Nogizaka46's Kubo Shiori supports you in your efforts! Three new Ninja CODE TV commercials and making-of videos released

■ “All my classmates (in Nogizaka46) imitated the poses for “NINJA CODE”” (Kubo Shiori)

A new TV commercial for “Ninja CODE” starring Nogizaka46 member Kubo Fumiori will begin airing on July 6th.

New TV commercials: “We’re hearing more and more about increasing your annual income!” and “A curriculum that will help you acquire skills” (15 seconds each)
In the “Calls for an increase in annual income continue to pour in!” episode, Kubo appears in three different versions. At the beginning, with a background colored to evoke NINJA CODE, he conveys that NINJA CODE will assist you in successfully changing jobs. At the end, Kubo appears transformed into a “web engineer” and a “web designer,” and conveys that learning with NINJA CODE will lead to the future you envision.

The “Skill-building Curriculum” commercial begins with Kubo sitting at a computer, set against the backdrop of a home. The commercial conveys that the curriculum will help you build skills with a wide range of videos and support, and you can see Kubo studying. The pop living room set and relaxed Kubo create a new atmosphere not seen in the previous commercial.

■ New TV commercial “Supporting Kubo-san” (30 seconds)
The first 30-second Ninja Code commercial has been released. It is titled “Kubo-san cheering for you” and features Kubo cheering on “you who are doing your best.”

While he is studying programming, Kubo sits next to him and asks, “Are you ninja CODE again today?” Seeing that he is working on something new, he pats his head and says, “That’s amazing,” but he seems to look down a little and says, “I hate that I’m so busy with work that we don’t have much time to meet.” Nevertheless, at the end, Kubo is seen cheering on “you who are trying your best,” saying, “You’re doing your best, that’s cool!” Keep an eye out for Kubo’s performance as he cheers on you as you work hard towards your goal.

[Commercial shooting episode]
■ First Ninja CODE commercial shoot in 8 months
This is the first filming in about eight months since the commercial released in October 2023. Recording began at a studio in Tokyo. The line “Ninja Code!”, which appeared frequently in the previous work, was filmed smoothly as it was the second time, and Kubo was familiar with it, and there were also scenes where he chatted with the filming staff. He also responded flexibly to the director’s nuanced instructions such as “Smile more!” and “Slow down the tempo,” and his cheerful and always enjoying the filming brought smiles to the staff’s faces.

■No restrictions even for one-take recordings!
The “Kubo-san cheering” episode shows Kubo cheering from nearby. It was a one-take shot, but despite being conscious of the seconds, there were no retakes, and she captivated viewers with a different expression than in the 15-second episode. As she speaks her lines while looking straight into the camera, it’s as if she’s talking to “you,” and the footage captures Kubo in a captivating way.

■ Interview with Shiori Kubo
Q. What did you think when you saw the previous commercial?
I was so happy. I was wearing three different costumes and I was photographed in all different ways, so I was really excited to see how it would turn out, but most of all I was happy!
Q. How do you feel after finishing filming?
I’m really happy to be able to appear again this time, just like last time. But last time I was really nervous! I started off really nervous, but this time it was my second time, so I was able to start filming relaxed, and there was even a scene where I chuckled with the staff right at the start. It was a really fun time that just kept on flowing.
Q. Please tell us if there was any scene that you struggled with.
(The 30-second version) felt as if I was shooting a drama, so I tried to be very conscious of what kind of nuances and perspectives I should convey. I tried to do it while being conscious of the hope that when everyone watches this, it will make them feel a little excited!
Q. The 30-second version is a “CM to support people who try their best.” Is there an episode where you tried your best but failed?
Nogizaka has a culture where members make and exchange homemade sweets for Valentine’s Day and things like that, and I haven’t really done that up until now, but I thought, “I’ll give it a try this year!” and tried to make something like a cake for Valentine’s Day. I thought, “I shouldn’t do something I’m not used to,” but it didn’t rise properly, so I baked it in the oven and got depressed, thinking, “I couldn’t do it…”. When I tried to avoid it once, I flipped it over because it was “hot!!” What a disaster! When I got to that point, I cried alone at home, thinking that I’d failed because I wouldn’t be able to make it in time for Valentine’s Day. After that, I managed to make it in time for White Day! I failed (laughs).
Q. What was the reaction from Nogizaka46 members to the previous commercial?
Everyone was watching, and my classmates took pictures of me with the TV screen and the “NINJA CODE” pose and sent them to me. Everyone was watching, and everyone imitated the “NINJA CODE”.