
After mastering Guitar Hero years back, I was left with an empty feeling. I had taken my plastic 4-button guitar controller out on the street to perform One by Metallica but no one paid any attention to me. In fact, passersby seemed to be intentionally avoiding eye contact.
This is why I was excited to find Rocksmith would be released in Japan on October 11. The game that actually lets you practice a real guitar in a fun way so you can walk away from it a better person with an entertaining skill!
However, my excitement took a bit of a hit when I saw the first Japanese commercial for it.
Japan definitely has its fair share of guitar virtuosos, such as Tak Matsumoto, Akira Takasaki, and Ryo Kawasaki, to name a few. So Ubisoft should have no problem choosing a spokesperson for their newest game. But who did they get?
None other than K-ON! star Aki Toyosaki, dubbed by many as “Butcher of the Beatles” for her notorious video earlier this spring showing her, eh, truly unique rendition of Hey Jude.
Sure she’s cute, but this video is kind of like a Mercedes commercial showing Snooki trying to parallel park an SLR. I still want it – but damn – they seem to be trying hard to make me not want it.
I could only tell from the subtitles that she was struggling to play Song 2 and Smoke on the Water after tuning up. Is this how I’d look playing this game?
On the other hand, this commercial is the first in a three part series leading up to the instructional game’s 11 October release. I’m expecting them to show a marked improvement in Aki’s playing skills which will ultimately redeem the game, and perhaps Toyosaki herself.
Source: Rocksmith Japan via My Game News Flash (Japanese)
▼ Parts 2 and 3 of the Rocksmith saga are set for the coming weeks.
▼ A true Rocksmith.


Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
How much money do you need to live in your own apartment in Japan?【Survey】
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
How much money do you need to live in your own apartment in Japan?【Survey】
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Manga artist shares a genius-level trick to take the headache out of drawing interior scenes
Cruising around Gunkanjima, Japan’s otherworldly “Battleship Island”【Photos】
Former SMAP member Shingo Katori announces marriage to woman he’s been dating for 25 years
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Manga artist shares a genius-level trick to take the headache out of drawing interior scenes
Cruising around Gunkanjima, Japan’s otherworldly “Battleship Island”【Photos】
Former SMAP member Shingo Katori announces marriage to woman he’s been dating for 25 years
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Here comes Japan’s newest fruit dessert sandwich: 7-Eleven’s purple Blueberry Sandwich!
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Nissan develops robot to calm babies during car rides
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
7-Eleven Japan now sells bagels…cooked in bamboo steamers
Japan’s 48 Ways to Poop is here to uncork your colonic creativity 【Pictures】