Kikkoman Foods has appointed the adorable characters from Pui Pui Molcar as ambassadors for Del Monte Vegetable Juice! A new CG commercial began airing nationwide on June 12, 2022.

This is the third collaboration between Del Monte’s Vegetable Juice and Pui Pui Molcar. 

The commercial is getting fans excited for the newly-announced second season of Pui Pui Molcar, scheduled to air this autumn. It’s also the first official commercial showing the characters in CG.

Mizuho Misato voices the presenter in the new commercial; the actress also played Potato in the series.

Comment from Tomoki Misato (Director)

I’m so happy that Del Monte is teaming up with Pui Pui Molcar again!

The previous 2D animated web commercials were amazing, so when this project was starting to come together, I was shocked to find out that it would be made with CG!

This is probably the first CG Del Monte commercial to date!

Seeing my characters moving around on the screen, I immediately hoped that we could team up again in the future! 

This will also be the first time that Potato’s driver speaks! (My sister did the voice!)

As part of Coca-Cola System’s ‘Coca-Cola Summer Campaign,’ the drinks giant is releasing a new summer entry to their Kono Shunkan ga, Watashi (Me in This Moment) TV commercial series on June 28, promoting the start of a new summer. The commercial features the members of Japanese music group NiziU enjoying the hot weather and includes their new song Super Summer which doesn’t have a release date yet.

NiziU’z shoot for the commercial

On set, NiziU arrived with smiles and said to the staff, ‘We look forward to working with you!’ This shoot took place by the sea. The scene begins on the beach, and because the members were so engaged in the shoot, they didn’t notice the wave rolling up to them, making them scream out ‘Cold!’ when it hit their feet. When they’re running along the beach, all the members showed how each of them runs in their own unique way. There’s also a scene when they’re flying a kite, and when they were filming it, a bee appeared out of nowhere. The shoot was full of smiles from start to end, and it shows in the final cut.

NiziU | Interview

How did the shoot go on this ‘New Summer Start’ commercial, and what were some fun moments?

―RIKU
“We had fun being our normal, natural selves, and I think it shows in the commercial. I experienced at lot of first-time things in this one, so it was a lot of fun.”

―RIO
“Drinking Coca-Cola by the beach makes tastes super good! I enjoyed how refreshed I felt after it took the heat away.”

―RIMA
“I was able to enjoy feeling summer nice and early with the other members and some Coca-Cola!”

All of you are your normal, natural selves in this commercial. How did you find doing the activities together?

―AYAKA
“Everyone took the coke dropping way too seriously, it was a little scary <laughs>, but I enjoyed how natural we were!”

― MIIHI
“It’d been a while since I flew a kite and the other stuff, so I was hypnotised. It was fun, so I’d love to go to a lodging house with everyone if we get time and do it all again! <laughs>”

 ―MAYA
“It was my first time flying a kite. You need to be able to run a lot to keep it up high, so I was running around all over the place <laughs>.”

What parts of the commercial would you want people to look out for?

―MAKO
‘New Summer Start’ was the theme, so we showed us enjoying the summer in the moment, so I hope people look out for that! I’d also love for it to encourage people to try something new!”

―NINA
“You get to see all of us looking natural in this commercial, so I definitely want people to check that out!”

―MAYUKA
“I personally think the part where we’re all enjoying drinking Coca-Cola at the beach is a must-see part.”

 

With the core message of the commercial mind, is there anything you too want to try doing this summer?

―MAKO
“Going to the beach with everyone!”

―MAYUKA
“You’re here now, aren’t you? <laughs>”

―ALL MEMBERS
<Laughs>

―MAKO
“We’re here! <laughs> But I want to come here in our free time too! <laughs>”

 ―RIKU
“I want to try dares! A lot of the members aren’t good with them, so I want to go and have fun doing that with everyone! <laughs>”

―MAYUKA
“I want to eat a big shaved ice with everyone!”

―RIKU
“We’re gonna get brain freeze! <laughs>”

 ―MAYUKA
“It’ll make a good memory though!”

―ALL MEMBERS
“For sure! Sounds fun!”

