Ranking Japanese MLB Players’ Ads by How Captivating They Are—Yamamoto Steals the Show

Yamamoto had four commercials rank, including ones he co-starred in. In 2nd place: Sato Pharmaceutical Yunker featured six players including Yamamoto, Masataka Yoshida (32), and Kodai Senga (32), compactly showcasing their skills to keep viewers engaged. In 10th place: Sato Pharmaceutical Yunker Kotei cleverly highlighted Yamamoto’s unique pitching form, reminiscent of a javelin throw, using special effects. Especially eye-catching is 11th place: Bitbank bitbank. R Company’s marketing team manager Koki Mitsuhashi explains:

“Yamamoto-san’s screaming face is shown in close-up continuously. He makes similar expressions during games, and Ohtani uploaded one on social media, comparing it to a baby lion opening its mouth, which went viral. Using this talked-about expression in a commercial early was a key factor in attracting attention. The upbeat dance music ‘Everybody Dance Now!’ in the background also matches Yamamoto-san’s screaming face. Financial commercials often have many product explanations, but this one emphasized the impact of Yamamoto-san’s face and kept the design simple, which captivated viewers.”

Legend Ichiro remains influential, with six commercials ranking as well.

“Even six years after retiring (March ’19), Ichiro-san draws attention whether in uniform or suit. He is a rare talent with fluent speech. In fourth place, Sato Pharmaceutical’s Yunker (different version) shows Ichiro-san in a tie explaining product features and benefits. Normally, attention decreases with lengthy explanations, but with the interaction of three Ichiros and his clear speaking style, the commercial maintained high viewer focus,” Mitsuhashi said.

Other players also made appearances. In 25th place, Darvish stars in Kagome’s Almond Breeze.

“This is a health drink rich in fiber and calcium. Darvish, who has been a long-time user, talks about the product’s appeal as if being interviewed. While the screen-glue factor is not particularly high, unlike typical 15- or 30-second commercials where interest drops, in this case, it steadily rises,” he added.

A close contender is 26th place, Plenus’ Umashio Pork Kalbi Bento, featuring Roki Sasaki (23).

“Sasaki and former volleyball player Sarina Koga squeeze lemons and enjoy the bento, full of freshness and with good pacing. However, it’s unclear why the two athletes are eating in casual clothes. If they were in uniform, which is like battle gear, they might have attracted viewers even more,” said Yasutake.

Entertainment journalist Yuka Sakaguchi commented:

“What viewers expect from Japanese MLB players is not relatability or everyday life, but their continued performance on the world stage. That’s why action in uniform, rather than casual clothes, captivates the audience. In the top commercials, expressions show each athlete’s personality—Ohtani’s humor and brightness, Ichiro’s stoicism, and so on.”

Commercials featuring MLB players are not merely product promotions—they are an extension of a stage where viewers continue dreaming alongside the athletes.