Satsuma Shuzo began streaming an animated commercial directed by Yoshiharu Sato last week. The commercial, titled Oyaji no Imo no Kamisama. (Dad’s Potato God.), advertises the company’s Satsuma Shiranami sweet potato shochu (traditional japanese hard liquor).
In the commercial, the man sees a liquor store that reminds him of home. He finds a glass that looks like one his father used to have, which his father called a shrine to the potato god. As a child, he broke the glass and used all his money to buy a new one with a different drawing, but his dad said he didn’t need it. At the time he thought that, somewhere, the potato god was angry. Now that he brings the new glass back home, though, his dad says he doesn’t need it because he has the glass his son gave him as a child. The text at the end of the video says “the potato god is right here” and “the home town is always new.”
Sato worked on key animation for Studio Ghibli films such as The Cat Returns, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and The Secret World of Arrietty. He also worked on character design on My Neighbor Totoro, The Dog of Flanders, and Lupin III: Chi no Kokuin Eien no Mermaid.
[Via Catsuka]
More from Anime News Network

Whimsical Ghibli Studio-style animation appears in bread commercials【Videos】
Studio Ghibli animator creates heartwarming new anime commercial in Japan【Video】
Studio Ghibli sound effects master recreates canned coffee commercial with just his voice 【Video】
Hayao Miyazaki Working on Proposed New Anime Feature Film
Studio Ghibli produces commercial for Japanese convenience store chain Lawson 【Video】
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Perfume single cover designed by Chihayafuru manga artist is “Flash”ing into headlines
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Toronto Film Festival to host North American premiere of Princess Kaguya, Ghibli documentary
Fans criticize Softbank’s anime character live-action phone ads as ‘disrespectful’
Japanese anime commercial plays out like an epic neo-Tokyo adventure 【Video】
Studio Ghibli produces first-ever commercial for company it’s been working with for 31 years【Video】
Ghibli producer provokes backlash for comment regarding abilities of women to direct anime
Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki retires as producer
Studio Ghibli animators’ West Japan Railway ad has us ready for summer! 【Video】
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki reveals the name of his next feature film
The new Kyoto Animation commercials will have you in tears in just 30 seconds
How to properly pronounce “Ghibli” and other fun trivia about the legendary animation studio
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service bags and pouches to its anime shop in Japan
Pencils, watermelons, and talks with anime legends – All part of the hiring process at Ghibli
Beautiful Ghibli suncatchers are back in stock to bring anime light to your living space【Pics】
Studio Ghibli adapts the world’s oldest manga into short animation for conservation project
The Whimsy Bomb! College Humor splices Studio Ghibli movies with other popular anime series