McDonald's Japan has been on a roll lately, not just with their popular Happy Meals, but also by consistently dropping quirky, creative campaigns across social media. Remember their ">"Butter Croquette Burger" promo song video featuring hololive's Sakura Miko? Or the ">"Shake Shake Fries" ad starring Vocaloid diva Hatsune Miku? Their out-of-the-box marketing just keeps getting wilder!
Now, McDonald's is back with their latest TV commercial, "Big Mac: 'Let's Smile Tomorrow, Then and Now'." This ad isn't just about the iconic Big Mac and Coca-Cola combo; it's a surprising trip down memory lane, featuring classic scenes from three legendary 1980s anime: "Maison Ikkoku," "Kimagure Orange Road," and "Macross: Do You Remember Love?" It's a total nostalgia bomb that's got old-school fans buzzing!
"Maison Ikkoku," "Kimagure Orange Road," and "Macross: Do You Remember Love?" are all incredibly iconic anime from the 80s, representing masterpieces from Rumiko Takahashi, Izumi Matsumoto, and the legendary mecha-romance genre, respectively.
The ad cleverly uses Coca-Cola's classic jingle, "I Feel Coke." This iconic song perfectly blends with the three anime clips and modern-day footage, creating a cross-generational resonance. The commercial even features Sakurazaka46's Rena Moriya. Beyond just recreating classic moments, the ad beautifully weaves together anime, food, and music, celebrating shared memories and delivering smiles from the past to the present.
▼ Watch the full commercial here:
The ad's visuals are bursting with youthful energy, sweet and a little bittersweet, instantly transporting viewers back to the vibe of that era. Popular Japanese culture from back then, like surfing, cars, and fashion, feels as vivid as yesterday.
This collaborative ad is a direct hit for Showa-era anime fans, and it's truly impressive how McDonald's has managed to turn "nostalgia" into a fresh new promotional strategy. Seriously, McDonald's Japan's marketing team are absolute maestros!