Anpanman

Anpanman, written by Takashi Yanase, a Japanese writer of children's stories, is one of the most popular Anime in Japan. It is produced by Nippon Television Network Corporation.





Yanase has been writing Anpanman since 1968. The television series "Soreike! Anpanman" (それいけ！アンパンマン)has been on the air in Japan since 1988. Some of the main characters in Anpanman are:


 * Anpanman (アンパンマン): The hero of the story, whose head is a bun made by Jam Ojisan. His name comes from the fact that he is a man with a head made of bread (Japanese: pan, a loanword from the Portuguese word meaning "bread") that is filled with bean jam (Japanese: an) called an anpan.  His weakness is water or anything that makes his head dirty. He regains his health and strength when Jam Ojisan bakes him a new head and is placed on his shoulders. Anpanman's damaged head, with Xs in his eyes, flies off his shoulders once a new baked head lands. He was created when a shooting star landed in Jam Ojisan's oven while he was baking. He has two special attacks called: Anpan-punch and Anpan-kick. When Anpanman comes across a starving creature or person, he lets the unfortunate creature or person eat part of his head.
 * Jam Ojisan (ジャムおじさん): The father of Anpanman, and a very kind baker. His name means "Uncle Jam".
 * Batakosan (バタコさん): Assistant to Jam Ojisan, a careless woman.
 * Baikinman (ばいきんまん): The villain in the story, he is the leader of the Viruses. He and Anpanman were born at the same time and are polar opposites of good and evil. His name means "Germ man".
 * Dokinchan (ドキンちゃん): Baikinman's female partner in crime. She is selfish, childish, and greedy, but sometimes shows kindness. Has a crush on Shokupanman.
 * Kabirunrun (かびるんるん): These are Baikinman's little henchmen. Their main purpose is to rot Anpanman's head with mildew (Japanese: kabi).
 * Cheese (チーズ): Jam Ojisan's dog. He became a loyal friend after Anpanman saved his life.
 * Shokupanman (しょくぱんまん): A friend of Anpanman. His head is made from sliced white bread (Japanese: shoku pan). He is sober, earnest, and narcissistic. His job when not helping Anpanman is serving lunch to the schoolchildren.
 * Currypanman (カレーパンマン): Another of Anpanman's friends. His head is made from curry filled bread. He is quick tempered, hot headed, and sentimental. He can use the hot curry concealed in his head as a weapon.
 * Melon panna (メロンパンナ): Anpanman's friend. Her head is made from melon bread. Her special attack, the Melo-Melo Punch, makes bad guys woozy with affection.

In each episode Anpanman fights with Baikinman and helps the people of the town. He always goes on patrol in the area around the house of Jam Ojisan. He is a symbol of justice, fighting for the cause of justice every day.

Anpanman has a long history, but the style has not lost its freshness. New characters are frequently introduced, keeping the series enjoyable.

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