It’s also a hot topic on the TV drama series “Anpan”! Yanase Takashi’s first biographical picture book, author of Anpanman, has appeared.

Yanase Takashi’s Story: What is she born and what is she doing to live, is now available on May 16, 2025, the first picture book of the life of Yanase Takashi, the creator of Anpanman, which has also attracted attention for being the model for the protagonist along with Mrs. Nobu in the drama series “Anpan.”

“The Tale of Yanase Takashi – What For He Was Born and What He Lived” is the first biographical picture book that depicts Yanase’s 94-year life, who created Anpanman and became a national picture book author.

He began his childhood in Kochi, and after going through war, he continued to think about what true justice is, what is it for, and what is it for? He met Nobu, who later became his wife at a newspaper company where he worked, and eventually he created the picture book “Anpanman,” which he thought, “What is true justice?”

Yanase Studio, which inherits Yanase’s wishes, is in charge of the writing and illustrations, and a timeline with plenty of photographs is also included at the end of the book. The main text uses kanji, but all are furiganas to make it easier for preschoolers to read. The motif is the “Yanase Rabbit,” which Yanase drew as a self-portrait, and the characters are also personified as animals, making it easier for children from a generation who love Anpanman to become familiar with them.

The first picture book, “The Tale of Yanase Takashi – Why was born and what do you do to live” is 1,540 yen including tax, and the life of Yanase Takashi, the creator of Anpanman. To commemorate the publication, a fair development is also planned in collaboration with Kinokuniya Bookstores. A gift campaign will also be held where 120 people who purchase this game and apply through the application form will be entered into a lottery to win either a special mug or a special clear file. For details, please see the book details page.

【Book Summary】
・Title: The Story of Yanase Takashi
~What are you born for and what do you do to live?
・Written and illustrated by Yanase Studio
・Publisher: Froebelkan Co., Ltd.
・Release date: Friday, May 16th, 2025
・Regular price: 1,540 yen (tax included)
・System: 25×21cm
・Number of pages: 32 pages
・ISBN：978-4-577-05376-8

《Nakase Kotaro》