[Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era
TV commercials vary by era, and when you see them again after a long time, many of them feel nostalgic, don’t they?
In particular, from the 1970s to the 1980s—the latter part of the Showa era—many distinctive commercials were aired.
Catchphrases used in those ads were chosen as buzzwords, and songs featured in them became huge hits, making quite the splash in various ways.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole collection of those nostalgic commercials from the Showa period.
They range widely from spots with a completely different flavor than today’s commercials to ones that have become enduring classics even now, so please take your time and enjoy.
- Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Introducing famous songs recently featured in commercials, too!
- [Funny Commercials] Hilarious! Memorable Ads
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
- Catchy commercial jingles. A roundup of those songs grabbing attention in ads!
- Unforgettable! Memorable commercial jingles. Popular commercial songs.
- [Kansai Region Local] A compilation of local commercials broadcast in Kansai
- [From timeless classics to the latest hits] A roundup of catchy commercial songs
- Compilation of candy commercials: from the latest to nostalgic ones
- Nostalgic commercials from the 2000s: revisiting ads that left a lasting impression
- A must-see for people in their 30s and 40s! A roundup of nostalgic 1990s commercial jingles
- Funny commercial song. Popular funny commercial songs.
- Shampoo commercials: A roundup of popular products’ ads from each manufacturer
- [I want to hear it again!] Songs from Suntory commercials. Popular commercial jingles
[Nostalgic Commercials] Compilation of TV ads aired in the Showa era (21–30)
Citizen Watch Lighthouse 1987
This is a commercial for Lighthouse, known for its appealing simple, traditional design, which had been on sale since 1986.
The scene where a woman extends her arm wearing a Lighthouse watch out of a car window to call out to a man is especially striking, isn’t it? The BGM in this commercial is Kenjiro Sakiya’s 1987 song “Mou Ichido Yoru o Tomete” (“Stop the Night Once More”).
Its lyrics, poignantly depicting a couple drifting apart against their true feelings, captured the hearts of many listeners.
After being featured in this commercial, the song went on to be used as a theme and insert song in numerous dramas and films.
House Foods Vermont Curry 1965 TV commercialAyumi Ishida
This is a commercial that conveys the rich flavor of Vermont Curry through a lively video depicting men chasing after a woman.
The key is the brisk, West Side Story-inspired movement, and Ayumi Ishida’s light steps also express a sense of exhilaration.
The song that firmly emphasizes this unique worldview and buoyant atmosphere is “The Vermont Curry Song,” sung by Ayumi Ishida.
With lyrics by Akiyuki Nosaka and music by Taku Izumi, it highlights the dedication to flavor with an upbeat rhythm and vocals.
TOTO WashletJun Togawa
This is a commercial promoting TOTO’s innovative toilet feature, the Washlet.
It’s said that this ad helped make warm-water bidet toilet seats an essential part of everyday life.
The line about washing your hands with water when they get dirty—since no one would wipe paint off their hands with paper—and then asking, “So what about your bottom?” carries strong persuasive power.
Jun Togawa’s expressions and refined language are striking, and the commercial clearly conveys its message of getting people to think about the toilet.
SONY Walkman “Monkey’s Meditation”
Sony’s Walkman is a product that has continued to be loved, even as its form has changed.
This is a commercial for a cassette-tape Walkman that aired in 1987.
The image of a Japanese macaque pressing earphones to its ears and carefully holding the Walkman with both hands while listening intently to music is very striking, and it was a hot topic at the time.
The slight blinking and other subtle movements make it feel as if it’s truly absorbed in the music.
House Foods Java CurryShinichi Chiba, Yoko Nogiwa
It’s a commercial styled like a drama starring Shinichi Chiba and Yoko Nogiwa that also highlights the flavor of Java Curry.
Because the settings where the two spend time—such as the seaside or a lakeside—are so refreshing, their smiles in those scenes reinforce the impression that Java Curry itself has a refreshing taste.
Since they appeared when they were married, the content also conveys a sense of affection.
Panasonic Radio Cassette Player RX-DT70
This is a commercial for Panasonic’s CD radio-cassette player RX-DT70.
It aired in 1988.
The way the boombox is described really gives it a strong sense of the era.
It seems to be a model that prides itself on deep bass; with the resonance of the bass, a robot jumps up and a brick wall collapses.
The robot itself looks very cute by today’s standards.
SUNTORY Canned Beer “Penguin” Version
A memorable SUNTORY canned beer commercial featuring penguin characters.
The penguins that appear are called the Pum Penguinz, created by art director Masatoshi Toda and illustrator Norio Hikone.
The CM in which a girl penguin sings Seiko Matsuda’s “SWEET MEMORIES” is famous, but many other versions featuring the Pum Penguinz were also produced.
In addition to “SWEET MEMORIES,” other CM songs included Agnes Chan’s “Snow Flakes” and Takashi Hosokawa’s “Hoshikuzu no Machi (Stardust in Your Eyes).” Thanks to the commercials’ popularity, character merchandise was sold and a film adaptation was also made.
