Yanase with his most famous creation
Even those of you who aren’t major manga or anime fans might recognize Anpanman, the beloved Japanese character based on a bread roll filled with red bean paste. After his original appearance in a picture book in 1973, Anpanman went on to star in a anime series that has been airing continuously since 1988, as well as movies, video games, and all sorts of children’s merchandise. Anpanman is truly a cornerstone of Japanese culture.
After Yanase Takashi, the creator of Anpanman and president of the Japan Cartoonists Association, passed away early on Sunday, the Japanese internet community has joined together in mourning and commemorating Yanase’s passing. In the comments below, netizens share memories of Anpanman that reveal Yanase’s influence across generations.
From Yahoo! Japan:
Yanase Takashi, Creator of Anpanman, Passes Away at 94
Yanase Takashi, a manga artist and picture book author known for “Anpanman,” died of heart failure in a Tokyo hospital at 3:08 AM on October 13. He was 94 years old. His dying wish was to have a funeral attended by close relatives only, with a memorial service planned later.
Mr. Yanase was born in Tokyo in 1919 and spent his youth in Kochi prefecture. After graduating from the Tokyo Koto Kogei Gakko [Tokyo, School for the Industrial Arts], he worked for Kochi News and the advertising department at Mitsukoshi department store before becoming a freelancer in 1953. He worked in various fields, including manga and radio plays, television screenplays, and commentary for film magazines. In 1961 he wrote the lyrics to the children’s song “Te no hira wo taiyou ni” [Hold up your palm to the sun], and in 1973 “Anpanman” made his debut in the monthly picture book publication Kinderbook. The anime show “Let’s go! Anpanman, Tears of the Sparkling Stars” began broadcasting in 1988. In 1989 the first Anpanman anime movie, which had the same name as the TV series, opened in theaters, and after that a new movie production has come out every year.
In addition to becoming a board chairman of the Japan Cartoonists Association in 2000 and working as the association’s president starting in 2012, he also assisted in reconstruction efforts after the Tohoku earthquake in 2011. This year marked 60 years of Yanase producing visual art, 40 years since the publication of the “Anpanman” picture book, and 25 years since the beginning of the TV anime and the opening of the movie version. There are plans for a “Complete Works of Yanase Takashi” exhibit to be held at the Friedrich Froebel museum in November.
◇ “We lost an important guide”: Toka Keiko, voice of Anpanman
”It was Mr. Yanase himself who was Anpanman. He always enveloped us in kindness and shared his wisdom with us. There’s nothing to do now but express our earnest gratitude, but there’s also a feeling now of having lost an important guide. It’s too sad, and we’ve completely lost our strength. My sincerest condolences.”
Comments from Yahoo! Japan:
jfq*****:
He was healthy until recently… I pray he will find happiness in the next world.
dondon:
This was too fast, it took me by surprise. He always had such a healthy image, too.
a25rcc0cnz5kavjebdh4:
It feels like the Heisei era is ending.
sep*****:
Just yesterday my two year old daughter and I were playing Anpanman make believe together. We have Anpanman stuff all over the house. This is truly unfortunate. But thank you for giving children dreams and for the lovely world you created.
mildtissues:
My children loved you. Thank you so much. I pray from my heart that you find happiness in the next world.
mor*****:
I liked Anpanman too much for someone my age. Thank you, and my condolences.
t_r*****:
Anpanman has always been popular with children… I pray for your happiness in the next world.
age*****:
It feels like an era has finally ended…
gz1*****:
I pray for your happiness in the next world…
kuw*****
So unfortunate that a manga artist born in the splendid pre-war Taisho era has died. Anpanman was well liked even in my grandfather’s generation.
qui*****:
Thank you, Mr. Yanase. Our whole country’s rugrats are raised on Anpanman.
alt*****:
You can approach this with thoughts of “it’s over,” but I don’t think that’s true. Anpanman won’t die.
bom*****:
It’s unfortunate news, but isn’t this a peaceful death? My condolences.
shi*****:
Perhaps he has set off for the fairy land where Anpanman and friends are living… I pray for your happiness in the next world.
tht*****:
The death of a great man. I pray for your happiness in the next world. I am remembering my great reaction when I saw Anpanman as a child, and feeling that greatness all over again.
rn7*****:
It’s slightly shocking… I pray for your happiness in the next world. However, at 94 years old, it was probably a peaceful death.
dai*****:
I saw Anpanman as a child. Now, my daughter is watching it. Thank you for the wonderful work. Please rest in peace.
fut*****:
Baikinman was bad, but he was an impossible character to hate. I like that world. I was surprised at the sudden news. I pray for your happiness in the next world.
a3*****:
…somehow… this year, one famous person after another is dying…. (tears)
sir*****:
My deepest condolences. A life like Yanase’s is the best.
