When you think of Coca-Cola's classic "Fanta School" ads, even if you missed them back in the day, you've probably seen the memes. The original campaign was a masterclass in quirky advertising, showcasing the wild creativity of Japanese commercials.
Now, after more than 20 years, Coca-Cola Japan has dropped a bombshell: the "Fanta School" ad series is officially back. On March 17, the company unleashed two new commercials, "Year 3, Class N: Wild Teacher" and "Year 3, Class E: Hot Spring Teacher," reviving the beloved series that first blew up in the early 2000s and leaving fans absolutely thrilled.
The original "Fanta School" (Fanta Gakuen) series ran from 2002 to 2004, winning over audiences of all ages with its humorous and nonsensical style. Each class featured a different, unforgettable teacher, making the ads incredibly memorable and eventually turning them into internet meme fodder.
▼ Check out this compilation of the original "Fanta School" ads. The video quality alone is a total blast from the past, LOL.
The new commercials carry on the legacy of absurdity, introducing two hilariously over-the-top teachers.
In "Year 3, Class N: Wild Teacher," the teacher makes his grand entrance shirtless, radiating pure feral energy. He swings through the classroom on a rope like Tarzan, meticulously inspecting students' uniforms.
Then, in a clumsy moment, he smashes straight through the blackboard into the next classroom, leaving his students stunned. A student deadpans, "Sensei, do you not own a mirror?"—and the whole scene is pure comedy gold.
Meanwhile, in "Year 3, Class E: Hot Spring Teacher," the teacher walks in carrying a washbasin... and promptly settles into an open-air hot spring that's somehow in the middle of the classroom. He starts quizzing students while soaking. When a student with glasses can't see the blackboard through the steam, he leans in closer, only for the teacher to shriek, thinking he's being peeped on. The student sighs in exasperation, "What are we even supposed to do?!" It's the perfect showcase of the series' signature nonsensical humor.
Fans online are loving the revival, calling it a welcome return to their youth. After all, it's been over two decades. Who would've thought a Heisei-era ad campaign would get a reboot in the Reiwa era? LOL.
This isn't the first time we've seen this format recently. To promote the 27th volume of Jujutsu Kaisen, a live-action ad parodying the style was released. It featured actors playing the manga's goofy hero Fumihiko Takaba and the villain Kenjaku in a spot titled "Year 3, Class J: Superman Teacher," which was also incredibly memorable.
▼ The official ad has since been set to private, but here's a fan upload on X with the classic Niconico-style scrolling comments.
It seems it's not just anime getting the renaissance treatment these days—ads are too, LOL. The official "Fanta School" campaign is expected to release more installments, so let's see if they can keep the laughs and the buzz going just like the old days!