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
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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.
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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