by The upcoming anime Bread Thief (Pan Dorobou) has revealed two more members of its voice cast ahead of its October premiere. Popular voice actress Atsumi Tanezaki will voice the mysterious French Bread, while Kana Hanazawa will serve as the anime’s narrator.
The new cast announcement was accompanied by the release of the second main promotional video and a new main visual. The promotional video gives fans their first extended preview of “Pang Pang Pang,” the ending theme performed by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, while also introducing Tanezaki’s character voice.
Based on Keiko Shibata’s hugely popular picture-book series, the Bread Thief anime is scheduled to begin broadcasting on NHK E-Tele on October 2, 2026, at 6:40 p.m. JST, with new episodes airing every Friday.
With its unusual characters, warm picture-book visuals, bread-themed comedy, and now a cast that includes Tanezaki, Hanazawa, Ayaka Asai, Junichi Suwabe, and Aki Toyosaki, the series is shaping up to be one of the more distinctive family-friendly anime premieres of the fall 2026 season.
Atsumi Tanezaki Joins the Bread Thief Anime
Atsumi Tanezaki will voice the newly revealed character known as the Mysterious French Bread.
The character makes an appearance in the second main PV, where the mysterious baguette-like figure can be seen quietly sneaking around while the other characters move through the town.
The PV gives viewers their first opportunity to hear Tanezaki’s performance in the role.
Tanezaki is also a longtime fan of the original Bread Thief picture books. In her comment, she explained that she discovered the series several years ago while talking with a friend who enjoys picture books.
She said she was immediately captivated by the way the Bread Thief lovingly hugs a piece of bread. Tanezaki also revealed that the Mysterious French Bread is actually her favorite character.
She expressed her desire to bring out the character’s charm while preserving the warmth and cuteness of the original picture-book world.
This makes her casting particularly fitting for fans who already know the character from the original books.
Kana Hanazawa Will Narrate the Series
Another major addition to the anime is Kana Hanazawa, who will serve as the narrator.
Rather than playing one of the central bread characters, Hanazawa will guide viewers through the episodes with her narration.
Hanazawa said in her comment that she also loves bread, which made it easy for her to sympathize with the Bread Thief’s love of bread—even though she does not steal it herself.
She described being able to watch over the Bread Thief characters through narration as something she is genuinely happy about.
Hanazawa also joked that the delicious-looking bread appearing in the anime makes her hungry while she records her lines. She said she finds herself deeply relating to the Bread Thief’s reaction when the character encounters bread.
Her narration is expected to add another layer of charm to the anime’s picture-book-inspired storytelling.
Second Main Promotional Video Released
The newly released second main promotional video provides another look at the upcoming anime and features the first public preview of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s ending theme, “Pang Pang Pang.”
The song uses the catchy phrase “Pan pan papapan,” creating a playful musical identity that matches the series’ unusual bread-themed characters.
In the video, the Bread Thief and the Fake Bread Thief can be seen running rhythmically through the town.
The Mysterious French Bread also makes an appearance, quietly sneaking into the scene.
The PV is particularly notable because it combines the anime’s warm visual style with its energetic comedy, giving viewers a better idea of what the finished television series will feel like.
The video also features Hanazawa’s title narration at the beginning and introduces Tanezaki’s newly recorded voice as the Mysterious French Bread.
New Main Visual Brings the Characters Together
Along with the second PV, the production team has released a new main visual.
The illustration places the Bread Thief at the center, holding up his favorite slice of bread.
He is joined by the Fake Bread Thief, Mysterious French Bread, and the Baker, while a selection of different types of bread is displayed around them.
The artwork has a warm, colorful, picture-book-inspired appearance that reflects the visual identity of Keiko Shibata’s original series.
The new visual also gives viewers a clear look at the main cast that will appear throughout the anime.
Who Is the Bread Thief?
For viewers discovering the franchise for the first time, Bread Thief is a picture-book series created by Keiko Shibata.
The central character is a strange and lovable bread-loving thief who is obsessed with delicious bread.
Despite the word “thief” in the title, the character’s adventures are presented with a playful and comedic tone rather than as a serious crime story.
The Bread Thief’s unusual appearance, expressive reactions, and extreme love of bread are among the elements that made the original books popular with children and adults.
The series has developed a distinctive identity through its combination of simple picture-book storytelling, surreal humor, and characters that often behave in unexpected ways.
Original Picture-Book Series Has Sold More Than 6 Million Copies
The popularity of Bread Thief has grown considerably since the first picture book was published.
The original series has now surpassed 6 million copies in cumulative circulation, demonstrating its strong popularity in Japan.
The first Bread Thief picture book was published in 2020, and the series has since expanded with additional books and character merchandise.
Its appeal extends beyond young children, with the unusual character designs and comedic situations attracting older readers and families as well.
The upcoming television anime represents the next major expansion of the franchise.
Main Cast of the Bread Thief Anime
The anime’s previously announced cast includes several well-known voice actors.
Ayaka Asai voices the main character, Bread Thief.
Junichi Suwabe voices the Baker, the owner of the bakery that becomes closely connected to the Bread Thief.
Aki Toyosaki voices the Fake Bread Thief, another character who appears alongside the main character.
The newly announced cast members are:
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Mysterious French Bread
- Kana Hanazawa as Narrator
This combination gives the anime a strong voice cast while maintaining the playful atmosphere of the original picture books.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Performs the Ending Theme
The anime’s ending theme is “Pang Pang Pang,” performed by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
A preview of the song can be heard in the second main promotional video.
