Hiroyuki Sanada News

Hiro's BEAUTIFUL photos on new INTERMEZZO website!!

While you are thinking of what to write for his birthday, you can ENJOY some GREAT recent photos of Sanada-san on Intermezzo special website.  Thank you CHI over at RinRin site for letting us now about it.

INTERMEZZO gogo site

Please click "Collaboration" tab to see SUPER cool photo flash of Sanada-san!  Caution that the music starts playing when you go to Collaboration.

"INTERMEZZO" is a clothing brand targeted to adult men in Japan, by a major apparel company Renown.  Sanada-san has been working with this brand for a long time, appearing for their spring and fall collection catalogs and posters.

Until this time, his image only appeared on printed catalogs and posters, so we had to obtain them in Japan and scan the to see outside of Japan, but THANKS to the change of their policy, this fall they set up the flash site that show ALL THE COLLECTION PHOTOS on the site. as well as some "behind the scenes" and producer/photographer information.  Sorry texts are all in Japanese...

ENJOY!!

Misty

"Ayataka" CM is on the Web

So we have to believe that no news is good news these days.  At least, we can see his new version of bottled tea "Ayataka"'s commercial on the Web.

Ayataka CM

However, when I was in Japan this past July, I could not find ANY "Ayataka" around my parents' house...

His "Intermezzo" (men's fashion brand) fall catalog is also out.  I am hoping eventually someone get hold of it and show us how he looks like this season.

So it looks like he spent some time in Japan during summer, after "Speed Racer" premiere, and did some CM/photo shooting such as above.  An insider blog info suggests that he is back to the U.S. already.

Misty

New "Ayataka" Bottled Tea CM on air!

RinRin's blog informed me that new Coca-Cola Japan's "Ayataka" (bottled tea) CM is on air.

You can see the NICE Japonesque-style CM on Web.

Coca Cola "Ayataka" site

Enjoy!!

Misty

Bottled tea CM - new "maiko" version is up!

Coca-cola's new premium tea Ayataka has just launched another version of TV CM, featuring Sanada-san and a maiko.

AYATAKA CM video clips

The bottom line, 60min. Web-only version includes some "bloopers", with Hiro fooling around and maiko-san playing a straight-woman (??? is this a right English word???)!!  Maiko-san says "Oniisan!" repeatedly, which literally means "older brother" but is often used a friendly and somewhat polite expression, maybe an upscale version of "young man" or "dude"??  Gosh, I need help in my English!! 

In case you don't know, maiko is a highly-honored Japanese traditional dancer in Kyoto entertainment district, who usually dances and entertains the upscale clients in the most expensive and exclusive "club" type of places, and is different from geishas.  This LUCKY maiko girl in this CM is the REAL professional maiko from Kyoto, not an actress.

According to Japanese fans who tasted Ayataka, it is supposed to be VERY GOOD - much better than another bottled tea Hiro represented last summer from Suntory!!  The CM video shows some "cloud" in the tea at the end, and that is supposed to be the "secret" of the complex and rich taste, much closer to the real sencha tea made in tea kettle than more clear but artificial bottled tea in the market.  So you are supposed to shake the bottle "3 times" before drinking, and that is the message of this "maiko" commercial.

Misty

AYATAKA TV CM is on the net! and the reminder..

Sanada-san plays the spokesman for Coca-cola's new premium bottled tea AYATAKA in its TV commercial, which started to air in Japan on Oct. 10.

You can see the video clip on Coca-cola's official site.

Coca-cola AYATAKA CM

Here's the press release:

AYATAKA press release

Also, please note that today is the deadline for Hiro's birthday message.  If you have not done so, please e-mail me today!  I will work on the final paper tonight, so please send by 9pm California time or so.

Misty

Sanada-san appears in new bottled tea CM

The new info about Hiro's appearance in TV CM is posted by Lily at RinRin's blog.

It is for the new high-quality bottled tea "Ayataka" by Coca-Cola brand.  CM video is schedule to appear in Japan on Oct. 10, but the downloadable wallpaper is already available on Coca-cola Official site.

Ayataka site

There will be CM video clip soon.  Stay tuned!!

Misty

Olympus new version CM is up

In Hiro's series of TV commercials, a new version is up on Olympus website.

Olympus website

As usual, after the intro screen, click "AD ギャラリー", then "テレビCM", and click the top thumbnail "「ありがとう」編".

He only appears for a few seconds, but naration is all by him.

Misty

New Olympus CM is up on web

Japanese camera and optical precision equipment brand Olympus has been featuring Sanada-san as their spokesman since this spring, and its newest version CM video clip is on Olympus website.

Olympus campaign website

Skip intro, then click "ADギャラリー" button on the left.  Then click "テレビCM" for TV CMs, "新聞広告" for newspaper ads, "交通広告" for a poster at train stations.  Below those thumbnails, at "撮影エピソード", you can see a few pictures from making of this CM, shot in Los Angeles in Spring.

Thanks, RinRin, as always, for the info!

Enjoy!!

Michi

Additional info about Olympus CM

Thanks rei for pointing it out - I didn't notice it.

When you access to Olympus website, right underneath "テレビCM" button, there are three lines in a little square boxes with buttons.  Top one "撮影エピソード" shows some "making" pictures, which are also REALLY nice!!  It says-

The CM shooting (first versions with still photos) was done in LA while he was working on a Hollywood film.  It was a difficult process, that he had to express the CM message in a moment's facial expression staring at the camera, but thanks to his great acting, shooting went smoothly.  (in the caption)  Sanada-san makes up his expression, discussing with the cameraman in fluent English.

By the way, in this CM, he keeps saying "kokoro to karada, ningen no zenbu" - slogan of Olympus in this CM.  It means "heart and body, all of human being".

 

Misty

New version of Olympus CM

Another version of Olympus CM is up on the company's website.

Olympus Website

Click "ADギャラリー" then "テレビCM", then the top thumbnail 「たいせつな人」＋「夫の変化」.

In the first part, he says "I take an endoscope exam every year, because I am important for the ones that I love".  In the second part, "I used to be scolded by my wife for being a couch potato on weekends.  Now she scolds me for not coming home soon enough."

I LOVE his CHARRRRRMING smile while he stretches his arm in hospital gown!!  It looks to me it has been so a long time since I saw his smile like this - natural and relaxed.

Thank you, Hirorin and RinRin for letting me know!!

 

Misty