Lovely commercial jingle

Nostalgic Commercials: Masterpiece Ads of the Heisei Era. TV commercials from the 2000s.

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

When you watch TV, you inevitably see commercials, right?

Even if we only half-watch them, those commercials often leave a surprisingly strong impression!

Commercials may be ads, but they’re impactful works in their own right.

In this article, we’ll focus on some especially memorable commercials from the 2000s.

Back in the 2000s, online content wasn’t as widespread as it is today, and many people watched a lot of television.

So among the commercials we’re about to introduce, you’ll likely find some that look familiar or feel wonderfully nostalgic.

Enjoy!

[Nostalgic Commercials] Masterpiece commercials of the Heisei era. 2000s commercials (11–20)

GSK Consumer Healthcare Japan K.K. Contac 600 SRShofukutei Shohei

[Nostalgic CM] Contac 600 SR (2) 2003 Retro Japanese Commercials

This is a Contac commercial featuring the memorable original character Mr.

CONTAC, who speaks in Kansai dialect.

Mr.

CONTAC was voiced by Shohei Shofukutei, and many people loved the approachable vibe and humor he brought to the role.

When Shohei Shofukutei passed away, a memorial commercial was aired, underscoring how this was one of the commercials that represented his career.

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ST Shoshuryoku “Princess Kaguya” Edition

Nice Commercial: ST – Room Deodorizer “Kaguya-hime” Edition

Speaking of Deoshushryoku commercials, many people probably remember the one where Miguel shows off his powerful singing voice, but the “Kaguya-hime” version—where a foreign woman shouts, “So smelly!”—likely stuck in your memory too, right? And the celestial being’s single line, “Use it,” as they hand over Deoshushryoku also made quite an impact, didn’t it?

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Toyota Motor — Kid Manager

TOYOTA “Kid Manager”

Now fully grown up, Seishiro Kato once appeared as a child actor in Toyota’s “Kid Manager” commercial series, which became a hot topic.

The ads aired from 2009 to 2010 and were so memorable that the phrase “Seishiro Kato equals Kid Manager” stuck with many people.

In 2014, it also made waves when Seishiro’s real younger brother, Kenshiro, took over as the second Kid Manager.

The commercials were fun thanks to the charming contrast of a child acting as a manager.

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NOVA

[NOVA] NOVA Usagi Commercials: Super Complete Collection 2002–2016 [All 41 Types]

NOVA Usagi, the mascot of the NOVA English conversation school.

Since TV commercials began in 2002, the rabbit with flashy pink fur and a yellow beak became hugely popular and quickly turned the ads into a hot topic.

Back then, they even rolled out character merchandise like plush toys, so many people probably had one in their hands.

Fitting for an English conversation school, the animation style looks like an American cartoon.

The commercials gave you a chuckle: at events where people gathered or out on the street, NOVA Usagi would appear and do something a little quirky.

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Aiful

Aiful Commercial: The Encounter with Kuu-chan the Chihuahua

As part of Aiful’s “What should we do? Aiful!” commercial series—and a major cultural phenomenon—this ad began airing in 2002.

The series starts with actor Shogo Shimizu falling in love at first sight with a puppy with round, soulful eyes—a Chihuahua—at a pet shop.

Shimizu’s breakthrough came through this commercial, and thanks to the adorable animal talent, the Chihuahua Ku-chan, long-haired Chihuahuas suddenly surged in popularity nationwide.

The commercial’s success made Ku-chan so popular that even a photo book was released.

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LIFE CARDJoe Odagiri

LIFE CARD Odagiri Joe TV commercial 1

The 2005 Life Card commercial featuring Joe Odagiri, with the gimmick of him agonizing over cards printed with choices.

Many people probably remember the “Overseas Business Trip” edition that depicts the course of his romance with a female flight attendant.

Odagiri’s humorous performance is captivating and keeps you watching until the end.

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Nostalgic Commercials: Masterpiece Ads of the Heisei Era. TV Commercials from the 2000s (21–30)

Panasonic VIERA 2007Light snow

[CM] Panasonic "Plasma TV VIERA" featuring Koyuki (2007)

This commercial features Ms.

Koyuki narrating to highlight what Panasonic’s VIERA is particular about.

Here, it focuses on how glare has been reduced, conveying the aim of making the TV easier to watch.

The grand atmosphere portrayed in the visuals is further accentuated by the song “You Raise Me Up” by Celtic Woman.

The blend of gently resonant strings and soaring vocals is striking, conveying a sense of grandeur while creating a moving mood.

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