2002

Year

12 articles

ACジャパン（公共広告機構） | IMAGINATION／WHALE（黒い絵） | 2016

A Brilliant Last-Second Comeback From the Brink of Defeat / AC Japan "IMAGINATION／WHALE (Black Picture)"

Almost the entire film is made up of footage that leaves you feeling uneasy, and then, right at the very end, your whole perspective flips. It feels like watching a team on the verge of a crushing defeat suddenly turn the game around with one stunningly brilliant move. This is a masterpiece that hasn't aged a bit—if anything, it feels like it's only grown heavier with time.

The Red T-Shirt That Painted a Whole Country One Color / SK TELECOM "Be the Reds"

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SK TELECOM | BE THE REDS CAMPAIGN IN 2002 FIFA WORLD CUP | 2003

The Red T-Shirt That Painted a Whole Country One Color / SK TELECOM "Be the Reds"

In 2002, the entire country of South Korea turned red. This ad gave birth to the phrase "Be the Reds," which was printed on T-shirts, worn by 7 million people in the streets, and sparked a historic wave of fan culture that drew in 20% of the population.

"If You Feel Bad for This Lamp, You're Crazy" / IKEA "Lamp"

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IKEA | Lamp (Unböring campaign) | 2003

"If You Feel Bad for This Lamp, You're Crazy" / IKEA "Lamp"

In 2002, a lamp got thrown out onto the street. Sitting there in the rain, staring through a window at the shiny new lamp that replaced it, the whole scene was so pitiful, so painfully human, that it tugged at anyone watching. Then a man with a Swedish accent stepped into frame and said one line that would end up carved into advertising history.

Real children don't bounce back / NSPCC "CARTOON"

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NSPCC | CARTOON | 2002

Real children don't bounce back / NSPCC "CARTOON"

A boy who looks like he stepped out of a Tom and Jerry cartoon gets hit by his father. Burned with a cigarette. Pushed down the stairs. A laugh track plays, and because he's a cartoon, he bounces right back. But in the final moment, the boy turns into a real child, and he doesn't move.

An Awfully Strong Permission Slip to "Give In to Sin" / MAGNUM "7 DEADLY SINS"

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MAGNUM ICE CREAM | 7 DEADLY SINS: GIVE IN TO IT | 2002

An Awfully Strong Permission Slip to "Give In to Sin" / MAGNUM "7 DEADLY SINS"

Naming your ice cream after a sin, then boldly telling people to give in to it. This bold move by MAGNUM in 2002 was a massive hit in Australia, and it spread around the world.

It's All in the Gap Between 'Voice' and 'Class' / HOT PEPPER "Dubbed Commercial Series"

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ホットペッパー | アフレコCMシリーズ | 2002

It's All in the Gap Between 'Voice' and 'Class' / HOT PEPPER "Dubbed Commercial Series"

There's a world here that I, not being from Kansai, could never have come up with on my own, and I deeply relate to that. But at the same time, I don't think this is something only a Kansai person could make—I think it's something only one genius, Takaaki Yamazaki, could have made.

"Ichiro" really did become "ICHIRO" / Suntory Pepsi Cola "Ichiro"

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サントリーペプシコーラ | イチローダンス | 2002

"Ichiro" really did become "ICHIRO" / Suntory Pepsi Cola "Ichiro"

The finest product of Japanese baseball crossed the ocean in 2001, and the next year he was first in All-Star voting, won the batting title, the stolen base title, and MVP—so perfect it was almost anticlimactic. Riding that wave of success, this commercial started airing in February 2002. Brian Setzer's rockabilly blasts at full volume while Americans dance wildly, imitating Ichiro's famous batting routine.

The Future, Hidden in a CD, Three Years Before Guitar Hero / BURNING HEART RECORDS "MILLENCOLIN BATTLE"

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BURNING HEART RECORDS | MILLENCOLIN BATTLE | 2002

The Future, Hidden in a CD, Three Years Before Guitar Hero / BURNING HEART RECORDS "MILLENCOLIN BATTLE"

In 2002, putting a CD into your computer launched a game. Looking closer, I was stunned. This was basically Guitar Hero, three years before Guitar Hero existed.

The Sofa Is Chasing You / Reebok "Escape The Sofa"

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REEBOK | Escape The Sofa | 2002

The Sofa Is Chasing You / Reebok "Escape The Sofa"

A man stands up to go exercise, and his sofa attacks him. That's the whole story — and it won gold at Cannes.

Watching This One Film, Your Mouth Drops Open as a Whole Life Flashes By Straight to the Grave / Xbox "Life is Short, Play More"

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Xbox | Life is Short, Play More (Champagne) | 2002

Watching This One Film, Your Mouth Drops Open as a Whole Life Flashes By Straight to the Grave / Xbox "Life is Short, Play More"

A baby born in a delivery room bursts straight through the window, flies into the sky, ages before your eyes, and crashes into a grave. 52 seconds. In 2002, this one film shook all of Europe.

The whole city gets dragged into one game of tag / NIKE "TAG"

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NIKE | TAG (Play campaign) | 2002

The whole city gets dragged into one game of tag / NIKE "TAG"

In a subway station, a man being chased dives onto a train. The doors close right on his pursuer's arm, just out of reach. Before you know it, the whole city seems to be caught up in one game of tag.

Right Now, More Than Ever, I Wish Teachers Like This Really Existed / Fanta "Teacher" Series

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ファンタ | ファンタ学園先生シリーズ | 2002

Right Now, More Than Ever, I Wish Teachers Like This Really Existed / Fanta "Teacher" Series

These Fanta commercials aired from 2002 to 2004, featuring Dragon Sensei, DJ Sensei, Leather Jacket Sensei... A series that zeroed in hard on junior high and high schoolers—especially junior high kids—and perfected the art of being ridiculous (said as a compliment).