Based on Takashi Yanase's wartime dreams of eating anpan, the character Anpanman sprang to life when a shooting star landed in Uncle Jam's oven as he baked, an event known in expanded media as "the stars of life."

Anpanman's anpan head powers him without needing normal sustenance. He can share pieces of it to feed the hungry, though this drains his strength. Water and dirt threaten his head's integrity, forcing him to use a protective bubble helmet in wet conditions. Uncle Jam bakes him replacement heads when damaged or depleted; his old head detaches with crossed-out eyes as the new one is affixed.

He flies using his cape and fights villains with signature moves like the An-punch and An-kick, including enhanced versions. His superhuman hearing detects distress calls from anywhere. His core mission across all media is protecting others from the germ villain Baikinman during daily patrols near Uncle Jam's bakery.

Relationships are consistent: Uncle Jam acts as his creator, caregiver, and baker of replacement heads. Batako-san assists Uncle Jam and maintains hero capes. His loyal dog companion, Cheese, rescued on an early patrol, aids him. He leads a team of food-themed heroes – Currypanman, Shokupanman, Melonpanna, Rollpanna, and Creampanda – who battle villains together. By 2009, the franchise held a Guinness World Record for 1,768 unique characters, yet Anpanman's core remains unchanged.

In the 25th film *Tobase! Kibō no Handkerchief*, Anpanman portrays his established characteristics: fighting threats, helping those in distress, and using his signature abilities without new developments or backstory.