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Many of you back home have probably never seen, let alone heard of Anpanman, one of the most popular animated characters running rampant here in Japan. I sure as hell had no idea who he was until I first set foot on Japanese soil, and I can tell you, my first impression was that I was looking at a cats anus that had been anthropomorphized into a human head and given a body with a cape to boot!

I was then shocked (and appalled) to find out that this character is actually considered to be cute amongst Japanese children and adults alike.

I mean, look at the guy!

Anpanman - You made barf a little in my mouth the first time I laid eyes on you...

Anyway, Anpanman has been rated the top fictitious character for children ages 0-12 in Japan 10 years in a row, and is branded on nearly anything you can think of: bags, boots, chopsticks, pencil cases, steering wheel covers, snack foods, insurance commercials, etc.

Yep, Anpanmans face can most likely be found anywhere there are humans residing in Japan, and, as a result, often appears as a character in my English classes. (Pfft, kids over here don’t even know who the Ninja Turtles are! What a sad childhood indeed!)

Starting his red-cheeked career off in a picture book series conceptualized by Takashi Yanase, it has been more than 35 years since Anpanmans debut in 1973.

Now, there is hardly a day when Anpanman is not played on TV, and the animated series which began airing in 1988 now boasts a whopping 1000 episodes! In every 25 minute episode Anpanman, playing the leading role, acts as a bringer of justice in his eternal struggle against the evil Baikinman (Bacteria-man), who is set to wreak havoc on citizens living up and around the house of Uncle Jam!

A picture book featuring Anpanman, Baikinman (front-right), and friends!

So what makes Anpanman so special? What makes his round face so appealing to the Japanese?

Well, I have absolutely no idea, but all I can tell you is that “Anpan” is the Japanese word for “anko-bean-filled-bun”, which is a common dessert/snack found here in Japan. The “man” at the end of Anpan”man”s name is the English word for, well, “man”. (Just think Megaman and you will be on the right track).

Anko Bean Filled Bun - "Anpan"

So why is Anpanman called, “Anpan-man”? Well, there is quite a simple answer.

You see, Anpanman’s head is MADE OUT OF A ANKO BEAN FILLED BUN!

Yes, he is a living bun, filled with sweet anko beans.

Oh, but that’s not where it ends!  NO! Anpanman is not stingy when it comes to sharing his tasty face, as he will rip pieces off of his round head and hand it out to his hungry friends.

Yeah, you heard me! Having chunks of flesh the size of tea-cups ripped off the side of your head might phase you, but it would never phase the sweet and gentle Anpanman.

Ditto to the caption above!

HELL YEAH!

It is said that Yanase’s conceptualization of Anpanman and his all-you-can-eat head, came from his days fighting in World War II in which he found himself often confronted with the prospect of starvation. During times where there was a lack of food, Yanase often dreamt of eating “anpan”, and thus the idea for the edible hit-character was born!

Ok, Anpanman, you have grown on me, and I can now say that you do not look like a cats anus.

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