 ―AYAKA
“I want to try making a watermelon dessert!”

―MAKO
“I love that! You’re the best, AYAKA! <laughs>”

―NINA
“I love ice cream, so I wanna try making some myself to enjoy with everyone!”

―RIO
“I’m bad at swimming, so I want to learn to swim this summer!”

 ―MAYA
“I want to go to a summer camp with all the members, with a BBQ and campfire, and to try out new things together!”

―MIIHI
“I really love summer festivals, so I want to eat something at home with someone you can only get at summer festivals, like whole pickled cucumbers!”

―RIMA
“Summer means nagashi somen noodles, so I really want those!”

―MAKO
“Shall we go get some bamboo then? <laughs>”

―RIKU
“Let’s all get some together! <laughs>”

As part of the Coca-Cola Summer Challenge, NiziU had a go at the summer Coke mix challenge in a video which shows you how to best into Coke in summer.

In promotion of their new Ver.2.0.0 energy drink, which hit shelves in Japan last Tuesday, ZONe released a TV commercial featuring Japanese artists LiSA and yama. The new beverage, which is advertised as putting people in the zone of invincibility, contains the highest amount of caffeine put in a ZONe drink yet: 150mg of the stuff, which is sure to keep people buzzing throughout the day. The packaging has also been updated to feature the new ‘ZONe EYE’ which symbolises that you’re in the zone and nothing will stand in your way.

LiSA in the ZONe
　　　　　

Dive into the zone with LiSA who knocks back her drink and immediately takes on the ZONe EYE. She grabs her mic and belts out a hardcore performance, showing off her incredible voice, before winking at the camera.

yama in the ZONe

When yama chugs her can she says the words ‘Into the ZONe’ along with the futuristic-sounding voice. She is surrounded by a whirlpool of the energy drink which flows along to the sound of her gorgeous high-tone vocals. The track itself is titled Ketsuryu (‘Blood Flow’) and was written for this commercial.

Interview

LiSA

・What did you think of the commercial and your appearance?

“For me, it was a live performance. Even I was surprised at the show of power that ZONe has [in the commercial] when it turns on your switch. I enjoyed it like a real live performance, since the part when I switch into that invincible zone was filmed just as I look in the video.”

・Tell us about the song RUNAWAY which features in your commercial.
“The song is about quitting while you’re ahead in life. It’s the start of a new era, heading into that invincible zone to laugh lots, sing, dance, and enjoy everything.”

yama

・Tell us about the song Ketsuryu which features in your commercial

“ESME MORI kindly wrote this song for me. It’s a song that brings up the topic of being bored in life, and feeling lonely, but that you can still find someone special or something you can immerse yourself in to light up your life. It’s about keeping your heart moving even if those things disappear. I hope it encourages people, even if just a little.”

Japanese girl group NiziU are set to feature in a new television commercial for LOHAS Pharmaceutical’s “ALFACE+” cosmetic face masks which will roll out in Japan on July 1.

ALFACE+ is a skincare brand that sells products that are not only moisturising but accessible to a variety of skin types too. Their face mask collection includes 10 different designs, all of which are presented by each of the nine NiziU members.

NiziU have stepped away from their usual energetic look for this shoot, instead serving more grown-up vibes.

The vertical theatre app smash., which lets users shoot professional quality short videos, released a new commercial in Japan on May 8 which features the eight-member boy band Hey! Say! JUMP and their new single Negative Filter which dropped on May 12.

The commercial features all eight members performing using the app. Each of them shot their own solo videos which were string together for the video.

Bourbon’s five-episode audiobook no doubt created for its Noukou Choco Brownie snack was released as an animated TV commercial last week. The video features Japanese pop rock band Macaroni Enpitsu’s new song Tomason which was written for the commercial.

The audiobook no doubt becomes a TV commercial

The no doubt audiobook was written by the popular Japanese author Yoru Sumino who is perhaps best known for writing I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. It tells the story of two boys who are in high school. They aren’t part of an afterschool club, and they don’t have part time jobs. They come to realise that this time will be what they look back on when they grow up. The characters were designed by Itsuka, an illustrator popular online.

