Acura brings back anime series ‘Chiaki’s Journey’ for season two

MullenLowe L.A. expands the young racing protégé’s story and crafts a real-life version of Uncle Noboru’s garage

Published On
Apr 27, 2023
Chiaki, the title character from "Chiaki’s Journey," smiling against a red sky backdrop

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Chiaki’s Journey, the Acura anime series that enjoyed a whopping 275 million views for season one, is back for season two—extending the title character’s story and including other elements including a real build of the fictional Uncle Noboru’s garage.

The second season, created by MullenLowe Los Angeles, premiered earlier this month at the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The series tells the story of the young racing protégé Chiaki’s and her wise uncle Noboru. In season two, viewers learn about Chiaki’s father Ichiro, and one of Ichiro’s teammates from the past, as Chiaki takes on Colorado’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the new 2024 Integra Type S.

Here is the season two trailer:

 

As part of the campaign, Uncle Noboru’s garage from the story was brought to life as a full-scale Type S garage at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Also, Mario Farnbacher and Ashton Harrison’s Acura vehicle featured anime-style wraps, as did the Acura pace cars.

Here are the four 60-second episodes from the new season:

Jon Ikeda, Acura’s VP and brand officer, told Ad Age last year that the brand wanted to emphasize “fun” with the campaign and bring younger buyers into the fold. Acura, owned by Japanese conglomerate Honda, also positioned the anime campaign as a return to its roots. 

Chiaki’s Journey poster

Chiaki’s Journey poster

Credits

Date
Apr 27, 2023
Client :
Acura
Agency :
MullenLowe Los Angeles
Executive Creative Director :
Carlos Alija
Executive Creative Director :
Laura Sampedro
Creative Director Copy :
Ty Hayward
Creative Director Art :
Sean Stell
Associate Creative Director Copy :
Jason Brady
Art Director :
Judikael LeBayon
SVP Production :
Lisa Setten
Head of Production :
Kate Hildebrant
Executive Producer :
Amy Jo Deguzis
SVP Group Account Director :
Jeff Mayes
VP Group Account Director :
Nicole Neopolitan
Account Director :
Kylie Mugg
Account Supervisor :
Joe Litwak
Account Executive :
Rebecca Atniel
VP Director of Business Affairs :
Davina Turnbull
Senior Business Affairs Manager :
Heidi Clemens
Business Affairs Assistant :
Madison Kercheval
Director Project Management :
Kemit McCullough
Animation Company :
The Line
Director :
Sam Taylor
Director :
Juanpe Arroyo Molina
Editorial Company :
Yeti Editorial
Editor :
Emile Doucette
Music Company :
KK Masterworks
Music Company :
Wixen Music
Artist :
Nemophila
Sound Design & Mix Company :
SOURCE SOUND
VFX & Finishing Company :
JAMM

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