I Like Baikinman

In 2025, the production of a morning serial TV novel titled Anpan has been decided.

Since it is a story based on the lives of Takashi Yanase and his wife Nobu Komatsu, it is already attracting attention.

After all, when it comes to Anpanman, it is so well-known that perhaps every citizen in the country knows it.

It is to the point where you can just give Anpanman toys or similar items as baby shower gifts and be safe.

In our home as well, my son definitely went through an Anpanman phase.

We even have the first Anpanman picture book for children.

I suppose a face composed almost entirely of circles is easy to feel familiar with.

Perhaps due to the times, Anpanman sometimes receives criticism for ultimately resolving things through violence.

Of course, there are heroic aspects because it is entertainment. However, the foundation of Anpanman is compassion.

In a world where it is unclear what is right, the only true evil is hunger. The reason he is still loved today, even in any era, is that he is a hero who satisfies that hunger even at the cost of his own body, which is something that resonates universally.

By the way, it seems that Anpan-punching Baikinman is meant to be a way of disciplining a mischievous kid in class who is being mean.

Furthermore, there is a depth to it where he even says, 'Like good and bad bacteria in the gut, or like light and shadow, we are existence that cannot do without each other.'

Well, for that reason, Baikinman is a great villain who gets beaten up almost every time, but I like him.

I am sure there are many others besides me who feel the same way.

If you watch the story of Anpanman's birth, you will see that Anpanman is born when a star falls from space into Uncle Jam's bread and he says, 'I am Anpanman.'

*You can watch it on the official YouTube channel. It's divine.

Anpanman is loved from the moment he is born.

In contrast, Baikinman arrives from the Baikin planet in an egg. And from the moment Anpanman is born, he is fated to defeat Anpanman.

For that purpose, Baikinman does intense muscle training and makes inventions. He makes an effort all by himself, just to defeat Anpanman.

Anpanman has innate power and blessed companions, but Baikinman's battle began all alone.

He is strong. Baikinman is strong.

It is true that Baikinman lives according to his desires, steals from the weak, and sometimes causes destruction that makes you recoil.

However, even in that, I feel a sense of humanity.

And because of that humanity, I find myself getting fired up by the way he stands up again no matter how many times he is defeated or how many things are destroyed, and the way he becomes desperate for his goals.

Also, it is hard to hate how Baikinman gets thrown off his game when dealing with someone who places complete trust in him, like Franken Robo-kun or Shiratama-san.

*Franken Robo-kun, who adores Baikinman as his father

*Shiratama-san. In short, a Takarazuka actor

Anpanman, while he may have some troubles, is basically a bundle of positivity.

Baikinman is incredibly expressive: he works hard for Dokin-chan even if he doesn't want to, gets flustered by unexpected kindness, looks happy eating the food of guest characters, and gets excited when he corners Anpanman.

Even though there are negative things that might get him down, I am actually encouraged by Baikinman, who keeps trying no matter what.

My son graduated from Anpanman a long time ago, but I am sure Baikinman will continue to work hard for his goals.

I would like to support him from the shadows as well.