The track’s repeated bread-themed phrase and upbeat sound fit the playful nature of the anime.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is also known for her colorful visual style and distinctive pop music, making her involvement a natural match for a series built around unusual characters and a whimsical world.
The second PV gives fans their first substantial opportunity to hear how the song will be used alongside the anime’s animation.
The Anime’s Picture-Book Style Remains Important
One of the most important aspects of the Bread Thief anime is its relationship with the original picture books.
Rather than completely changing the visual identity of the source material for television, the anime is designed to preserve the warm and playful feeling associated with Shibata’s illustrations.
This is also reflected in Tanezaki’s comment, in which she praised the care being put into the anime adaptation and its effort to retain the charm of the original picture-book world.
For fans of the books, this should make the anime feel familiar while still allowing the characters to move, speak, and interact in a new format.
Cast Talk Event Will Be Streamed Before the Premiere
Fans will not have to wait until the October premiere for more information about the anime.
A cast talk event will be livestreamed on YouTube on September 26 at 1:00 p.m. JST.
The event will feature:
- Ayaka Asai, voice of Bread Thief
- Junichi Suwabe, voice of the Baker
- Aki Toyosaki, voice of the Fake Bread Thief
The cast members are expected to discuss the appeal of the series and share stories from the anime’s recording sessions.
The event should provide fans with another opportunity to learn more about how the picture-book characters were adapted for television.
Bread Thief Square Event Coming to Sapporo
The anime’s television debut is also being accompanied by continued franchise events.
The interactive “Bread Thief Square” event is scheduled to take place in Sapporo from October 2 through November 23, 2026, at a special venue in Sapporo Factory.
The event previously attracted more than 70,000 visitors in Yokohama during its spring 2026 run. It is designed to let visitors experience the world of Bread Thief, take photographs, shop for merchandise, and enjoy the characters in a real-world setting.
The Sapporo event will also feature a new photo spot connected to the latest picture book, Bread Thief and the Wandering Ramen, which was scheduled for release on September 16, 2026.
The timing means fans can potentially experience the Bread Thief world at the event on the same day the television anime begins airing.
What Makes Bread Thief Different?
At first glance, Bread Thief may look like a simple children’s series about a character who loves bread.
However, its popularity comes largely from its unusual sense of humor.
The Bread Thief’s exaggerated reactions, strange behavior, and strong emotional attachment to food create situations that can be enjoyed by children while also entertaining adults.
The characters are simple enough for young viewers to understand, but their expressions and comedic timing give the series a broader appeal.
That combination has helped the picture books become a recognizable modern Japanese children’s franchise.
A Beginner-Friendly Anime for Families
The upcoming television adaptation is also relatively easy for new viewers to approach.
Because the source material consists of picture books, viewers do not need extensive knowledge of a complicated fictional world to understand what is happening.
The central concept is straightforward: the Bread Thief loves bread, and his adventures lead him into encounters with other characters.
The anime can therefore be enjoyed as a light comedy while also introducing viewers to the characters and world of Keiko Shibata’s books.
For parents and children watching together, the short, playful stories and colorful characters could make the series particularly accessible.
Bread Thief Anime Release Date and Broadcast Details
The television anime Bread Thief will begin broadcasting on October 2, 2026.
It will air on NHK E-Tele every Friday at 6:40 p.m. JST.
The October premiere is a major milestone for the franchise because it marks the transition of Bread Thief from a successful picture-book series into a regular television anime.
The production team has already released multiple visuals and promotional videos, while the latest PV has introduced additional cast members and the ending theme.
What to Expect From the New Anime
The upcoming anime will bring the signature humor of Bread Thief into an animated format while introducing viewers to a larger cast of unusual bread-related characters.
The second PV already shows the Bread Thief and Fake Bread Thief moving through the town, while the mysterious French bread quietly appears in the background.
With Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s energetic ending song, Kana Hanazawa’s narration, and Atsumi Tanezaki’s performance as the mysterious French bread, the anime is building a distinctive identity of its own.
At the same time, the production is clearly keeping the visual warmth and character designs that made the original picture books popular.
The Bread Thief anime is preparing for its October 2026 debut with several new announcements.
Atsumi Tanezaki will voice the mysterious French Bread, while Kana Hanazawa will provide the narration. Both actresses have expressed enthusiasm for the project, with Tanezaki revealing that the mysterious French Bread is actually her favorite character.
The second main promotional video also gives fans their first substantial preview of “Pang Pang Pang” by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, while introducing the new character voice and showing the Bread Thief and Fake Bread Thief running through the town.
The original picture-book series has already surpassed 6 million copies in cumulative circulation, showing just how popular Keiko Shibata’s creation has become before the anime even begins.
For newcomers, the premise is simple and easy to understand: a mysterious bread-loving thief goes on playful adventures while encountering other unusual characters connected to the world of bread.
The anime will premiere on NHK E-Tele on October 2, 2026, at 6:40 p.m. JST, with new episodes airing every Friday.
Before that, fans can watch the September 26 YouTube cast talk event, featuring Ayaka Asai, Junichi Suwabe, and Aki Toyosaki.
With its warm picture-book visuals, surreal comedy, memorable bread characters, and an experienced voice cast, Bread Thief is ready to bring one of Japan’s popular modern children’s book series to television.
