Slice of life anime at McDonald's

Anime is a medium that allows for wild, out of this world visuals and story telling but some of the most popular stories of all are the slice of life stories, the tales of the regular highs and lows. They also make for great advertising for various products in the real world from educational courses to Disneyland!

Check out the youtube version below!

Studio Colorido have produced another endearing food advertisement, but this time related to recruitment. They were also the company behind the endearing miso soup commercials that I wrote about here. (click) As McDonald's is a huge name in Japan, the commercial features the vocal talents of AKB48 singers Rin Okabe and Yui Yokoyama, the video begins with a fresh first year college student names 'Sumire Hibino' noticing a help-wanted poster as she rides past. Soon enough, she’s working alongside 'Ikumi Hoshino', another senior college student working at the restaurant part-time.

Keep it together Sumire!

Ikumi embodies the helpful senpai (senior) concept that is prevalent throughout Japanese culture and guides Sumire through the various trials of starting a new service job. How to handle customer's requests for the trademark McDonald's smile as well as backing her up when she has trouble with a food order. Whispering to calm down and keep it together.

The animation is smooth and beautiful, they make the food look delicious too!

Strawberry Milkshake!

Sumire eventually grows into the role and offers great service herself, gaining the approval of those around her as well as job satisfaction. While you may think that this is glorifying the service industry as something more fabulous than it is. It does keep its roots grounded, it acknowledges that for many the service industry is often a spring board to future jobs, giving valuable work experience and soft skills. Ikumi senpai eventually moves on with a tearful goodbye. At the end, history repeats itself as Sumire welcomes a fresh recruit who goes by the name of Wakaba.

The recruitment website itself highlights that this is an ideal job for those who do not have to support a whole household such as housewives, part timers and university students. Various characters from different backgrounds are shown who will no doubt be featured in future commercials!

I look forward to seeing their stories too!

Jobs for people of all ages