
Back at the start of summer, our jaws dropped to the floor as we watched what might be the coolest commercial for Nissin Cup Noodle instant ramen ever, in which a man dressed in samurai armor travelled to Brazil and wowed the people of the World Cup host country with his amazing freestyle football skills.
The Japanese national team turned in a less than impressive performance in the contest, though, failing to advance past group play. Would the disappointment over his countrymen’s early exit lead the soccer samurai to retire?
Not at all, as his second video finds the samurai with a new set of armor, new, European surroundings, and now a group of adversaries: ninjas!
Freestyle footballer Kotaru Tokuda reprises his role as the wandering sports warrior, who now appears in Manchester with his lamellar painted in the crimson of local club Manchester United.
As he shows of his impressive footwork around the city, we see one of the great things about soccer. Thanks to its worldwide appeal, at any spot on the planet, you’re probably not too far from others who share your love of the beautiful game, and the samurai quickly befriends a trio of Manchester residents.
What’s not so beautiful, though, is when a group of ninjas show up and swipe the samurai’s ball, prompting him to give chase to fabled soccer stadium Old Trafford. Once he catches up to the black-clad bullies, though, he doesn’t get mad, he gets awesome.
In the end, good triumphs over evil, as the samurai leaves no question as to who has the superior soccer skills. Now all we’re left wondering is where he’ll show up next.





Samurai tennis! Professional Kei Nishikori trades racquet for a sword in this awesome new ad
Samurai in Brazil shows off incredible freestyle football skills ahead of World Cup
Samurai chef serves ramen with a side of history at awesome restaurant in Japan
Spider-Man’s black costume goes back to the past in this awesome samurai/ninja figure【Photos】
Awesome craft project alert: Cardboard samurai armor kits from Japan!
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
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]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Soccer fan’s Attack on Titan parody is so awesome it got him a job 【Video】
Batman as a samurai ningyo figure is trans-Pacific time-tripping awesomeness
Captain Japan? Marvel’s Captain America reimagined as samurai warrior in awesome new figure
Batman Ninja anime’s awesome preview video is every bit as crazy cool as the concept sounds【Vid】
Can you spot this sword-fighting Japanese schoolgirl video quiz’s four huge surprises? 【Video】
59-year-old Japanese master swordsman shows off awesome two-sword samurai slash【Video】
Anime pro’s awesome video shows how to beat stay-at-home boredom: Imagine you’re fighting a ninja
Google made a free-to-play ninja cat RPG to celebrate the Tokyo Olympics, and it’s awesome!