Nissin Foods, a company that consistently takes its instant noodles in... let's just say, wild directions, is back at it again! They're famous for their off-the-wall social media antics, and this time, they've truly outdone themselves.
Today (February 17), Nissin Cup Noodle dropped a brand-new collaborative ad featuring Japanese fighting game legend, Daigo Umehara. The ad draws inspiration from the classic internet meme "Denpa Jikkyou" (Electric Wave Commentary), faithfully recreating the iconic GUILTY GEAR XX game screen style. This nostalgic, hilarious mashup immediately blew up on X!
For the uninitiated, the "Denpa Jikkyou" meme originated from the 2003 fighting game tournament "Tougeki." During a GUILTY GEAR XX match, Daigo Umehara, as the team's ace, found himself in a massive disadvantage. Yet, with his incredible reads, he dismantled his opponent's strategy and pulled off a stunning comeback, leading his team to victory. The most legendary part of this match was the commentator's intensely emotional and now-iconic shout: "Umehara ga! Tsukamaeteeeee!"
The commentator's hyper-energetic and borderline surreal style was so distinctive that it quickly became an internet meme, spawning countless MAD videos that spread like wildfire across platforms like Niconico.
▼ The original "Denpa Jikkyou" footage:
The new ad perfectly channels the spirit of "Denpa Jikkyou." It opens with Umehara intensely battling at an arcade cabinet, but his opponent? None other than Nissin's "Spicy Tomato Cup Noodle" product! And yes, the legendary, super-hyped commentary makes a triumphant return: "Umehara ga!!! Chili Tomato ni!!!"
In the game footage, Umehara's character, Sol, even pulls off his classic "D Loop" combo. But the real kicker? When he unleashes his super move, he's literally pouring hot water into a cup of instant noodles! This brilliant fusion of gaming and cup noodles is pure comedic gold!
Even the original commentator from that legendary match, "Gamano Abura," returned to re-record his lines for this ad. According to his post on X, he practiced the lines multiple times in his car to perfectly recapture that iconic, passionate voice.
It's safe to say that Nissin's products, through their brand operations, consistently deliver a unique and wonderfully bizarre kind of fun that sets them apart from typical brands. Japanese companies are truly pushing the boundaries of creativity, and it's absolutely mind-bending to witness!