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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] Heisei-era masterpiece ads. 2000s commercials (31–40)

Reve 21: “Questions for the President” VersionAkiko Wada

Hair Growth Specialists - Reve 21 “Questions for the President” Version 2005 TV Commercial

This is a commercial from around 2005 showing Akiko Wada interviewing the president of Reave 21.

It comprehensively introduces the causes of hair loss and highlights that Reave 21 offers countermeasures tailored to each cause.

Having the president speak directly lends the commercial a sense of credibility.

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Nivea Kao 8×4 2002Aya Ueto

[CM 2002-03] Kao 8×4 30 seconds × 2

This commercial conveys that 8×4 is perfect for the hot summer, helping keep sweat under control and supporting comfortable days.

It depicts Aya Ueto and her friends enjoying summer events, and their smiles lasting until the end communicate that their comfort is maintained.

The song that further highlights the fun and the refreshing, youthful atmosphere portrayed in the visuals is ZARD’s “Sawayaka na Kimi no Kimochi.” Its buoyant rhythm layered with powerful guitar tones evokes a refreshing feeling of sprinting full-speed through youth.

Izumi Sakai’s clear, expansive vocals are also a key point that emphasizes that refreshing vibe.

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Tu-Ka CellularAyumi Hamasaki

Ayumi Hamasaki “M” TU-KA 2000

You simply can’t talk about Heisei-era culture without mentioning Ayumi Hamasaki.

The number of hits she produced, her fashion—her influence on the youth of the time was absolutely immense.

What we’re featuring here is a now-defunct Tu-Ka mobile phone commercial, where Ayu stands out wearing a coat that matches the flashy leopard-print phone she herself designed.

The song playing in the CM is her massive hit “M.” Everything about it is pure Heisei culture, saturated with the vibe of the early 2000s—so much so that anyone who spent their youth in that era might be moved to tears by the nostalgia.

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REGZA “Sky and Sea” VersionMasaharu Fukuyama

Masaharu Fukuyama CM REGZA “Sky and Sea” Version

The first commercial featuring Masaharu Fukuyama, who served as the image character for the REGZA brand for about six years starting in 2008.

Set to his own song, “The World Is Beautiful,” the video that sticks in the mind shows him shedding a single tear while watching TV with a black dog.

The grand song, which sings of the world’s beauty, seems to embody the television’s high performance that vividly renders the different shades of blue in the sea and sky.

Fukuyama returned as the image character in 2020, and the role has since been passed on to Shun Oguri—changes that feel quite moving in their own way.

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Shiseido TisseraAya Matsuura

Tissera CM – Aya Matsuura

Since its launch in 1995 and up until the product’s hiatus in 2006, Shiseido’s haircare brand Tsubaki “T’cera” featured the trendiest artists of the time in its commercials, capturing the hearts of teens.

It’s no exaggeration to say that T’cera itself is one of the symbols of Heisei-era culture, and the artists who appeared in its commercials were truly icons of that era as well.

This time, let’s take a look at a commercial starring Aya Matsuura, a quintessential 2000s idol.

As her hit song “Nee” plays, we hope you’ll remember those days when we all admired the irresistibly cute double-Aya look!

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[Nostalgic Commercials] Masterpiece commercials of the Heisei era. 2000s commercials (41–50)

Kirin Beer Tanrei Green Label “Hige Dance” VersionKen Shimura

Kirin Tanrei Green Label commercial – Ken Shimura – Beard Dance

This commercial features Ken Shimura appearing among men enjoying Green Label, taking the fun to the next level.

Shimura shows up in his “Hige Dance” outfit and calls out, “Ii n da yo,” to which the men reply, “Green da yo,” and everyone dances together as the excitement grows.

Playing in the background to convey the joy of the Hige Dance is ‘Hige no Theme.

’ As soon as this song comes on, you can picture the Hige Dance being performed, and its powerful rhythm really highlights the fun.

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Mars Japan Limited SNICKERS 2003 Commercial

[Nostalgic Commercial] Snickers 2003 Retro Japanese Commercials

This begins with a scene where two young people sitting in office chairs with casters get bumped by another young person; it’s a commercial that aired in 2003.

When they’re bumped, they receive a Snickers bar, and that prompts the two to start speeding up while still seated in their chairs.

They pass through the station ticket gates just like that and, in the end, board a train.

The commercial closes with the narration, “Packed with power,” emphasizing that although it’s small, it’s high in calories and perfect for replenishing energy.

The fashion style—complete with large headphones, hats, and other accessories—leaves a strong impression of the early 2000s.

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