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 Ads of the Heisei Era: 2000s Commercials (51–60)

Coca-Cola Aquarius: Athlete AfterimageHidetoshi Nakata

Japan Coca-Cola Aquarius (♪ Spitz) Hidetoshi Nakata (2006)

This commercial conveys a sense of dynamism through the image of Hidetoshi Nakata excelling in soccer, while also communicating that hydration is essential in sports.

The sweat from his continuous running is vividly depicted, and the appearance of Aquarius reinforces the intention to support sports through proper hydration.

The music that further emphasizes the energy and refreshing atmosphere of the visuals is Spitz’s “Misoka.” The forward-leaning band sound that evokes the image of pressing ahead, harmonized with the gentle vocals layered over it, powerfully conveys a refreshing feel.

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Mushuda 2008

[CM] ST "Mushuda" 2008

This is a memorable Mushuda commercial featuring the jingle “Mushuda that doesn’t leave any smell.” For many people, just hearing “Mushuda” makes that song start playing in their heads, doesn’t it? The chaotic storyline is also striking: the original character, Monsieur Kumao, is getting treated at the dentist when it’s discovered he has moth-eaten holes in his body, and he’s whisked straight off to the Mushuda factory.

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Kirin Beer Tanrei Green Label 2003

[Nostalgic Commercial] Tanrei Green Label – Kirin Beer – 2003 – Retro Japanese Commercials

From the scenes of a race where participants compete in speed while giving piggyback rides, it conveys a sense of freshness and fun.

The fact that Green Label has 70% less sugar is clearly highlighted by the physiques of the men striving in the competition.

Because of their builds, the race progresses at a leisurely pace, which also gives the video a relaxed atmosphere.

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Kirin Beer Tanrei Green Label “Grass Soccer” Version

KIRIN Tanrei Green Label - Grass Soccer Edition

This commercial depicts men enjoying a game of soccer, using their play to convey Green Label’s lightness and refreshing quality.

Because of the men’s builds, the match progresses slowly, and even though their movements aren’t sharp, the way they run around cheerfully gives it a comedic and relaxed feel.

Although it’s a match, there’s little sense of confrontation, which also helps emphasize the lightness.

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[Nostalgic Commercials] Masterpiece Ads of the Heisei Era: 2000s Commercials (61–70)

Coca-Cola Aquarius “Blue Monster: Matsuzaka” Version

Blue Monster Matsuzaka: Aquarius Heroes (Part 1)

In this commercial, Daisuke Matsuzaka appears in animation as an Aquarius Hero, depicting in a unique world view the idea that hydration gives you power.

The visuals are animated to boldly express baseball, and by featuring Aquarius amid the heat and momentum, they highlight the drink’s refreshing quality.

Further emphasizing the boldness and fun vibe of the footage is Unicorn’s song “WAO!” Its sound and vocals convey a buoyant, light, and playful feel while clearly delivering positive emotions.

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Recruit Zexy 2006Kana Kurashina

[RECRUIT] Zexy Historic TV Commercial Compilation ①: 1st–5th Generations [All 13 Versions]

The TV commercials for the wedding magazine Zexy are among the most representative of the Heisei era, aren’t they? Among them, many people likely remember this particular commercial featuring Kana Kurashina, who served as the fourth “Zexy Girl.” The background music was Kazuyoshi Saito’s “Wedding Song,” which is also memorable to many.

The song was originally composed as a short piece specifically for the commercial, but due to the strong response after it aired, the rest was written and it was released as a CD—so the story goes.

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Toyota Corolla Fielder

Ken Hirai / 平井堅 [Toyota Corolla Fielder CM – 1]

In this commercial for the Corolla Fielder, which features a boy co-starring with Ken Hirai, the boy hums Hirai’s song “Omoi ga Kasanaru Sono Mae ni,” and then Hirai appears.

After they get in a car together and change locations, Hirai continues singing the song—an impressively dramatic development.

Even now, it’s a wonderful commercial that moves the heart.

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