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】
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
We sent two Japanese elementary school kids on a Mother’s Day shopping mission at a 100 yen store
Does the Fukuryumon Chinese restaurant in Koenji offer the best lunch deal in Tokyo?
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Holy Fungus Mud Volleyball is Japan’s most filthily beautifying bacteria event of the summer!
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
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
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】
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli adapts the world’s oldest manga into short animation for conservation project