<figure id="attachment_435473" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1853px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-435473"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="307429e6"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/0888521ce1d671dc5aa29a83d6cf9310.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-435473" class="wp-caption-text">Absolute ace of the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto. This season, he achieved double-digit wins for the first time in the Major Leagues and became a key starting pitcher for the Dodgers.</figcaption></figure>
<p data-start="183" data-end="651">Japanese players are having a standout season in Major League Baseball, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26, Dodgers), and Yu Darvish (38, Padres). Company R conducted a thorough analysis of approximately 40 commercials aired from January ’24 to June this year, featuring Japanese MLB players and former stars such as Ichiro (51). Rather than simply measuring viewer ratings, they used a unique method to rank how much viewers were glued to the screen.</p>
<p data-start="653" data-end="795" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><a href="https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/article/435469">The first part is here: Shohei Ohtani Is Still Amazing in the Advertising Industry? Ranking Japanese MLB Players’ CM Screen-Glue Factor.</a></p>
<h2>Close-up of Yamamoto’s screaming face</h2>
<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col grow">
<div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8c18acbd-0f0d-4ee8-aa1e-b4402b17f488" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-mini">
<div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]">
<div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words dark markdown-new-styling">
<p data-start="41" data-end="587">Yamamoto had four commercials rank, including ones he co-starred in. In <strong>2nd place: Sato Pharmaceutical </strong><strong>Yunker</strong> featured six players including Yamamoto, Masataka Yoshida (32), and Kodai Senga (32), compactly showcasing their skills to keep viewers engaged. In <strong>10th place: Sato Pharmaceutical Yunker Kotei</strong> cleverly highlighted Yamamoto’s unique pitching form, reminiscent of a javelin throw, using special effects. Especially eye-catching is <strong>11th place: Bitbank bitbank</strong>. R Company’s marketing team manager Koki Mitsuhashi explains:</p>
<p data-start="589" data-end="1187"><strong>&#8220;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 &#8216;Everybody Dance Now!&#8217; 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.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p data-start="1189" data-end="1263">Legend Ichiro remains influential, with six commercials ranking as well.</p>
<p data-start="1265" data-end="1735"><strong>&#8220;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,&#8221;</strong> Mitsuhashi said.</p>
<p data-start="1737" data-end="1833">Other players also made appearances. In 25th place, Darvish stars in Kagome’s Almond Breeze.</p>
<p data-start="1835" data-end="2154"><strong>&#8220;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,&#8221; </strong>he added.</p>
<p data-start="2156" data-end="2254">A close contender is 26th place, Plenus’ Umashio Pork Kalbi Bento, featuring Roki Sasaki (23).</p>
<p data-start="2256" data-end="2570"><strong>&#8220;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,&#8221; </strong>said Yasutake.</p>
<p data-start="2572" data-end="2624">Entertainment journalist Yuka Sakaguchi commented:</p>
<p data-start="2626" data-end="2979"><strong>&#8220;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.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p data-start="2981" data-end="3137" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Commercials featuring MLB players are not merely product promotions—they are an extension of a stage where viewers continue dreaming alongside the athletes.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<figure id="attachment_435474" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-435474"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="4c24208a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/0da2b1c4e46e09e0e7397d5f779d950a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-435474" class="wp-caption-text">Ichiro, who draws attention whether in uniform or suit, at the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame parade held in New York State on July 26. Even after retirement, he remains highly watched. On the right is his wife, Yumiko.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_435471" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1853px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-435471"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0c785c9d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/20c070a107f441027db8525d6893f133.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-435471" class="wp-caption-text">Joined the Dodgers this season. He was a promising rookie but was placed on the injured list in May. Fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the majors.</figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="#" data-ident_hash="aa25c94e"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/d24ab61d3ec0fa66ab8c429f0d49d8ab.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p><a href="#" data-ident_hash="3373ad0f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/01ff2e8726202a5570142e606804320a.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<h4>Major League Player Captivation Score Measurement Method</h4>
<p data-start="378" data-end="969">R Company conducted an original survey with about 2,000 households (approx. 4,800 people) in the Kanto region and 600 households (approx. 1,500 people) in the Kansai region, measuring how much viewers were focused on the TV screen (captivation score). While viewership may rise when people watch passively while doing other tasks, the captivation score does not increase if they are not actually looking at the screen. In the table, the score uses 100 as the average, and higher numbers indicate higher viewer attention.</p>
<p data-start="971" data-end="1282">The survey covered commercials broadcast on terrestrial TV in the Kanto area from January 2024 to June 2025. It included both commercials featuring individual players and those with multiple players. Both active players like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, as well as retired players like Ichiro, were included.</p>
<p data-start="1284" data-end="1335" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">From &#8220;FRIDAY&#8221;, combined issue August 22 &amp; 29, 2025.</p>


 Yushi Taguchi Afro UPI/Afro

 A TV viewing data analysis company thoroughly analyzed about 40 commercials featuring Japanese Major League Baseball players and alumni, including Ichiro! Using their own unique method, they have created a ranking of the "nail-bitingness" of Japanese Major League Baseball commercials featuring Japanese Major League Baseball players and alumni. The ranking is now open to the public!

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

Access Ranking