It’s not unusual for stars to perform in Japanese commercials, but what they’re asked to do can sometimes lead to head-scratching.
Even Japanese stars can get perplexed at their commercials, as Kana Hanazawa (Akane in Psycho-Pass, Kuroneko in Oreimo, Zange in Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens) demonstrates.
Hanazawa is promoting Sharp‘s new AQUOS smartphone and its very clear resolution IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) screen display. That means the producers have her jump a lot — first from side to side, then with rope, and finally on a trampoline. They explain that she is “verifying beauty,” but it’s not her own beauty that she’s verifying — it’s the smartphone’s. At one point she gets exasperated since they aren’t even using her voice for this. Of course, at the end she’s as impressed as everyone else with the crystal-clear screen (120 Hz), which makes her movement appear much more fluid.
Hanazawa has starred in another wacky commercial advertising meat, which has led to her own curry flavor.
More from Anime News Network:

It’s Japanese commercial time! Watch the best ads from 2017 in one glossy 4K video
Katy Perry appears in Japanese commercial for Laundrin’ 【Video】
Energetic schoolgirl’s “Pension dance” commercial for Nagano bank isn’t easy to forget
Avril Lavigne speaks Japanese in new commercial for Laundrin’ 【Video】
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony in a traditional storehouse
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s elementary school backpacks grow up with new high-class randoseru for adults
Do 7-Eleven Japan’s new back-to-budget-friendly-basics rice bowls make us happy?【Taste test】
Sushi chains Sushiro and Kyotaru combine to make fishy megastore, but we spot major oversight
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Naomi Osaka slams reporters who ask her to speak in Japanese with new Nike commercial
Jennifer Connelly sang a Japanese song that became a number one hit single in Japan 【Video】
Nike commercial addresses bullying and racism in Japan, riles up debate online【Video】
WARNING! The Civic hatchback can’t drive through Evangelion AT fields, Honda’s lawyers say【Vids】
Virtual YouTuber queen Kizuna Ai angrily addresses rumors her voice has been changed【Video】
Bruno Mars creates commercial for Japan’s Don Quijote discount retail chain【Video】