
Last week, we shared a rather unusual ad from Ryugin, an Okinawa-based bank whose approach to selling loans involves robots, doe-eyed anime girls and more pink hearts than you can shake a stick at. As it turns out, this same banking corporation has quite the eye for attention-grabbing ads, as we’ve just discovered an older TV spot from the same company, titled Children and Philosophy, which poses a series of mostly abstract questions to a group of elementary school kids.
Responding to questions about everything from love and war to what it means to be free, the kids’ answers are at once refreshing, thought-provoking, and painfully sweet, to the point that we’re starting to wonder if they’re the ones who ought to be in charge of the world. Full video after the jump.
Before we look at the video, let’s take a quick look at some of the questions the video’s makers put to their bright-eyed panel.
Some are fairly straightforward, but to young minds might prove tricky to answer accurately:
▼ “What are children?”
▼ “What are adults?”
▼ “What is money?”
Then there are some seriously abstract questions fired their way which even we might struggle to define:
▼ “Was is happiness?”
▼ “What does is mean to live?”
In many ways, though, we could almost skip the kids’ answers entirely and simply look at the expressions on their faces while they consider the questions. Compare, for example, the look on this little girl’s face when asked to describe war (top) with the one she wears when she talks about love (bottom):
If that doesn’t tell you something about what’s most important in life, I don’t know what will.
Here’s the video in full, complete with English subtitles. It’s OK if you get a little bit blurry-eyed towards the end. I totally didn’t, but you know…
For more videos in this series, along with the original Japanese-only version of the above video, check out Ryugin’s channel on YouTube.
Source/screenshots: YouTube – Ryuginkousiki







You can raise your own Pikachu from a furball with this adorable new plushie line from Japan
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases a musical diorama based on a touching anime scene from My Neighbour Totoro
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
KFC Japan creates spicy summer fried chicken chips together with Calbee
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]