Voice Actor Powerhouse Tsuda Kenjiroo Joins NHK Morning Drama “Anpan”! A Reunion of “Anpanman” Voice Actors Creates Buzz!
Get ready, because the upcoming NHK continuous TV novel, Anpan (NHK Soogoo), is set to feature the incredibly talented voice actor Tsuda Kenjiroo! His appearance has naturally generated a lot of excitement, especially as he joins a cast that already includes several other prominent voice actors, creating quite the buzz.
Written by the acclaimed Nakazono Miho, Anpan is the 112th installment of the NHK Asadora series. It tells a moving story of love and courage, following Yanase Takashi and his wife Komatsu Nobu as they navigate the pre-war, wartime, and post-war eras, ultimately leading to the creation of Anpanman, a hero embodying “justice that does not turn around” (or “justice that doesn’t retreat”).
Tsuda Kenjiroo is set to play Shoojin Akira, the chief editor of the Kochi Shinpo newspaper. He plays a crucial role by meeting Nobu (played by Imada Mio) in a post-war black market and recommending that she take the employment exam for Kochi Shinpo.
Tsuda-san is well-known for his captivating low voice, having lent his talent to numerous popular titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chi.: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite. However, recently, his activities as an actor have also become quite prominent. He has appeared in dramas such as Saionji-san wa Kaji wo Shinai and the movie Trillion Game.
This role marks Tsuda-san’s return to the Asadora series after five years, since his appearance in Yell, which aired in the first half of 2020. We can’t wait to see his performance!
As mentioned earlier, Anpan is also making waves due to the appearance of many other voice actors.
The art teacher at the school attended by Yanai Takashi (played by Kitamura Takumi), Zama Haruto, is voiced by none other than Yamadera Kooichi. Ooide Kako, a local woman who comes to Asada Pan to buy anpan, is played by Shimamoto Sumi. And the principal of Gomen Yo Jinjoo Shoogakkoo, where Nobu is hired as a teacher, Furuyama Tokisaburoo, is voiced by Nakao Ryuusei.
If you’re knowledgeable about voice actors, these names might ring a bell immediately. That’s right! Every single one of them is a voice actor who has appeared in the anime Anpanman!
Yamadera-san is known for voicing characters like Meiken Cheese, Jam Ojisan, Kabao-kun, and Kamameshi Don in Anpanman. Shimamoto-san voices Shokupanman and Dekako Kasan. Nakao-san is the voice behind the iconic Baikinman. Fans on social media have been expressing their excitement with comments like “This collaboration is too luxurious!” and “I hope more voice actors appear!”.
Naturally, this has led to anticipation for the appearance of Toda Keiko, who voices Anpanman himself, the protagonist of the series. Everyone is eagerly awaiting to see what kind of role she might play, and if she will indeed appear in the drama. We’ll have to keep watching to find out!
It’s also a well-known fact that the characters in this Anpan drama are based on the characters from Anpanman. For example, the protagonist Nobu is inspired by Dokin-chan, and the baker Yamu Onchan (played by Abe Sadawo) is based on Jam Ojisan, and so on.
The story also includes famous lines from Anpanman. We can look forward to seeing how these elements will be interwoven into the narrative as the story unfolds!
Images related to the article:
- Image of Tsuda Kenjiroo
- Image of Yamadera Kooichi
- Image of Nakao Ryuusei
- Image of Shimamoto Sumi
- Image of NHK Drama Guide: Continuous TV Novel Anpan Part 1
- Image of NHK Continuous TV Novel Anpan, Part 1 (Novel)
【NHK Asadora Official】Continuous TV Novel “Anpan”
【Writer】Nakazono Miho
【Music】Izutsu Akio
【Theme Song】RADWIMPS「Tamamono」
【Narrator】Hayashida Risa Announcer
【Cast】Imada Mio, Kitamura Takumi, Kase Ryoo, Eguchi Noriko, Kawai Yuumi, Hara Nanoka, Hosoda Kanata, Takahashi Fumiya, Nakazawa Motoki, Ooomori Motoki, ／ Ninomiya Kazuya, Toda Naho, Asada Miyoko, Yoshida Kootaroo, ／ Takenouchi Yutaka, Tsumabuki Satoshi, Abe Sadawo, Matsushima Nanako,ほか
【Broadcast Schedule】Scheduled to start broadcasting from March 31, 2025 (Monday)
By Yoneda Kaori
Related Link
_
