On September 13th, Meiji launched the "Melody of Meiji" project, in which a total of 12 artists will sing the "Meiji Chocolate Theme" to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the launch of "Meiji Milk Chocolate." The first project is a collaboration with singer Akina Nakamori, and a video featuring Nakamori, "Melody of Meiji Nakamori Akina Ver.", has been released on a special website.
This is Nakamori's first appearance in a Meiji commercial or video in about 37 years (at the time it was Meiji Seika), and her first appearance in a corporate video in about 15 years. Nakamori, who entered the studio wearing a brown shirt reminiscent of chocolate, is seen in the video talking about his love for chocolate, saying that he is "so addicted to it that I can't live without eating chocolate every day," while joyfully singing the familiar "Meiji Chocolate Theme," with the lyrics "Chocolate is Meiji."
Nakamori has appeared in Meiji commercials many times in various variations. The one that made the biggest impression on her was the one that took place around Valentine's Day. "I was wearing a kimono and practicing in front of the mirror how to give chocolate to my boyfriend so that he would like it (making a gesture of handing over a chocolate bar with both hands). I remember filming that commercial like it was yesterday," she recalls fondly.
The "Melody of Meiji" project will see 12 stellar artists singing the "Meiji Chocolate Theme" in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the chocolate's release in 2026. A video of one artist singing will be released each month. The "Meiji Chocolate Theme" is also known for being written by the popular composer Izumi Tasuku, who was the inspiration for the character played by Mrs. Green Apple's Motoki Omori in the NHK morning drama " Anpan ."
After Nakamori on September 13th, Hiroshi Itsuki, who celebrated his 60th anniversary since his debut this year, will be featured on October 13th, TOSHI-LOW from the popular rock band BRAHMAN, who celebrated their 30th anniversary this year, will be featured on November 13th, and a video for FRUITS ZIPPER, a band that is hugely popular among Generation Z, will be released on December 13th.
Additionally, a collaboration project with five novelists for original short stories, "Stories Surrounding Chocolate," has been open to the public since July. The first installment has already been published in the August issue of the monthly picture book magazine "MOE" (Hakusensha), featuring a story by Ito Ogawa, known for works such as "Snail Diner" and "The Little Bird and the Limousine," and in the October issue, a story by Kaori Ekuni, known for works such as "Sparkling Hikaru" and "Between Calm and Passion Rosso."
