Hitomi Himari on Anpan Inspired by Dazai’s No Longer Human

“I thought my life might change a little.”

“It seems that in my hometown of Kochi Prefecture, the overall viewership rating sometimes exceeds 40%. I still can’t believe that I was able to appear in a morning drama based on a great person from the same hometown, even now after filming has finished.”

Hitomi Himari (22), an actress appearing in the currently airing NHK morning drama series Anpan, said this with excitement.

The series is a fictional work based on the lives of Takashi Yanase, the original creator of Anpanman, and his wife Nobu Komatsu. Takumi Kitamura (27) plays Yanase, renamed Takashi Yanai in the show, and Mio Imada (28) plays Komatsu, renamed Nobu Asada.

Hitomi has drawn sudden attention for her passionate portrayal of Shin Uto, a maid who devotedly supports the Yanai family, Yanase’s birthplace. But why was she, with only two years of acting experience, chosen for this major role?

“I auditioned for it. I went just to show my face, but it turned out that was the actual audition (laughs). Usually, after auditions, I’d leave feeling like ‘Oh, I’m 100% rejected’ and be discouraged, but this time I was able to fully convey my passion.”

“I am from Nankoku City in Kochi Prefecture, the same place as Yanase-sensei. In Kochi, from trains and buses to souvenir shops, Yanase-sensei’s works are embedded in all aspects of daily life. I think my feelings for Kochi and my desire to make my family happy there came through.”

She received the good news one week later.

“I thought, ‘My life might change a little.’ When it was announced, I told my family via video call. The moment I said ‘I got it,’ everyone’s eyes and mouths opened wide, which was memorable. My mother said, ‘I won’t believe it until it actually airs,’ but after watching the broadcast, she finally felt it was real (laughs).”

The origin is No Longer Human

“Anpan” is Hitomi Himari’s first regular role in a serialized drama. She was overwhelmed by the large sets before her and the presence of the veteran actors she had only seen on TV.

“The cast includes stars like Nanako Matsushima (51), who plays Takashi’s mother, Tomiko, and Yutaka Takenouchi (54), who plays Takashi’s uncle, Hiroshi. During scenes with Sadawo Abe (55), who plays the baker Kusakichi, I was struggling just to keep up with his ad-libs (laughs). The person who influenced me the most was Naho Toda (51), who plays Takashi’s aunt, Chiyoko. She respects the professionalism and responsibility of arriving at the set earlier than anyone else, fully immersing herself in her role before filming begins. I want to become an actor like her someday.”

Her origin, she says, lies in Osamu Dazai’s famous work No Longer Human.

“Since I was a child, I loved reading and writing, and I often vaguely wondered about the meaning of living and dying. When I read No Longer Human, I wrote a book report about thinking of life—that report was awarded, and it was the first time I felt the joy of expressing myself. It’s not that I currently have suicidal thoughts or anything like that, but I feel that if I constantly ask myself ‘What is life?’ while acting out someone’s life, my roles will gain depth.”

Many viewers are captivated by Hitomi’s performance, which carries a fleeting fragility beneath her bright and lively character.

 

From the May 30, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”