The commercial features the song Tomason by Macaroni Enpitsu.

“no doubt” Animated TV Commercial

“no doubt” Recording Behind The Scenes

Japanese voice actors Hiro Shimono (Attack on Titan; Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) and Yuki Kaji (Attack on Titan; My Hero Academia) voiced the characters in the commercial. Below is an interview with both of them on the commercial, part of which we have translated.

Hiro Shimono x Yuki Kaji Interview

A snippet of the interview, translated 

Q1: How did your performances go? Tell me about your shoot.

Hiro Shimono: “The commercial portrays two boys who are neither adults nor children, so going through puberty I suppose. Their dialogue is elaborate, it was super interesting.”

Yuki Kaji: “Right up to wrapping up, the entire shoot was a lot of fun, including the intervals during our breaks.”

Q2: You both play the roles of high school boys. Tell me about a time from your youths.

Yuki Kaji: “One memory I have from school being young, which is like something out of a painting, was my time a the theatre club. You need real physical strength when it comes to acting, so before dress rehearsal, I’d run around the school building. That’s a memory that’s stuck with me. I’d change into my jersey, and go die– I mean, run to the nearby river embankment too. Being reminded of that now it’s too much like a youth film or something, it’s making me laugh <laughs>. “

Hiro Shimono: “I have a story from my youth too. It was on the day of the Culture Festival [at school]. After the festival finished, I was on my way home with some people, and there was a park with a water fountain in it. I said, ‘Well, it’s already raining, so why the hell not!’ Of course it wasn’t the thing to do, but we jumped into the water fountain and splashed about. That’s what being young is all about, right!?”

Q3: What’s your favourite Noukou Choco Brownie flavour, the regular or the rich milk?

Hiro Shimono: “Noukou Choco Brownie.”*

*Translator’s Note: Implying all of them

Yuki Kaji: “Me too! <laughs>”

Q4: Please give a message to fans.

Yuki Kaji: “I was lucky to have the opportunity to performance Yoru Sumino’s novel no doubt. I’m over the moon about it. The script was of course wonderful, and me and Shimono have known each other for a long time, so I think that comes across in the video with a pleasant atmosphere. The commercial is a youthful drama about two high school boys, and it’s linked to the bittersweetness of Noukou Choco Brownie. Be sure to tuck into one yourself while you listen to the story.”

Hiro Shimono: “[The commercial’s characters] Igarashi and Imai have a great conversation, and getting to do it with Kaji was a lot of fun. It made me think we’ve always had that kind of vibe with each other. Noukou Choco Brownie is the keyword, so please be sure to check out the audiobook to see how it plays its part.”

no doubt Synopsis

One day, high schooler Imai skips school by feigning illness. He is at home in his room, when all of a sudden another boy from his class, Igarashi, comes to visit him. He has the handouts to give to Imai from class, but the high school they go to doesn’t have that custom where a classmate has to give handouts to someone who’s off ill. And the two of them aren’t that class where Igarashi would suddenly pop to see Imai like that. Imai finds it suspicious. Igarashi is interested in the clay work Imai has in his room. Both of them have some free time, so begin to make a town together out of clay.

KOSÉ rolled out their new commercial in Japan on April 15 for their makeup fix mist product Make Keep Mist EX. The commercial features Japanese music group NiziU along with their new song I AM.

I AM was written specifically for this commercial, which has the NiziU members performing the “mist dance” showing how to use the product. The commercial emphasises how well the Make Keep Mist EX keeps makeup applied to one’s face without worrying about it coming off.

The NiziU members released this comment with regards to the product and commercial: “Applying makeup can be a real pain when wearing a face mask, so we use this all [product]! We’d love for you to do this dance while you apply your Make Keep Mist!”

If you’re wondering how the shoot went for this commercial, check out the official story released below. 

The Commercial Shoot

The NiziU members entered the studio dressed in full-pink spring suits. They rolled up to the studio’s blue set where they looked super cute and readied themselves for the shoot.

