Genevieve: An Pan Man is probably one of the most popular anime characters in Japan for kids. Kenji discovered him during our last trip to Japan in April.

He is the main character of the anime, 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 it 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. 

We discovered An Pan Terrace, a store solely dedicated to An Pan Man paraphanalia the other day by Nihonbashi Station. Besides, life size statues, the store also had a play area inside along with every toy imaginable. Needless to say, Kenji was in heaven. The only way we were able to convince Kenji to leave, was the promise of an An Pan Man lollipop. We’re suckers (pardon the pun), I know!