A little over three years ago Pepsi Japan, in collaboration with Be@rbrick, gave away Star Wars toys with purchase of Pepsi NEX.
I wrote a post about that campaign…click here to read it.
That campaign was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of the first Star Wars movie in Japan.
Well, in about two weeks the new Star Wars 3-D movie will be in theaters in Japan.
In honor of that, Pepsi Japan is once again giving away Star Wars character toys with the purchase of Pepsi NEX.
This time the toys are made by Panson Works.
Metal Odyssey
March 4, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Once again, marketing of pop-culture in Japan that (most likely) doesn’t exist in the U.S. and it drives me crazy! Those little figurines look cool too. It seems lately, that all the big companies here in the states want only the consumers money and give little regard for “added value” when it comes to their products.
tokyo5
March 4, 2012 at 6:26 pm
>doesn’t exist in the U.S.
Both Pepsi and Star Wars are from America. I wonder why they don’t have such campaigns there.
>companies here in the states…give little regard for “added value”
I know that CDs, for example, in Japan have bonus tracks, booklets with photos and song lyrics, and stickers included that aren’t available with the same title CD sold in other countries.
Metal Odyssey
March 5, 2012 at 10:58 pm
I do my fair share of shopping for the family (grocery & department stores I frequent very often) and I have noticed a significant decline in “giveaways” and/or any “freebies” with products of any kind in the U.S… it’s what I call being “stingy”.
For what seems like decades now, your country has always benefited from the “bonus tracks” and Japan “only” album releases! Whoa!
There are many, many Metal albums/CD’s that are not being released in the U.S. and instead Europe. Often, a CD is released in Europe and then released in the U.S. 6 months or more later! I just cannot understand it. The ‘DORO 25 Years In Rock’ box set is a perfect example of this. I bought it as an “import” and it was released in the U.S. 6 months later.
I chalk it up to: “Some things will never change”.
tokyo5
March 5, 2012 at 11:17 pm
>your country has always benefited from the “bonus tracks” and Japan “only” album releases!
Yeah, I don’t know why Japan has gotten so much of a better deal with albums. But it’s lucky for me!
@morethingsjapan
March 9, 2012 at 8:56 am
In Japan, those little keychains are used far more than America. Recently there were AKB48 versions on some juices. If only Pepsi NEX didnt taste like… I’m a starwars fan though, so I’ll be on the lookout. Thanks for the heads up =D
tokyo5
March 10, 2012 at 12:54 am
>In Japan, those little keychains are used far more than America.
Actually, these technically aren’t “keychains”. They’re “cell-phone straps”.
“Keychains” are much more popular in America than here in Japan…but “cell-phone straps” are extremely popular here!
>Recently there were AKB48 versions on some juices.
The all-girl Japanese pop band AKB48 (and their spinoffs) are extremely popular in Japan now…and their image can be seen in ads for a wide variety of things nowadays.
>If only Pepsi NEX didnt taste like…
I’m not a big fan of sweet drinks such as cola, in general…but, I agree, Pepsi NEX, isn’t good at all.
@morethingsjapan
March 12, 2012 at 1:53 pm
I know they’re mostly used for cell phones. I used ‘keychain’ as a general term, and because my Jr High students generally use them on their pencil cases along with key chainy type stuff since they can bring keitai to class ^_^ The third grade girls did a dance to AKB48′s heavy rotation after their graduation and during the party with their parents and teachers.
tokyo5
March 12, 2012 at 7:28 pm
>Jr High students generally use them on their pencil cases
Yes, my daughters have some on their school bags as well as on their phones.
joe
April 7, 2012 at 5:07 am
yes please! If you can please collect a set for me???
tokyo5
April 8, 2012 at 2:07 am
Joe, I don’t know if Pepsi is still offering these anymore (I seldom drink cola). But if I see them in a store, I’ll get some for you.
joe
April 10, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Domo arigato Mister Roberto! Domo! Domo!
tokyo5
April 11, 2012 at 12:31 am
HAHAHA!
You’ve always had a “unique” sense of humor!
Anyways, don’t get your hopes up…I don’t think Pepsi is offering these anymore. They were available for a very limited time.
Deano
April 17, 2012 at 11:27 am
They look really cool
tokyo5
April 17, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Yeah. I think I like the “Jabba the Hutt” and “Darth Maul” ones best.