the moment I read the script, but I was happy when Omori called out to me, "It's Shiratori!" I never thought the day would come where we would be able to sing that famous song together, so it was a great honor.
◇Comment from Toko Miura
When I first met the "Anpan" team, I felt their deep love for the work and their strong respect for Izumi Tasuku, who was the model for Isetakuya, and I felt even more determined to play the role of the final wife.
When I read the script, I could hear Omori's voice acting as Ise speaking in my head. It somehow made me chuckle (laughs). It was fun to create Kaoru's personality and rhythm within that. During the performance, I was able to naturally create a worldview through conversations with everyone, and I also realized how fun it is to convey a story using only your voice. It's a truly wonderful story, and I was moved, laughing and crying while acting, so I would love for many people to hear it.
◇Comment from Toranosuke Kobayashi
I thought my debut in a Asadora would be "Kaze,Kaoru," so I never expected to be able to appear in "Anpan," which I'd been watching for so long, first (laughs), but I'm proud to have been a part of such a gentle and heartwarming work.
Hachi has followed Ise Sensei for 10 years, and I think he really respects him. Omori-san, who played Ise Sensei, was also wonderful, and he naturally portrayed Hachi's feelings of wanting to follow him. As Hachi meets many different people in the story, it felt like he was traveling with him. I'm really looking forward to the singing scenes with Omori-san and the others, and the final scene with Ise Sensei and Kaoru-san was so moving that it drew applause on set.
◇Comment from Production Supervisor and Chief Producer Ken Kurasaki
We have also produced a special edition drama of the TV drama series "Anpan," but we don't want "Anpan " to end just yet! With the desire to bring more of the story to everyone in every way possible, we have decided to produce a spin-off special audio drama starring Motoki Omori , who Takuya Ise Isetakuya.
The film focuses on the unknown later years of Takuya, which were not depicted in the main story. It is a rich story with many songs, including " Te no Hira wo Taiyou ni), sung by Kubo Shiori, who plays Shiratori Tamae, and scenes that will make you feel so energized you'll want to dance, as well as scenes that will move you to tears.
We have also invited popular actors Toko Miura and Toranosuke Kobayashi to join us as new characters. We hope you will enjoy the imagination and warmth that can only be born from an audio drama when it airs in the new year.
