BTS and Japanese Culture ②: Anpanman and Pokémon

[Update: 2026/1/25] I just found out that Jin's purple color comes from the Pokémon Gengar, so I'm adding this update.

Japanese culture surrounding BTS

Continuing from last time, let's talk about Japanese culture, focusing on anime, manga, and games!

The Anpanman reference in "Anpanman"

There is a song literally titled "Anpanman." When I first heard it, I couldn't believe my ears and thought I was mishearing it lol. This song's choreography was also done by the Japanese dancer RIEHATA, so the respect is definitely there.
The choreography for this song was also done by the Japanese dancer RIEHATA, so the respect is definitely there.

It's very like them to choose a hero who isn't all-powerful as someone to entrust themselves to.
Anpanman, who sacrifices himself to save people from hunger—a "small but serious crisis that can happen to anyone."
BTS, who make that their identity, are our heroes.

By the way, it seems Anpanman started airing in South Korea around 1994.
Thinking that Anpanman was already around when the 95-liners (V and Jimin) were born gives me a mysterious sense of emotion, like, 'Thank you for watching over my boys.'
In Korea, the name is different—'Ho-ppang-man'—so I wonder if they used the Japanese name in the song out of respect.

As an aside, I love seeing the members playing around at the start of "Anpanman" in live concert footage.
Like the 2019 Hong Kong concert where V was being carried by Jungkook; I was writhing in agony from the excessive cuteness, and I was so impressed that they could even sing in that position!

Anpanman also appears in the lyrics of "IDOL." The "Hero = Anpanman" formula remains consistent! By the way, the choreography for this song was also done by RIEHATA.

This has absolutely nothing to do with BTS, but I love the story that in Iran, they put a mosaic over Anpanman's face during the month of Ramadan, so I wanted to share that at the end lol.

"Pokémon" and BTS

"Pokémon," which began airing as an anime in South Korea in 1999.
Since the BTS members were born in the 90s, I assume they spent their childhoods right in the middle of the boom, so Pokémon names come up often. Since most are from the first generation, I predict they aren't hardcore gamers.

When it comes to BTS and Pokémon, this V is the first thing that comes to mind. So baby-like...!

V has even worn Pokémon bandages on his wounds, and I was curious about whether they were his personal items or who put them on him.
Either way, how can this adult man be so cute...!

By the way, in the 2021 BTS FESTA, V's answer to "What comes to mind when you think of Jungkook?" was "Muscle Monster," which refers to the Pokémon Machoke.

It's also hard to overlook the story that when V cuts his hair short, people say he looks like the Pokémon Chimchar (or Aipom, both are monkey-type Pokémon).
V certainly looked quite like a little monkey when he was younger, but I wonder about now that he's an adult?

Since ears are one of the body parts that finish developing early, they tend to look relatively large while other parts haven't fully grown yet.
Little monkey V with big ears is a rare, limited-edition special from his childhood! (*ﾉωﾉ)

Speaking of BTS members who love Pokémon, we can't leave out RM, who collects Pokémon bread stickers.

Pokémon bread had stopped selling for a while due to a slump in sales, but production resumed in 2022.
A second boom followed, and there was a theory that RM's social media post saying 'Please sell more!' might have influenced the resurgence of the boom.
The man who moves the Korean economy for the sake of stickers, RM. That's our leader for you.

The story about him calling SUGA a Wooper is also irresistible. Should I name a Wooper 'Yoongi' and cherish it without evolving it too...?

Jin also collects Pokémon stickers, and he said the first one he got was Psyduck.
There was also a mysterious statement from Jin saying he wants to be called 'Charmander ('파이리')' by his lover, and regardless of the truth, I've at least grasped that Pokémon live inside his head.

It's lovely how both RM and Jin straightforwardly express their preference for 'liking cute things.'
It was an unexpected collaboration to be reminded of the global popularity of Pokémon while watching BTS.

By the way, Pokémon also appear in the lyrics of BTS songs.

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There were even more Pokémon references...

By the way, Gengar Jin was from June 2019, during the Wembley concert and the "MAGIC SHOP" fan meeting!