- ■ TL;DR – Yes, This Is Real
- ■ What Is “Chargeman Ken”?
- ■ The Video: “Garlic and Chives in Your Brain”
- ■ Product Line: 4 Flavors of Culinary Madness
- ■ Why It Works: The Japanese Mindset Behind the Madness
- ■ Social Reactions: Laughter, Confusion, Devotion
- ■ Strategy Breakdown: Why This Went Viral
- ■ Closing Thoughts:
- 🔗 References
■ TL;DR – Yes, This Is Real
Nissin just launched a line of “Makaizo Cup Noodles” (“魔改造” meaning “extreme modification”), and to promote it, they teamed up with the 1970s cult anime Chargeman Ken.
The result? A full-blown parody commercial where a villain is turned into noodle soup, and a garlic-soaked flavor lineup that’s as chaotic as it is irresistible.
This isn’t just marketing—this is cultural absurdity turned into a business strategy.
■ What Is “Chargeman Ken”?
For those unfamiliar, Chargeman Ken! is a 1974 Japanese anime infamous for its poor animation, bizarre storytelling, and unintentionally hilarious dialogue.
Think of it as the “so-bad-it’s-good” anime that meme culture worships in Japan.
The series became an internet phenomenon decades later—mostly through people mocking it on YouTube or TikTok.
So when Nissin brought it back as the official face of a Cup Noodle line in 2025, the internet understandably lost its mind.
■ The Video: “Garlic and Chives in Your Brain”
The CM is titled:
“Makaizo Chargeman Ken! Episode 35: Garlic and Chives in Your Brain”
Highlights include:
- Villain Dr. Volga being force-fed garlic and turned into a cup noodle
- The hero yelling, “Forgive me, Dr. Volga!” before slurping the noodles
- Chaotic animation that deliberately mimics the original’s low-budget style
To quote one viewer:
“They actually did it. Chargeman Ken. Cup Noodles. Official. Real.”
Another said:
“This is marketing for people with deep internet trauma.”
■ Product Line: 4 Flavors of Culinary Madness
Nissin released four “makaizo” (modded) versions of their classics:
| Original Base | Modified Flavor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Original | Motsunabe Shoyu (Offal hot pot soy sauce) | Garlic-heavy, bold broth with chives and back fat |
| Curry | Garlic Mayo Curry | Rich, creamy, and aggressively pungent |
| Seafood | Mentai Cheese Monja | Inspired by monjayaki (Tokyo-style pan-fried batter), with cod roe & cheese |
| Chili Tomato | Ebi Chili Tomato | Shrimp chili with spicy tomato twist |
Key Reviews:
- GIGAZINE: “This isn’t just food, it’s borderline criminal in how good/bad it feels.”
- RocketNews24: “They blew up the original recipe and started over. It’s bold, dumb, and glorious.”
- Cupmen.org: “You’ll either love it or be overwhelmed. Garlic haters, stay away.”
■ Why It Works: The Japanese Mindset Behind the Madness
1. Respect Through Parody
In Japan, parody is often seen as a form of reverence.
Even chaotic comedy like this holds an underlying respect for the original work—especially when it’s recreated in such loving detail.
Nissin didn’t just reference Chargeman Ken—they re-animated it with voiceovers and meme-worthy timing.
2. “Omoshiroi” Culture: Fun Comes First
“Omoshiroi” (面白い) means interesting, funny, or entertaining—and it’s a key motivator in Japanese product design.
A product doesn’t just have to taste good—it has to start a conversation.
That’s exactly what this collaboration achieved: even people who never watched the anime now know it exists.
3. Backhanded Nostalgia
Japanese pop culture embraces nostalgia—but often in ironic, twisted forms.
This campaign plays into that perfectly: turning a “bad anime” into a revered cult icon, then using it to sell noodles.
It’s not just marketing. It’s social participation via parody.
■ Social Reactions: Laughter, Confusion, Devotion
The emotional data site Emogram reported that:
- 60% of online reactions were positive/amused
- 25% expressed genuine confusion or disbelief
- Others praised it for being “the most Japanese ad ever made”
Tweets ranged from:
“This must be how gods feel when they eat ramen”
to
“Someone at Nissin needs a raise. Or therapy. Maybe both.”
Even English-speaking netizens said:
- “Chargeman Ken?? They went THAT deep into anime meme lore?”
- “If you know, you know. And if you don’t, just eat the damn noodles.”
■ Strategy Breakdown: Why This Went Viral
| Element | Insight |
|---|---|
| Limited Edition | Scarcity drives curiosity and urgency |
| Memeable Content | Easily shareable screenshots and quotes |
| Low Barrier Entry | Cheap product, easy access in stores |
| Cultural Layers | Appeals to both anime fans and general foodies |
This is not just a product launch—it’s a masterclass in viral design thinking.
■ Closing Thoughts:
Nissin’s campaign isn’t trying to be “cool”—it’s trying to be unforgettable.
By pairing absurd nostalgia with sensory overload, they’ve created a product that transcends food.
You’re not just eating Cup Noodles—you’re part of the joke.
And in a way, that’s the most Japanese marketing move of all.
