I've just learned about Anpanman, and thought to share...

 

I’ve just learned about Anpanman, and thought to share....

Anpanman is a beloved Japanese cartoon character for very young children whose name roughly translates as “Red-Bean Paste Bun Person.” He is famous all over Japan and is really big with school kids, perhaps even bigger than Hello Kitty, which, as we know, is even bigger than Breaking Bad.

Anpanman has a delicious pastry for a head, which he lets people eat when they are in need. His main enemy is Baikinman, whose name roughly translates as “Bacteria Person.” When Baikinman attacks Anpanman, he makes his head rot. But not to worry, Uncle Jam just bakes Anpanman a new head to replace the old one, and he’s good to go.

One of Anpanman’s allies is White Bread Man. But apparently he doesn’t let people eat his face.

Yeah, I know. This all sounds like a really, really bad time with bath salts. But this is Japan. It’s for kids!

Thanks for sharing, Strother.

Yeah, yeah, I know -- We Americans live in a Great Big Glass House on this point. We have Mayor McCheese to explain, with his cheeseburger head and diplomat’s sash, and his godfather, H.R. Pufnstuf with his hungover stoner eyes. For kids! I ask you.

But where did I learn about Anpanman? At a Denny’s-style Japanese restaurant, of course.

where they make burgers that have the cheese inside.

My friend actually ordered one.

Yes, those green beans were just as mushy, tasteless and disgusting as they are in the US and the corn just as gummy.

My friend here likes to call this the "real" Japan, a place just as plasticy and packaged as the United States in many regards. However, Anpanman has a noble background, unlike Mayor McCheese. Anpanman was born i nthe imagination of a sratving Japanese author after the Second World War. He seems to have dreamed of a bean bun character who would magically arrive and feed him, selflessly, from his own body. Go look it up. I know you're interested.

But Japan is not all like the US. I wager not many as many front yards in suburbia sport such trees.

 

That look as pretty in the snow

 

Or buses make such extravagant claims for customer satisfaction.

or people with money who make such stark choices in how they spend it:

Car:Yes. House: No. Or perhaps Junior is visiting the parents he doesn't subsidize. It's so hard to tell when you're not familiar with the culture....

Comments

[Andy Rae]

Put the beans down, and eat your hiziki. How was the In-and-Out cheeseburger?

[Strother]

I had a bowl of tamen instead, and did not pilfer a bite of the Cheese in Hamburg, which I refused on principle. I may have to blog about natto for breakfast, just to prove my Japanese food chops.