NHK’s “Anpan” Climaxes: Yumi Kawai Radiates Love Signals Silencing Criticism

The presence of Shinnosuke Yagi, which only serves to enhance Ranko’s charm

The NHK morning drama “Anpan” has reached its climax. While viewers are eagerly anticipating the appearance of “Anpanman,” Yumi Kawai (24), who plays Nobu’s (Mio Imada, 28) younger sister Ranko, has also been attracting major attention for her “otherworldly, overflowing allure.”

The story, inspired by the creator of Anpanman, Takashi Yanase, and the Nobu couple, follows a tale of love and courage as they strive to uphold justice that never reverses.

In Episode 114, which aired on September 4, Takumi Kitamura (27) as Takashi finally wins a manga contest grand prize and is commissioned by Haru Tejima (Gordon Maeda, 25), known as the “God of Manga,” to design characters for the animated film “One Thousand and One Nights,” marking a turning point in his career. Yet the focus is not on him.

“At first, Ranko’s quiet and reserved personality made some viewers think Kawai Yumi was being wasted. But by Episode 29, when she receives a proposal from Goh Haru (Kaota Hosoda, 23) who is about to depart for military service, opinions changed dramatically. In Episode 38, when her sister Nobu tells her to take pride in Goh’s wartime death, Ranko erupts, shouting and crying, ‘That’s all lies! Everything’s lies!’—viewers flooded social media with praise. She truly began to show her full range, reminiscent of her award-winning performance in the film ‘Anno Koto,’ which earned her Japan Academy Award for Best Actress this year,” says a production company producer.

Ranko meets Shinnosuke Yagi (Satoshi Tsumabuki, 44), who would later found the “Kyushu Cotton Center,” in Episode 100. Having resolved never to fall in love again, she casually visits Yagi’s shop. Ranko, who has faced condescension over her education and is considering leaving her job to become a freelance film critic, exchanges words with Yagi:

“Adversity is what makes people shine.”
“Oh… Shakespeare.”

Viewers likely sensed the romance flag at that moment.

In Episode 112, a heart-pounding development unfolds. The day before Ranko moves, Yagi brings her a magazine. Awkward tension fills the room upon seeing Goh’s battle-worn jacket. As thunder rolls outside, Ranko rushes after Yagi, offering him an umbrella. He takes her hand, drawing them closer.

Ranko: “I’m not going to your company anymore.”
Yagi: “Why? Please don’t say that.”

Yagi presses closer as emotions swell—a moment that had viewers on the edge of their seats.

“When the camera cuts change, it captures the slightly swaying shared umbrella from an overhead view. It’s depicted symbolically, without explicitly showing what’s happening. Such a clever series of shots, especially for a morning drama, really shows the production team’s strong attention to detail,” says a production company director.

This kind of direction may now be indispensable to the world of these two characters.

The production team’s attention to detail extends further.

“Cool and reserved Ranko usually wears blue-toned kimonos and Western outfits. But after meeting Yagi, she starts drawing inspiration from Lauren Bacall, wearing bright red lipstick, having Yagi open a jar of red jam and spreading it on her bread while murmuring ‘sweet.’ Even the color of the shared umbrella they use to express their feelings turns red. At this point, Ranko’s cool-beauty persona begins to crumble, and the red orchids bloom delicately,” says the producer.

“This is screenwriter Miho Nakazono’s homage to Kuniko Mukoda.”

The language about the red orchid’s meaning—“happiness is coming”—sets the stage for Ran-ko’s emotional journey. Holding onto memories with Go, she seems ready to embark on a new romance with Yagi, or perhaps it has already begun.

A subtle hint appears in Episode 107, aired August 26: while watching Yagi hug children as he gives a gift, Ran-ko notices and reacts.

Ran-ko: “Does anyone hug someone like Yagi!?”
Yagi: “No, I…”
Ran-ko: “Sorry, that was a weird question.”

She quickly leaves the office, touching her left hand to her forehead—a gesture signaling her romantic feelings.

“This gesture has appeared before: in Episode 23, when her mother Hatako asked if she had someone special, and in Episode 29, when Go proposed. Previously, she touched her right hand; now it’s the left, distinguishing between Go (right hand) and Yagi (left). This shows she is seriously thinking about Yagi,” explains the director.

Some suggest that Ran-ko’s gestures and subtle cues are a tribute to Kuniko Mukoda, incorporated by screenwriter Miho Nakazono, known as a master of romance narratives. How Nakazono will continue to depict their love story remains eagerly anticipated—no one will ever call Yuumi Kawai wasted on this role again.