Lovely commercial jingle

[January 2025] A roundup of commercials that caught my attention

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Even after entering January 2025, a wave of buzzworthy commercials featuring famous actors and actresses has continued to appear.

From FamilyMart’s ad showcasing Kotaro Yoshida and Rikako Yagi with warm expressions, to JCB Platinum’s commercial highlighting Tori Matsuzaka’s smart presence, this month’s diverse lineup of visuals is capturing our hearts.

In this article, we’ll dive into the appeal of these latest commercials in detail, along with information about the cast and the featured songs.

Latest Commercials [January 2025] (21–30)

TOYOTA High School Soccer “YELL SWITCH”

[High School Soccer] YELL SWITCH (short_yoko)

This is a commercial themed around high school soccer supported by Toyota, focusing on the voices of the fans.

The phrase “That voice is ___” is spoken one after another, conveying how much strength players draw from the surrounding cheers.

Combined with the well-paced, immersive visuals, it comes together as a very cool commercial.

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UQ mobile New Member Audition: “Great Cashback Festival” Edition

UQ New Member Audition 'Great Cashback Festival' Version 15-Second

This is a promotional commercial for a Big Cashback Festival, themed around an audition for new UQ mobile members.

This time, Onyokun—the character from Otoyoku Jikan, a music amusement park—appears and performs a song.

However, Gachapin interrupts midway and, in an overbearing manner, asks, “What does ‘a good deal’ mean to you?” The spot recreates the feel of a high-pressure interview, resulting in a strikingly surreal atmosphere.

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Latest Commercials [January 2025] (31–40)

Uber Eats: In the cold winter, isn’t Uber Eats the way to go? “Layered Clothing” editionRiisa Naka, Akinori Nakao

Isn’t it perfect to use Uber Eats in the cold winter? Layering edition | Uber Eats

This commercial begins with a conversation where Akiyoshi Nakao suggests, “It’s cold outside, so why not just order Uber Eats?”, to which Riisa Naka replies, “Let’s make an effort, go out, and eat at a restaurant.” In the next cut, we see the whole family bundled up excessively, puffed up into perfectly round shapes.

With its humorous direction, it keeps you watching to the end, wondering what will happen next.

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Y!mobile: The Bakabon Family Turns Into Cats – “Extra Gigs for 30GB” Version / “Largest-Ever 35GB Plan” Version

Y!mobile: “The Bakabon Family Becomes Cats – 30GB with Extra Gigs”

Y!mobile “The Bakabon Family Turns Into Cats: The Biggest-Ever 35GB Plan”

This is a commercial from the “Bakabon Family Turns into Cats” series, featuring Tetsurō Degawa—well known from Y!mobile ads—and the rest of the family transformed into cats.

In this installment, only Bakabon’s Papa, played by Tetsurō Degawa, appears to introduce plans that offer 30GB or 35GB of data.

Alongside the cat-ified Bakabon’s Papa, the familiar Futenyan also makes an appearance, giving the ad a cute and catchy vibe.

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docomo Sekai Sonomanma Giga “Bocca della Verità” (Truth Mouth) VersionNao

The World As-Is GIGA “Mouth of Truth” Version – 15 seconds

This is a commercial themed around the Mouth of Truth, a sculpture in Italy said to trap the hands of liars.

After Nao says, “You absolutely need to rent Wi‑Fi overseas!” she puts her hand into the Mouth of Truth and can’t pull it out.

It turns out the story is meant to highlight that with a DOCOMO smartphone, you can use it abroad as is without renting Wi‑Fi.

It’s a brilliant development that clearly promotes the service while keeping viewers engaged.

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Isuzu Motors: ‘Creating the way the Earth moves’

Isuzu Motors Ltd. Corporate CM: Creating the World’s “Transport” – ISUZU

This commercial focuses on “carrying,” the major role played by the trucks and buses developed by Isuzu.

In addition to scenes of trucks and buses transporting people and cargo, it strikingly incorporates images of people and animals carrying things.

It presents questions and answers about what it means to carry, resulting in a piece that makes viewers pause and think.

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Hotto Motto: “Warm and creamy, Crab Cream Croquette Bento” edition

Hotto Motto TV commercial: 'Warm and creamy, Crab Cream Croquette Bento' edition

This is a commercial introducing the new crab cream croquette bento.

It highlights the specially crafted cream made with seasonal red snow crab, conveying its full, rich flavor.

The tantalizing, mouthwatering visuals are sure to have whetted many appetites.

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