Fresh out of the gate, Toyota has been running full steam with an impressive range of vehicles for 2012. From redefining entry level racing prowess with the FT-86 (Scion FR-S) [ link ] to breaking into the sub- 20,000 USD hybrid market with the Aqua (Prius C), the company has recaptured the world’s attention. Although gear-heads and fanboys alike are all about the revs and track times, Toyota has gone over the top with a new Japanese advertisement campaign that has got everyone talking.
Riding on the wave of new interest in the company’s lineup, Toyota has launched a media project based around the theme “Fun to Drive, Again.” Through this idea, the company hopes to recapture the brand’s strength and prosperity by calling upon its rich heritage in Japan. Encompassing much more than a tv-spot or two, the series of commercials, goods, and events will span over the next few years as the country and company continue to rebuild after the disastrous events of March 11th, 2011. Without lingering on the struggles surrounding the years to come, the project has built itself around positivity, comedy, and just plain fun. And what could fulfill those qualities more than Jean Reno as Doraemon.
Following a branch of the main theme dubbed “Reborn,” Toyota has put together an incredible cast to play the roles of characters from the famous animated series Doraemon, created by Fujiko F. Fujio in 1969. Included are Jean Reno, as Doraemon, Satoshi Tsumabuki, as Nobita, Naoya Ogawa, as Takeshi “Gian” Gouda, Tomohisa Yamashita, as Suneo, and Asami Mizukawa, as Shizuka. The commercials join each of the original characters 30 years later as they struggle with everyday life in the modern world. They have all perfectly preserved their habits and tendencies which add an amusing twist and sense of familiarity that makes each ad so enjoyable.
As the ever-loved Doraemon, Jean Reno makes a surprisingly accurate, human embodiment of the cat with a 4-dimensional pocket. No stranger to working in Japanese animation, Reno also lent his voice (in French) to the 1992 Studio Ghibili title “Porco Rosso.” Combined with an outfit that only he could pull off, his dead-pan acting melds together seamlessly with the Japanese cast.
Comments
This is amazing!