The world's largest fast-food chain, McDonald's Japan, recently collaborated with Studio Colorido (Taifū no Noruda) in order to produce an anime-themed advertisement that aims to draw in and enlists part-time workers in Japan.
As part of McDonald's Japan newest "Crew ni Narō" campaign or "Join the Crew" campaign in English, the 78-second advertisement portrays the coming-of-age of a new novice employee named Sumire, who must earn her supervisor's loyalty and respect through diligent work and dedication.
The Verge, in its report, noted that there is different McDonald's anime advertisement versions with voice acting coming from the massive pop idol Japanese girl group AKB48. It was produced by Studio Colorido for various regional recruitment spots - where all of it apparently fall under the company's "Mirai no Watashi" (The Future Me) promo.
Singer and AKB48's General Manager, Yui Yokoyama, is the person behind the McDonald's store managervoice, while four different members of Team 8 voiced Sumire, contingent upon the region that the ad is to be played in, keeping in mind the end goal of showcasing a correct accent.
Yokoyama and Nanami Yamada voiced the Kansai version or Osaka, Kyoto and nearby areas, while the Tohoku region (Sendai) is voiced by Yokoyama and Nanami Satō. Yokoyama and Yurina Gyōten were reportedly the ones who voiced the advertisement for Shikoku region.
Be that as it may, it does not simply end there, as several reports further noted that there will be more version coming soon for Hokkaido, Kyushu, Chugoku, and Chūbu/Hokuriku regions of Japan beginning April 4.
In other related news, McDonald's Holding Co. Japan will supposedly raise the base compensation of the regular workers by an average of 2 percent beginning April this year - which can benefit both parties; the workers and the company itself.
The said move is in opposition to the backdrop of a serious labor shortage in the restaurant industry. Furthermore, the company is also aiming to ensure its competitiveness in procuring staff in spite the given situation.
McDonald's Japan is apparently one of the few who embraced the idea of an anime-themed or anime slice of life kind of job advertisement. Watch the full main spot advertisement below: