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】
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Over 400 titles of free translated manga from publisher Shueisha available for a limited time
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Resident Evil’s terrifying Licker becomes a bag in Japan that wants to feed you
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Starbucks Japan to open Shinkansen platform stores at Kyoto and Nagoya stations
Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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】