Ae! group has been selected as the new faces of UHA Mikakuto’s popular soft candy “Puccho,” marking their debut in television commercials. The new commercial, titled “Puccho no Kiseki” (The Miracle of Puccho), will begin airing on September 7th, with the official brand website launching today, September 4th, at 10 AM JST.

Despite this being their first TV commercial, the group entered the studio with a mix of nerves and excitement. However, their camaraderie quickly shone through as they shared laughs and jokes between takes, creating a warm and lively atmosphere on set.

The commercial is themed around a “miracle” that occurs during a shoot. After five years together, member Ken Kojima makes a startling discovery about their signature “Ae Pose,” a detail that had gone unnoticed until now. As Kojima shares this revelation, the other members are shocked. However, it’s Masaya Sano’s “miraculous inspiration” that leads to the creation of the “true Ae Pose.“

During the first take, Sano’s intense expression while delivering the line “Honmaya” (Really!) caused the other members to burst into laughter. In the second take, Sano himself couldn’t hold back and ended up laughing too hard, prompting Seiya Suezawa to quip in true Kansai style, “Mou eete!” (That’s enough!).

The scene in question went through multiple takes, with members Yoshinori Masakado, Suezawa, and Keita Richard Kusama reportedly laughing uncontrollably off-camera. It was even revealed that Masakado was making such exaggerated faces that they were described as “practically goofy,” causing the entire group to struggle with keeping a straight face. The final choice of Sano’s “Honmaya” expression for the commercial will surely be a highlight for fans.

The Group Reflects on Their First TV Commercial Experience

When asked about their first TV commercial, Suezawa reflected, “This is our first TV commercial as Ae! group, and it’s for Puccho, no less.”

Sano chimed in with excitement, “Puccho! The Puccho!” to which the whole group responded in amazement, “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“We’ve seen it and eaten it so many times,” Suezawa added with Sano agreeing, “I’ve eaten so much Puccho.” Richard also reminisced, “We’ve been eating it since we were little.”

The eldest, Suezawa, summed up the sentiment, “It’s incredibly special to be part of a commercial for something we’ve loved for so long.”

When Does Ae! group crave for Puccho?

The members were also asked when they crave Puccho the most. Kojima suggested, “With the hot season coming up, it’s perfect when you’re walking outside. It’s also great for when you just want something in your mouth.”

“We go all out during our live shows and dance rehearsals, so we definitely reach for Puccho during breaks,” Masakado mentioned and Sano joked, “Maybe we could even eat it during band practice.”

In disbelief at what he just heard, Suezawa responded, “You’re eating Puccho during band practice?”

“There are songs I don’t sing on!”

“So during those, you’ll eat Puccho??” Suezawa asked as Sano laughed, and Kojima added with a grin, “Especially since Sano plays the drums,” to which the rest of the group burst into laughter.

Miraculous Moments Outside of Filming

When asked about any “miracles” they’ve experienced in work or personal life, Masakado shared, “Kojima found an eel in Dotonbori! It was a first.”

To which Kojima confirmed, “It’s apparently the first time anyone’s ever seen one there,” with Sano adding, “It’s a historic discovery!”

Suezawa asked how many he did find, and to which Kojima proudly replied, “11 eels!”

In true friendly spirit, Sano couldn’t resist teasing, “That’s too many! One would have been enough!”

Fun and Challenges During Filming

Reflecting on the filming process, Kojima noted, “Sano just kept laughing.”

“It’s fine, isn’t it?” Sano defended himself and Masakado added, “Especially at the very beginning.”

Sano explained, “It’s our first TV commercial, so it’s just fun.”

Masakado admitted, “There’s a bit of shyness when it comes to seeing your group members in such a setting.”

Richard agreed, “It does feel a bit surreal.”

As the leader, Kojima concluded, “While it was a lot of fun, there were definitely challenges too.”

This first venture into television commercials has not only allowed Ae! group to showcase their playful side but has also created an experience full of laughter and camaraderie that fans will undoubtedly cherish. Keep an eye out for Sano’s “Honmaya” and the miracle of the “true Ae Pose” in the upcoming commercial!