The take-away from this commercial is the new Mist Dance which has the nine members lined up beautifully together as they spray the mist on their face simultaneously to the tune of the music. It’s reported that it took them a while to get it down perfect at first, but after some practice and looking at the monitor, they were able to create something iconic.

“Do it like RIO!” instructed the shoot’s director, which prompted RIO to show the other members how it’s done.

During their break, the other members complimented MAKO’s blonde hair and MAKO’s blue tips, and MIIHI stroked RIKU’s dango hair while saying “Looky here, ice cream! Looks delicious.”

In one part of the dance, the members have to go all out and use their whole bodies. They switch up their formations several times and not once did they bump into each other. The members gave tips to each other too, like MAYUKA suggesting a better position during one formation, and RIMA asking which angle looks more beautiful for a certain move in relation to the camera. The result was an incredible display that was shot in one take, resulting in a round of applause from the studio staff.

Check out the commercial below.

Make Keep Mist EX

The new EX version of Make Keep Mist has stronger holding power to keep makeup smudge-free and looking fresh and beautiful all day. The product is available in a normal size and smaller ‘trial’ size. A new cool type, Make Keep Mist EX Cool, was released on April 16.

Make Keep Mist EX ¥1,320 / Make Keep Mist EX Trial Size ¥880 / Make Keep Mist EX Cool ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Japanese rainwear brand Wpc. released a special new commercial featuring actors Hio Miyazawa and Suzu Yamanouchi. The collaborative video is entitled “What’s Changed, What Hasn’t Changed.”

The Rainwear Items

Basic Jump Umbrella – Off Paint

Big Silhouette Rain Poncho – Unisex Caramel

Floral Pink Gradation

Colour Mesh Coat – Beige

Free Lookbook

The message of the commercial is one of positivity: that though somethings might change, others do not. It refers to the state of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, that despite being unable to see our loved ones, and that we’re unable to lead the lives we once did, our feelings towards those special to us, and those around us, is eternal.

Japanese actor and singer Masaki Suda appeared in a new commercial for Mister Donut which hit Japan last week. The name of the commercial translates to “there’s always something good inside the box.”

On January 27, 2020, Mister Donut celebrated its 50th anniversary. The doughnut chain boasts around 960 stores in Japan. In their latest commercial, they promote the joy of opening a box of their doughnuts when ordering takeout.

KOSÉ are set to roll out a new commercial in Japan on April 15 for their makeup fix mist product Make Keep Mist EX. The commercial will feature NiziU along with their new song I AM.

The commercial tie-up comes after the huge positive reception NiziU got after their appearance in another KOSÉ commercial that aired in January. The video featured their song Joyful as well as the popular ‘eyelash dance.’

Stay tuned for the release of the commercial.

Japanese confectionery company Morinaga released two new commercials on Saturday (March 20) for their popular Monaka Jumbo ice cream. The commercials feature Japanese boy band Kanjani Eight.

The first commercial, entitled Choco Mimi, sees the band members dressed in cute rabbit ears to promote the chocolate and vanilla flavours of Monaka Jumbo. It also features the band’s new song Sweet&Bitter which even features the lyric “vanilla.” The second commercial, entitled Ice Case, has the band members spoilt for choice on which flavour to go for, but ends up with them saying, “Why not both?”

Vanilla Monaka Jumbo “Choco Mimi”

Choco Monaka Jumbo & Vanilla Monaka Jumbo “Ice Case”

ABC Mart has released a new commercial for Nike’s Air Max Infinity 2 Trainers which stars Japanese boy group JO1 and features their song Born To Be Wild taken from their third single CHALLENGER.

Nike Air Max Infinity 2 | ¥11,000 (Tax Included)

Colours: 100WHT / WHT・001 BLK / WHT・002 BLK / BLK・004 BLK / WHT・100 WHT / BLK・003 BLK / RACBLU・100 WHT / BLK・100 WHT / INDBST

The Nike Air Max Infinity 2 Trainers feature a futuristic look encompassed by accentuated heels and mixed-material uppers, delivering a textured and fashionable experience that wearers can enjoy all day everyday.

Those who purchase the trainers at ABC Mart, both in-store and via their online shop in Japan, will receive an original JO1 shoehorn.