Just when you start to think it can’t possibly get more absurd….
Japanese commercials have a reputation for being absolutely insane, but this recent one titled “Firefly Man” by OCEDEL for their long-life LED lights is on a whole new level.
▼ We start off with a family that can’t pay its electric bill.
The dad realizes he must do something.
▼ So he leaves on a quest among the fireflies to fulfill his destiny,
and is never seen again.
▼ …until five years later.
▼ Dad’s back! And he has antennae, an exoskeleton…
▼ …and a brand new way to light up the house!
What a beautiful ending to a silly little story… right?
We won’t spoil the ending, but you can watch the full video here to see for yourself. Some of the creative ways the dad comes up with to light up the house are pretty amazing.
(Watch it with English subtitles here or just highlight this text for a translation of the twist ending: the brother reads in his book that fireflies only live up to one week, causing the father to fall and die(?).)
If you watched the whole commercial, then it probably won’t surprise you to learn that it has won several awards, including silver in Film and bronze in Film Craft at Cannes Lions, and the Grande Film award at 2016’s Asia Pacific AdFest.
So well done, “Firefly Man!” I’m not sure if I’m going to go out and buy any LED lights because of you, but you certainly did make me laugh out loud, which is much more than I can say for the average advertisement.
Source: YouTube/Drill inc. via Design Taxi, Adweek
Images: YouTube/Drill inc.
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Pokémon store character meet-and-greet events to resume in May
Mr. Sato discovers his inner beaver with a 16-inch chocolate “twig” at Tokyo Station
Hayao Miyazaki reveals the kind of otaku he hates the most
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
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
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Pokémon store character meet-and-greet events to resume in May
Mr. Sato discovers his inner beaver with a 16-inch chocolate “twig” at Tokyo Station
Hayao Miyazaki reveals the kind of otaku he hates the most
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japanese prison will become luxury hotel managed by country’s premier resort company
From cameos to creepy-crawlies: 15 little-known facts about Studio Ghibli movies
The Hayao Miyazaki anime we never got – New art book reveals Ghibli legend’s unrealized concepts
Lawson now sells old rice as “vintage” onigiri in Japan
Here’s what Studio Ghibli heroine Nausicaa will look like in her live-action kabuki play
Japan now sells…sake made with moth poop?!?