[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: A Compilation of TV Ads from the Showa Era (51–60)
Nissin Demae Iccho
The Nissin “Demae Iccho” commercial, famous for the catchphrase “A~rayo, Demae Iccho,” aired a version in 1983 that showed a growing boy eating Demae Iccho.
The jingle, created by Eiichi Ohtaki, cheered on the boy as he ate heartily and grew up.
It carries the wish that by eating lots of Demae Iccho and absorbing the nutrition from the sesame in it, he’ll grow up strong and healthy.
The commercial closes with the timeless, familiar catchphrase.
By the way, that phrase was created by Taro Kida!
Momoya Edo Murasaki Ishikari “Ochazuke” Version
This is a commercial that introduces Ishikari—one of the variations of Momoya’s Edo Murasaki—by switching between live action and animation.
The animation clearly conveys what’s inside, while the live-action footage directly expresses how delicious it is when made into ochazuke.
The narration, which mainly focuses on explanation, is also striking, making you increasingly curious about what it tastes like.
Fujicco Pickle 100 Selections
This commercial portrays a woman working under stress and recommends taking a relaxing moment with Fujicco’s pickles.
By contrasting her hardworking demeanor with her at-home self, it effectively conveys the importance of relaxation.
It also suggests a story where the promise of delicious pickles waiting at the end of the workday helps her power through each day.
The smile she shows while eating the pickles directly communicates both their tastiness and their familiar, approachable presence.
Nintendo Famicom Wars
This commercial expresses the rising excitement for the release of Nintendo’s title Famicom Wars.
From the repeated cadence calls of the drill instructor, it’s immediately clear that the motif is inspired by the film Full Metal Jacket.
The straightforward chant phrases that convey pure anticipation, along with the synchronized, distinctive rhythm, make it stick in your ears.
It’s also striking that it’s a pre-release ad that doesn’t use footage from the game itself, which really communicates the message: just play it and see for yourself.
[Nostalgic Commercials] A Collection of TV Ads from the Showa Era (61–70)
Asada Candy
This is a TV commercial for Asada Ame, a cough drop long loved for gently caring for throat troubles, which aired in the 1980s.
The familiar phrase “Seki, koe, nodo ni Asada Ame” is sung lightly, strongly emphasizing its effectiveness for the throat.
In a comic twist, an announcer who’s warning viewers about dryness loses their voice, forcing a news program to be interrupted, and they reach for Asada Ame with a hoarse voice.
The constant smiles throughout are also notable, conveying that Asada Ame feels like a close, everyday presence.
Ishimaru Denki
This is a commercial for Ishimaru Denki, a consumer electronics retailer that operated mainly around Akihabara in the Kanto region during the Showa era.
Even people in other regions where there were no stores may recognize the “dekkai wa” line spoken by the narrator at the end of the ad.
After being absorbed by Aiden in 2009, the brand was consolidated into Edion in 2012, and the company name disappeared.
In a 1986 commercial, lively scenes show adults and children happily shopping inside Ishimaru Denki.
The original jingle features a bright, friendly, and memorable melody.
Kinchō Mosquito Coil: “Kinchō’s summer, Japan’s summer.”
For summer insect protection, it’s got to be Kintcho mosquito coils! This is a commercial from around 1967 for the KINCHO mosquito coil, loved by many across generations.
And guess what—legendary songstress Hibari Misora appears in it! The ad shows Hibari looking cool and elegant in a yukata as she rides a yakatabune boat.
After her beautiful vocals, she delivers the product name followed by the signature line: “Summer is wonderful, isn’t it!” Even though it’s an insect-repellent commercial, the visuals convey a refreshingly pleasant sense of summer.
In the spot featuring the famous phrase “Kinchō’s summer, Japan’s summer,” you also hear and see the familiar explosive “ba-ba-ba-BAAAN” fireworks sound and imagery.