Nissin Foods’ new ad campaign for its Donbei Kitsune Udon bowls draws on the over-the-top imagery of the Baki series. The new commercial, inspired by Baki, promotes Donbei instant noodles with “The World’s Strongest Dongitsune.” The Baki Donbei commercial also references previous campaigns, which featured “dongitsune,” a fox spirit associated with the Donbei bowls. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
Check it out below.
The Donbei Baki Hanma ad takes after its inspirations closely, replicating the hyper-masculine character designs and dramatic framing of Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler. “The World’s Strongest Dongitsune” is also voiced by Akio Otsuka, who plays Yuujirou Hanma, a Baki villain often called “The Strongest Creature on Earth.” Otsuka also plays the Japanese voice of Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid, and Iskandar from Fate/Zero. The World’s Strongest Dongitsune is promoting a new flavor, called “Nissin’s Strongest Donbei Kitsune Udon.” The special variety features “extremely thick” and “extra chewy” udon noodles, a thicker cut of tofu, and toppings with extra onions and special yuzu shichimi pepper for a stronger kick.
This ad isn’t the first time Nissin’s gone with anime to promote its noodles. The Baki Donbei commercial specifically references the animated “Dongitsune Season 2″ commercials aired by Nissin in September and October 2022.
You can see The World’s Strongest Dongitsune mirroring the opening scenes from from the first commercial.
Voice actors Saori Hayami (Ayaka from Genshin Impact, Yor from Spy x Family) and Kensho Ono (Yuri from Spy x Family, Giorno from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind) also starred in an animated Dongitsune commercial, this time hawking Donbei’s Tempura Soba.
Donbei Kitsune Udon noodles are available in Japan and at international retailers. The most recent Baki anime series, Baki and Baki Hanma, stream on Netflix.
